Justin
My phone buzzed on my nightstand, waking me from a very deep sleep, and it took me a moment to realize what I was hearing. When my eyes finally opened I saw Hadley’s name flashing on my screen, so I swiped to answer and brought the phone to my ear.
“Had?”
“Justin? Can you come get me?”
The fear in her voice, the trembling that was clearly making it difficult for her to speak, had me throwing my covers off the bed and bolting to my dresser in an instant.
“What’s wrong? Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m okay, I’m just scared. But I’m safe. I’m at Riley and Camden’s house.”
“What happened?”
She didn’t answer right away, and it was almost as if I could feel her slipping away from me.
“You know what, it’s okay. I’ll be all right. I’m sorry I called so late.”
“Hadley, don’t force me out. I’m coming for you and I’ll be there in ten minutes.” I shoved my legs into some sweatpants and pulled on some running shoes. “Are you with me, Hadley?”
“Yeah,” she whispered, sounding even more scared.
“I’ll be there soon, baby, okay? Hold on.”
“All right.”
“Hang tight.” I ended the call with a curse. I wanted to keep her on the line, but knew I could drive faster without the distraction. She said she was safe, so I just had to trust her on that. I told her I’d be there in ten, but it was at least a fifteen-minute drive.
I made it there in nine.
When I turned onto Camden’s street all I saw were red and blue lights flashing and my heart rate spiked. I pulled my SUV over, the front tire jumping the curb, and all but jumped out of the vehicle while it was still running.
“Hadley,” I yelled out, not giving one single fuck if I was waking the neighbors. “Hadley!” I walked up to the front door, ready to bust it in to find my girl, but it opened before I could and Hadley stood in front of me disheveled and scared. I didn’t stop until she was in my arms. She made it easier by lunging for me. I pulled her close, breathing her in, but I could feel her trembling. “What happened?” I finally asked, pulling away just far enough to frame her face in my hands.
She didn’t let go of me either, both her hands fisting my shirt at my sides.
“I came here to water the lawn and remembered I needed to work on the bid for your mom, so I started working on Riley’s computer. I had some wine and after a little while I was so sleepy I just decided to crash here.” Her eyes closed and she took in a deep breath, then she looked back up at me. “I was asleep upstairs when I heard glass breaking and voices. I’ve never been so scared,” she ended on a shudder and pressed close to me again.
“Someone broke into the house?”
Her head nodded against my chest. Just then, a police officer walked up behind Hadley and caught my eye.
“Officer, can you explain what happened?”
“Two suspects forced entry into the French doors downstairs. They gained access to the house, but luckily Ms. Hart called nine-one-one immediately and we had a cruiser a few blocks away. We apprehended both suspects and took them down to the station for processing. Looks to be two transients who likely thought the house was still vacant.”
“They were just looking for a place to sleep,” Hadley said, her cheek still resting against my chest.
“Neither man was armed and both claimed they weren’t trying to burglarize the property. They’d seen it was vacant and were just looking for a place to squat for a few days,” the officer continued.
“They’re in custody? They’ll be charged?”
“Yeah. It’s a pretty cut and dry case since we caught them running from the house.”
My arms tightened around Hadley.
“I didn’t know what was happening and all I could hear was breaking glass and men’s voices. I panicked.”
“You did well, Ms. Hart,” the officer replied, but then he looked at me. “She didn’t report any injuries, but she’s definitely shaken up. We asked her if there was anyone she could call to come get her. Glad she could get a hold of you. Are you able to see to her?”
“Yeah,” I answered automatically. “Thank you, Officer.”
“My pleasure. We’re glad it wasn’t a more serious call. You’re going to have to see to the doors soon. Don’t want to leave them broken for long.”
“I’ll get them fixed as soon as possible.”
“We’ll be out of your hair in just a few more minutes.”
“Thank you,” Hadley said as she pulled back from me to face the officer. “I appreciate all your help.”
“It’s our job, ma’am. Next time, though, set the alarm before you go to bed. Even better, set the alarm any time you’re inside the house, especially at night.”
My blood roared through my veins thinking about Hadley being in this house alone at night with the alarm off.
“It won’t happen again,” I supplied.
“I reckon it won’t,” he replied with a small smile and nod. “Have a good rest of your evening.” He tipped his head to us, then walked past us and out the door. Hadley, however, only moved back into my arms, still trembling.
“Hey, are you cold? Let’s get you a jacket or something.” It was still pretty warm outside and I was almost positive she was feeling the effects of adrenaline pumping through her system. I pulled away but reached down and took her hand and a tiny ball of tension in my gut unfurled when she didn’t deny me that contact. I led her up the stairs to the bedroom and found a hoodie hanging in the closet. Based on the size I figured it was Camden’s, but I didn’t care.
