Page 81 of Right Number, Wrong Man
This ain’t even about him asking her out, though that alone is enough to make me wanna kill him. But Hailey wasn’t interested, and he manipulated his way into a date with her. That’s the lowest of the low. I can’t stand men who don’t know how to handle rejection.
I step in front of her, using my body as a barrier. “Sir, would you still like to buy a ticket? I could offer you a discount cause you’re a little late. It’s a collection of standalone short films and you only missed the first one or two. There’s plenty more.”
For a second, Justin’s mask slips. His eyes flash with rage and he bares his teeth in a snarl.
I smirk.That’s right, buddy. She’s under my protection.
He composes himself fast, turning that grimace into the mockery of a smile again. “That would be great,thanks,” he says to me, but when I walk him to the ticket counter he looks over his shoulder. “Text me, sweetheart!”
I narrowly resist the temptation to slug him in the mouth. Could he be any sleazier?
I know one thing for certain:
Cody and I will find out who he is and then I’ll show Justin areal monster. When I disposed of Mike, I didn’t get to take my time, but I’ll have some fun with this one.
30
HAILEY
Hands wrapped in dish towels,I take the hot tray out of the oven and inhale the sweet scent of fresh croissants. They’ll go perfectly with the jar of homemade raspberry jam Sara Jean gave me.
I turn toward the kitchen table and hold the tray in front of my laptop’s camera. “What’s the verdict?” I ask, but I can already tell the answer from the serene smile on my mom’s face.
“They look delicious, honey! I can practically smell them through the screen.” She waves a hand under her nose and her colorful, beaded bangles rattle.
I laugh, putting the tray on top of the stove. “You said the same thing last time when I forgot them in the oven and they came out black!”
Mom shrugs, sheepishly brushing a strand of long, white hair behind her ear. “I keep telling you there is no point in negativity, Hailey. You might as well drink poison. We can only grow if we make mistakes and that burnt batch was the seed for your growth.”
I roll my eyes. Mom isn’t even a tiny bitdisappointed that I didn’t inherit her talent for baking, which could be considered strange for the woman who ran the local bakery with Dad. The nameLinda & Tommy’s Loaf Storyused to be known all over town.
But she’s just different.
Both my parents are…different. It’s impossible to argue with them.
As a teen, trying to make them mad was my favorite hobby, but I always failed hilariously. Even when I got my tattoo, they commended me for my bold and creative self-expression.
“You have this glow about you,” Mom says out of the blue. “Do you have a new man?”
I flush, clenching my thighs and a dull ache throbs in my core.
“Jeez, Mom! No!” I squeak.
I can’t tell her the truth. Every guy in my life feels like a complex math problem and I’m back in class getting an F.
“Dad and I just want you to be happy. We’re worried about you being alone. Humans are pack animals and too much loneliness is toxic waste to our souls. Is there really nobody special?” she presses.
God, where would I even start?
Yes, Mom, I’ve been hooking up with this stranger whose face I’ve never seen. It’s the best sex I’ve ever had! He violated me in a parking lot and then he almost drowned me while he fucked my ass. I haven’t been able to walk or think straight since, but he did leave painkillers for me after… isn’t that sweet?!
I’d rather sit on a cactus than tell Mom about Jax.
Next, there’s Colt, whose face pops into my head like a goddamn jumpscare when I least expect it—like in the shower. I’ve been avoiding him because I can’t figure out what to make of him. My whole world view has crumbled since I discovered it was Mike’s prank, not Colt’s.
Is he an asshole or not? The jury is still out.
And then there’s Justin—my unfortunate date for Andrea’s wedding—but he isn’t boyfriend material and therefore not worth mentioning. Justin is the fast food of dates. Easy, convenient, and right there. Nothing special, but it’ll do.
