Kyle swipes my tears away with his thumb. I reach up on my tip toes and wind my arms tightly around Kyle’s neck, my face buried in his shoulder, his arms wrapping securely around my waist.
“I missed you,” I whisper close to his ear.
His hold tightens, I feel his warm breath tickle my neck as he buried his face in my hair. “Me too. Fuck, I missed you too.” His voice comes out muffled as he nuzzles his face closer to my neck.
“I wanted to call you. I can’t count the times I almost did, but I chickened out at the last second.”
“You’re here now, that’s all that matters,” he says softly.
He pulls back slightly, his nose and lips grazing across my cheek, just as he captures my mouth with his. His fingers grip my chin gently, angling my face in a position that grants him better access, his other arm still wound around my waist, his kiss is slow and tender. My knees give way as I fall deeper into the kiss, the world around us disappearing.
This is what I’ve been dreaming of this for the past five days. The feel of his body against mine, our lips fused together. I bring my hand up to the side of his face to pull him closer, holding him to me, never wanting to let go.
“What the fuck?” My dad’s voice cuts through the air.
I jump at the sound, and Kyle and I break apart.
My dad stands a few meters away from where we’re standing, looking between me and Kyle, a look of anger and confusion. His gaze finally settles on Kyle. “You little prick. Who the fuck gave you the right to touch my daughter?”
“Back off dad,” I warn.
“Hayley. Wake up! Can’t you see he’s using you. He’ll use you up, get bored with you and throw you out like trash. I brought you up to have respect for yourself and your body, I didn’t raise you to end up a whore.”
I’m shocked into silence by my dad’s words. Did he really just say that? Tears burn in the backs of my eyes, but I force them back down.
“So that’s what you think of me? Well, thanks dad, at least I know where I stand with you now.”
“With all due respect, Sir, I happen to care about your daughter a lot. She’s the most important person to me right now. Regardless you being her father, no one calls her that, no one.”
“You stay out of this! You’ve done enough already as it is,” my dad snaps.
“Dad, stop.”
“How can you stand there and defend him after everything he's done? How can you stand there and choose him over your own father?”
“The same way you chose that money over me, when you decided that money was more important to you than your own daughter,” I spit out.
He winces. His gaze stays fixed on mine, I watch as all his anger drains away, replaced by sadness. “I’m sorry.”
“You’re not sorry at all, if you were, we wouldn’t be here again. Dad, all of those apologies and promises you made last week, they mean nothing. After everything that has happened, you still chose to throw our money down the drain rather than pay off our debts. What is wrong with you?”
“I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I can’t help myself. For years I’ve tried to stop but I can’t. I saw that money and I tried to resist, tried to do the right thing, but I couldn’t. I’m sorry,” my dad pleads.
“Years?”
“Hayley, I... um...” he stammers.
“How long, dad?”
His eyes sink to the floor in shame.
“How long?” I press.
“Since your mom died. That's when the gambling started.”
Realisation sets in, everything falls into place. “The debts. They weren't mom's medical bills, were they?” Tears begin to brim in my eyes, knowing the answer already.
He shakes his head. “No.”
“They were you’re debts. Gambling debts.”
“Yes.” The word was almost inaudible.
“Oh my God,” I gasp as tears stream down my face. My hand flies to my face to cover the sob that is about to break free.
“I’m so sorry, Hayley.”
“You lied to me, all these years.”
“I’m sorry.”
“That's why you were in the members only section, you're a member here. That's why I never saw anything to do with the repayments. All those times you said you were going to the bank and insisted you go alone. You never went to the bank did you, you came here? It all makes sense now.” I feel so stupid.
“I’m sorry.” His voice barely a whisper.
“Stop saying you’re sorry. Dad, you need to realise that every that has happened, has happened because of you. You didn’t have to take Kyle’s deal, but you did so without even a second thought. I can’t believe what you called me just now, I can’t believe you would think of me as anything like that, but when you took that deal, how you exchanged me for money, that’s how you made me feel.”
I wipe my eyes with the back of my hands and turn to Gwen. “Can we go?”
“Yeah, come on.” Gwen puts her arm around my shoulder and begins to steer me away.
I glance back at Kyle. “I’ll call you, okay?”
He nods.
I offer him a weak smile before turning back and allowing Gwen to guide us her back to her car.
Chapter 20
Hayley
“Just call him already. You’ve been putting it off all day.”
“I’ve been at work all day,” I say in my defense.
“That’s no excuse. Now call him, or I will.” She rises from the couch beside me and heads into her bedroom, softly closing the door behind her.