I held it out to her and she slipped her arms through, then grabbed the sides and wrapped herself tightly inside.
“What else do you need? Did you bring an overnight bag or anything?”
She shook her head. “My clothes are on the counter in the bathroom and my purse is downstairs. I never went home after the bar.”
I walked into the bathroom and grabbed the pile of clothes on the counter, then took her hand in mine and led her down the stairs. Her heels were sitting next to her purse, but there were also a few pairs of random shoes by the door, including a pair of Riley’s flip-flops. I reached down and grabbed the heels, holding them with the rest of her things, then picked up her purse and handed it to her.
“Put those flip-flops on and we’ll head out.”
She complied but asked softly, “Where are we going?”
“I’m taking you to my place.”
Her eyes darted back and forth between mine and I worried she’d argue with me, but after a few short moments she simply said, “All right.”
“Got everything?”
“Yeah.”
I took her hand again and led her out of the house, only letting go to make sure the door was locked and to open the door to my SUV. She climbed in without complaint and I rounded the front of the vehicle to climb in the driver’s seat.
It was silent between us for a few minutes, and Hadley sat with her body practically pressed against the window of her door, putting as much space between us as possible. I hated the console between us, hated the fact that she was so far away, but there was nothing to do about it, so I let her take her space. Eventually, though, she spoke.
“I went there to water the grass. I hadn’t planned on it, forgot I was even supposed to go over there. Riley called while I was on the train and so I stopped by. While I was there, though, I got distracted by the house and there was wine…”
Her words trailed off and I didn’t know whether to press her for more or let her know it wasn’t important I know all the details right away, even though I desperately wanted to know what had happened.
“I remembered I told your mom I’d send her the bid and Riley said I could use her computer. I didn’t even think to turn on the alarm.”
We came to a stop at a traffic light and I glanced over at her as she rested her forehead against the window. “Riley left me in charge and two days in I already messed up her brand-new house.”
“I’m pretty sure it was the homeless men who broke the door who messed the house up, not you. There’s no way Riley’s going to blame you for that, and you shouldn’t blame yourself either.”
“I didn’t turn on the alarm,” she argued.
“You think that would have stopped them? The alarms are there to contact the authorities and scare away intruders. It doesn’t stop people from trying to break in.”
She didn’t say anything in response to that.
“Hey,” I said softly, grateful when she turned her head to look at me. “This isn’t your fault.”
She gave me the weakest and most pathetic excuse for a smile, but I didn’t press any further. She was silent until I pulled into my driveway.
“You live here?” There was no denying the surprise in her voice.
I looked up at my house, wondering what she saw, what she was thinking.
“Yeah. Come on, let’s get you inside.”
I hopped down and jogged around to her side, opened her door, and held out my hand to help her down.
“Thanks,” she mumbled.
I let her hand go, even though it almost pained me to do it.
She followed me to the door but didn’t say anything.
I unlocked the door and pushed it open, motioning for her to proceed me. She made it two steps inside, then I watched as her eyes assessed everything she could see. I punched the code into my alarm panel, locked the door, and armed the alarm again, then turned toward her.
“I can give you the tour, or I could show you to the bedroom and let you get your sleep.”
“I don’t think I could sleep at the moment, actually. A tour sounds great.” She gave me a small smile.
“Right. Okay.” I glanced around my house, wondering where I should start. I hadn’t ever shown anyone around my house before. “Well, this is the living room.” I walked out of the entryway, then took a right and led her down the tiny, three-stair staircase. “This is the formal dining room, but I never use it. Through here is the kitchen and the nook.” We walked into the kitchen and I watched as she looked around, her eyes darting from one thing to another.
“Through there is another small living room and the back deck.” I motioned to the left. “Garage is that way,” I added, pointing to the right.
“This is nice,” she said softly. “Do you live here alone?”
“Yeah, no roommates.”
She gave me another soft smile, but then looked back the way we came.
“Come on, I’ll show you upstairs.”
She followed me up the narrow staircase off the entryway into the loft space, which was basically a great room with a bar built into the back. I put a big screen TV and some overstuffed couches in the room and a few gaming systems. I man-caved it up as much as I could and it served as a pretty decent replacement when I couldn’t get to the Renegades games in person. It was pretty awesome for football season, too.
“Whoa, this is amazing,” she said, looking around. “When was this place built?”
“Nineteen seventy-nine. It’s an older house, but it has a lot of character. There’s an office down that hallway, not too exciting.”
“You’ve really made yourself a bachelor pad here, Justin.” Her smile was a little wider, which made something ease in my chest.
“Is that the interior designer in you speaking?”
She shrugged. “Maybe a little, but mainly just the woman in me.”
