Page 14 of Forever my Love

ChapterFive

When Hailey came out of the locker room, Reece was sitting on the bench waiting for her. He’d obviously showered and was looking down at his phone with a frown on his lips.

She’d thought of telling him everything earlier, opening up to him about her and Harper’s past. The things that they had gone through in their childhood. The things they were running from. The person they were hiding from. But she’d chickened out and had disappeared as quickly as she could into the locker room.

“Problems?” she asked him. She sat next to him to retie her shoe, which had come loose.

“No, just… My sister wants to cook me dinner.” He rolled his eyes.

“What’s wrong with that?”

“She wants me to invite you along too.”

Hailey smiled. “I like your sister.”

“She’s not a very good cook. I mean, she’s okay, but…” He shrugged. “I’m much better.”

“Oh?” She couldn’t help but laugh. “I’m far worse than Harper. She can make a fish on an open flame taste like pure heaven.” She sighed, remembering all the times that her sister had turned stale crackers and a fish that they had caught in the stream behind their home into a wonderful meal.

“Maybe for our second date, I can cook for you?” he offered.

She stiffened. She’d thought of a million excuses to get out of going on a date with him. Fear crept into her mind whenever she thought of going out with him.

She didn’t know how to act on a date. In all of the movies and shows she’d watched, dates were, well, awkward. Hailey avoided awkward situations as much as she could.

“I’d better get going,” she said, suddenly.

“Are we still on to practice those self-defense moves tomorrow? I have some time around two.”

She wanted to turn him down, but then she remembered how bad she was at breaking out of his hold. What if she was put in that position again? Could she get out of it? She didn’t want Harper to feel responsible like last time. She knew that her sister would carry the guilt for what had happened to her for the rest of her life, even though Harper couldn’t have done anything to protect Hailey. Hell, she couldn’t even protect herself back then.

“Sure,” she said. She stepped outside and took a deep breath of cold crisp Oregon air.

This was so much better than where she’d grown up. It had always been muggy. Hot. Sticky.

She felt a shiver race down her spine and glanced around the dark parking lot. Just then, Reece stepped out behind her.

“Are you okay?” He stopped beside her and turned to look at where she’d just been looking.

She shook off the feeling of being watched and nodded. “Just enjoying the fresh air.” She started towards her truck.

“Drive safe, the roads are a little slick,” Reece called after her.

“Thanks, you too.” She got in her truck. As she pulled out of the parking lot, she glanced back at the bushes and felt another shiver race down her spine.

She hated the feeling of being watched. It had been years since she’d felt the need to jump at shadows. But knowing that her sister was worried about their past coming after them had put her on edge.

When she pulled into the driveway, she could tell that Harper was still awake.

She stepped into the house and smiled when she smelled cookies and popcorn.

Her sister was sitting on the sofa watching a movie and hit pause when she came in.

After giving Lucy a little attention, Hailey sat next to Harper.

“So, how was it?” Harper asked.

She shrugged. “I pretty much kicked Reece’s butt.”