I stare at her, taking a few seconds just to appreciate the fact that she's here and whole and happy—that I can stand here with her and even have this conversation.
"You take all the time you need, baby girl," I murmur, my thumb gently stroking her jaw. "Work through whatever you need to work through. I just want to make sure that you understand you're perfect the way you are—a queen in her own right. And I'm sorry he didn't treat you that way. He didn't deserve you. He didn't deserve your kindness and your beauty and your heart. And it kills me that he didn't treat you the way you deserve. Because you're worth so much more than he ever gave you, and I just want you to know that that's on him, not you. And one day, someonewillbe worthy of you, and they'll love you the way you deserve to be loved. I promise you."
For a moment, I think I’ve said too much, she's frozen that still. Her eyes are glassy, and her chest visibly rises with her shallow breaths. It hits me that no one’s ever told her that—no one’s ever bothered to tell her that she’s worthy.
But then a breath whooshes out of her chest, and she whispers, "Do you really believe that?"
"Wholeheartedly," I respond without missing a beat.
She stares at me for a moment longer, unblinking, and then she nods.
There's nothing left to say, so I smile and press my lips to her forehead. Something about it makes me feel like I'm sealing my promise with a kiss, and that thought is enough for me to linger for a little longer than is probably appropriate.
And when I pull away, her gaze is locked on mine in a way that literally takes my breath away. My breath catches at the sight of her standing before me like this. And it feels like something between us moves, shifts, sparks in a way I don’t understand, yet—
I'm snapped out of my Hailey-driven haze when I hear the front door open. Part of me hopes it's just Remy coming back, but the smarter part of me knows I'm not that lucky.
Instead, Steve is standing in the doorway.
He stops just inside the apartment, shell-shocked and staring at us with unblinking eyes.
"What're you doing here?" he blurts out, never taking his gaze off of Hailey.
"I came to pick my stuff up," she says in a quiet voice.
And it's that nervousness, that voice of self-doubt, that snaps me to attention and makes my hackles rise.
"We're just leaving," I say with a bite, putting every bit of frustration, rage, and helplessness that this man has made me feel into my tone. I grab the blanket Hailey just folded and shove it into her arms in an effort to get her moving. I want her out of here,now. I don't want her spending another second around this toxic motherfucker.
"Wait," Steve blurts out. "Can we talk? You haven't answered my calls."
"There's nothing to talk about," Hailey responds without looking at him. She just continues walking toward the last box in front of her bedroom, setting the blanket on it before picking it all up.
"You don't think a two-year relationship is worth talking about before we chuck the whole thing out the window?" he asks incredulously. Like he's genuinely shocked that Hailey doesn't want to talk to him.
I almost laugh at the absurdity of it. At his insane mentality.
"No, I don't," she replies immediately. And even though she can't bring herself to make eye contact with him, I'm still proud of her for sticking to her guns. God knows I've seen plenty of couples break up and get back together because one look at their ex and they get sucked right back into whatever environment they were in with their relationship.
"Hailey, come on," he almost-whines. "I said I was sorry about what I said. I was just angry, I didn't mean it. Can't you just forgive me? I forgave you."
At that, her gaze finally snaps to his, fury licking like flames in her eyes. My mouth drops at the sight. I’ve never actually seen her angry like this. It’s mesmerizing to see the passion in her expression.
"Forgiveness isn't a bargaining chip, Steve,” she spits. “You don't get to compare your fuck-ups to mine and then use that as a get-out-of-jail-free card. We deal with each thing on its own, and we decide whether or not we want to forgive the other.I'vedecided your fuck-up was unforgivable. One of many. There's no changing it or apologizing for it or using it as a stepping stone. So no, we don't need to talk."
I want to roar with pride at the sight of Hailey handing Steve his ass. Even he looks surprised at the fact that she's standing up to him, which makes me think he's probably been the alpha for way too long.
That thought reignites the anger inside me. Now that Hailey's said her piece, I feel better about pushing her out of here.
"Sounds like she knows what she wants," I say coldly, scooping up the last two boxes from the kitchen. "I don't think there's anything left to talk about. So if you'll excuse us, I'm getting her the fuck out of here and away from you."
It seems like Steve is only just noticing that I'm here, which would be laughable if this whole situation didn't enrage me. He glares at me with a hate I’ve only ever seen from men when they’re locked in a cage with me, and I can practically taste the insecurity, the beta energy, radiating from where he's still standing frozen in the hallway.
"Let's go, Jax," Hailey commands. She turns to Steve with a cold glare. "Don't call me again."
Steve just stares at her, expressionless. But when we finally pass him and make it through the front door, his quiet voice carries out to the hallway.
"You're going to realize you made a mistake. And I'll be waiting when you do, because I love you. And we're perfect together. You just need some time to see that."