red carpet waiting for me as I waltzed into Heaven.
Yeah. Fucking. Right.
Not after the year I've lived.
I didn't want Hayden to see me cry. Truthfully, I wasn't sure why I was about to cry, other than the fact that a hundred different emotions streamed through me at a rapid pace and I didn't know how to get a handle on them. I was on overdrive.
Hayden reached out with an opened palm. I threw the pill into the back of my mouth and grabbed the flask from the table to wash it down. The smell burned my nose and it reminded me of rubbing alcohol. Disgusting. I handed it off to Hayden.
"I can't believe he makes you take that shit." He took a swig but didn't wince like I did.
"He doesn't make me take anything. It was my choice."
Much to my surprise, Hayden wrapped an arm around my shoulders and pulled me close to him. My nerves steadied and I melted into his body as if it was a natural thing. Exhaustion hit me hard. I reciprocated the hug and dropped my chin to his firm chest, then tilted my head back with a faint smile. My eyes were heavy. With his biceps like two firm pillows on each side of my head, Hayden peered down at me, his sandy colored eyelashes encased crystal blue eyes.
"Come on," he said. "Let's go to bed."
Hayden leaned down and pressed a kiss to my forehead before taking my hand and guiding me into my bedroom. I followed easily. Our disagreement and differences forgotten for now, left behind us and kept out of my room.
There was something comforting I found in him I couldn't explain. An aura of peace, soothing, and I fed off it.
Seven
I opened my eyes a crack and winced at the hammering pressure in my head.
I wasn't a drinker. I knew any kind of alcohol, even the smallest amount, would affect me, I just didn't think it'd be this much. I clenched my eyes shut and let out a yawn, praying the spinning would stop.
Judging by the darkness of my room, I knew it was the middle of the night, but it felt like I'd only fallen asleep a few minutes ago. I hated when that happened. I blindly reached for my cell phone to check the time, and opened my eyes enough to take a quick glance at the screen.
3:42 a.m.
I placed my phone back down and turned over as a ball of fire steamrolled through my abdomen. My muscles cramped and I gritted my teeth as I groaned and curled into a fetal position. Naturally, the side effects of the morning after pill would strike while hungover. I let out a painful whimper, wishing away the ache. The cramping intensified and I held my breath, hoping it would quickly pass. I really hated this and made a promise to myself right then to never ingest that stupid pill again.
"Aid?" Hayden’s sleepy voice came from behind me.
"I didn't mean to wake you." I pulled the blanket to my chin, not wanting him to see me like this.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, my stomach just hurts a little."
Without another word, Hayden rolled over and wrapped an arm around my waist. He scooted behind me and pressed his front to my back, curling into me to fit perfectly. I closed my eyes and sighed. The heat from his bare chest against my back was a comforting balm in my ice-cold bedroom. The security of his arms felt like heaven.
"Go back to sleep, I've got you," he said, and laid a kiss to the back of my head.
I closed my eyes and relaxed in his arms, letting the world fade away…
"How long do you think you'll be gone for?" Hayden asked as I zipped up my suitcase.
He sat on my bed and watched as I gathered items to take home. A small spasm tore through my belly, stopping me in my tracks. Hayden stood, but I held up a hand to stop him. I hunched over and held on to my stomach while I squinted around the room for the bottle with the orange cap. Spotting it on the floor, I huffed in frustration that I had to deal with the aftereffects again. Thankfully the cramp wasn't as bad as last night, but I knew the worst wasn't over yet.
"I think when the Parkettes meet is over is when I'll be back," I answered him, ignoring the shame in his eyes as I swallowed four