Page 71 of Blinded By Love

Kayden is on his phone, Max and Natalia are arguing about how she thinks fruit doesn’t belong on pizza while Max is just flicking her forehead while calling her stupid. Chris is watching them argue.

Hayden has his arm wrapped around me as I try not to break out in goosebumps and lean into him. His other hand is playing with the ends of my hair as he pays attention to Max and Natalia’s argument.

Things between him and I have been different.

We still bicker and argue, calling each other names but he smirks at me or has an amused smile on his face whenever we argue. He'll touch my hand or my thigh whenever I’m near him. He'll whisper dirty things in my ear, making me blush. He kisses me every once in a while.

I tell him to stop but my body easily melts into him and gives in.

I still don’t like him.

Or at least I keep telling myself that.

“Bitch, you think I’ll listen to your opinion?” Max says while raising an eyebrow at her, making me laugh.

“At least I have half a brain. You will eat anything so why am I even having this discussion with you?” Natalia folds her arms over her chest and looks at me. “Can you believe this hooligan, Jaclyn? I’m sorry I brought you into this.”

“At least he’s funny.” I laugh while watching the two of them.

Chris is looking at Natalia like he is enchanted by her.

I feel a warm hand slip onto my thigh making me turn my head to Hayden. He knows how easily I’m affected by his touch because when he does this he always waits for a reaction from me while giving me a teasing smile.

It’s infatuating.

I can feel blush spread to my cheeks as he runs a single finger up and down my thigh teasingly.

“Stop.”

Hayden's lips form into that amused smile and his hand that was touching my thigh goes to my cheek. He touches my cheeks as if he’s amazed with how my cheeks are rose red. Butterflies swarm in my stomach.

I wish I could stop them because liking Hayden Night is the last thing I should be focused on.

“Jaclyn.” I turn my head, Hayden’s hand still lingering on my cheek.

I smile at Lucas. “Hey.” I pinch Hayden’s arm, making him drop his hand from my face.

I haven’t seen or talked to Lucas since our date and that’s mainly because I have been acting dry on text messages which made him stop messaging me so much. He doesn’t come to the diner so I haven’t had the chance to talk to him much.

I don’t like conflict and I always try my best to avoid it and I know I am the one in the wrong in the situation and I feel guilty.

Lucas gives me a small smile. “I was hoping we could talk. Sorry I haven’t texted you in a while, I’ve been busy with school.” Lucas’s eyes go to Hayden sitting next to me.

“It’s fine. I’ve been busy with school, too.” I try to get up but Hayden doesn’t move from his spot in front of me. I look up at Lucas. “I’ll meet you out there.” Lucas nods his head before leaving our table. I look at Hayden while feeling everyone at the table staring at the two of us. “Are you going to move?”

“You’re seriously going to go out with that guy?”

I furrow my eyebrows at him.

What the hell is his problem?

“No and even if I did want to go out with him, I don’t think it would be any of your business. Move.”

Hayden scoots out of the booth so that I can get out. I don’t look back at him even though I feel holes burning in my back from how hard he is staring at me.

I get out of the diner and see Lucas leaning against the wall of the diner.

“Hey,” he says, smiling when he sees me.

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