Page 44 of Rival Season
Fisher steps forward; clearly he’s had enough. He looks down his nose at Weatherby, his green eyes cold and hard, and his tone matching as he says, “I think Hazel already took out the trash in her life, Weatherby. And I also think we’re done here.”
“I was just leaving anyway,” Chadwick says.
I wink at him. “Maybe I’ll catch you in 2B in a bit. Thought I might stop by and see my girl when I get home.”
Chadwick gives me a withering look. “She’s at work right now.”
I hate that he knows this and I don’t.
“After her shift,” I correct myself, and Chadwick’s eyes flicker with familiar smugness.
“Ahh, didn’t she tell you? Their volunteer group for tonight canceled. She’ll be in that hovel packing boxes ’til midnight, by the sound of it.” He smirks. “I guess you’ll be spending the night before Valentine’s Day alone, Matthews, because Hazel’s too busy for you.”
With that, he clumps off in his stupid boot, and I let him have the last word because I’m distracted by what he just said—is Hazel really putting in an extra-long shift today, or is Chad-dick just shit-stirring to keep us apart? And if she is working overtime, why didn’t she ask for my help? I would have volunteered in a heartbeat. My chest tightens with the knowledge she talked to Chadwick about this but not me…maybe she’s starting to warm up to him again. He’ll be here in San Francisco with her on Valentine’s Day tomorrow while I’m stuck on a plane.Dammit.
The second I’m done pushing this cart around, I’ll text Hazel to find out what’s going on.
“Shall we grab some probiotic sodas for Noah and bounce?” I ask Fisher.
He stares at me. “How are you so calm right now? I was ready to lay that guy out.”
“Same, believe me.” I can still physically feel the rage coursing through my veins. But not for anything he said about me—but for how he reduced Hazel to a damn accessory. Like a Rolex he can put on and take off whenever he wants. What an idiot—as if anyone could get bored of Hazel, she’s amazing. “But that’s what he wants. And I refuse to give him what he wants.”
“I’d have happily given him a reason to need to see his team dentist,” Fisher spits.
Despite myself, I can’t help but smile. “Now who’s got their panties in a twist.”
“Well, now I understand why you always get so worked up whenever he’s mentioned. You really weren’t kidding about him.”
“Nope.”
Fisher shudders. “I seriously cannot believe he and Hazel dated.”
“Same,” I say honestly. Although after that conversation, I think I might understand a little bit more how they could have been together for a year—Chadwick knows nothing about who Hazel really is, and I’ll bet he didn’t show her any of his true colors until after she discovered him cheating. He probably acted like a perfect gentleman and made her think he was a stand-up guy. No wonder she seems to have issues trusting what people say.
We walk towards the dairy section, silence hanging between us until Fisher says, “You know, I thought it was a little weird at first, how quickly you and Hazel went from always arguing to getting together. I’ve known you for months now, and before Hazel, you never got close to seriously dating anyone, and you never hung out with one girl for long.”
“Hazel’s different,” I say immediately.
“I see that now.” Fisher nods. “But I’m not going to lie, when I first found out Hazel was Chadwick’s ex, I wondered…don’t get mad at me for this…but I wondered if maybe youwerewith Hazel to get back at Chadwick for stealing your high school girlfriend. Or if it was like, I dunno, a revenge hook-up for you both.”
I almost laugh—if only Fisher knew how close he is to the actual truth right now.
“If that had been your kink, I wouldn’t have judged,” Fisher goes on, smirking for a moment before he says, “But now, when I see you guys together, it’s obvious how into each other you are. The girl looked like she was about to melt into the floor after you kissed her last night.”
My heart speeds up at his comment. I figured she was into it, but it’s nice to have it confirmed by an outside source. “As she should have,” I reply with a smug grin. “I always aim to please.”
And I do—when I kissed her, I made damn sure I kissed her until her knees went weak. Because Hazel needs to know she deserves nothing less in any relationship, fake or otherwise.
Fisher chuckles. “What I’m trying to say here, Penn, is that you shouldn’t listen to anything that douchebag just said to you. You and Hazel are clearly great together, and he’s clearly nothing but a jealous dumbass.”
“I won’t. Thanks, Fishy.” I reach out and ruffle his hair. “You’re cute when you’re sincere.”
“Don’t get used to it.” He shoves my hand away and glowers. “I still miss my wingman…but I guess I’m happy for you.”
“You’ll fall for someone one of these days, don’t worry.”
“Doubt it,” Fisher scoffs. “I like my freedom.”
