CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

HAYDEN

Look where trying to be nice to my sister got me. I wanted her to leave me alone about Lydia. She fucking verbally attacked me while Lydia was in our presence. Showed no fucking respect for her. I learned to never judge a book by its cover. What sent her over the edge was learning Lydia met Sebastian before her. Lydia was hot when she stormed out of the bathroom. I wanted to run after Lydia, but Vicky stood in front of me yelling. I called Val sent him looking for Lydia.

I lost it. I couldn’t contain what I was feeling inside for my woman. Lydia running around hiding who she is to my family, fuck it, no more, I thought.

I turned to Vicky. “I’m getting married.”

“What!”

Yes, I’m marrying Lydia. I love her!”

“Again Hayden, how long have you known her?”

“Not long but it doesn’t matter. She is a college student at Georgia State University. She attends school on a full scholarship. So, what she didn’t go to Yale or Harvard. Sebastian, was impressed with her and wants to give her a job once she graduates this summer.”

“Oh, please you are just as crazy as Sebastian running around after some woman. At least Sydney graduated from Princeton!”

“I’m done talking.”

“No.” She folded her arms. “I’m waiting.”

“Waiting for what?”

“The rest of the story. Where did you meet her?”

I smirked. “I’m not doing this.”

“A stripper Hayden really?”

I threw my hands on my head. “Fucking Bryce!”

I inched closer. “Don’t you look down your self-righteous nose at her!”

“What was wrong with finding a woman on your own level huh?”

“You had to find a woman from the streets!”

I threw my hands in the air. I shook my head. “You won. It’s all yours. I quit! I’m taking my clients with me.” I ran around my desk snatching up my laptop.

“This is stupid Hayden. You’ve only known her for three weeks. You aren’t really going to marry her, are you?”

I stepped to her. “Watch me,” I growled.

Sitting in the back of my Maybach, I waited to see if Val could find Lydia. He had a buddy who owed him a favor. His friend was able to track Lydia’s phone. I paid the front desk clerk $200 to provide me Lydia’s hotel room number.

The jet-lag was kicking my ass. I pushed through my exhaustion. I wanted to get Lydia out of town. I knew she wouldn’t be happy to learn I quit. Lydia is all that matters right now.

Lydia opened the hotel room door, not even looking at me. Pulling her into my arms and holding her made me relax.

I was on the phone when Lydia awoke. My father was trying to understand what happened. Lydia slipped into the bathroom.

“Son, you are acting irrational. Come over, let’s sit down and talk.”

“There is nothing to talk about. It’s over. She won. No, one tells me what to do. I am a grown man. I will marry who ever I choose! Grandfather didn’t treat me the way you all do. He was understanding. It’s not like I’m putting the family’s fortune in danger.”

“He gave you his blessing? When did you talk to him?”

“I talked to him while Lydia and I were in London. Yes, he gave us his blessing. Tell mom I love her.”

I disconnected the call.

We needed to get moving. The jet was fueled and ready to go. Lydia didn’t argue with me, she did as I asked. I knew Lydia didn’t want to be away from me. She was hurt and embarrassed because of the shit my sister pulled.

I smiled when I heard Lydia stand up to my sister. I rolled over and fell into a deep sleep.

The moment we were situated into the Nobu suite at Caesars Palace, I settled Lydia into a nice hot bath surrounded by multitudes of burning candles. She rested her head against the charcoal brown and white marble tub. I washed her filthy feet. “Baby, I wish you wouldn’t have run off down the street barefoot.”

“Hayden, I had to go. Not like I could slip away from Valen wearing Christian Louboutin stilettos.”

We laughed.

“I still can’t believe Vicky already knew I was a stripper. I thought she was nice at first.” Her eyes saddened.

“Baby, I told you a pit bull in a skirt.”

I’m sure I looked a mess. My hair was disheveled. I wore a wife beater and slacks while catering to my woman.

“I hate this Hayden.” She blew out a breath. Her fingers whipped through my wild hair.

“I looked forward to having lunch with you today. Your sister ruined our day.”

“Let’s forget about her for now. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow. We are getting married! You can have whatever you want for our second wedding. I have connects.” I winked.

“We can ask Samantha Latters to be our wedding coordinator. Remember we are supposed to meet the rest of Sebastian’s new family in June. Samantha is Sydney’s cousin.”

Her smile was wide, it brightened the room and my heart.

“Every girls dream is to have their dream wedding.”

Her eyes widened. She sat up. “I forgot to ask. Do you want children?”

“Yes.”

She relaxed, sliding back down in the tub. “Me too. Not sure how many I want. I’m not ready to have children now. I want us to wait. I would love to have at least one child. I hope we don’t have problems.”

My eyebrows wrinkled. “Why would you say that?”

“My mother died from ovarian cancer. I never asked her if she had problems having me. I never checked with a doctor to see if I may have cancer or could I develop the same cancer my mother had.”

“Hey, don’t you worry I will purchase us our own insurance plan and get you checked out. If we can only have one child that’s fine. Even if we have to adopt.” I kissed her forehead.

Lydia stared out into space.

“Why didn’t you go to the doctor?”

“I don’t have health insurance. I visited the local clinic if I felt sick. My father lost his health insurance once he no longer worked for the University. I pay for his doctor’s appointments, hospital stays, and medical bills in cash. Very slick move hiring a nurse to take care of my father. I thought it was temporary while we were away. My father said the nurse told him she will be there four days a week. Hayden, I can’t believe you.”

“Lydia, you’ll be fine. Next year this time, you’ll forget about worrying about things that I handle for us. I look forward to taking care of us.”

I grabbed a towel wrapping it around Lydia. “The stripper job needs to come to an end soon. How much do you owe on your father’s medical bills?”

“Hayden, sorry no! I have to pay as much as I can by August.”

“Will it help if I pay medical insurance for him also. That way the bills won’t increase.”

She dropped her head shaking it from side to side. I could tell I was embarrassing her. I fucking hate it.

I lifted her chin with my index finger until our eyes met. “Don’t ever be embarrassed about me helping you with whatever Lydia. You are about to be my wife. I’ll pay the $150,000.”

She snatched her face away from me, storming out of the room.

This woman is so fucking stubborn.