Page 61 of Stay

I slam my hand on the hood of my car and shake my head.

Those are staying right where they are.

Chapter 19

Haley

My body is so boneless, I have no clue how I’m supposed to get through Thanksgiving dinner with his family. The next two hours go by in a blur, and before I know it, we’re pulling into a long driveway.

I have a flashback to the first time I met his parents. How on earth can a single turn into a driveway feel this good, this solid, this safe and perfect? Warmth spreads through my chest, followed quickly by panic.

“What if they don’t want me here?” I ask quietly. It’s too late to turn back now.

“Haley.” Cole’s warning is clear. He’d never put me in a position like that.

I slump in my seat. My stomach twists. “What if they hate me now?”

“They have no reason to hate you for anything.” His big hand falls to my thigh, and he gives it a squeeze. “Trust me.”

I’d hate me if I were them. I ditched Cole and didn’t look back. Guilt grips my heart, squeezing it to a pulp. I feel vulnerable and terrible. I reach up to snag my thong from the mirror. Cole catches my hand and shakes his head. “I told you they stay where they are.”

“Please?” I beg.

He shakes his head again. “I like them hanging there.”

“Well, I like being completely dressed before I see your mom.” Who may or may not want to beat me to death with her wooden spoon. Dread consumes me. Why did I agree to come here? It’s too soon for this. Burying my head in my hands, I try to reel in my emotions that are escaping their bottle.

“Hey.” Cole’s tone softens. “Look at me, baby.”

I do and don’t like his expression. “I feel sick.”

“I’ll never ever put you in the line of fire. Not even with my family. They love you, Hales.” He grabs my hand and kisses it.

Tears fill my eyes, making Cole all blurry. “I wasted so much time, didn’t I?”

“You took what you needed.” He taps my nose and shoots me a smile. “Now, be my good girl and let me bring you home to your family.”

His words barely process in my warped brain before he’s opening the door for me. I’m still in panic mode. Shit. I… I can’t… “Cole.”

“I gotchu.” He grabs my hand and pulls me out. “Come on, Angel.”

The outside of the house is exactly like I remember it. It’s as if these past five years didn’t exist. I’m right back to the first time I came here for turkey and Miss Ellie’s famous apple pie. Cole laces his fingers with mine and we climb the porch steps. There’s a big wreath on the red door that has a ribbon on it covered with sunflowers.

Cole squeezes my hand before opening the front door. Warm air, pumpkin, and something inexplicably wonderful hits my nose. “Mama, we’re home!”

Two dogs barrel towards us, tails wagging and tongues out. I let go of Cole so I can pet them. “Pete and Zeb?”

“Zeb passed. This is one of his bastard children,” Cole says, giving the dogs a good head rub.

“Ohhhh!” The sound of Miss Ellie’s voice startles my heart. She rushes towards us, wiping her hands off on her apron.

“Hey, Mama.” Cole hugs her tight and they rock back and forth, which is totally an Ellie thing. I’ve never seen anyone hug the way she does.

Then she looks over at me and my stomach drops. Ellie’s face falls. She lets go of her son and calmly walks towards me. It takes all my strength to not cower or back up until my ass hits the door.

Or better yet, turn and sprint the hell out of there before she can reach me.

“Haley.” She says it with so much warmth, it’s like stepping into sunshine after living in a cold cave. Miss Ellie brings me into a big hug that seeps into my bones. “I knew you’d come back to us.” She hug-rocks me too and when I wrap my arms around her, it’s like I’m falling apart and staying together at the same time. “Ohhh let me look at you.” She pulls away to cup my face. “You get prettier and prettier.” She taps my nose. “You keeping my boy in line?”

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