Page 21 of The Wingman

DARCY

“That was a total disaster,”I tell Hayden as we walk down the street, back to the apartment.

His brows shoot up in alarm. “What do you mean?” His eyes flash. “Did he make you uncomfortable? What did he say?” He glances behind us, at the bar, jaw tightening.

“No. Oh my god, relax. He was perfectly nice. I’m the one who was weird and awkward. We had nothing to talk about.Nothing. At one point, I actually asked him if he ‘came here often,’ like some sleazy dude in a hotel bar.” I cringe at the memory.

Hayden’s face breaks into a grin. “Youaresleazy; what can I say?”

I laugh. “How will I ever be a player if I’m so sleazy?”

“You’ll manage.” His features tighten. “I’m sure Green Plaid thought it was cute.”

I give him a sidelong look. He doesn’t seem as happy-go-lucky and boisterous tonight as he usually is. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah.” He arches an eyebrow. “Why?”

“You wanted to go home early.” I reach up and rest the back of my hand against his forehead, pretending to check for fever. “You must be deathly ill.”

He huffs a laugh, looking away. “I’m just tired.”

“Oh.” I nod. “That makes sense.”

It doesn’t really, though. Hayden’s a night owl. He loves staying up late, and he’s an extrovert. Being around people energizes him. Helovesto move the party to a second, third, or fourth location.

If I think about the situation from his perspective, though, maybe watching his best friend’s ex hit on guys isn’t his idea of a fun time. I broke his best friend’s heart, and now I’m moving on. He probably thinks I’m heartless. Maybe he resents me for it.

My stomach clenches at the thought of Hayden harboring frustrations with me. He’s so kind; he’d never say anything to upset me.

It still doesn’t sit well with me, though.

“Thanks for tonight.” I give him a grateful smile. “I know it probably felt like teaching a baby to walk. I’m lucky to have you as a friend.” Without thinking, I loop my arm around his waist like I’ve done a hundred times.

“You, too, Darce.” He gives my shoulder a quick, friendly squeeze before stepping away, and a stab of embarrassment hits me.

He’s definitely avoiding touching me. He’s mad that I dumped Kit and broke his best friend’s heart.

I can’t list all the reasons Kit and I are wrong for each other without making it weird between them, so I keep my mouth shut, but none of it sits right with me.

“I love that your apartment is so close to bars and restaurants,” I tell Hayden as he unlocks his front door.

His eyes narrow, but they spark with teasing. “Our apartment.”

“Right. Our apartment.” I’m about to set my shoes inside the front hall closet when I pause, frowning. “Where’d all your gear go?”

Yesterday, the closet was filled with hockey stuff. Today, it’s half-empty.

Hayden shrugs his big shoulders. “Moved some to my closet, some to the storage locker downstairs.”

“Why? It wasn’t in the way.”

“Itwasin the way. There was barely room for your coat.” He makes a face. “And it smells like sweat. I know it stinks, even if you didn’t say anything.”

“I didn’t notice anything. You always smell good.”

“I want you to have enough room for your stuff. Like I said,ourplace.”

My face feels warm with pleasure. Sometimes I forget how considerate Hayden can be, how he’s always thinking about the well-being of others. “Thank you.”

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