Even though Hayden had recorded Steve’sst match for me, it just wasn’t the same as being


    there.


    “I’ll save you the best seat, Steve said with a grin.


    “You’ve got this! I threw him a quick fist pump through the screen.


    He nodded. ‘Take care of yourself too.”


    “Mhm, I’m about to eat something and crash,” I mumbled, feeling exhaustion creeping in.


    I hadn’t slept wellst night, but somehow pushed through today. Now? I was ready to pass out. As


    soon as the call ended, I tossed my phone aside and stared at the dark kitchen.


    It would’ve been nice if Hayden were here to cook, but hope–he was keeping his distance, ying


    that proud game. Wonder how long that’llst.


    That thought lingered as I finally drifted off,pletely wiped after almost twenty–four hours awake.


    When I opened my eyes again, sunlight streamed through the windows.


    Even after all that sleep, I felt groggy. I turned over, burying my face in the pillow, but the moment !


    moved, pain shot through my whole body. “Oww,” I groaned, half asleep, “Hayden, can you rub my


    back?


    Silence.


    I waited, expecting to hear him or feel the bed shift. Nothing. “Hay…” I started again, but the rest of


    his name got stuck in my throat.


    He wasn’t here. Why was I calling for him?


    Stupid habits.


    It was the same with Jace. I’d gotten used to having him around, and now I was falling into the


    same pattern with Hayden. Always depending on someone being there, and now I had to break that


    habit all


    over again.


    Once more, I was alone.


    The phone rang, snapping me out of it. It had been buzzing for a while before I finally grabbed it.


    Wayne.


    He’d texted earlier, but I ignored him. Now he was calling. If I didn’t answer, knowing Wayne, he’d


    probably show up at my door.


    Might as well get it over with.


    After a beat, I picked up. “Wayne.”


    “Still in bed?” He could tell from my voice.


    “Mhm. What’s up?” I really wasn’t in the mood.


    He paused. “What’s going on with you and Hayden?” Content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    I hesitated, not sure if I even wanted to get into it. “Can we not?”


    “Hayden still doesn’t believe you?” Wayne asked, already knowing.


    1 stayed quiet. No point in going over it again.


    Wayne took the silence as confirmation. He didn’t push, though. “I’m downstairs. Brought you


    breakfast.”


    “Downstairs?” I sat up, ncing at the window.


    “Yeah, outside your office building.


    I let out a breath. “I’m still at home, Wayne. Don’t wait for me. No idea when I’ll make it in.”


    “That’s fine. I’ll leave it on your desk,” he said, not giving me a chance to argue.


    I thought about Lena’s advice–her little game to make Hayden jealous by showing I wasn’t waiting


    around. So, I let Wayne do his thing.


    Later, Wayne texted me a picture: [breakfast, perfectly arranged on your desk.]


    But by the time I got to the office, my desk waspletely empty.


    Where was my breakfast?