hapter 479


    Hayden’s one sentence nearly made me see red.


    Now I was sure this whole mess between us was because of that ridiculous news report.


    Sure, I had some me in this, but I was still fuming. We’d promised to trust each other, yet here he


    was, Judging me over a single story without even asking my side.


    I felt


    the fru


    frustration rise in my chest. “If I said It’s not convenient, would you just turn around and leave?”


    “Yes.” Of course, he would.


    I clenched my teeth. “Hayden, when ites to being Jerk, you’re really unmatched.”


    He didn’t even flinch, just kept that calm, collected look that somehow made it even harder to stay


    mad.


    Fuming, I spun around and dropped onto the couch with a huff. Hayden followed, sitting down too–


    but he left about a foot between us.


    This was the guy who used to pull me onto hisp if I so much as scooted an inch closer. Now, he


    was holding back. It was obvious where his mind was.


    My chest tightened, and I looked at him, my voice wavering. “Do you really want to break up with


    me?”


    “It was you who said you wanted to break up,” he replied, his voice deep and even.


    I’d noticed his voice always dropped like that when he was hurt, which only made it sound more


    intense.


    I pouted, my throat tight. “I didn’t mean it. I was just mad because you didn’te see me.


    “I dide,” he said, keeping his words short.


    “But I didn’t know. I didn’t see you. I wanted to see you when I was awake.” My voice cracked.


    “Hayden, the first person I wanted to see when I opened my eyes was you.”


    He didn’t respond right away, just looked at me, his gaze softening for a split second before he


    looked away. “Are you sure it’s really me?”


    I knew the news story had gotten to him. It made him question everything between us.


    “Hayden, I saved Jace not because I still love him but because he’s a person who needed help.


    Anyone in that position–I’d have done the same,” I said, inching closer.


    He didn’t move as I slid next to him, reaching out to hold his arm. “That photo? It showed me


    holding Jace’s hand because he was critical. I was encouraging him while giving blood.”


    He stayed silent, so I gripped his arm tighter. “Hayden, if you don’t believe me, I’ll swear-”


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    But he cut me off. “It’s not just the news.”


    I froze. “Then what?”


    His eyes darkened. “Don’t you remember what you said?”


    Confused, I shook his arm, practically pleading. “What did I say?”


    His jaw clenched, and he looked almost painfully restrained. “Are you really gonna twist the knife?”


    “No! I swear, I don’t know what you mean,” I said, shaking my head.


    His gaze pinned me in ce, intense and searching. “Are you with me because you love me or


    because of something else?”


    “Of course, it’s because I love you!” I answered without a second’s hesitation.


    “But you told Jace that the reason you’re with me is because you were ‘moved‘ by me.” His words


    hit like a punch to the gut.


    When did I say that?


    “Hayden, I never–I didn’t-”


    “You did. In the car after the ident. I heard every word through the phone. Are you gonna deny


    it?” My throat tightened as pieces of that conversation came back to me. Jace had said a lot during


    that crash, but I didn’t recall ever saying I was with Hayden just out of gratitude.


    “Keira, I don’t care who you’ve loved before. But if you’re with me, it needs to be out of love–not out


    of obligation.” He paused, his voice steady but raw. “I can’t ept being some kind of second


    choice.”


    “Hayden, you’re clinging to one thing you overheard, and now you’re doubting my feelings. Do you


    really think I don’t love you? Can’t you feel it?” I said, my frustration spilling over.


    “My heart’s telling me–you still love Jace more than me.”


    Hayden’s words hit me like a punch.