Until Alex - J. Nathan Page 0,52
a girl in my truck who needed me. A girl I’d do anything for.
I scowled at Taylor’s bodyguards, before glaring at her. “If I see that photo anywhere else, or hear you’ve been spreading it around, there will be hell to pay.”
I twisted around and faced the room. All eyes were on me. “Do you hear me?” I screamed at the room. “There will be hell to pay.”
ALEX
Uncontrollable shudders rocked through my body. My teeth chattered something fierce. I couldn’t tell if I was having a seizure, a heart attack, or if hyperthermia was about to set in. Being ninety degrees outside, the latter seemed unlikely. But I was just so freakin’ cold. I snuggled into the stiff leather seat, trying to soak up its warmth.
The passenger door squeaked open at my feet. Hayden’s scent filled the cab, momentarily easing my grief. The truck dipped as he knelt on the floor behind me, his strong hand resting upon my arm. Heat rolled off him in waves as he leaned in, resting his forehead against my side. “Please tell me what you need me to do.”
“I’m so cold,” I said through chattering teeth. “I just need to be warm.”
Hayden moved away, leaving me void of the warmth his body provided. I wanted to ask him to stay, to never let me go, but the door closed before I could utter the words.
Within seconds, the driver’s door opened, the truck dipped, and the engine roared to life. A blast of heat shot from the vents. Hayden scooped me into his lap like I weighed nothing and wrapped his arms around me. “You’re in shock. But you’re gonna be okay.” His hands moved up and down my back to warm me up. “I promise. You’re gonna be okay.”
My parents were dead. I’d been drugged and hospitalized. The whole college had seen me naked and posed like a porn star. And I didn’t have a single friend—unless I counted Hayden who needed to stay a secret. But sure. I’d be okay.
“I’m gonna make her pay for this,” he murmured into my hair. “I swear I will.”
“She won’t go down without a fight.”
“I’m not scared. You’ve seen my muscles.”
I nuzzled closer, wishing I could smile at his attempt to lighten the mood.
His hands continued their soothing massage all over my back while his rapid heartbeat bounced in his chest, echoing my own.
“I don’t know what I’d do if you didn’t keep saving me.”
Hayden said nothing. Probably thinking I was so much more trouble than I was worth. He definitely had to be over my issues. Most likely wishing he never approached me that first day. “Is your aunt back yet?”
See? Already trying to pawn me off on my aunt. “Not until Wednesday.”
He pressed his lips to the top of my head. “Stay with me tonight.”
“At the rate I’m going, I should probably just move in,” I mumbled into his shirt.
His body tensed and he didn’t respond.
Shit. “I was kidding, Hayden. Wouldn’t want to cramp your style.”
He pulled back, looking into my puffy eyes. I must’ve been a horrific sight, but it didn’t deter him from lifting his thumbs to my cheeks and wiping away the tears. “That the only reason you don’t want to play house with me?” His penetrating eyes bore into mine.
“Well…I don’t know your last name. I have no idea how old you are. Your best friend can’t know I exist. And my aunt would probably evict you, but not before sleeping with you one last time.”
His lips quirked at the corners, but in true Hayden-fashion, he didn’t utter a single word as his thumbs continued brushing away my tears.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
HAYDEN
I cracked open my bedroom door and peeked inside. The lights were off, but I could still make out Alex’s chocolate curls spread over my white pillowcase. She’d been asleep since we got home, and it was after eight. She had to be starving. But knowing the trouble she had sleeping, it didn’t seem right to wake her.
“Hayden?” Alex whispered.
“Sorry.” I pushed open the door and stepped inside. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“You didn’t.”
I moved to the bed and sat down beside her. She rolled onto her side and looked up at me with swollen eyes. “How you doing?”
She raised her eyebrows.
“Sorry.” I averted my gaze feeling like a complete tool.
Alex placed her hand on my forearm.
Before she could do what I knew she’d do, I stopped her. “Don’t.”
“What?” she asked in her sleepy raspy voice.
“Thank me.”
She pulled her hand back,