Draw Me In (24 page)

The couple stared at me, silent. I stood there waiting, intensely conscious of Karl, who was standing like a mammoth statue at my side.

And then the guy turned to his girlfriend. “Yeah, she’s right. I mean, I was wondering about it myself. Want to think about it?”

The girl glared at me, then turned a disappointed pout to her guy. “If that’s what you want, sweetie.”

The couple turned and walked out of the shop, and I let out a breath I hadn’t known I’d been holding. That hadn’t gone exactly like I’d hoped. If it had, the couple would have had a backup idea and gotten tattooed right then. Would Karl be pissed that I hadn’t sold them harder?

I turned, about to apologize, when Karl started to applaud. “Great work, Hailey,” he said, grinning. “I couldn’t have done it better myself. You’re all right, kid.”

He patted me on the shoulder and left, leaving me staring after him.

“Not so bad, I guess,” I said aloud as relief saturated me. “Okay.”

As I sank into the chair, I thought of Neill again. Just friends, huh? Well, I’d thank him for his
friend
ship later. For now, I had some work to do.

Neill

I couldn’t really place it, but something was definitely up with Hailey. Every time I passed her, she’d smile, sometimes even blush. When it got later in the evening, she left her desk and watched me work on drawing a cover-up in the office, using the same light box Karl and I had built together five years ago. She didn’t say anything, but I began to get the impression that she wanted to. So I did what came naturally.

I hid.

“I’ve gotta run an errand, so I’ll finish this up later.” I turned off the light box without really looking at her. She was sitting in the chair by the desk, and the small office walls began to push in on me. I needed to create some space between us, so I moved for the door. “Be back in twenty minutes or so.”

“Okay.” Hailey shut her notebook, leaving it atop the desk. She stood, blocking my path and leaving me no choice but to look at her. Even in the dimness of the office, her eyes sparkled. “When you come back, can I talk to you about something?”

“Sure,” I said. “No problem.” She moved aside, and I went straight to the back door, not bothering to grab my helmet before I went. I needed to move, needed space to think. Of course, Roger was hanging out beneath the overhang by the back door, just lighting his cigarette.

“Problems, boss man?” Roger quirked a smile. “Or are things going
too
well?”

I slumped against the back wall of the shop. “I have no fucking clue.”

“Then welcome to reality.” Roger took a long drag on his cigarette, blowing out the smoke as he spoke. “Good to have Karl back.”

“Yeah, it is.” I looked up at the rapidly darkening sky. The rain had finally slacked off in the early afternoon, and the sun had peeked out just in time for its collision with the horizon. The smell of rain hung heavy in the air, and puddles shone orange in the dying sunlight. I wished I could enjoy how beautiful it was, but I didn’t have the energy. “Seems like he’s been gone forever.”

Roger stepped closer to me, ashing his cigarette onto the gravel. “You’ve been doing a good job, you know. I doubt that me or Frankie could have kept this place running as tight.”

I gave a wry smile, even though I knew better. “Thanks.”

“Well, guess I’d better get back to work.” Roger dropped his butt in the plastic tube by the door. “You keep pouting out here. You’re doing great at that, too.”

I started to growl at Roger, but the laughing bastard had already disappeared into the shop.

I took a calming breath as I looked back at the sky over the surrounding buildings. It glowed a deep purple, splashes of pink and orange giving depth to the beauty. Clouds clustered low, their rippled texture reminding me of the storms that had passed earlier.

And not the ones in the sky.

With an abrupt movement, I shoved off the wall and started to pace.

I’d been a dick yesterday morning, I knew that. Kicking a loose piece of gravel on the pavement behind the door, I watched as it ricocheted off the wall and landed among the other rocks.

It was fear. That was it. Just plain old gut-wrenching fear. I was starting to care about her, and that fucking terrified me. What was I supposed to do with that information? I couldn’t . . . I just couldn’t have a normal relationship with anyone, let alone someone like her.

She was too good.