“Do you want a drink? It might make it easier to sleep.”
“Actually, if you’ve got tea that would be amazing.”
“I do happen to have tea. My mom brought it over a while ago when I had the flu.”
“Wow,” she said with a laugh.
“I could put a little whiskey in it.”
She ran a hand through her hair and it was almost enough to make me take the three steps to her so I could feel the soft hair between my fingers too.
“I think just the tea will be fine.”
She followed me back into the kitchen and took a seat at the table, looking more relaxed than she had even twenty minutes ago. I grabbed a mug and put some water in it, then popped it in the microwave.
“I don’t have an actual tea kettle.”
“Hot water is hot water,” she said, still looking around the kitchen.
“I’ll go make sure the guest bedroom is all set while that heats up.”
“Oh,” she said, surprised. “Um, all right.”
“Will you be all right here alone for a few minutes?”
“Yeah. No, of course, go ahead.” She said the words like she was trying to convince me, but I wondered if she was also trying to convince herself.
A few minutes later, after wrestling with some sheets and blankets, I walked back into the kitchen only to stop in the doorway when my breath was stolen from me.
Hadley stood at my kitchen counter, back to me, stirring a spoon in the mug of hot water. The scent of the tea filled the room, but I was more captivated by the sight of Hadley in my home, doing something as simple as stirring her tea, wearing pajamas. It could have been any other night, or morning for that matter. Just the visual—Hadley, in my home, looking comfortable—it did something to me.
I’d brought women to my house before, but rarely had they made it into the kitchen. It was usually a straight shot to the bedroom and then I’d walk them to the driveway when the Uber I usually ordered showed up to drive them home. But even if one of the women who’d been here had done that same exact thing, I knew there was no way I’d have the same reaction.
It was Hadley. That was the difference.
She was different.
She must have noticed me staring at her like a creeper because she turned around suddenly, startled, but then relaxed when she saw it was only me.
“The microwave beeped and I found your tea in the cupboard. I hope you don’t mind that I helped myself.”
“Of course not.”
She made her way back to the table and sat, smiling over the edge of the mug.
“I’m sorry I woke you up earlier.” She took a sip of her tea, then set it on the table. She lifted one foot and rested it on her seat, wrapping an arm around her knee, then pushing her other hand through her hair again. “I dialed your number before I even thought about it.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’m glad you called.” What I didn’t add was how irate I would have been if I’d found out what happened any other way. The idea of her going through something like that and not calling me made my blood boil. “You can always call me. For whatever.”
She didn’t respond, but she did hold my gaze.
“Do you mind if I take this to bed?” she asked, holding up her tea.
“No, not at all. I’ve got your room all ready.”
“Thank you. For everything.”
I didn’t respond because all the words I wanted to say fell into the category of Too Much, Too Soon.
“I’ll show you to your bedroom,” I said, pushing myself off the doorjamb. She stood and followed me, and my thoughts immediately went to how in all of my fantasies of leading Hadley down the hallway of my house, I was never taking her to the guest bedroom. No, we were always on a direct path to my bedroom and there were pieces of clothing left along the way like breadcrumbs.
I stopped outside the door of the guestroom and turned back toward her.
“I put some clean towels on the dresser if you want to shower before you sleep. Or in the morning. I can take you home tomorrow, too, so don’t try sneaking out. I’ll worry.”
She looked up at me and blinked, as though my concern had taken her off guard.
“I won’t try to sneak out.”
“Good. I’d hear you anyway. The alarm is on.”
“Oh,” she said, letting out a large sigh, almost as though she were relieved to hear I’d armed the alarm.
“Hey,” I said, stepping closer and bringing up just one hand to cup her cheek. “You’re safe. No one is going to break into my house, okay?”
“I feel so stupid for being afraid.”
“It’s not stupid. It’s totally understandable. Anyone would be frightened after what happened. I know I was.” Her eyes met mine again and I couldn’t hold the words in. “When I got your call, Hadley, and heard your voice, I was so fucking scared.” My other hand came up to her face and I pulled her a little closer, silently celebrating when she let me. “I never want to hear you sound that way again.”
“Thank you for coming,” she whispered.
“Nothing could have kept me away.”
I pressed a kiss against her forehead, even though there were a thousand other places I wanted to kiss her.
“You should get some sleep. It’ll be daylight in just a few hours.”
She nodded, her head moving only slightly in my hands, but she eventually turned away from me and walked into my guest bedroom.
“Night,” she said softly.
“Good night.”
She closed the door, but it took me a moment before I could walk away. It seemed like torture to have her under my roof and sleeping in a different bed, but I wasn’t going to push her tonight. I wanted her to feel safe, not violated or pressured. She’d already called me because she needed me. The next time it would be because she wanted me, too.