Page 6 of Kept in the Dark

Life was about to get interesting if she returned.

Jason was right: Trey should stay away from her if he knew what was best. But that was the problem. Trey always went looking for trouble. And Hailey had been a whole new kind of trouble, which was why he had wanted her so badly.

Their relationship had been a whirlwind of emotions that he never wanted to repeat. Trey pushed her out of his mind long ago and he planned to keep it that way.

However, he found himself painfully aware of the fact that once Hailey left after the wedding, she’d never have another reason to come back to Auburndale again. This would be the last time he would see her, and he wasn’t ready for such a permanent goodbye, even if he saw this one coming.

But no matter what happened, he had to stay away from her, for both their sakes. Being with her once had ended horribly. Trying it for a second time might just kill them.

June 25, 2011

5:38 pm

Jason cried as soon as Angie walked through the doors of the church. He eagerly took his bride’s hand, smiling so hard even Trey’s cheeks hurt. Trey had never seen a couple so in love with each other.

Angie glowed radiantly, her tanned skin complimenting the white gown she wore. Or was it ivory? Was that even a color? Women had specific names for colors that all looked the same. Trey couldn't keep up.

He caught a quick glimpse of Hailey sitting in the back row. She looked slightly older, and her brown hair now had blonde streaks that highlighted her features well. She smiled as the couple read their vows.

Trey couldn’t help but notice the young girl sitting next to her.

Did she have a daughter?

She looked just like Hailey. Aside from having jet-black hair, her bone structure and olive skin were that of her mother’s. Trey wasn’t ready for that punch in the gut, and he hated that he still felt something for the woman who broke his heart.

Yet, he felt a stab of betrayal as he envisioned her having a family with another man. There was a time when he had been the one whom she wanted to start a family with. However, he quickly noticed she wasn’t wearing a ring and was embarrassed by the sliver of hope he felt.

Trey now stood at the dessert table, filling his plate with random delicacies: a slice of pie, a few cookies, and some good ole’ apple dumplings. His stomach growled in anticipation of the sugar rush. He probably shouldn’t eat so many sweets, but it was better to stuff his face with calories than drown himself in liquor again.

He turned to walk away when he nearly crashed into a woman. She was petite, about a head shorter than he. “I’m sorry, ma’am,” he drawled.

“That’s okay, I-” Her smile quickly faded, and her body became rigid as a ruby shade slowly dusted her cheeks. Her lips were pursed tight in a frown, not even attempting to hide her distaste.

Some things never change.

Trey’s breath caught in his throat, and he pulled at his collar, attempting to cool himself. “Hailey,” he stammered.

Trey chastised himself. Really? You haven’t seen her in thirteen years and all you can say is her name?

“Trey,” she spat.

“How are you?”

“Fine.” She quickly left and sat back down at her table, not bothering with dessert or a second glance his way.

The lady could seriously hold a grudge.

He knew things might be awkward with her coming back to town, but to still be so angry after all this time was a bit dramatic. But leave it to Hailey to be dramatic. She always had a flair for the theatrical, something he found both irritating and endearing.

Right now it was irritating.

Yet, he couldn't help but notice the way her dress hugged her hips as she walked away. Or the way her calf muscles contoured with every step of a heel. He pushed those thoughts from his mind. He didn’t dare think about anything else or he may need to leave early for a cold shower.

Sitting at the table with Hailey, the teenager glanced at Trey and raised a brow, eyeing him suspiciously. Trey guessed she was about twelve. After seeing her more closely, there was no doubt she was Hailey’s daughter. The girl even pouted like her mother: lips pushed down, and eyes narrowed. A look that could kill and had often made Trey wonder if Hailey was, in fact, plotting his death from time to time.

He thought about approaching them but knew it would only make things worse. Trey wished he and Hailey didn’t have to be at odds. Even though things ended badly, they shared many special moments together and he desperately wished they could have remained friends after she left.

Instead, Trey began walking back to his table to finish his plate of desserts, though now he seemed to have lost his appetite. He shoved the plate back and watched the crowd dance in excitement. Angie and Jason were making their rounds, thanking everyone for coming.

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