The words came out fast, like if I didn’t force them out now, I never would.
Hayley’s eyes widened slightly. Her lips parted. But she didn’t speak right away.
Didn’t judge.
I gripped my hands together in my lap, bracing myself. “And… it’s not just that.” I hesitated, but I had to say it. “It’s not just one person. It’s three.”
Her brows pulled together slightly, and I rushed to explain.
“I’m with Samuel. And Kai. And Adam.” My voice cracked a little. “And I love them.”
Another pause.
Then Hayley exhaled, her eyes searching mine. “Okay,” she said simply.
I blinked. “Okay?”
She let out a small breath, leaning forward slightly. “Sadie, I’ve known you for a long time. And I’ve always known that love, real love, scared the hell out of you. So if you’re telling me you’ve found it, and that these men love you, too?” She gave me a small, knowing smile. “Then I don’t see a problem.”
My vision blurred.
I had braced for disappointment. Maybe even anger. But this?
This was acceptance.
Hayley reached across the space between us, resting her hand over mine. “But I get the feeling that’s not all that’s weighing on you.”
I swallowed.
No. It wasn’t.
“I still want to tell you why I came back. I think you deserve to know.”
“Whatever it is, I’m just grateful you’re here.”
I opened my mouth. Closed it. Then, I finally whispered, “That guy, my old boss, send me a message.”
Hayley’s hand tightened over mine. “Tell me.”
I stared down at our joined hands, at the way her fingers curled protectively over mine, and I told her about him again—everything this time.
And then silence.
Hayley exhaled, slow and measured. “I’d kill him if I could.”
A startled, broken laugh escaped me. “You and me both.”
Hayley shook her head, her jaw tight. “So what do you want to do about it?”
The question caught me off guard. I blinked at her, my heart pounding. “What?”
She sat back, folding her arms. “You didn’t come all the way home just to hide from him, Sadie. So tell me… what do you want? Do you want revenge? Justice? A fresh start?” She arched a brow. “Because whatever it is, I’ll back you.”
I swallowed hard. “I don’t know.”
She tilted her head, studying me. “Yeah, you do.”
I let out a slow breath, rubbing my hands over my knees. “I don’t want to waste any more time on him,” I admitted. “I don’t want to let him take up space in my head. I just… I want to move forward. Build a life that has nothing to do with him.”