Page 105 of The Love Haters

That’s when I opened my eyes—and it wasn’t George Bailey.

It was Hutch.

George Bailey, for his part, wasn’t even in the room anymore.

My stirring awake roused Hutch—and the second he saw me, he jerked back to the other side of the bed like a stuntman on a wire.

“What the hell?” Hutch said.

As ifI’dbeen the person on top ofhim.

Maybe I was still a little irritated by his attempt to kick me out of bed last night, but I resented the implication that I was the problem here.

So I did the only dignified thing I could think of.

I got up and walked out of the room.

George Bailey was out in the living room, napping amiably, belly-up on the sofa, as though the concept of thunder didn’t even exist.

I started shoving gear and equipment into my bag, breaking down my tripod and zipping lens cases. I didn’t change or even brush my teeth. I just grabbed my stuff to make my getaway.

I was closing my last case when I noticed Hutch watching me from the bedroom doorway—now in jeans and a T-shirt—with his sad frown back in place.

“I’m sorry I was so…all over youjust now,” he said then. “I must have thought you were the dog.”

Insult to injury. “I guess you must have.”

“I hope you don’t feel… upset about it.”

“What—you mean, am I worried you were trying to make a move or something?”

Hutch gave a little shrug.

“No, pal. You were clearly fast asleep. And you made your total noninterest pretty clear yesterday.”

“That’s a good thing, though—right?”

Why the hell would that be a good thing? “If you say so,” I said.

“I’m just trying to do the right thing here.”

“You think mistaking me for a dog was doing the right thing?”

Hutch’s jaw tightened. “Look. I didn’t ask you to come over here—”

“Technically, you did.”

“Only because Cole told me to.”

“Do you have to do everything that Cole says?”

Hutch blinked. “Yeah. Yes, I do.”

Was he truly not letting himself date anyone because Cole wasn’t dating anyone? Had he just accepted all that incorrect guilt without question? “Well,” I said. “I think you’re doing penance for something that’s not your fault.”

“That’s not what this is.”

I shrugged, likeThat’s between you and Cole, I guess. “Okay. But you told me to get out. So I’m getting out.”

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