Page 12 of Make Your Save

I have to be held accountable for what I potentially did.

Hadley and I have known each other for many years, but we were never close growing up. We didn’t hang out with the same people due to our age difference. When Hadley was entering high school, I was on my way out. After that, the amount of times we ran into each other was few and far between.

Whatever this is between us is peculiar and she certainly doesn’t owe me a single fucking thing...yet she didn’t leave me alone to deal with this by myself.

She stayed.

I’m quiet as I let myself back into the house, entering through the garage and kicking my sneakers off by the back door. Running cleared my head enough to realize none of this can be dealt with tonight. Hadley’s right. We both need to get some rest, especially because of the demanding day I have after I wake up.

The house is so silent, a part of me is worried as I make my way into the living room. I thought maybe Hadley would have turned the TV on or something, but as I walk into the room, it’s just as silent as the rest of the house.

Panic erupts inside and I wonder if I spoke too soon. What if she decided not to stay? What if she took Lucy back to the hospital?

Every anxious thought dissipates as I step over to the couch, a gentle smile lifting my lips as I’m flooded with relief. Hadley’s curled up on the couch, wearing my t-shirt and sweatpants, her lips parted slightly as she softly breathes. Her hand rests against the bassinetwhere Lucy’s peacefully sleeping. Hadley’s eyelashes rest against the tops of her cheekbones and I allow myself a private moment to drink her in.

Hadley Reed is drop-dead gorgeous. She’s the type that turns heads every time she walks into the room, but not just because of her looks or her body. There’s an air about her that demands everyone’s attention.

It was impossible to not notice her when we were growing up, but that’s all it ever was. A passing glance or a lingering stare. Settling down was never in the cards for me, and Hadley isn’t the type of person you spend a fleeting moment with.

No,she’s much more than a moment.

Grabbing a blanket from the other side of the couch, I drag it over Hadley’s body, covering her up before walking over to my recliner. Exhaustion settles in my bones and as badly as I need to shower and change my clothes, I just don’t have the energy. Resting my head against the back of the chair, I turn it to the side, my gaze landing on Hadley and the baby.

My eyelids grow heavier with every blink until slumber sweeps me into its depths with wandering thoughts of the two of them floating around in my dreams.

CHAPTER FIVE

HADLEY

Trying to get solid sleep with a baby waking up every few hours is literally a goddamn pipe dream.

And it’s only been one night.

“Are you sure you’re okay if I leave?”

I stare up at Rowan from where I’m sitting on the couch, my mind lagging from the lack of sleep as I take a few extra seconds to formulate a response. “Yeah, of course,” I tell him, waving my hand dismissively before taking a sip of my coffee that’s already grown lukewarm. “I’ve totally got this.”

“We have our morning skate and then I’ll be back for a few hours after that.”

“Rowan, I need you to go about your day without worrying about Lucy and me,” I tell him, attempting to sound stern, but all I sound is exhausted. “Go about your day as if the two of us aren’t here.”

He stares at me, his expression blank. “That’s a little hard to do.”

A sigh escapes me, my lungs deflating with it. “Yeah, that makes sense,” I agree, shrugging with indifference. “I’m going to call my friend about the paternity test and hopefully we can get that sorted.” I pause, glancing down at his clothes that I’m still wearing. “Am I able to use your shower then? I’m starting to feel a little crusty and was too tired to wash the day off before falling asleep.”

“I am such an asshole,” he sighs, closing his eyes as he drags a tired hand down his face. “Yes. Please, make yourself at home. Use whatever you need, eat whatever you want.” He pauses, his eyes scanning the length of my body before he meets my face once more. “Did you want to run home and get clothes or something?”

I chew on the inside of my lip for a moment, glancing down at the baby and then at the clock before finally shaking my head at him. “I’ll be fine. I’m going to call my friend about the paternity test and see if he can bring me some clothes.”

Rowan is silent for a moment and I can’t read his expression at all. It’s completely justified, all things considered, I just don’t know what I’m supposed to say or do.

“Call me if you need anything?”

I dip my chin, reaching for the baby as she starts to move around in the bassinet. Her little mouth opens wide, a soft cry coming from her as I begin to lift her into my arms. Rowan stays for a moment, his gaze studying my face before he finally moves.

The way he looks at me makes my heart skip a beat,but I quickly shove the feeling away. If there’s one person I cannot get involved with, it’s him.

Rowan Taylor is known to never get involved with anyone, and I have plans. Plans to travel, plans to see the world, and a career I worked my ass off for.

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