Page 5 of Finding Hayes
“I wouldn’t argue that. I survived your tap-dancing phase, your stint playing the violin, and then the piano. Then there were those years when you thought your voice was a perfect mix of Taylor Swift and Adele.”
I arched a brow and recalled the lyrics I’d written when I was certain I was going to try out forAmerican Idol, and I belted out the chorus. “He’s the luckiest guy around, and he’s pretty sporty. He likes to watch me laugh and call me shorty. He puts on his cowboy boots. Sometimes he has the toots.” I continued singing over my laughter as the corners of his lips turned up. “He’s my partner in crime till the end of time, and he’s my very best friend, but that doesn’t rhyme. Even when I’m lost and in a daze, I can always find my… Hayes.” I threw my hands in the air and shook them around, celebrating my grand finale, and both of Ruby’s brothers applauded and whistled from the other side of the bar.
Hayes barked out a laugh.
I’d always loved the sound of his laugh. This gruff, foreign sound from a guy who didn’t let himself go there often. I had a hunch not much had changed, just by the grumpy disposition hestill carried himself with now.
“That one was a winner. What was it called?” he asked.
“‘Finding Hayes.’ Had I known you were going to become a firefighter, I could have played on that—you know, like the smoky haze. My lyrical genius would have had a heyday with that. I believe it’s called a heterography.”
“I see you haven’t lost your charm for knowing random shit.” He took another bite of his burger. “Are you going to tell me what happened today or not?”
I thought it over. “Why should I? We don’t even know each other anymore.”
His shoulders stiffened, and I didn’t know why he’d be offended, because it was the truth.
He’d betrayed me.
Hurt me when I was at my lowest.
We’d obviously grown apart, and I hadn’t been able to see it when it was happening.
“Fine, let’s catch up. I know how much you love to ask questions. What do you want to know?” he asked, wiping his hands on his napkin.
“What happened to that she-devil you used to date?”
“Kate?” he asked, his gaze hard now.
“The one and only. I heard you got engaged to her?” I did not hide my disdain.
“I did. It was a dumb move.”
“You can say that again.” I rolled my eyes. “She was the worst. Clearly, you just saw the big boobs and the pretty face.”
The girl had a black heart. She was mean and manipulative, and I’d never liked her.
“I think I was just with her for so long, and I didn’t want to see who she was. I don’t know.” He scrubbed a hand down his face, and for a second, I felt bad for him.
And then I remembered what he’d done.
“You were always blinded by that girl. So, why’d you call off the engagement?”
He narrowed his gaze. “How do you know I called off the engagement?”
“I don’t see a ring on your finger. There’s no way Kate would wait this long to get married. She had the patience of a petulant child.” I paused for dramatic effect before continuing. “On a sugar high. After days of no napping.”
“I get it. You never did like her.” He chuckled. “After we got engaged, she fucked Lenny Davis, who also happens to be my coworker at the firehouse. Obviously, I called things off after that.”
“One would hope that would do it. Every man has his limits.” I smirked because I knew that girl would eventually show her true colors.
“Okay, so now you know my story. Tell me what happened today.”
“Always so nosy,” I said, sinking my teeth into my bottom lip because being around Hayes felt… comfortable. Easy. I wanted to hate him, but so much time had passed it was hard to tap into all that anger I used to carry. I’d be cautious, but having a conversation with Hayes felt like a gift I could allow myself. We had a history, after all.
“For fuck’s sake, Shortcake, I just told you my shit story. Just say it.”
“Fine.” I pursed my lips and pushed my plate away. “I got a call from Abe’s probate attorney in San Francisco, and I met with him this morning before coming here. Abe left me his farmhouse.”
