Page 7 of Run Away Home: Tempered

“You can have that one.” I nod toward the master bedroom.

“Really?”

“Yeah. I don’t need a big room. This one’s just fine for me.”

“Thanks, Peter!”

She hugs me, and warmth spreads throughout my entire body. Maybe I’ll be moving back into the big one with her soon? Sounds like a plan to me.

“You’re welcome.” I don’t want to let go, but when she pulls away, I know I have to.

“Can you help me carry my stuff into that room?”

“Of course.” I pick up one of her boxes and move it into what was going to be my bedroom. I come back for the next box. Now she’s lying on the bed.

“You’re the best,” she says, but she’s looking at her phone. She’s texting someone. Who?

“But not...notthebest, right?” I lean on the doorframe. She sighs again. She doesn’t need to answer. I get it. “I know.” I pick up another box and carry it into the bigger room. When I return for another one, I stop in the doorway. “Can I just ask you, was it the sex? Was it really bad?”

She cracks up with laughter. How embarrassing.

“No, it was fine, but that was just for fun. No feelings attached, remember?”

“Yeah, well, I was hoping... I guess, if it was good enough, maybe you—” I laugh at myself because I sound so pathetic. “Never mind.”

“Peter, you’re great. You’re really great. You know that, but... You’re not my type. You’re a really great friend.”

“A friend? Friends don’t have sex.”

“Some do.” She laughs.

“That’s not funny. I don’t want to do that.”

She stops laughing. “I’m just joking around. Can’t you take a joke anymore?”

“Sure I can.” I grab the last box from her room and carry it to the master bedroom. When I come back, she’s still plopped down on the bed. Jesus Christ, Mary, and St. Joseph. “Well, can you get off ofmybed then?”

“Yeah, sorry.” She stands, then bends down to look under the mattress. She pulls a small bag out from underneath.

“What is that?”

“It’s nothing.”

“Hayley, I hope it’s not more Oxys.”

“It’s fine.” She tries to hide the bag behind her back, but obviously it’s too late for that.

“It’s not fine, Hayley. You said you would try—”

“I am trying, Peter. I am. Okay? I’m trying. You don’t get it. Leave me alone.”

I stare at the floor. “I can’t stop you.”

“I know you can’t.”

“I’m just asking you, nicely, please do that somewhere else. Not here with Danny.”

“He’ll never see anything.” She heads toward the door. As she walks past me, I turn and plant my fingers on the temples of my head.

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