Page 15 of The Inkslinger

Chapter Eight

How Not To Be A Fake Boyfriend

Laine

I leave Hailey to her own devices for the rest of the day. I do, however, make sure Damien is with her and that Adam is aware of the situation. I didn’t tell Damien why he had to watch her but that he has to let me know if anyone he doesn’t know shows up. We live in a small town and strangers are easily spotted. I haven’t asked him what happened this morning, but I will get around to that.

I do go to see Samuel down at the police station. He assures me he and his deputies will keep an eye out for Derick and for us to let him know if the asshole shows up for any reason. The hope is he will leave once he realizes Hailey has moved on but I’m not so sure.

I handle two walk-in customers with a stupid smile on my face the entire day. I remember how she melted in my grasp and the way her taste instantly addicted me. I know I will never be able to forget the moment I kissed her, no matter how long I live. And I will definitely be doing it again. I just need to convince her to let me.

My cell rings just as I am cleaning up after my last customer, and the screen flashes a photo of my mother.

“Hey, Ma.”

“Have you met the young lady renting Skye’s house? She’s such a nice young woman.”

My mother doesn’t greet me, simply jumping into the conversation she wants to have.

I chuckle at my mother’s excited tone. “How did you meet Hailey, Ma?”

“Oh, she came over with Damien to borrow my blender. Seems the two of them constructed one of those blue plastic pools and are drinking margaritas poolside,” she explains. “I was even invited to join them.”

She laughs at the idea, and I have to contain my reaction. I asked the little shit to keep an eye on her, not get drunk with her.

“That sounds nice, Ma,” I reply, knowing she is waiting for a reply from me.

“Will I see you on Sunday?” she asks.

“I wouldn’t miss it,” I say with a smile. “Do you want me to invite Hailey?”

“She already said she would be here when Damien asked. They are becoming fast friends.”

I hold back a noise in my throat that I am sure will sound like a growl once I let it out. “That’s good, Ma. I’ll see you on Sunday.”

“Love you, my boy,” she says sweetly before ending the call.

I grab my wallet and keys before stomping through the shop. It’s only four in the afternoon but I can’t sit here twiddling my thumbs with the mental image I currently have.

“I’m taking the rest of the day,” I say as I pass Alistair and Skye.

Neither say a word but I see the look that passes between them as I walk out. I stalk over to my truck before jumping in and gunning it, heading straight for Hailey’s place.

It’s only four blocks so I get there in no time, parking behind the sexy-ass muscle car she drives. I don’t knock, knowing they are out back from the sound of music and laughter filtering through the air. Rounding the house, I almost swallow my damn tongue when I finally catch sight of them.

My brother is in a pair of swim trunks showing off the single tattoo he let Alistair do for him, sitting on a deck chair, laughing. His left eye is slightly swollen and dark blue around the edge.

Hailey, on the other hand, is wearing a bright green string bikini that is barely containing all her curves or covering the important bits. She has a pitcher in her hand while she refills two glasses.

“Hey, Laine,” my brother says with a smile, not knowing I want to poke his other eye out.

Hailey makes a sound of displeasure, drawing my attention. Damien laughs again before grabbing his shirt.

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