Page 67 of The Way I Hate Him
“It’s because she doesn’t want me being nice to her,” Hayes says, hands in his pockets again. “I’m known as the devil in her family, you know?”
“Oh, I’ve heard. You wronged Ryland in some way, right? At least, that’s what I’ve been told.”
“I’m sure you have,” he says. “But she’d rather stay in a tiny studio than in a lavish house like this. Goes to show just how goddamn stubborn she is.”
“You realize if I stayed here, my brother would legit lose his mind,” I cut in.
“Seems like a fun game we should try, don’t you think, Maggie?” Hayes rocks on his heels, enjoying this far too much.
“I mean, as her best friend looking out for her, I’d say no. But as a longtime fan of Hayes Farrow, I’d say let’s try the drama.”
“Your loyalty remains with me, remember that,” I say.
“Alas,” she sighs. “I must say, let’s not piss off the brother, which means, stop being nice to my friend.”
“Fine,” Hayes says. “Guess I’ll start kicking her in the crotch as a greeting every time I see her.”
“That’s all I’m asking,” I joke, making him smirk in my direction.It’s a cute smirk.
“Well, I’ll leave you two to it. I’ll be in the house,notseeing if you need anything else.” He turns on his heel, heads back into the house, and shuts the door behind him.
Maggie shakes her head but doesn’t say anything as she takes a bite of her burger. She doesn’t have to say anything for me to know what she’s thinking, it’s written all over her face.
“Just say it,” I finally say.
She glances over my shoulder, then leans in and whispers, “He would be great for you.”
Yup, I knew she was going to say that.
“Maggie, he wouldn’t. There is so much frustration and anger between him and my brother, and with the town involved, them picking sides, it would be such a Romeo-and-Juliet-type situation with an ugly ending.”
“But . . . you like him, don’t you?”
“No.” I shake my head, even though in the back of my mind, it sort of feels like a little bit of a lie. “He has his good moments, but I don’t think we would be good together, and honestly, I’m not sure he’s my type.”
“Extremely hot, great voice, and kind is not your type? Jesus, Matt really did a number on you, didn’t he?”
“It’s not that, Maggie, and you know it.” I pick up my burger. “It’s complicated, and I don’t think getting involved or even thinking about getting involved with anyone at this point is a good idea. I can barely foster the relationships with my brother and sister, let alone someone else.”
“I understand,” she says, growing serious. “Tell me what’s going on with Ryland and Aubree. Are they preoccupied?”
I nod. “Which I totally get, their lives have been turned upside down with not only losing Cassidy but also taking on new responsibilities they were not expecting. And the pressure to keep Cassidy’s spirit alive. I know they’re struggling, but they just won’t let me help them. I went to grab pizza with Aubree and it was almost as if she was horrified that I even asked her to share a meal with her, alone. But we barely started eating when she ditched me. Legit, got up and left. It was saddening and humiliating. And she just won’t talk to me.”
“Is the problem more with Aubree?” Maggie asks.
“Yes, she’s the one pushing me away more. I think with Ryland, I feel so guilty with what I’m doing that I don’t have it within me to face him, which is putting a gap in our relationship. I know this because he hasn’t reached out since I had dinner there the other night.”
“He’s also busy trying to take care of a four-year-old,” Maggie points out and gently places her hand on mine. “I truly believe their lives have changed, their perspectives, and their day-to-day operations. Maybe in the past, it would have been natural for them to reach out to you while you were in town, have meals, hang out, but I don’t think any of it has anything to do with you, and a lot of it has to deal with what they’re going through.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right.”
“Doesn’t mean you can’t have feelings about it. I’m sure you’re feeling left out, like you don’t belong . . . fit in, especially since Cassidy was your person.” Maggie takes my hand in hers. “That’s such a valid feeling, Hattie, and you’re allowed to experience the loss of all that. I truly believe you’re going through some growing pains with your family, but I have no doubt it will all come together.”
“You think so?” I ask.
She nods. “I know so. If I know anything about the Rowleys, is that no matter what, you’re there for each other.”
I nod. “Yeah, we are.” Well, we used to be, anyway. It doesn’t really feel like that anymore.Not since we lost Cassidy.
