Chapter 10

chapter

ten

Hayden

Peter stands in the hallway when I open the door, a self-important look on his face.

"Can I help you?" I don't force a smile because it's 1:30 a.m. What the hell does this guy want?

"I could hear through the wall that the two of you were still awake, so I thought I would offer to take Monster for the night so he can get some sleep at my place."

Did this dude just imply that he was listening to Mills and me in the bedroom?

"Monster is fine," I say. "I can hear him snoring in the kitchen in his bed."

At the second mention of his name, Monster trots over to Peter and I.

"See? He needs to go out," Peter says, gesturing at the dog.

Just then, Mills enters the room in a pink floral bathrobe that barely reaches her knee. She has swollen lips and sex hair and her mascara is smeared, and she's the sexiest goddamn vision I've ever seen.

"What's going on, Peter?"

Peter's entire demeanor changes to conciliatory when he spots Mills. "It's been so long since you had a boyfriend overnight. I thought I would take Monster for a walk to wear him out so the two of you can have some alone time."

This is a weird offer of kindness and it feels very wrong.

"You seem awfully interested in Mills's sex life," I say.

"Hayden," Mills says, resting a reassuring hand on my arm. "It's fine."

She then turns to Peter and breaks my heart into a million pieces when she says, "Hayden isn't my boyfriend. We just met."

Peter bristles at this but recovers quickly. He doesn't want to appear judgmental in front of Mills but he can unload all his snark on me? I don't think so.

"Better still not to let the baby get attached to a one-night stand," Peter says, taking the initiative to attach Monster's leash.

This dude is super weird for saying that, but Mills clearly takes this as a joke. "I'm sorry for keeping you awake. Sure, it would be awesome if you took Monster for a walk. Just be careful."

I watch, bewildered, as Peter descends the cement staircase and strolls down the street, disappearing between the streetlights.

"Close the door; you're gonna let moths inside," Mills says, reaching past me. Immediately, I lock it up, pushing the deadbolt in.

Mills turns to me, tightening her robe. "We don't need to lock the door; he'll be right back. Monster doesn't take epic walks, especially not in the middle of the night," she says.

I point at the door, seething. "That's exactly what he wants to do. He wants to waltz back in here unannounced and interrupt…things."

"He's my neighbor. He's my friend. And he has a key, but he won't do that. He's not that weird. I know he's a little forward, but he means well. He's just looking out for me," Mills says.

"I told you before, he wants to bang you."

The line in her forehead deepens when she frowns. "Peter may have a tiny crush on me, sure. He might be a little eccentric. But trust me, this isn't the first time he's come over when he can hear that I'm awake."

"Let me guess," I say, "he did this the last time you had a boyfriend."

"Yeah, but only because that one was allergic."

"Sure, that's why. I'm telling you, you need to be careful of that guy."

Mills crosses her arms over her chest and squares her shoulders. "I don't appreciate you telling me who I can and can't be friends with. Not even boyfriends tell me what to do, let alone guys I'm just messing around with."

This hits me like a fist to my heart. "I'm more than just the guy you're messing around with. Did you not hear the things I said to you? I don't say those things to just anyone. I may be delusional but I'm one hundred percent committed to the delusion that we're supposed to be together."

"I think you need to leave now, Hayden."

And there it is. I always said I would back away if Mills needed me to back away.

"I'd rather stay until he comes back with Monster and then trots off to his apartment, so I know he's done obsessing about you for the night," I try.

Mills is adamant. "You need to go now."

With my heart breaking into a million pieces, I unlock the door and leave.

Before I go, I have to look back. "Call me if you need anything. I'll be waiting."

She blinks her eyes expectantly, and I finally leave, slouching down the stairs, getting into my car, and beginning the journey back to my house in Beverly Hills.

I want so badly to throw her over my shoulder and take her with me.

It gives me only a small bit of satisfaction to send one voice text as I drive back to my house in Beverly Hills.

"Siri, text Stella Monroe asking for a background check on Peter Albertson. Here's the address…" I give Siri the address and other identifying information, then ask the virtual assistant to deliver the text quietly.

I park my car under my quiet house, take the stairs to my quiet bedroom and turn on the news to calm the negativity in my head.