Page 80 of Stealing Forever

“I’ll give you a hand,” Austin offers. “We can talk more about your sister.”

Laughing, Hailey shakes her head and leads the way back inside.

Jensen passes me a platter from the table, and I load chicken and bratwurst onto it. “Thanks.”

“No problem.”

When we’re all settled in the warm evening air, our plates are full, and we fall into a comfortable small talk.

“So when’s the next viral video?” Austin asks playfully.

“I think our days of viral videos are behind us.” Hailey’s gaze meets mine. “I’m not interested in any more than five minutes of fame.”

We’ve had several long conversations about Addison and her role in Sailor’s life moving forward. She opened up about her insecurities and everything that Addison did and said to her while I wasn’t around. I confessed my fear of her leaving me and Sailor, and how I knew it would destroy us both.

In the last four weeks we’ve been raw, open, and vulnerable with each other, laying a solid foundation that I hope—I know—will last a lifetime.

And now that the buzz has worn off about my over-the-top grand gesture, Hailey and I are falling into a comfortable normal day-to-day routine.

She hasn’t moved in yet, but I’m hoping that’s going to happen very soon. I might even ask her tonight, if the timing is right. She’s been spending more and more nights over here, and it just doesn’t make sense for her to keep paying for her place.

The conversation shifts over to the Bears season and the guys get heated in a good way, talking about who they want to take down, where they think each other can improve, and what players from other MLB teams they’d trade for if given the opportunity.

Hailey puts a plate of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies down on the table, winking in my direction, and I’m instantly transported to one of the first nights I realized how utterly captivated I am by her.

“Pretty sure you two shouldn’t be allowed to bake again. If this is what happens when there are cookies, I can’t imaginewhat the kitchen would look like if you girls baked a cake,” I tease.

She shrugs. “You won’t be saying that after you taste my cookie.”

The shade of crimson that painted her cheeks after that is something I’ll never forget.

“Damn, these might be the best cookies I’ve ever tasted,” Jensen compliments, completely unknowing the inside joke between me and Hailey, and I practically choke on mine.

Across from me, Gareth leans back in his chair, pulling his cell out of his pocket. “I’m sorry, I have to take this. Hello?”

Standing, he moves a few steps away on the porch. “What? Indy, slow down. What’s wrong? What? I’m on my way. No, just stay where you are. I’ll be there soon.”

Frantically, he hangs up and shoves his phone back into his pocket. “I’ve got to go, I’m sorry.”

“Is everything good?” Austin asks, concern swimming across his features. “What’s wrong with Indy?”

Who’s Indy?I think to myself, the name sounds strangely familiar.

“I don’t think so. Thank you guys for dinner.” Quickly, he leans down and presses a friendly kiss to Hailey’s cheek, then touches my shoulder in passing before he runs out of the gate in my backyard.

“Fuck,” Jensen mutters, looking over at Austin.

Feeling like I’ve missed a conversation somewhere along the line, I raise my eyebrows. “Who’s Indy?”

“You remember meeting Dylan at the pre-season team barbecue? Gareth’s best friend?”

“Oh, I do!” Hailey perks up, and my memory’s jogged, too.

“Yes.” I nod, encouraging him to continue.

“Indy is his sister. Gareth’s been in love with her for forever, but Dylan is absolutely oblivious.”

“Oh, damn.” I rub my beard, letting my thoughts take me back to conversing with Dylan. He did seem a little lacking in the common sense department, still though, he was a nice guy.

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