Page 132 of Hayden's Stalker

I already lied to Heather in the car, and as much as I don’t like doing it, I would do anything to be with Tati. “You’re worth it. Tell me about it quickly, and I won’t be lying, though.”

Tati shakes her head and grimaces as she says, “They promised that you’ll love your new home, and I wanted to be sick at the thought of it.”

I feel sick at the thought of it, too. I imagine some awful person stealing me away from Tati and being held hostage in my ‘new home.’ It’s terrifying to think about, and I absolutely hate it. I can’t do anything about it right now, though, so I nod and turn to continue making my way back to our group.

Lita has already beaten Sebastian and is standing with Mirabella in her arms as she asks me, “All good?”

“Yup,” I manage to say, even though adrenaline is still coursing through my body, and my fear is still huge at what Tati told me.

I hand Lita and Ariana their waters while Tati hands beers to the guys. She stands at the wall with me in silence while we watch Sebastian beat Gabriel in their game. He beats Harrisonas well, and by the time he asks me to play him, I’ve managed to stop thinking about my stalker.

I joke and laugh with my friends while I play my game of pool.

“I had no idea you were this bad,” Tati teases me with a laugh as I sink a ball but also the white ball at the same time.

It’s a standard joke in our friend group about how bad I am at pool. I don’t care because I love playing even though I never win. It’s still fun for me, and I can almost beat Ariana and occasionally Gabriel or Harrison.

“You cut me deep, Tati,” I say with a grin at her.

“Believe it or not, he’s actually improved since I met him,” Lita laughs.

“I know that’s probably hard to believe,” Seb smirks as he stands up from sinking one of his solids.

I nudge him with my elbow as Seb walks around the table to take aim for his next shot, making him laugh.

“Lita’s right, though.” I wink at Lita, thinking of the first night we met her. “She gives me tips to help me get better like a good friend.”

“Of course, I’m always happy to help, unlikesomepeople,” Lita says, and the rest of our group laughs.

“Yeah, yeah. I’m a shit friend, but you’re still shit at pool,” Sebastian smirks at me as he stands up from sinking the black eight ball. “Next victim?”

I hand my cue to Ariana and move back to stand next to Tatiana again. I pick up my beer to take a sip as I watch them play their game, and Harrison comes over to talk to me.

“It’s good to have Heather here, I bet,” I comment.

He looks over at her, where she’s talking to Lita and playing with Mira. “Yeah, it is. I miss her so much when she’s not here.”

“I can’t imagine.” I glance at Tati, glad that she’s with me all the time. “It must suck. Remember theCards Have Been Dealttour?”

“Those were the days,” he laughs. “We were so young and naïve back then. I think we’ve improved a lot, though.”

“Would you go back to that tour if you could?”

I realize my dumbass question as soon as I’ve asked it, and Harrison cringes.

“Probably. There are a few things I’d change if I could go back in time.”

“Shit. Sorry, dude. I should’ve thought.”

He smiles at me. “All good. I know you didn’t mean it.”

The conversation moves on from my faux pas, and when Gabriel’s playing Sebastian again, I get a wicked idea.

I turn to Tati and say as casually as I can, “Um, Tati. I need to use the bathroom.”

She looks obviously amused as she says in her coolly professional tone, “Okay, let’s go, I guess.”

“You don’t even get a bathroom pass?” Harrison laughs.

---