Page 189 of Risking the Pucking Defense

“Are you really not going to come to the barbecue?”

“I…I don’t know. James hasn’t invited me, so⁠—”

“You’re scared,” she states, hitting a little too close to the mark.

“I just don’t want to turn up where I’m not wanted.”

“That’s bullshit, and you know it. Hayden wants you there. I want you there. It’ll be fun.”

“Yeah,” I mumble, gazing out at the night sky. I don’t doubt that.

Sadness sits heavy on my heart as Bea pulls up to my building.

“Did you want to come up? We could order food or⁠—”

“I’d love to, but I can’t. I’ve…uh…”

“Shit, yeah. I’m sorry. I’ve already taken over your entire day. And you’re probably exhausted.”

“It’s not that I don’t want to, I⁠—”

“It’s fine,” I say, unclicking the seat belt and reaching for the door handle.

With the bag that Hayden had packed for me and the gift bags from the girls in hand, I stand beside the car and wave as Bea drives away.

A heavy sigh spills from my lips as her taillights disappear into the distance.

Exhaustion hits hard as I rest against the back wall of the elevator, willing it to move faster.

I might have showered at the spa, but I really need another to properly clear the chlorine away, and then I want to curl up with my book and order some carbs. Work can wait until tomorrow.

I push the key into my lock and shove the door open. I notice something is off the second I take a breath. It smells different.

Sweeter.

My brows pinch as I rush inside to see what’s going on. It only takes two steps before I notice the lighting.

It’s soft and flickering in a way that can only be from one thing.

My bag falls to the floor as I race forward.

“Oh my god,” I gasp, my hand covering my gawping mouth as I stare at the scene before me. “What? How?”

“Happy birthday, baby. You didn’t think it was over already, did you?”

53

HAYDEN

Hailee stares at me as if I can’t be real.

She blinks hard, but when she opens her eyes again, I’m still standing here. Her apartment is full of flickering candles, balloons, and flowers.

Her hand drops, but her mouth is still gawping, her eyes darting between me and everything I’ve set up.

“You’re…you’re not meant to be here.”

A smile pulls at my lips. “I got an early flight home. Couldn’t miss my girl’s birthday.”