The door squeaked open behind me, and I turned. “Oh. It’s you.”

Hailey stepped through, leaning against the door to close it. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything,” she said, keeping her back against the door. “Roger said you were out here.”

“Just doing a little research.” I nodded toward the western sky. “Worst thing about being in the middle of downtown—can’t get a good look at the sunset.”

Hailey looked where I’d indicated. “You’re right. It’s beautiful. I’d love to see it all.”

“Me, too.”

I wanted to go to her, grab her hand, and chase that sunset together, but that was impossible. It should have been impossible, but something inside me insisted that I try.

She spoke again. “Listen, I have something to tell you.” When she stepped toward me, I kept my eyes locked on the sky. “When I came in this afternoon, I heard you and Karl talking. I wasn’t trying to listen, really. It was just so quiet that I couldn’t help but hear.”

I didn’t say anything. What was there to say?

“I just wanted you to know that I really appreciate how you stood up for me, and I promise you won’t regret it.” She slipped her hand into mine. “I think we see the sky the same way, you know. And I can’t imagine running away from that.”

I didn’t look at her, but I squeezed her hand, hoping that would tell her what I couldn’t say. I didn’t even know what the words would be.

We stood out there together until the sky had turned dark, and I never let go of her hand.

“I should go finish up some stuff,” Hailey said with a smile when the sky was more black than blue. “So, yeah. Thanks again.”

“Hailey, wait,” I said, not letting go. I pulled her closer.

“What is it?” she whispered up at me, her eyes glittering. The parking lot lights hadn’t come on yet, so the only light to be seen was the one from her eyes.

I swallowed hard. Yesterday morning wouldn’t let me rest. Wouldn’t let me breathe until I tried. “I’m sorry. I was an ass.”

She shook her head. “No, you weren’t.”

“You forgive me way too easy,” I said, pulling her into my arms. “You should run.”

“I probably should.”

“I’m not any good for you.”

“Maybe not.”

“I want to kiss you.”

“Then do it.”

I bent my head to hers, and her soft lips opened against mine. I poured everything I couldn’t say into that kiss, and she accepted it, returning my passion equally. Our tongues tangled, wet heat searching. My hands roamed the planes of her body, hungry to feel her skin again. She pressed her breasts tight to my chest, giving a soft moan as I took the kiss even deeper.

Finally, I raised my head. “We should get back inside.”

Hailey nodded, looking dazed.

“But you can come home with me tonight, if you want to.”

Hailey bit her lip. “I have class early in the morning.”

“Then I’ll take you back early in the morning.”

She grinned. “I knew there was a reason I packed a change of clothes.”

I laughed and opened the shop door for us. “You must have been a Girl Scout.”

“Made it all the way up to Brownie before I quit.” Hailey winked as she passed me and walked into the shop. “I used to give away all the cookies.”

I grinned as she disappeared into the shop. But before I followed her, I gave another glance at the sky. Where the vibrant colors had mixed, only a deep gray/blue remained, the rippling clouds now nearly invisible against the darkness. The muted sight was almost sad.

“But everything changes,” I said to myself. “Everything can change. Even me.”

And with that, I closed the door behind me.

Chapter Twenty-one

Hailey

I made it to my eight o’clock religion class fifteen minutes late. I came in as quietly as I could, but of course, everyone turned to look when the door squeaked open. I took an empty seat at the back of the room only to realize a couple of minutes later that I hadn’t completed the assignment.

“Crap,” I hissed to myself. This was not good.

I spent the rest of the hour frantically taking notes for the exam, which was coming up in less than two weeks. My pen scratched out messy bullet points in my spiral notebook. How had I let this happen? I should be acing this class. Had been, actually. But now it was slipping from my grasp.

When the teacher finally released us, I packed up my bag and wound through the rows of desks to the front of the classroom. Least I could do was apologize to the professor and promise to get the assignment in later.

