Page 110 of Everything In Between
I rub my hand up and down her back. “I forgive you, Kelsey.”
That seems to do it. Kelsey’s whole body sags against mine, the tension leaving her with my forgiveness.
Hayes locks eyes with me again, a softer expression now on his face. “I’m going to go get the guest bedroom ready.”
I nod and Kelsey pulls away from me, wiping at her cheeks with both hands and taking in a heavy breath. “No, that’s okay. I’ll go find a hotel to stay in.”
“Kelsey,” I admonish. “It’s late, you’re upset. Stay here tonight. We don’t mind at all.”
“You’re sure?” she asks, glancing from me to Hayes with trepidation.
Hayes is the one to console her worries. “Positive. You can head back tomorrow once you’re feeling better.”
Kelsey looks down at her hands. “Thank you.”
I reach a hand out and put it on her shoulder. “Don’t beat yourself up too hard, okay? People make mistakes. That’s what it means to be human.”
Lord knows I’ve made plenty of mistakes in my life, too.
“Okay,” she says, forcing a nod. I’m not sure how much she believes me right now, but hopefully once the emotional warfare of this moment wears off, she’ll find it in her heart to forgive herself.
“I’m going to go see if Hayes needs my help. Just relax here for a little bit.”
I push myself off the couch and then head to the guest bedroom where Hayes is laying a freshly folded towel on top of the queen bed. He looks up when I walk in and immediately opens his arms for me.
Burying my face in his T-shirt, I breathe him in, letting the smell of him calm my nerves. He presses his lips to the crown of my head and holds me tightly, knowing that’s exactly what I need right now. I let myself bask in him for a few minutes, not saying a word. He lets me, lending me his strength.
After a few minutes, I untangle myself from him and take a deep breath, letting it clear my head as much as possible.
Finally, I whisper, “I’m sorry.”
He pauses. “What do you have to be sorry for?”
“I thought you—I should’ve known you’d never betray me. I’m so sorry for allowing that thought to cross my mind for even a second.”
Hayes rests one hand on the angle of my jaw, his thumb stroking over my cheek, eyes tender. “I forgive you. I would’ve done the same thing, jumped to the same conclusions.”
“I still feel terrible about it.” My eyes flicker away from his, ashamed.
“Don’t.” He leans down and pecks me on the lips. “I’m not upset about it, so you shouldn’t be either. Let it go, Jersey. We’re okay.”
I inhale a shaky breath and nod once. “Okay.”
With his hand still on my face, he asks, “Do you need anything else from me?”
I shake my head and circle his wrist with my hand. “No, I don’t think so.”
“I’ll wait for you in our room, then.” He leans down and gives me another soft kiss, which I return gratefully.
Hayes excuses himself, disappearing down the hall toward the main bedroom. I take another moment to collect myself before going back to find Kelsey. She’s wrapped around herself, holding her knees to her chest. She looks up at me with sad eyes when I walk into the room.
I throw a thumb over my shoulder. “I’ll show you to your room.”
Lithely, she unwraps herself and follows after me down the hallway.
“There’s a bathroom right there, with soap and extra toiletries if you need them,” I point out. “And here’s your room.”
“I can’t believe you’re being so nice to me after everything I told you,” she whispers, eyes grazing over the guest room before falling on me. My throat tightens and I turn to her.
