Page 41 of Until Then

I turn away, fingers raking through my hair until it stands on end. “What a douche canoe. That guy cheated? On you?”

Hayley makes sure the door is closed, then spins around on me. “You already know who he is, and yes, he cheated on me. Again, something you already know, so I’m not sure why everything is so surprising to you.”

Two strides and I crowd her against the wall. My palms flatten by her head. Her eyes are blown wide, but I don’t think any part of her is afraid of me standing this close.

“Did he always speak to you like that?” My voice is wolfish, ready to snap. I was raised by a man who was stern and rule-abiding, but one lesson Lee Hayden instilled in both his sons was how to respect a woman.

Our mom was the queen of the house before she died. Always seated first, always spoken to in gentle tones. It was the same with my stepmom.

“Hayley,” I say when she doesn’t answer. “Did he always speak to you like that?”

Her eyes narrow. “He was critical, yes.”

“You were going to marry him?”

“Don’t judge me, Noah Hayden.” She shoves against my chest, breaking out of the cage I made around her. “It was subtle. I hardly recognized it in the moment. It wasn’t until I actually left that I realized how much his small insults impacted me. Tonight was the boldest he’s ever been.”

I clench and unclench my fists. “He doesn’t deserve to even look at you.”

“You’re growling.” Hayley faces me, arms folded over her body, a frown in place. “What was that in there? Marking your territory?”

If she’d freaking let me. “I wasn’t going to hear all that crap and say nothing!”

“So your best idea was to say you’re my boyfriend! Everyone is going to see that picture.” Her breaths quicken. “They’re going to see me. With you. They’re . . . people will think we’re together and . . . I don’t know what to do.”

She’s panicking.

“I’m sorry, all right. I didn’t know anyone would take a picture. I just”—I wave my hands, trying to find the words—“wanted him away from you.”

Hayley presses her palms against her face, as though it might soothe the anxious heat in her freckled cheeks. “How do we handle this? Do we need to . . . I don’t know, make a statement? Ugh, then Jasper will know and he’ll never let it go. But if we don’t, then everyone will expect to see us in public.”

I lean against the opposite wall, head spinning. “We could let it blow over.”

“You’ve involved Jasper Barnes!” Hayley’s voice squeaks. “Embarrassed him. His ego is ten times the size of yours. He’ll boost every social media post, every article, all to get us to break. He doesn’t believe us, clearly. I doubt anyone would.”

I nod, rubbing the bridge of my nose. “True. It’ll be a hard sell to get people to believe it at first.”

For a moment, Hayley looks hurt. “Tell them you wanted a break from your supermodels, I guess.”

I lift my head off the wall, frowning.

“Stop it.” Her eyes widen at my tone. I barrel on. “You’re not the reason it’ll be hard to believe. It’s me. You’re a nice, beautiful therapist who helps people. Too good for what the media tries to make me—a rich, playboy, TV star who beds 'em and leaves 'em. Trust me, you’ll be told to run, and fast.”

Now, I’m grumbling. Can’t be helped. This is a narrative I’ve despised since my name started picking up after the first season aired.

Never once have I cheated on anyone.

Never once have I gone home with a woman I didn’t actually want to date. But it’s the behavior to be expected in my world.

Rees and his entire band deal with it constantly.

Tate has been accused of cheating on his wife so many times, Ellie has started to scrapbook the speculation articles and give them as a gag-gift to him at Christmas.

There was an entire report about Rees having a lovechild after Jude was born.

The supposed other woman didn’t even exist. image was some stolen profile picture from a twenty-something in Rhode Island.

It’s unfortunate the worst of people sells better than celebrities simply living quiet, family-oriented lives while doing their jobs.

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