“We’d like to meet with you, like you have with Frank and Lila. Eventually you’ll have enough information to decide whose side you’re on.”
“What if I don’t choose sides?” I folded my arms over my chest.
“They might kill you, so you can’t choose us. The bigger our army, the smaller theirs is in comparison.”
“Army?”
He shrugged. “We’re in a battle, good against evil. It’s not fun and games, Tessa, though I wish it were.”
The more I learned, the more complicated it became. I wouldn’t be able to stand by and allow Mr. Linton and Fawn to guide me. “When do you propose these meetings take place?”
“I could text you, so you know when to expect me. I might bring someone, if that’s okay.”
If he’d meant harm, he would’ve brought the extra person without asking. Or he would have already hurt me. I handed him my phone. “I guess so. Put your number in there. I’m working tomorrow night, but we can meet after. Around ten-thirty?”
“See you then.” He returned my phone. “They’re watching the front door. I’ll go out the window where I can hide in the shadows.”
* * * *
I checked the address on the mailbox. Yep, that was it. A sprawling Spanish style house complete with security gate, giant trees and green lawns as far as I could see. Thankfully, Hayden had remembered to put me on the list so when I drove up to the gate and gave the guard my name, he let me right through. I parked and walked the driveway, as Hayden had directed, past the giant swan fountain and blooming flowers.
The ‘guest’ house came into view. It was about the same size as my own home, maybe bigger. Except ours had four occupants — his had only one.
Coming to Hayden’s house was a bad idea after last night. If he had a girl in his bed, would I be able to keep myself in check? Unlikely. But it didn’t matter. I’d have to tough it out with him regardless.
My encounter with the guy last night complicated the situation, made me less sure of anything. I needed to learn to protect myself now more than ever. I needed Hayden too much to walk away. It’s not as if he were any kind of a temptation to me — not after what he’d done last night.
I tapped on the door and waited but no one answered. Hopefully, Hayden wasn’t too wrecked, thus wasting my time. I turned the knob and the door gave way, unveiling light green walls and white trim, wide plank hardwood floors and an arched doorway to a spacious kitchen. The place was simple yet elegant, with very little clutter. It was hard to imagine any teenage boy keeping a home so clean. Clearly, his parents provided a maid.
Hayden had quite the life.
I had no idea how many rooms the house had or which one Hayden would be sleeping in. So I closed my eyes and looked for him, letting my instinct lead. His bedroom door stood ajar and I crept in, praying he wouldn’t be with some girl.
Chapter Thirteen
Tessa
My stomach fluttered in relief at finding Hayden alone. I reminded myself that I didn’t care and rejoiced once again over my good sense at avoiding the temptation the night before. Finding him with the girl in the shadows of the garage proved that I’d made the right decision. I’d never lower myself and kiss him again.
“Hayden, wake up.”
He groaned sleepily and rubbed his eyes. “Hey, Tessa.”
“Good. You remember me.” I kept my voice cold and impersonal. “We have an appointment, remember?”
“Oh, yeah.” By his dazed eyes, he needed coffee. Badly.
I shifted and glanced around. “I’ll wait in the living room.”
“A couple minutes and I’ll be ready,” he croaked as I bolted.
I wanted to pace his living room but didn’t want to appear agitated. Instead, I checked out his kick-boxing trophies mounted on the wall. He emerged moments later wearing jeans and a button-down shirt, left open to expose his flat, muscular abs. I struggled not to stare. He was still a jack-ass and I didn’t want him.
“So…” I shouldn’t ask. My mouth needed to stay shut. But I couldn’t stop the words from tumbling out. “You said you didn’t have a girlfriend. The girl last night was what? A one night stand?”
“Neither. We see each other now and then.” He sat on the couch and slid his foot into a sock.
Then it hit me. “She’s Back Up Plan?”
“What?” He furrowed his brows. “Oh, yeah. That’s her.”
“Wow, Hayden. You keep a girl on standby? Just when I thought you were human, you go and show the real you.”
“If she doesn’t care, why should you?” He scoffed. “She has an itch and I scratch it. We’re too people enjoying each other. No big deal.”
“No big deal?” A quick noise escaped my throat, like a melding of a squeak and a groan.
Hayden raised his brows, as though he had no idea why his way of life could possibly bother anyone. “Apparently it is to you.”
“Whatever.” I shook my head. “You work quickly, huh? You’d been kissing me only a couple minutes before.”
“Yeah, and you put the brakes on. You said no, remember?”
I took a deep breath, not bothering to hide my disgust. “Of course. We’re all kind of interchangeable, aren’t we?”
“Oh, did I offend your delicate sense of celibacy?” he called over his shoulder and went to his room.
“You’re revolting, Hayden.” I flopped onto the sofa and shook out my arms, trying to release the tension.
Seconds later, he reappeared, his shirt buttoned and hair brushed. “You haven’t given me a reason not to be.”
“What is that supposed to mean? You expect me to somehow inspire you to be a better person?”
“C’mon, Tessa. You know what I want. I made it very clear last night. You said no. I moved on. You can’t pull the jealous card after you turn me down.”
“I didn’t turn you down. I rejected your crappy offer,” I said. “And it’s a good thing too because you’re obviously not boyfriend material. You proved it last night.”
“I could be though.” His eyes locked onto mine. I could almost get lost in them.
I treaded dangerous ground because if he meant what I thought he meant, he’d be tempting beyond reason. As much as I tried not to be attracted to him, I couldn’t help it. But I wouldn’t allow myself to believe in him. “Hayden, you don’t magically get what you want. You have to be worthy first, then you get what you deserve. I’m not getting involved with someone because they say they’ll be good.”
“Ah, make a guy jump through hoops before you sink your claws in him, huh? Nice, Tessa. That’s the problem with women. They think the guy has to be whipped or they don’t feel loved.”
“We’re not talking about love.” I ground my teeth, then took another stab at calming myself, rolling my shoulders. “We’re talking about decency, morals. You know, the kind of thing every society is based upon.”
“No more TV for you.” His face relaxed, the lines between his brows erased. “Tessa, I’m not your project and I refuse to apologize ’cause I didn’t do anything wrong. You had your chance. You said no. End of story. You ready to go?”
“No.” I sprung from the couch. So much for holding back. “Don’t you dare make out like I’m being a bitch. You’ve never given me a reason to believe, even for an instant, that I mean anything to you. You’re the guy who flirts and persists until he gets the girl. Once he gets what he wants, he dumps her. I’m not falling for it.”
“I’m not Blane. And we don’t all look alike.” He turned and disappeared down the hallway again.
Fuming, I stomped through the front door to wait outside. He followed down the path seconds later and dangled his keys. “You’re driving?”
I snatched the keys and climbed behind the wheel. “Where are we going?”
“There’s a karate studio on Fifth and Main.”
“You rented a space for me?”
“No. I know the owner.”