Big Man's Contract

My heart constricts. I want to defend myself but the words won’t come. And if I tell everyone the truth about her it will only make things worse. Despite everything, I’m not trying to ruin her life. I want to cry, but not in front of all these people.

“Go away, Haley.” Madden says. “This town is sick of all your drama and bullshit.” A couple people in line agree with him loudly, stunning Haley into silence.

But the silence doesn’t last long. Her face is red and it’s obvious she’s embarrassed, which is one of her more dangerous moods. She’s always been a viper when humiliated. She starts to lay into Madden. “You’re an idiot and weak to pussy. Lina doesn’t care about you. You’re just a joke to her and I’m going to be the first one laughing when you figure that out.”

I finally find my voice and blurt out, “I’m not using anyone. I’ve been sorry every day of my life for what I did to Madden back when we were kids. Madden and I have spent time together over the last week and we’re healing together. That doesn’t make what I did right, and I don’t expect him to forgive me right away, but I hope he does some day because I love him and I would never take advantage of him.”

The words shock me as they come out of my mouth, and the looks of everyone around me reflect that, especially Madden. Abe is the only one who doesn’t seem surprised. Just amused. Haley seems more pissed than shocked and pushes her way out of line, leaving.

I chase her out into the parking lot. “Go away, Lina,” she says. I can hear the tears in her voice.

I keep following her even though she tries to walk fast, but she’s wearing heels and I keep up easily. “Why have you spent your life trying to turn people against me? I thought you were my best friend.”

Haley stops walking and her shoulders shake as she weeps. “Things got out of hand,” she says. “I felt horrible when the boy I liked got me pregnant and took off the moment he found out. I was ashamed and humiliated when I thought people might find out. You had all the boys in love with you. If it had been you getting pregnant, Madden would have gladly stayed to help you take care of your child. Any of them would. And then when you left without even saying goodbye, I snapped. I turned you into the bad guy to get the focus off of me. The longer I didn’t hear from you, the more bitter I became until it turned into this.” She waves her hands around at nothing, but I get what she means.

I hug her. She seems frozen in my arms at first then hugs me back and starts to cry even harder. “You’re my friend,” I tell her. “I should have called. We’ve both made mistakes. Let’s find a way to forgive each other and move on. Being mad and hateful won’t make either of us feel any better.”

“I know. And I’m so sorry,” Haley says.

“Why don’t you go in the bar, have a drink and try to relax. Looks like you have a babysitter tonight, and you’re all dressed up, so have a good time.”

She smiles as though it’s been a while since she’s enjoyed herself. “Thank you,” she says and heads back to the bar.

Madden is standing off to the side. By the look on his face he heard the whole thing. He comes over to me. “Are you okay?” he asks.

“I will be. I think things are going to be better now.”

He glowers at me. “You ruin everything.”

My mouth hangs open in surprise. “What do you mean?”

He shakes his head at me. “You stole the damn control again. I wanted to be the one to tell you I love you first. Why are you so selfish?”

The tears I’ve been trying to avoid this whole time finally spill over. My heart swells with happiness as he kisses me. He leans back, touching the side of my face. “I’ve loved you from the moment I met you. After the prank I tried to bury it. But now I know you were being used at the time too. That one night was about more than a pair of teens playing a prank. There were more people wrapped up in a bigger drama. It caused a lot of havoc in this town, but it’s finally over.”