Page 65 of The Best Kind of Forever
Hayes is sitting in a spacious office across from two interviewers, a microphone propped up in front of him, and a neon sign behind him that blaresKnights of the Sound Booth. According to Lila, they’re the biggest podcast on the platform.
“Thank you for joining us today, Hayes,” the interviewer with the square-framed glasses says. His name is Deacon, according to the tag on his shirt.
“Thank you for having me.”
He looks a lot better. It’s been a week. The wound on his lip has scabbed over, and the bruising on his face has yellowed.
“You got into quite the predicament last game. Care to comment?”
“Quentin Cadieux was talking shit, so I put him in his place,” he says calmly, though aggravation shackles his words, and there’s something predatory in his eyes that makes my veins frost over.
“And what did he say to rile up the Reapers’ notorious hothead?” the other interviewer asks, a single eyebrow poised. His name is Oliver.
“Let’s just say that he insulted someone I really care about.”
“Mm-hm. And would this ‘someone’ be your new girlfriend by chance?”
Hayes flashes a high-voltage grin before answering, “Aeris Relera is my better half.”
My better half.
My pulse jump-starts and my stomach lurches with a kaleidoscope of butterflies.
Lila jumps up from the sofa, her ear-piercing squeal jangling my eardrums. Crunch shoots up from her spot on the cat tower and scampers off into my bedroom.
“Oh my God! Aeris, did you hear that? Look how proud he looks!”
DidI hear that correctly?
“And what is it about this girl that’s so special?”
Hayes forks his hand through his hair. “Everything. There aren’t enough words in the world to describe how incredible she is. I’m pretty sure I’ve laughed with her more than I have in years. She has this softness about her that I don’t think many people are capable of, but she’s equally just as strong.”
Yep, Idefinitelyheard that correctly. I feel like I could cry. I might if he keeps talking about me like that.No, Aeris. Pull it together.
Oliver places his crossed arms on the table. “And how did you two meet?”
“We met at a bar. She was drinking by herself one night, and she caught my attention from across the room. I asked if I could join her, and I’m lucky she didn’t throw her drink in my face.”
A flurry of laughter fills the studio.
“Are you saying that a heartthrob like yourself has trouble picking up girls?”
Hayes makes a face, but it’s good-natured. “Oh, definitely. It can be intimidating being the first one to make the move. You never know how a person will react. I never used to get nervous around women before Aeris, but to this day, I still get butterflies when I’m around her.”
The podcast goes on for a bit longer, with Deacon and Oliver asking about everything from his workout routine to his guilty pleasures, but I’m still hung up on every word he said about me.
I need to see Hayes. Now.
29
WHO SAID DREAMS DON’T COME TRUE?
HAYES
The interview went a lot better than expected. I didn’t feel the need to choke anyone out, so that’s always a plus. I was planning on goading the guys into grabbing a drink, but I was surprised to find Aeris waiting in my bedroom instead.
I hang up my jacket on the back of the door. “Hey, what are you doing here?”
