Page 21 of New Neighbor

Chapter Four

Late Saturday afternoon…

Benji knocked on Hayden’s front door, staring at Clay’s car parked behind Hayden’s.

Was he not the only one worried about Hayden?

Clay opened the door. “Hey.”

“Hey. Is Hayden here?”

“Sleeping off last night,” Clay answered quietly.

“I’m worried about him,” Benji said.

“Me, too,” Clay said. “I’ve already said something… but he was as flippant as always.”

“Jesse been around?”

Clay shook his head. “Haven’t seen him… but to be honest, I don’t know that I want to see him right now. And I’m not too happy with you right now, either. I don’t appreciate the way you two shanghaied me last night.”

He’d knowingly lied to Clay. “Jesse thought you two needed to be face to face. I wasn’t so sure, but I let him convince me it was the only way.”

“It’s not,” Clay snapped.

“I’m sorry.”

Clay was quiet.

“Is it really that bad? What are you two fighting about?”

“It’s nothing,” Clay murmured. “Nothing for you to worry about.”

Benji got the message loud and clear. “How long has Hayden been asleep?”

“Who knows? A couple of hours?” Clay stepped back and urged him in.

Benji eyed Hayden’s bedroom door. “I’m going to go check on him.”

“Someone needs to.”

Benji knocked on Hayden’s door. When no one answered, he opened it a crack to see Hayden passed out on the bed. Benji walked over to the bed and shook Hayden.

Hayden let out a snort before rolling over. He looked up at Benji before scrubbing his face. “What time is it?”

“Nearly five.”

Hayden sat up. “I need a drink.”

“No. Youdon’tneed a drink.”

Hayden glared. “I meant water. The other stuff will come later.”

“Hay—I’m worried about you.”

Hayden sighed. “What in the fuck is wrong with you guys? You’ve turned into a bunch of old women. Clay was whining to me earlier.”

“Don’t you think if we’re all saying it—then maybe it’s true? All you do lately is drink.”

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