My heart beats so fast it feels like my chest is going to burst wide open. I stare at my phone screen, my thumb hovering over Kyle’s number. My leg bouncing nervously, my foot tapping against the floor. I take a deep breath and click on his number. I put the phone to my ear and wait for him to answer.
“Hello?” That beautiful voice floats through my phone, sending chills up my spine.
“Kyle, it’s me.”
He lets out a soft sigh into the phone. “Hey.”
“Hi.”
“I'm so glad you called. How are you, after last night?”
“I’m okay. All the better for hearing your voice.”
“What are you up to tonight?” he asks.
“Going out with Gwen. You?”
“Meeting my brother, probably going to go for a few drinks.”
“If you have a spare hour or so, we’re going to Terry's, it’s a bar opposite my uncle’s diner, you should come.”
“I might just do that.”
I smile. “We’re heading out soon, see you later?”
“Absolutely.”
“Bye.”
“Goodbye, Hayley.” The line goes dead.
The bedroom door opens, and Gwen walks out in a beautiful navy dress which is a just a little too short, her long toned legs on full display. The neckline runs almost all the way down to her belly button, but only showing a sliver of cleavage, only Gwen could pull off a dress like this.
“So, how'd it go?” she asks eagerly. Perching on the edge of the couch next to me.
“I invited him and his brother to join us tonight, if that’s okay?”
“Of course! Although, I kind of got Aaron to agree to come too.”
My stomach drops. “Oh God.”
“Look, it will be fine, he needs to get over himself and grow the hell up.” She adjusts her ponytail that’s pulled up high on the back of her head. “Wait, brother? Kyle’s bringing his brother?”
“Yeah, Luke.”
She gasps. “Is he hot?”
“I have no idea.”
“Well if your man is anything to go by, he must be."
I laugh.
“You nearly ready?”
“I just need to get dressed and then I’m done.”
“Okay.”
I head into her room and open the dresser draw that she cleared out for me to make way for my clothes while I’m staying here. I rifle through and find a pretty blu
sh pink cami top and a textured black pencil skirt that ends just above my knees. I add a pair of black tights, ankle boots and my mom’s old vintage leather jacket which I throw on top.
Back in the living room, Gwen sat on the couch with her feet on the coffee table, putting on her heels when she looks up at me.
“You look beaut.”
“Thanks, you too.”
I turn to the mirror and adjust my hair which I have curled and left down to hang freely just past my shoulders. I keep my makeup basic with a touch foundation, concealer, mascara, and a little eyeshadow that Gwen insisted I wear.
She finishes putting on her other heel and stands, pulling on her coat.
“Ready?”
“Yep.”
She skips over to me and links her arm through mine. “Let’s go.”
∞∞∞
“Look, I’m sorry for snapping the way I did last week, there’s no excuse,” Aaron says.
“It’s okay. I’m just glad you’re here.” I lean across and take his hands in mine.
He’s sat opposite me and Gwen in a booth in the bar, it’s packed with people, rock music thumps through the jukebox situated in the corner of the dimly lit room.
“Aaron, I… um… I invited Kyle and his brother, I hope you don’t mind.”
His nostrils flare and he pulls out of my grasp, leaning back against his seat. “I guess not.”
“I’m sorry, I did it before I knew you were coming. I don’t want to fall out with you again, I-”
“It’s fine, Hayley, really,” he cuts me off.
My stomach twists. He looks disappointed.
“Why are you being like this?”
“Like what?” he challenges.
“Like this. Whenever Kyle’s name is mentioned you become distant and angry.”
“Because I don’t like him. Hell, I’ve never even met the guy, and I know I don’t like him. I don’t like the way he’s treated you, I don’t like how he forced his way into your life, and I sure as hell don’t like the way you fawn over him like you’re in love him or something.”
“So what if I am? It’s my life Aaron and you have no right to act like this!”
“Jesus fucking Christ, Hayley!” His face recoils in something that resembles disgust. “I’m just trying to look after you, that’s what friends are supposed to do, right?”
“Thank you for looking out for me, but you really don’t need to.” I exhale deeply, leaning over and taking his hand in mine. “I’m going to go get another drink, you guys want anything?” I ask.
“I’m good, thanks,” Gwen replies.
I turn to Aaron. He shakes his head, trying his hardest to avoid meeting my eyes.
I shimmy out of the booth and make my way to the bar which is almost to capacity. I’m leaning against the bar when I feel an arm snake around my waist.
I smile at first, thinking it is Kyle, but when I turn, I find a man, around his mid-thirties leaning up against me, a wide grin on his face, his eyes scan over my body slowly and my skin crawls. “Hey there, sweetheart.”
