Page 22 of New Neighbor

Hayden eyed him. “I do not.”

“And jump from bed to bed.”

Hayden laughed. “Now, that, I do.”

“Why?”

Hayden’s smile faded. “It’s just who I am.”

“No, it’s not,” Benji said.

Hayden sighed. “Fine. You caught me. When you can’t be with the one you want, you fill the void with anyone else.”

“That’s not how things work, Hay.”

Hayden shrugged. “Works for me.”

“Maybe you tell the one you want how you feel and hope they want you, too.”Great advice, asshole. Maybe you should listen to yourself.

“I can’t.”

Benji sat down beside Hayden on the bed. “Why not?”

“It can never happen.”

“She married?”

Hayden shook his head. “No… but it just… can’t work.”

“Who is it?” Benji asked, curious. Memories from dinner slipped into his mind. The look on Jesse’s face. The anger between them.

No. It can’t be.

Hayden shook his head, silent.

“Man… you’re going to drink yourself into a hole you can’t get out of one of these days. I’m scared for you. I really am.”

Hayden was silent.

“If thiswomanis the reason you’re tearing yourself up inside… either confront her or let her go.”

Hayden remained silent another minute. “I don’t think I have the courage.”

“I’ve always been the chicken shit of the group… you’re the big, strong guy. If you can’t do it, where in the hell does that leave me?”

Hayden lifted his stare and chuckled.

“I just want you to take care of yourself,” Benji added. “If talking to this woman is what you need to do, do it. Either she wants you, too, or she doesn’t. Maybe you can let go once you talk to her.”

Hayden nodded. “Yeah… maybe.”

“And if there’s anything I can do to help you… all you have to do is ask.”

Hayden scrubbed a hand over his beard.

“I’ll help you cut that fuzz off your face for free,” Benji said.

Hayden smiled. “You don’t like my crumb catcher?”

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