“Then I guess you’re gonna have to get out.” I jerk my thumb toward the door.
“Man, why are you being this way?”
“I don’t know what went on with you and Cyn, or why she pretends not to like you, but it looks like you have some work to do before she’s going to come around. I’ll let you hang your boots up here for a while and give you the opportunity to change her mind, but that’s about all the help I can give you. In return you’re going to forget how to fly your bird or lose a piece of the instrument panel, or saw a door off. One of those things.”
“You concerned your little robin is going to fly away?”
“I don’t like to leave things to chance.”
Jake curls his grip back around his mug. “I thought the women here got the right to leave whenever they want.”
“Sure.” I sweep the crumbs off the counter and toss them in the trash. “But it doesn’t apply to doc’s sister. She doesn’t want to leave. She’s going to say she wants to leave because she’s spirited and she wants to make me work for it, but she really doesn’t.”
“You hear yourself?”
“I know it sounds wrong but Slick drove on to my property uninvited and so now I’m keeping her.”
“For how long?”
Is Jake right in the head? Maybe Cyn’s right to avoid him. I snatch the mug out of his fist and toss it into the sink. “What are you on? Forever. I’m keeping her forever.”
I leave Jake to ruminate on that and go to fetch my woman.
twelve
HAYDEN
“You goingto tell me what’s up with you and King?” Danny asks. I duck my head to try and hide the blush that I can feel rising to the surface. I’m not exactly sure what’s going on with us or I’m not ready to admit it yet. To myself or anyone else.
“Nothing is up with King.” I pretend to look around her cabin with added interest. Inspecting everything I can so that I don’t make eye contact with her.
“Doesn't seem like nothing.” She steps into my path. I can tell from the look on her face that she isn't going to let this go. I’m going to have to give her something.
“It doesn't matter what’s going on with King. We fooled around and now I’m leaving. What do they call those? One night stands?” I pop off trying to sound casual about it. Acting as though it’s no big deal at all for me. That it’s only for fun. I wish that were actually the case because it would make leaving easier. I wouldn’t have all of these feelings that I can’t describe going on inside of me. I’d be able to go on my merry way and not feel as though it was going to cause my heart to break. The thought of never seeing him again weighs heavily on me.
“You’re so full of shit, Hayden Weston.” She shakes her head at me.
“If you think you have all the answers then why the hell are you asking me?” She folds her arms over her chest and keeps on staring at me. She’s done the same thing since we were little kids. She has the patience of a saint and will wait me out until I spill the truth.
“We didn't have like all the way sex.” I give, only a little though. It’s clearly not enough because her face doesn't change. “I could of had sex.”
“No you couldn't have.”
“I could have! I know you’re the doctor and all but I know how to have sex.”
“Of course you know how sex works. I gave you the sex talk.” Touche.
“Then why are you acting like I wouldn’t have had sex?”
“For you sex is love. You’re not having sex with anyone unless you think that person has staying power.”
“Not true. You know where we live. There is no one in that town to even have a quicky with.” I retort. This is a fact.
“You’re so full of shit. Ethan’s been in love with you for years and he is not hard on the eyes.” I make a gagging face. Ethan is in love with my vagina. I’ve known him since grade school when his family moved to town. There isn’t a girl left in our small town that he hasn't slept with or tried to sleep with. He only wants to hook up with me because I’m a challenge to him. One he’d never conquer. Hope I’m not on his bucket list because there’s no way he’ll be checking that off it.
“I just haven’t had sex with King yet because he is demanding to know my name!” I declare.
“I can’t believe it.” Danny shakes her head at me again. “A man wanting to know your name before you have sex.” I glare at her. I’m supposed to be the sarcastic one between the two of us. Why is she stealing my moves?