Page 28 of Love is Trash in Hallow's Cove

“Uh, it’s a show and tell kind of situation. One that’s easier to do when we have some time to be alone.”

“Ugh, is that what you call showing her your dick?” Bettie interjects, grimacing at the thought.

“N-no!” I sputter. “It’s… I… please come over tonight and I’ll explain.”

“Okay…” Hayley’s eyes search my face and my skin itches with my guilt and discomfort.

“Great! Gotta get back to the shop. We’re having a two for one sale and I left everything unattended. See you later!”

I wave over my shoulder as I hurry outside, leaving a perplexed Hayley behind.

Fuck, this is going to be rough. If I can barely keep it together now, tonight is bound to be a disaster.

Chapter twelve

Hayley

Mypalmsaresweatyas I approach the back entrance to Trash to Treasure. The night is quieter than usual, lending to the ominous feeling in the air.

I’m so fucking nervous.

What is Jake going to tell me? He gave me no hint of what it was, leaving me to concoct theories that got wilder and more upsetting as the day went on.

We haven’t explicitly said we’re exclusive, so he can’t really be cheating on me. But what if he has a secret spouse? What if that secret spouse is dead in his basement and he’s invited me over to show me and make me his next victim?

I know it won’t be that bad, but that doesn’t keep the anxiety away. My gut was right to tell me that Jake was keeping something from me. The problem is, my heart hasn’t been listening to it. No, it’s fully invested in thisman I don’t really know, and now I’m scared it’s about to be crushed.

I wipe my palms on my skirt, suck in a shaky breath, and knock on the door.

Jake opens it a moment later, clearly waiting by the door for me to arrive. Still, he sounds a little out of breath when he greets me. “Hayley! You’re here. Hi!”

“Hey.” I step inside the back room where he keeps his unsorted stock as Jake holds the door open for me.

We usually kiss or at least hug when we greet each other on a date, but tonight there’s an awkward hesitation and nothing happens.

I hate it.

I’ve spent so much time in my life being polite and going along with things my partners did that made me uncomfortable. I thought things were different with Jake. Ineedthings to be different with Jake.

I clear my throat. “Jake, I’ve been freaking out all day about what you’re going to tell me. I can’t handle any preamble where we ask about each other’s day or other small talk. Please, just get it over with.”

He blinks at me, probably surprised by my sharp tone, but nods. “Absolutely. Can we go upstairs where there’s a better place for you to sit while we talk, or do you want to do it here?”

I don’t know what I want. If he’s telling me he doesn’t want to date anymore, I want to be as close as possible to the nearest exit. But this room is a mess and if it’s a conversation where I’m going to cry and have a long,drawn out discussion, I don’t want to do that surrounded by old furniture and bags of clothes.

“Are you breaking up with me?” I ask, voice wavering a little.

Jake’s eyes go as wide as saucers and he grabs my hands. “No! No, absolutely not. You’re amazing, Hayley. I want to be with you.”

The earnestness in his voice takes my breath away. “O-okay.” I let out a somewhat relieved exhale. “Then we can talk upstairs.”

Jake gives me a hesitant smile, reaching his hand out to lead me, and I take it. Despite me being here for some dramatic revelation, his touch anchors me. His grip is strong and warm and comforting. Yeah, his palm is also pretty damn sweaty, but I can’t judge that with how slick mine is, too.

I surreptitiously survey the tidy apartment when we enter. It seems similar in layout to my aunts’ place, but that’s where the similarities stop.

Jake’s place is shockingly cozy. It’s a mishmash of vintage furniture and decor, all tied together with a rich green, cream, and gold color scheme. It shouldn’t work. The disparate styles should be chaotic. Instead, it’s a bit weird, but wonderful.

Just like him.

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