They exchanged looks. “Sabine.”
“Good grief,” I muttered, wondering how we’d gotten into such a fix. “Well it looks like you guys are all under control. Why did you need me to come over?”
Oliver grimaced. “Because Jackson and I have a meeting with a new client this afternoon.”
“I told him I didn’t need a babysitter. Don’t blame this on me,” Hayden said, struggling to get off the floor. Oliver reached down and carefully helped him up. I handed him the crutches that were leaning against the wall.
“Where’s Jackson?” I asked, hopefully in a nonchalant voice.
“We had a meeting this morning and he took Anderson to the airport. He came back and crashed up in the office. I think he drank too much last night or something.” He watched me closely. “Did you stay with him at the bar last night after we left?”
“For a little while. He was okay when we parted.” Not a lie. Not a lie. We just didn’t part last night but this morning instead. “Wait, did you say Anderson left?”
Hayden focused on his crutches and Oliver frowned. “Yeah he said it looked like everything was under control here so he needed to head back.”
I understood. His swimming had always come first, but it hurt a little that he didn’t
even said goodbye.
“So look, Hayden’s been here for a while. Can you could drive him back to the apartment? His meds are on the kitchen table, with instructions.”
“Sure,” I said, glancing at Hayden. “You ready?”
“Yep.”
I stepped ahead of him, moving to leave the room, but stopped short when I saw a figure in the doorway. I had a flash of the night before—a flash of kissing that handsome face in a similar spot. For the first time in ages, I felt a sense of peace at the sight of him.
“Uh,” Jackson said, eyes lingering on me before shifting to Oliver. “Our appointment is here.”
Oliver’s eyes flicked between us. I glanced at Hayden. He was watching closely, too. “In the meeting room?”
“Yes. I’ll tell them you’re on the way.” Jackson turned and walked away without so much as another glance my direction.
“This shouldn’t take long, Heaven, and I’ll be back to take over.”
“Not a baby,” Hayden reminded him.
Oliver rolled his eyes. “See you in a little while.”
He left, going in the same direction as Jackson, leaving Hayden and I alone for the first time in a long time.
“My car is out front,” I said. “Can you make it?”
“I swear to god, Heaven, if you guys don’t stop treating me like a fucking invalid, I’m going to lose my mind.”
I spun on my heel and faced him. “Hayden Pierce, you don’t get to speak to me like that. I’m just here to help. And no one is treating you like a baby. We’re trying to help you recover so you can get back on your feet—back to what you love.” I tried to level my voice. “But if anyone is acting like a child, it’s you. And if you don’t want to be treated as such, man up and stop whining about everything.”
His gray eyes had narrowed while I spoke and a strand of his long, dark hair fell against his cheek. His strong jaw tensed, absorbing my words and god, being caught in his gaze again left me completely unnerved, just like it had all those years before. I held my breath until his jaw loosened and a sly grin tipped his lips. “I’ve missed the hell out of you, Heaven Reeves, do you know that?”
“Really?” I said, wryly.
“I’m surrounded by these people that are always trying to make me do what’s best for my career or my image. You just want what’s best for me.” He studied me for a moment. “I appreciate that more than I ever realized.”
I didn’t know how to respond to that, to the conflicted look in his eye. I just turned and walked out of the room. After a moment I heard the clack of his crutches following. I couldn’t. He was right, I did want what was best for him which meant any kind of closure, like I had with Jackson, was off the table. He’d moved on with a new girlfriend and life. Any kind of action on my part would be a betrayal. I wouldn’t be that girl and I knew Hayden wasn’t that guy. I’d help him because I owed him, but the line stopped there.
At least that was what I told myself. Told my heart and the ache that longed for repair.
23