Page 105 of Verses

The question was just how much time I would need—and how I could get past this disappointment.

OrifI could.

CHAPTER 28

Goddammit. Why the fuck was Wolf following me? I’d just told him I needed time.

Maybe I should have specified timeaway from him.

As I entered the bedroom, he said, “Hayley.” Something about his tone made me slow and turn around. “Can we talk about this?”

“I don’t want to. Not right now.”

“Baby…if we’re gonna be together, weneedto talk.”

“Fine. Say what you have to say.”

“That’s not what I—” Cutting himself off, he scanned my eyes, understanding that I just wouldn’t be receptive to anything he had to say right now. “Itrustyou, okay?”

“Then I don’t get why you’re making a big deal about wearing a condom like I’m just dying to get pregnant. Do you know how crazy that sounds? Seriously…if I wanted to get pregnant, I would have already done that with Kyle.”

“Would you? Kyle’s not exactly stable or reliable.”

What the fuck? I was all but grinding my teeth together, shocked that I felt almost as angry at Wolf as I used to with Kyle. What the hell was it about men? I just shook my head, unable to say a word.

But Wolf kept talking. “If you want me, you’ll take me as I am.”

“Treating me like a conniving bitch?” But maybe thatwaswhat I deserved. After all, good ol’ mom had always said the relationship, gauged by how many fights she would have with her partner, was usually better when they fought a lot. But nothing about this felt good.

“No, bird. It’s not you.”

“I just…can’t right now.” And I turned—but I didn’t stop in the bedroom to gather up my shit. I needed to wash all this off me. I didn’t want to take any of this sensation home with me—not the smell or feel or taste of Wolf. I walked in the bathroom and closed the door, hoping he’d be decent enough to not follow me.

After several long seconds, I knew he was going to leave me in peace, so I turned the knobs on the shower, hoping to get the water to a good temperature quickly. But Wolf’s last words continued to ring in my head.

It’s not you.

What the hell did that even mean? That he wouldn’t have trustedanywoman? As the hot tears started streaming down my cheeks, I tore off his shirt and my boots and tested the water before turning the showerhead on. By the time I stepped in, my vision was blurred—but the warm water felt like it was just what I needed.

After a minute, I heard a knock at the door. “What?” It came out of my mouth a little too harshly, but I couldn’t exactly take it back.

“Can I come in?”

“Why?” When he didn’t answer, I relented…because at least I wouldn’t be looking in his face, and he wouldn’t see me crying. “Fine.”

Even over the noise of the shower, I was able to hear the door to the bathroom open and I waited, anticipating his words but realizing that maybe he was struggling with knowing what to say. Maybe he was feeling emotional just as I was.

So I just waited, almost holding my breath.

But I decided I’d get out of the shower as soon as he said what he felt he had to say, so I grabbed the bar of soap and lathered up all over, letting the shower rinse off the suds as I continued to wait.

At least the warm water was taking most of the chill out of my bones.

But now that Wolf was in here, I wasn’t going to get out of the shower until he left the room, because I didn’t want to look him in the eye.

After more time had passed, I tried to decide how to ask if he planned to actually say anything. At that moment, though, as if he could sense my impatience, he pulled the shower curtain aside just enough that his eyes connected with mine. I stared back at him, but we didn’t say a word.

Nothing.

---