Page 9 of Playing With Danger

“I don’t care about the money. And don’t dip into your savings. I’ll cover the bills until you get a new job.”

That wasn’t going to happen but right then I wasn’t going to argue with him. Hayden and I lived together because we were both saving to buy houses. Though I figured Hayden might already have enough saved but he knew I didn’t so he stayed living with me.

“I’m also going to…try new things,” I went on. “And have a talk with Nathan. I’m not copping out; I just need his direction.”

Hayden didn’t look convinced Nathan would be able to lead me anywhere.

It wasn’t so much that Hayden didn’t like my stepfather. He did, but he was firmly on my side with the crime against nature that Nathan had married—then remained married to—my mother. Thus to Hayden, he was suspect or was with her for possible nefarious reasons—like he was a serial killer who needed a cover and a crazy, overbearing wife would do the trick.

“What new things will you be trying?”

“Well, I figured I’d start out small, like try a new brand of oatmeal.”

“Pass,” he denied. “There’s only brown sugar Quaker Oats allowed in this house. Try again.”

And he called me dramatic.

“Fine. I’ll try the Indian place you’re always begging me to try.”

“Seriously?” He looked shocked.

“Yes,” I pushed out because I wasn’t sure if I was serious. But now that I said it I had to follow through.

My intestines were already forming a picket line.

“You’re really okay?”

“Yeah, I’m really okay. I had my cry last night.” I paused to suck in a lungful of oxygen and blew it out. “But, yeah, I’m good. I think I needed something to shake me up and get me to open my eyes. Nothing says ‘wake up’ like a masked man yanking you to your feet by your hair.”

Hayden frowned.

I smiled.

“Too soon?”

“Way too fucking soon,” he groused. “But since you’re already making jokes now seems as good as any to tell you to put your shoes on. We’re getting Indian.”

It was my turn to frown and his to smile.

“Don’t worry, Huxley, we’ll start you out with Tandoori Chicken and ease you in.”

I wasn’t sure I wanted to be eased into anything.

I wasn’t even sure if I was ready to start my life as a tryer of new things.

“Rightyho, Winslow.”

I was almost to the short hall that led to the bathroom and two bedrooms when he called my name and I looked back at him.

“Yeah?”

“Proud of you, Sophie.”

Not for the first time I hoped Hayden found someone worthy of all the goodness he had to give.

“You know with my newfound badassery you should start warning your babes they should think twice about yanking your chain or they might get a beatdown.”

“Right, Rambo Sophie. I’ll be sure to warn them.”

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