Page 57 of The Revenge Plan

“Put on some music,” he said.

I obliged by jabbing at the buttons, but my vision was too blurry for me to focus on the right button. Somehow, I turned it on.Arcade firewas playing. I tried to change the song and was failing.

“You’re too drunk to function.”

I laughed. “And you’re not?”

“Hailey, watch out!”

Suddenly he was no longer driving. The steering wheel was now in my hands. I looked to where he pointed. All I could see was white light. I tried to get away from it. My hands felt heavy…

???

I woke up with a start, my back wet with sweat. I glanced at the unfamiliar surroundings until I remembered I was in Caiden’s room and not mine. The bed was empty and his scent was all over. I looked down at my clothes. Of course. I had his shirt on. And then all the events of last night came rushing back. I should have known they would humiliate me. Looking back, it was obvious. But what had surprised me the most was Caiden. He had been, well, on my side. I don’t think I would have been able to walk out of that horrid party, had I gone alone. I wanted to thank him, but he must have been gone by now.

I waddled downstairs on heavy legs expecting an empty apartment. Only it wasn’t. From the staircase, I could hear the sound of sizzling food and voices. He wasn’t alone. I made it to the landing and saw Ax with him. They had their backs to me and must not have heard me come in. I was about to announce my presence when Ax said, “I’m surprised you want me to go instead of you, that’s all.”

“It’s nothing you can’t handle, the deal is almost done,” Caiden said.

“I’m not talking about the deal. I’m talking about your roommate.”

Caiden’s back stiffened. “What about her?”

“I hope you know what you’re doing”

“I do.”

“Do you? Cause from my vantage point, it seems like you two have gotten a little cozy. Cozy enough for you to make breakfast for her. ”

“What’s that got to do with anything?”

“You make breakfast for the girls you like.”

“I don’t like her.”

“You love her then.”

Caiden bellowed out with laughter. “Trust me, there’s no way I would ever fall in love with Hailey Lyndell. She’s just a warm body I fuck.”

Hearing that stung. I shouldn’t care if he loved me or not, I didn’t love him. Whatever little connection we had was only sexual.

“Okay, that’s a definite no,” Ax said.

“Yes, it is. Can you please get out of my kitchen?”

Ax moved away, but not before he grabbed a piece of bacon from the pan. I made myself known then.

“Morning.”

“You’re awake.” He said it as if it was the most natural thing to say.

“Good morning, Mrs. Scott,” Ax said in a mocking tone.

“What are you doing here?”

“Am I not allowed to pop in to see my friends?”

“It’s not that. It’s that I never see you here.”

---