Page 13 of Elusive

Chapter 5

Sutton

“What?” She sounds confused… how is that possible?

“What the hell do you mean ‘what?’ I don’t know how else to say it, Hailey. I’ve tried being nice, but damn, you aren’t making it easy. I want you to leave, and…” this part sucks, but I’m out of options, “never come back.”

I’m braced for tears, screeching, ready to dodge whatever she throws at my head. I am not, however, prepared for what happens next.

There’s a knock at the front door — I’m guessing it’s Presley, come to execute “her plan” — and I teeter between relief and ‘oh shit, this is gonna get ugly, fast.’ But the scariest part, truly scary, as in, I’m standing in the same room with a sociopath, is the complete one-eighty Hailey pulls.

“I’ll get it,” she chirps and takes off running down the hall… because why wouldn’t she be the chipper welcome wagon, right? It’s not like I just told her to get out and never return.

Scary crazy.

“Well hello there, is Sutton home?” I hear JT’s voice and sigh in conflicted relief that it’s not Presley.

“He is. And you are?” She asks.

“JT Kendrick. Can you let him know I’m here?”

“Why are you knocking?” I yell loud enough for him to hear me. “This is your place too, dumbass. I’m in my room, come on back.”

Actually, I should go to them — Hailey by the exit is a good thing — but I don’t think fast enough, and they’re already here.

“Hey.” He appears in the doorway, doing a piss-poor job of hiding his amused grin. “I like what you’ve done with the place. Especially that bed of yours, Suzy Sunshine. And I knocked because I don’t exactly live here anymore, thank God. Knew you had company too. It’s called having manners, Bellamy’s influence.”

“Oh, I’m not company. I’m his girlfriend, Hailey.” She pushes past him to be in the room, then turns to shake his hand. “Nice to meet you, JT. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“Very nice to meet you, Hailey,” he almost laughs. “So, you like to decorate I see?”

“It’s my specialty.”

“I’d have to agree.” Fucker’s getting way too much enjoyment at my expense.

“What’re you doing here?” I interrupt their lil’ tea party. “Besides being a pain in my ass.”

“Not sure why, but a little birdie called and asked me to remind you that we have that thing today and see if you wanted a ride.”

Presley. She sent him to rescue me. Despite our… whatever, she helped me out. Which does not help me out with my whole “stay away from Presley” strategy.

“What thing?” Hailey snaps her head toward me, eyes narrowed with accusation. “We have a thing?”

JT covers his mouth, head already ducked, but the shaking shoulders he can’t control give away his silent laughter. Bastard. I’m not sure what he finds the funniest — the fact that my bedroom looks like that of a sorority girl’s, Presley let him know my situation’s so dire that I needed back-up, or, and this is probably it — he knows how I feel about Presley… no matter how many times I’ve denied it and assured him I’m over her.

“Hailey, I don’t want to rehash the fact there is no we, so let me put it this way. If JT’s family is having a thing, Presley will be there.”

“Well then, I’m definitely going with you,” she crosses her arms over her chest, eyes daring me to argue.

“No, you’re not. Jesus, just stop, and leave. For real!”

“I’ll give you two a minute,” JT mumbles, backing out of the room.

“Hailey,” I groan, rubbing my head as it droops. “You’re a sweet girl, and I don’t want to hurt you, but I’m so fucking done trying to be a good guy. Get whatever shit you want back, pillows, pictures, all of it, and leave. JT and I will pack it in your car for you, and keep the key, I’ll have the locks changed. Let’s go, you’ve got ten minutes.”

“I knew it! Nothing between us,” it’s the sound of pure demented, evil, “I won’t be played, Sutton! You and that girl, you just watch!”

“Not a fan of threats, Hailey. And I won’t tolerate ones made against Presley. Ten minutes are up, get the fuck out, now!”

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