I scrub every inch of my body as hard as I dare without breaking skin, not even sure what I’m trying to accomplish. Wash Kaden off me? His scent is everywhere – his shampoo, his soap. I grab a towel to dry myself off and it smells like him, a subtle manly scent that makes my mouth water.

It reminds me of last night, of how he kissed me and fucked me so hard I saw stars. Just like before.

God, what am I doing? This – having my brains screwed out and scrambled by Kaden – wasn’t in the plan. This situation is complicated enough already, without adding sex to the mix.

Of course I jumped his bones the moment we got home. I mean, sure, he carried me to his bed, but I am familiar with the word NO. I could have used it any time.

I wanted him so badly.

Still do. His scent is starting a familiar throb deep inside me and I press my legs together, trying to ease the pressure.

If he walked in here right now, I’d climb him and ride him like a bull in a rodeo.

Jesus, Hailey. That’s what months of celibacy can do to you. It’s a hazard to your mental health.

Wrapping the Kaden-scented towel around me, I comb out my hair with my fingers and examine my reflection in the partly fogged-up mirror.

I look… flushed.

But that’s just the shower, right?

And I look scared.

That’s definitely not the shower, although there’s always an unknown quality to men’s bathrooms. It’s like stepping into the jungle. Chest hairs, razor blades, shaving torture implements always lurk under towels, in corners, or anywhere else where the unsuspecting female may innocently step.

I grin at my reflection.

Then make a face.

Not funny. All of this.

I am so happy to be back with him, even playing pretend. We never ended our fight – I just walked out and never came back. And we can’t finish it when he doesn’t even remember it.

What an awful person I am, sleeping with him, kissing him back and letting him think we are together. I’m sure there’s a special place in hell for me.

Then why can’t I find it in me to regret it?

* * *

Tucking my hair behind my ears, I wander into the living room, thinking what I could eat for breakfast, and wondering if I should go grab my stuff from the hotel. Despite my doubts, I’d rather not leave Kaden alone just yet. The doctor said to call him if his headaches get to bad or if his sense of balance gets worse instead of better.

Holding the towel over my breasts, I head toward the kitchen – when I hear the apartment door open, and I turn, brows arching, to scold Kaden for stepping out alone when he can barely stand straight.

There’s a man standing at the door all right, staring back at me– but it’s not Kaden.

After a long moment during which shock holds me still and mute, I manage a breath.

“Who the hell are you?” I look around for a weapon and swipe up something from the table, pointing it at him. “How did you get in?”

What I’m holding is the TV remote control. God, they make them big these days. My hand starts to shake, but I don’t lower it.

The guy takes one step toward me and stops, lifting his hands. “Hi, I’m Jared. Please put the remote down? It looks dangerous.”

His hair is dark and cropped short with a parting on the side, his eyes hazel and playful. The teasing look in them should relax me – only who is he and what is he doing here?

“Is Kaden in?” The guy glances around, his hands still in the air, as if he could have missed a six-foot-something man with shoulders like a quarterback lounging around the living room. “I heard he had an accident. Tried to visit at the hospital but they wouldn’t let me in. Only family, they said.” His gaze slides back at me. “That includes you, I assume. Hailey, right? Kaden’s girl?”

My hand with the remote is shaking harder. Feeling stupid, I put it down. “You know about me?”

“Of course I know about you. Kaden has been moping and getting shitfaced in your name day after day since you left.”

Whoa, okay. Not sure how I feel about that.

Worried. Happy.

Okay, mainly happy, and what does that say about me?

“Sorry,” the stranger says, “where are my manners? I’m Jared. Next door neighbor.”

And he approaches me and gives me his hand to shake, as if I hadn’t just pointed a remote at him.

I shake it. His grip is firm and warm. “Hailey.”

“The girl who left.” He nods as if finally understanding something.

I wish I could say the same.

“So you’re Kaden’s neighbor…and have a key to his apartment.” Not that it stings he never gave me one during the time we were together… Yeah, I’m lying. “Is that normal? Like a bromance thing?”

