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He held them. “Just for now. We’re gonna be so much better after this though. No more hidin’, no more havin’ to set alarms, no more lies.”
“You’re the best fucking friend I’ve ever had, Ty Hayes. I love you,” TK told him. “I’m gonna make you proud of me.”
“I’m already proud of you, Teek,” he said, letting his friend rest his head on his shoulder. “You’re a warrior, man. You’ve been through hell but you’re still standin’. I fuckin’ love that about you. You’re gonna kill this shit and come back so much stronger. Promise me you’ll give it everything you got, OK?”
TK nodded, pulling away. “I promise, Ty. For you.”
“Trav? It’s time,” Trevor said gently, resting a hand on TK’s arm.
“We’ll talk soon, OK? Soon as we can! I love you, man,” Hayes said, tears escaping his eyes as he watched TK leave the conference room with his brother and his father.
Ryan was immediately at his side, hand around his shoulder. “You good?”
“Yeah, um,” Hayes fumbled over his words, wiping his face. “So, I’m headed to Tampa, eh?”
“Yep. If you think I’d let you do this alone, you’re insane. I’ve…got a career, but I’m gonna be there for you every step of the way, Hayes. As much as I can.”
“I’m gettin’ fucked up again before I go,” he told Ryan. “You know that, right?”
Ryan nodded. “I figured.”
“When do I check in?”
“Tomorrow morning. We’re flying back tonight though. We need to go. We’ll head back to your apartment, pack a few quick things, and Neilly’s gonna drop us off at the airport.”
Hayes sighed, running his hands across his cheeks. “We stayin’ with my bestie?”
“Yep.”
“And she knows…about everything?”
“Yep. And Hayes?”
“Yeah?”
“She’s fucking pissed.”
Fuck.
How Could You? (18)
It was just past 8 p.m. when Jake pulled into the driveway after picking Ryan and Hayes up from the airport. Aside from greetings, the ride had been mostly quiet. Hayes, having taken way more oxys than he should’ve in an attempt to numb his rib pain, slept for almost the entire flight and was just starting to come to as they reached the house.
Jake parked, turned the car off, and looked at Ryan, who was seated next to him. “I need a word with Hayes.”
“Of course,” Ryan said. “I’ll get the bags.” He exited the car as Jake popped the trunk.
“Hey?” Jake turned to face Hayes in the backseat. “Look at me. She is very pregnant, very emotional, and very angry with you. She’s also the love of my life and I’m not gonna let her get hurt. So, you? You let her say what needs to be said, OK? You did this and it’s important for you to understand how it’s affecting other people. I know you guys have some shit to work through. Have at it, but I don’t wanna see her too upset. You understand me?”
Hayes nodded, closing his eyes and leaning his head back. “Relax, Prince Charming. I’d fuckin’ cut my own throat before I hurt her. Don’t act like you don’t know that.”
“I’m just making it clear.”
They both got out of the car, Jake moving to help Ryan with the bags as Baylor came running down the driveway and right to Hayes. He barked a couple times, nuzzling the side of Hayes’s leg.
“Hey, buddy,” he said sadly. “Wow, you got big, eh?” He patted his head, pushed him away gently, and began walking toward the house, where Amara stood in the doorway.
She leaned against the door frame with her arms crossed and resting on top of her huge belly. Jake kissed her on the cheek, whispered something into her ear, and walked past her into the house, with Ryan following. She pulled the door closed, leaving just the two of them outside. Hayes approached, then stopped about five feet from her, their eyes locked in gaze.
