Page 111 of Right Number, Wrong Man
I’ll make sure she eats and gets into bed. Then I’ll sit with her until she falls asleep. I can’t leave without making sure she’s safe and well after our session, physically and mentally.
But then I’ll have to go. That’s our deal.
No cuddling. No holding her while we fall asleep together.
I choke back a sob. What a wreck of a man I am.
Anything short of spending every minute of every day with her won’t ever be good enough. I want her everything, but I only get shreds and pieces of her. It hurts so bad.
How can I make this mess right and reveal my true identity without losing her again?
42
COLT
A buzzing wakes me.Adrenaline shoots through my system and I’m instantly on my feet, phone in my hand before my eyes have properly opened. At the foot end of the bed, Gracie lazily lifts her head into the early morning sun streaking through a gap in the curtains. She yips softly and I scratch behind her ear.
“Messages or calls at the crack of dawn always mean bad things, girl,” I say, but she rolls over and closes her eyes again.
How I wish I was a tiny dog, too. No problems. No worries. Just walkies, playing, treats and snooze time.
Properly coming to, I realize I’m holding Jax’s phone and the text is from Hailey. My blood freezes as I swipe up to look at the message. It’s a goddamn wall of text.
Hailey
I’ve been lying awake alone in this hotel bed where you left me, thinking about what needs to be said… but I still feel awful for doing this.
Jax, you’ve given me a chance to explore myself and my fantasies without judgment. You’ve guided me with patience. You’ve made me feel safe. I’m so grateful and I have the utmost respect for you—even if I don’t know your face or your last name or really anything much about you.
My respect for you is precisely why I have to be honest. Our dates were casual fun, but keeping this a secret isn’t fair to you.
I can’t see you anymore. It’s not your fault, I promise. You’ve been perfect, but I think I’m falling in love with someone else and I want to explore those feelings. I’m sorry.
No, this can’t be. Fuck. This ain’t happening.
Dazed, I read the text twice over, but the words don’t change no matter how hard I squint. My breath hitches. It feels like my heart bursts through my ribs and out of my chest, shattering on the floor.
I’m losing her. Again.
She’s in love with another man. Again.
I pace the bedroom, gritting my teeth until my jaw aches. I’m stunned. Blindsided.
Everything was going alright, so where did this come from? Who’s the bastard stealing her from me?
I’ve been watching Hailey like I always do, and she didn’t go on a date with anybody except me—I mean Jax. I would’ve noticed that. She’s only ever at work or at home, occasionally going to the grocery store or meeting with Andrea.
Did she meet somebody online?
She wouldn’t have to go outside for that, and her laptop is never turned toward the windows for me to see. Ishould’ve asked Cody for some fancy CIA software to spy on her laptop and her phone, but I didn’t think she was the type for online dating.
I scoff. No matter who the motherfucker is, he ain’t a match for me. Nobody is. I killed my own brother for her and I killed Justin, too. If I have to, I’ll kill every man in this world and drench the soil in blood until there’s no one left but me to claim her.
Another message comes in and I stop mid-step.
Hailey
Shit. I can see that you read my texts. You’re awake, huh?
