Page 50 of Redemption
It’s not true, but he doesn’t need to know that.
From my peripheral, I see Hayes stiffen, and I think there’s a flash of hurt across his face—there and then gone in a flash.
“I just thought I was part of that life,” he says, bending down so he’s whispering in my ear.
My head swivels toward him, and my breath catches in my throat. His face is inches from mine, and we are standing in a crowd full of people.
If my brother were to look this way, would he accuse me of embarrassing myself again by pursuing Hayes, even though Hayes was the one who sought me out?
The thought makes my throat ache, and I step to the side, putting distance between us.
“Don’t pretend you haven’t had plenty of girls throwing themselves at you, Hayes. I wasn’t missed much.”
His lip slips between his teeth, and gosh, what I wouldn’t give for it to be my lips on his.
“We are so glad everyone could join us today—” my father starts, calling everyone’s attention with a booming voice. It’s a voice of authority—one that I’ve heard a hundred times in my lifetime, but also one I can’t help but wish would talk to me with love just once.
“But you were.” Hayes’s words are whispered balm to my soul.
They make me feel seen in a world where I am perpetually invisible.
As my dad’s speech comes to a close, Langston steps down from the step, looking through the crowd until he sees Hayes and me standing together. His eyes flash to me, and then Hayes and back to me, a silent question in his eyes, and it hurts. But like always, I shove that hurt down deep and paste on a bright smile while he approaches.
When he gets close, he doesn’t bother looking at me but slaps Hayes on the back and says, “Let’s get out of here and celebrate.”
Hayes throws me a look, obviously confused as to why Langston is ignoring me, but how can I tell him it’s because Langston thinks I’m embarrassingly hung up on his best friend?
With a sad smile, I turn to walk away, but Hayes’s voice follows me.
“Why don’t you come with us, MJ?”
My teeth find my bottom lip.
The smart thing to do would be to keep walking and pretend I didn’t hear him.
I’m not smart, though, because I stand there debating a millisecond too long.
Hayes appears in my peripheral, and then he’s in front of me, smiling down.
What is he doing?
Looking over my shoulder, I search for Langston to gauge his reaction, but he must have the same question because he’s looking at Hayes like he’s gone crazy. Then he looks at me and gives a subtle shake of his head.
“I—uh—that’s okay. I’ll just—uh—stay at the party, I think.”
“Nonsense,” Hayes says, ignoring the glares that Langston is now sending his way. “Come with us. Don’t you want to celebrate your big brother and me getting into college? After all, with my grades and Langston’s fat head, it was a little iffy there for a while.”
Biting my cheek, I try not to giggle, but I can’t hold it back.
“Jerk,” Langston grumbles but seems resigned that Hayes isn’t letting it go. I’m coming along whether he likes it or not. “Fine. You can come, but you’re sworn to secrecy.”
My brows dip. “What do you mean?”
“You’ll see,” he says, mischief in his smile.
I shrug, unconcerned. It can’t be too bad. Langston never does anything to get in trouble.
“Bring on your worst.”