Nausea builds in the pit of my stomach. I push against his chest. My heart hammering against my rib cage.
“Can you let me go, please.” I ask as calmly as I can, my voice coming off shaky.
“Come on, sugar, let’s have a little fun.”
“No. Let me go.” I continue to push against his chest, but he doesn’t let up, so I do the only thing I can think of. I drive my knee up between his legs as hard as I can.
He roars in pain, but he doesn’t let go, if anything he grips me tighter. “You little cunt.” He brings his hand up, ready to hit me, but before he can, an arm appears in front of me, gripping the man’s wrist.
“You fucking dare hit her asshole, it'll be the last thing you ever do.”
Kyle. He’s here. I’m safe.
“Now take your fucking hands off her, she said no, don’t you understand what that word means?”
The man removes his arm from around my waist. “Fine, she’s all yours, man, little bitch probably wasn’t worth it anyway,” he sneers.
Kyle punches him square in the face and he goes down, hitting the floor, hard. The crowd parts, falling silent, watching the spectacle. Kyle pulls him back up to his feet, his lips pulled back tight against his teeth in anger. “That’s my girl you’re talking about. I’d watch you’re fucking mouth if I were you.”
My girl. I’m his girl. My heart leaps in my chest.
He pushes him away, sending the man stumbling backwards. The man shoves his way through the crowd and hurries out the door.
Kyle leans on the bar, taking long deep breaths to calm himself as he grips the edge of the mahogany bar so tight his arms are shaking.
I place my hand on his arm and lean in close to his ear. “Hey, calm down, it’s okay, I'm fine.”
He turns to me and engulfs me in his arms, his face buried in my neck. I melt into him, revelling in his touch. When he eventually let’s go, he cups my face in his hands, his eyes boring into mine. “Are you alright?”
“Yeah. I am now.”
Kyle looks up over my shoulder and I follow his gaze to where a man about my age stands watching us. “Hayley, this is my brother Luke. Luke, this is Hayley.”
His brother is just as handsome as he is, considering they are actually cousins, they look a lot more like brothers. He’s a little shorter than Kyle by an inch or two. He's slim, a similar build to Kyle, though a little less muscular from what I can tell.
I smile. “It’s really nice to meet you.” I hold my hand out and he takes it, holding it in both of his.
“You too,” he says, releasing my hand, returning my smile.
Kyle orders our drinks and the three of us head over to our table. As we approach, both Gwen and Aaron turn their attention our way. Gwen’s eyes land on Luke, almost popping out of their sockets.
“Um… this is Kyle and his brother, Luke.”
Gwen smiles. “Nice to see you again, Kyle.”
“Yeah, you too.”
Gwen turns her attention to Luke. “Hey,” she says, making no attempt to hide the fact that she’s checking him out.
“Hi,” he smirks.
I glance over at Aaron who hasn’t said a word, he sits with his arms folded across his chest. “Aaron?” He glances up at me.
He sighs deeply, glances at Kyle and Luke. “Hi,” he forces out.
“Hey, man,” Kyle says politely.
I slide back into the booth next to Gwen, Kyle following me, Luke sitting opposite him next to Aaron.
“What the hell happened over there?” Gwen asks.
“Oh, some guy got a little handsy and I kicked him in the balls, then Kyle punched him.”
“Nice.” She leans in closer to me, “Christ I was right, Kyle’s brother is so gorgeous.” She winks.
I laugh, shaking my head.
Kyle places his hand on my leg and squeezes. I look up at him and smile, placing my hand over his, squeezing back.
“Thank you for coming,” I say.
“Try keeping me away.” He smiles down at me and kisses my temple.
For some reason I glance at Aaron who is shooting daggers at Kyle. “Playing the knight in shining armour again I see?” he comments.
“Something like that,” he replies, laughing it off.
I shoot Aaron a warning look.
“I’m sure as hell trouble finds my brother wherever he goes, he’s like a magnet,” Luke chimes in.
“Trouble has a nasty habit of finding me,” Kyle says.
“Doesn’t look like you’ve done so bad for yourself, bro.” Luke casts a glance in my direction, his mouth curving up into a smile.
“So, what do you do, Luke?” Gwen asks, resting her chin on her elbow as she leans on the table.
“I’m at college studying business, graduate next year.”
“He also helps me out at the office sometimes,” Kyle adds.
“You hoping to follow in Kyle’s footsteps?” Gwe
n continues.
“Hopefully. Runs in the family.”
The Game Page 13