“A what?” He frowns and perches his ass on the armrest of the sofa, crossing his hands on his knee. Like a supermodel posing for a photo.

Hm. He is pretty photogenic. Pretty all around. Trust Kaden to have neighbors who look like old time cinema stars.

“Bromance. Boy romance. Like a bro thing. Uh…”

He’s still frowning. “I’m his neighbor, and someone has to keep an eye on the guy. He’s a walking disaster. Can’t boil an egg to save his life, can’t even bother to take out his trash or shower. Thing is…” Those hazel eyes narrow on me. “He wasn’t always this bad. Only in the past couple of months.”

“Since I left.” Gee I am a genius.

“Since you left,” he agrees and smiles, as if congratulating me on my being such a genius. “He says he misses you.”

“But…” I glance at the bedroom door behind which Kaden is probably lying in bed, and now I’m trying hard not to think about the fact he’s naked under the sheets, and how I could climb into bed with him and play with him… Maybe wake him up with a blowjob? He’d love that.

“But what?”

I shake my head. “It’s complicated.”

Proof is that I’m talking about it with a guy I’ve never met before in my life. A guy who has been taking care of Kaden, who knows about me and seems to be saying that Kaden was – is – all broken up about me leaving.

One more person Kaden has told about me, but what does it change?

Nothing.

“Talk to him,” Jared says, that shrewd gaze never leaving me. It’s like a snake’s gaze, mesmerizing and dangerous. “Whatever happened between you, talk to him, Hailey Who Left. Maybe there was a misunderstanding. Maybe you can save what you have, and trust me, finding true love isn’t something you want to throw away.”

“None of your business,” I whisper, a bit choked up, because that’s exactly the doubt that has been eating at me all this time.

What if there’s an explanation for the pictures and text messages on his phone?

An explanation for everything?

“You know.” Jared leans back a little, folding his hands together on top of his thigh, and stares at me from under his dark lashes. “Women have been throwing themselves at Kaden, every single day since you left. Probably every single day of his life.”

“Screw you.” I sputter, getting up and then grabbing at my towel when it starts slipping.

“No, thanks. What I was trying to say is that he’s had every opportunity to bang other women. Before you, while he was with you, and especially after you were gone. But he didn’t.”

“How would you know?”

Another shrug. “He talks to me. And I’m his neighbor. I’d have noticed. Hell, my sister has been crushing on him for a year now. Stalks him. She says he hasn’t even looked at another woman since you.”

“This is stupid. You can’t know this.” But I swallow thickly, my throat closing. “As for your stalker of a sister…”

Am I jealous? Is that possible?

“I know. She wheedled Kaden’s phone number out of me one night and has been plaguing him with pics and texts since then. I told him to block her number. I think he just doesn’t care. He’s cared even less since you left.”

This takes a moment to sink in. A long, hard moment. “So she sends him pics? And texts?”

He nods, his expression tight.

“Kissy pics, by any chance?” I ask, still processing what he said. “And she calls him hon?”

“I wouldn’t know.” He gets up, suddenly all business, the teasing light gone from his eyes. “She’s a brat, and one day she’ll learn the hard way that not everyone likes playing games. I’ll leave you two lovebirds, then. Give Kaden my regards, and tell him I’m here if he needs anything.”

“Wait. Wait!” I trail after him, holding on to my towel so it won’t fall off, and snag his sleeve before he steps outside. “Jared.”

He looks at my hand on his sleeve, then quirks a brow at me.

“Look, thank you for looking after Kaden. And for everything you told me. I may… have rushed into conclusions. About him.”

“Trust issues? You two really are a match for each other. I mean, did you ask him what his tattoos mean? All those keys?”

“What do they mean?”

“He’s locked himself up inside. He’s trying to open up. To trust.” At my look, he smirks. “He talks when he’s shitfaced.”

I release his sleeve. “I screwed up, didn’t I?”

“Look, as long as you’re both alive…” He takes a deep breath, then smiles, softening his ominous words. “Yeah, then you can always fix things, princess. The world hasn’t ended. Just talk.”

“I will,” I vow and close the door behind him.