Fatal Flaws

Chapter 43

"What's up, dude? What have you been up to, out shopping with the girlfriend?" The guy asks, sitting several bags on an empty table beside us. Hayden takes another bite, not answering. I'm assuming he's trying to come up with an explanation. After all, we said we would try things out, but we've never officially said we're dating. I watch him finish chewing the food in his mouth, and swallowing, before taking a giant gulp of lemonade.

"I brought my friend Bex here to get some clothes for work. We decided to eat while here. We should get our money's worth, right? No point in making multiple stops, if you don't have to" he states, popping another fry into his mouth. I don't know why his words sting so much. I knew we hadn't put a title on us, but his calling me a friend hurts. It feels like I've been punched in the gut. I can't bring myself to look at him. Staring down at the table, tears begin to swell. I refuse to let Sam see me upset. It takes everything in me to block my pain out. The rest of their conversation is a jumble of noises and gargled voices. I need to get out of here, I have to for my sanity. Out of the corner of my eye, I spot his keys lying on the table, unattended.

"I'm not feeling the greatest. I need some air. If you need me I'll be in the car" I inform the group, snatching his keys, and grabbing my two little bags. Without waiting around for a response, I walk off.

"What's her problem? Why do you bother hanging out with garbage like that? She's nothing but a slut" Sam says loudly enough so I can hear. I don't even try to make out his response, it's not worth it. I'm over today and want to go home. Unlocking his door it flings open, allowing me to toss my items into the back seat. How can such a good day turn into this nightmare? All the people in this town, why did it have to be her? I swear, if he's not out here in the next ten minutes, I'm ordering an Uber home. I decide throwing myself into the seat, slamming the door shut. What's taking him so long? I've been waiting almost a half hour. Is he in there with Sam? Maybe the four of them are hanging out, like a double date? Am I stupid for sitting here, wasting my time? My anger builds the longer I'm stuck in this stuffy car. The door opens startling me as I scroll through Uber apps on my phone.

"About time" I mumble angrily, rolling my eyes at the sight of him.

"My bad, I didn't mean to take that long. I ran back to grab a gift I forgot earlier" he apologizes, tossing a large wrapped parcel into the back. "What's wrong with you? Why do you look so pissed?" He questions, looking at me as he starts the car.

"I don't know maybe because you left me in the car forever. And let's not forget dear old Sam with her smart-ass comments. You can take me home and drop me off since we're just friends and I don't mean shit to you" I snap, realizing how mad I truly am. Being friends isn't bad but hearing him say it aloud is soul-crushing. Have I been lying to myself this whole time? I can't shake Sam's smug when she heard him say the word friend. It's like she found a lottery ticket on the ground and found out it's a winner.

"Hold up, you're the one that wanted to come out here. I didn't tell you to. And who cares about her? I've told you how I felt about her. If I wanted her I'd done have her. She's a fucking slut and I don't see why you let her get to you. Who gives a shit about her nasty ass" he laughs while putting the car in reverse and backing up. He completely skipped over the part about us being friends. I guess it's not a big deal to him. Not wanting him to see how upset she has me, I adjust myself in the seat, gazing out the window.

"Are you taking the scenic route back to my dorm or are you kidnapping me? I ask, noticing none of the buildings were passing look familiar.

"Look who's making jokes. And I'm stealing you for a bit. Don't worry I'll have you back in time for a good night's sleep. I want to show you something. Besides chill we're almost there" he smirks, shooting me one of his devilish glares. He's up to something, I know it.

The farther we drive the nicer the buildings become. I watch out the window as he turns into a small subdivision. All the homes are two-story townhomes made of red brick. They're similar in structure with small details differing. Some of them have large trees or bushes planted in the front yard. Others have massive flower beds in front of them. Holding the decayed remains of once-flourishing flowers. Pulling onto the next street he continues driving straight until reaching a cauda sac. He leans forward reading the addresses. After several seconds he pulls into the driveway belonging to building thirteen. Like the surrounding homes, it's a red brick two-story. A large Elm tree grows in the front yard. It would be perfect for a tire swing. Several large flower pots sit on the front porch. They also hold decayed remnants of previous flowers. It seems like a nice neighborhood. The property is well-managed, and the yard has been raked recently. A pile of leaves lies along the curb, waiting to be bagged. The other yards have dried dead leaves covering them. Several younger kids are nearby riding bikes, further up the street.

"Come on let's go inside and look around," he says, opening my door and offering his hand. Grabbing ahold of his I let him lead. What is this place and what's he up to? The wind howls around us as he fumbles in his pocket, pulling out a set of keys. They're different than the ones he keeps his car key on. I've never seen this bunch before. Turning the key in the lock, we hear it click.

The door opens revealing darkness. Reaching in he slides his hand along the wall, flipping a switch. The room fills with light. Walking in I'm surprised at how nice and clean it is. The first room is a smaller living room. A large black couch sits along the far wall with a matching loveseat on the one beside it. Two silver iron end tables are on either end, each having glass tops. A matching table is positioned between the couches, atop a black and white striped rug. Two tall silver stand-up lamps stand in opposite corners of the room. And a large flat-screen TV. hangs from the remaining empty wall. An enormous mirror sits above the couch. Walking in a little more I notice the floors. They're a deep cherry wood with no knicks or dings in them. This place is beautiful. The only thing missing is a sense of home. There are no pictures or personal belongings in sight.

"So what do you think" he asks, nervously running his fingers through his hair, looking down at me. My heart beats faster matching the speed of flutters in my stomach. Is this his place? What are we doing here? He wasn't serious about moving in together this soon, was he? I'm speechless. I don't know what to say.

"What? What do you mean Hayden? Who's place is this? I ask, afraid of what his answer will be. He doesn't respond instead placing a quick peck on my cheek before pulling me in. He shuts the door behind us, dragging me to the sofa.

"It's ours if you want it. It comes furnished with utilities included. It's a steal for real. Plus it's only a ten-minute drive to campus" he rambles, watching me intently. He drives me insane. How can he find a place like this claiming it's ours but then turn around telling people we're only friends? What am I supposed to think? How should I feel? I sit motionless staring at him, trying to find any hint of what he's thinking. But like always he's a brick wall, not giving off the slightest clue. Now is when I wish I could talk to Sky. She'd know what to do and whether I should believe him. Even though she knows we're sleeping together she made me promise I wouldn't tell her any details. Or bring her into our problems. I can't blame her. I wouldn't want to hear about April or Jason's love lives.

"How would this work Hayden? I don't have money right now. Especially not a deposit or anything like that. And besides we don't even know what we are" I moan, trying to think logically. One of us has to.

"There is no deposit. This is one of my parent's properties so we'd only have a few bills. It's a starter place until we get on our feet and save up a little. And why do you keep saying that? I shouldn't have to tell you how I feel about you or anyone else. Who cares what those people think? It only matters that you and I know what we mean to each other" he says, pushing a stray strand of hair behind my ear. A million things are running through my mind. This is too much to take in so fast. I'd love to wake up next to him every morning. And not having a roommate would be a plus. But can we do this, can it work?

"Besides we can fuck whenever we want, with no interruptions." he coos, sliding his hand between my thighs. He knows how to keep me distracted from the bigger picture.

"I guess" I whimper, giving in reluctantly. Letting my sexual desires and urges make the final call. Hopefully, this works out and doesn't explode in my face.