Page 81 of Hayden's Stalker

“Don’t do this,” Blake says in a sad voice.

Despite myself, I get a twinge of regret at his plea, I still know that this is the right thing to do.

“It’s already done. It has been for a while, which I would happily have told you in private rather than in front of basically every person in my life.”

Embarrassment at the fact that this is all taking place during Heather’s birthday party and with everyone looking on floods through me. It comes with frustration at Blake forcing my hand like this and refusing to have this conversation in private.

“So, thank you for not giving me the opportunity to do that. At least I won’t have to have a conversation with everyone about what happened, I guess. Give me that pass now, please.”

I hold my hand out for the pass, but Blake doesn’t move, so Jesse lifts the pass off his neck and hands it to me. Jesse grasps his arm and pulls him toward the door. It’s a huge relief when Blake follows him without causing even more of a scene.

There’s no getting around the fact that everyone in the room just witnessed my break-up, so I figure I might as well address it. “Hey, everyone. I’m sorry about that. In case you all missed it, I’m single now, and I’d rather not talk about it any more than that. Let’s all have a good night, okay?”

People generally give their consent with a few nods and ‘okays’ before the level of noise returns to what it was before, with groups of conversations happening around us as people turn back to what they were doing before.

“Am I psychic now?” April says with a mischievous grin at me.

“Why?” Heather asks.

“I was just a few weeks too early thinking that Hayden had broken up with Blake.”

Freedom

Def.

12

The Gifts

I can feeleveryone looking at us as Tati and I continue to move about the room. The people I talk to don’t bring up what happened, which I appreciate, but I do notice them all looking at her with much more interest now than they were before.

We all gather around a cake and sing happy birthday to Heather, and as I’m standing at the side of the room getting a drink, Tati asks quietly, “Are you okay?”

She asks it as though I might be upset, but I feel nothing but the sheer relief of being free from Blake.

“I’ve never felt fucking better,friend,” I tell her with a grin.

I’m thoroughly entertained when her face flushes red in response. I’m single now, and there is absolutely nothing to feel guilty about when I flirt with Tati anymore. Hell, there’s nothing to even stop us fucking.

“I’m glad, but remember, this doesn’t change anything,” she says in a warning tone.

Except that.

“Shhh, don’t ruin this for me,” I joke.

My grin slips because it really isn’t just flirting with Tati and being able to fuck her that’s making me feel so good right now.

“Seriously, I didn’t realize how much I’d been dreading this tour being a repeat ofHeart Wide Open. I guess I’ll just have to find somewhere else to get good sex. Got any ideas?”

I run my gaze over her body, not even bothering to hide that I’m ogling her and loving that I don’t have to feel bad about doing it anymore. Yeah, I’m her employer, but she’s made it clear that she wants me. Breaking up with Blake feels like a thousand-ton weight has been lifted from my body.

“My offer to find you a nice boyfriend or girlfriend tonight still stands. That’s the best idea I’ve got.”

She shrugs her shoulders, but the way she’s looking at me tells me she almost certainly has a much better idea in her head than she’s willing to offer.

“I’ll still pass, but keep thinking, and I’m sure you’ll come up with something.”

I smirk at her, take a sip of my drink, and turn back to look at the room. It’s filled with all my family and friends, here to celebrate Heather’s birthday and the kick-off of our new tour.

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