After one humiliating conversation and a recommendation that I buckle down if I wanted a decent grade, I left the classroom and headed through the sunny, cheerful morning directly toward my dorm. Ugh. This whole time-management thing was becoming more of a problem than I’d thought it would be. I had to put in some major time studying, or the last half of my sophomore year would be a complete waste.

“Hailey,” someone called from behind me, and I turned. A sick feeling punched me in the chest as I saw who was coming down the shady walk toward me.

“Oh, hi there, Dr. Fields.” I clutched my notebook tighter to my chest and tried to smile politely. “How’re you?”

“I need to see you in my office now, please, Hailey.”

I shook my head quickly. “Sorry, but I’m kind of busy right—”

“Now,” he said, and took me by the elbow, steering me toward Adams.

“Hey,” I said, jerking my arm away. “Don’t do that, please.”

“My apologies,” he said tightly. “This is important, Hailey. My office.”

I weighed my options. I didn’t like the look on his face, but he was still my adviser. With a heavy sigh, I followed him into Adams and down the hall into his office.

He shut the door behind us. I stood against the wall farthest from him, ready to get whatever this was over with and get out. Something about him felt weird, kind of off. God, what had happened? He’d been so nice to me before, so compassionate. Things had really gone wrong somewhere in the last couple of months. His face was dark, his eyes shuttered as he moved behind the desk and sat with an authoritative movement.

“Please sit,” he said, indicating the chair across from his desk.

“I’d prefer to stand,” I said, shifting my weight nervously.

Dr. Fields looked at me, and I thought I saw pain in his eyes. But the flash was quickly gone. “Very well.” He cleared his throat and removed a file from his desk drawer. “I’ve brought you here because I need to talk to you about your performance in class. I’ve spoken with your other professors, and they all agree that over the last few weeks, your attention and participation have been lacking. Tardiness, nonattendance, not turning in assignments. It’s all here in the notes I’ve compiled.”

I stood straighter, my defenses prickling. “Thanks for your concern, but I’ve got everything under control.”

Dr. Fields rose, leaving the folder open. He rounded the desk, moving between me and the door. Our new positions made me even more nervous, and I fought to keep myself still.

“Hailey, I know you’re under considerable stress because of your family situation. That is completely normal. And I know it must have been hard for you to resign from that job.”

I fought to contain my wince. I had promised to give it up, hadn’t I? At least it sounded like he believed I’d done it.

“But I am here to help you, and you’ve been avoiding our meetings. How am I to help you cope with these life changes if you don’t allow me?” He shook his head sadly. “If you do not make a change, you’ll fail at least three of your classes this semester.”

“Three?” I didn’t have to pretend to be shocked. “I didn’t think it was that bad.”

Dr. Fields nodded. “It is. I need you to try harder, Hailey, try and let me help you.” He stepped even closer, so near that I could feel his breath against my face. “You’re so bright, so intelligent. You’d be wasted without a degree. I’ll help in any way that I can, Hailey, I . . .” His hand rose, aiming for my face—to touch it or slap it, I didn’t know and didn’t care.

I ducked sideways, dropping my notebook, and climbed over the chair like a frightened lemur. Keeping the chair between us, I glared at him. “You’re not allowed to touch me, Dr. Fields.” My voice came out much stronger than I felt.

“I wasn’t intending to,” he blustered, spittle flying. He smeared his palms down his suit jacket. “You’re very much mistaken, Hailey. Please sit, and we’ll discuss how best to address this unfortunate situation.”

“No,” I said, hands fisting at my sides. “I’m not sitting, and I’m not discussing crap with you. I’m sorry, sir, but you’re making me really uncomfortable. This isn’t okay, and I’m leaving right now.”

I yanked open the door and ran straight down the long hallway, not caring that my notebook was in a pile in the corner of his office. My heart thudded in my ears, a sound that was almost deafening until I reached the outside and the sunshine and fresh air. I slowed to a walk then, my breathing erratic as I fought for control. When I got to the quad, I stopped, dropping down on a stone bench beneath an oak tree. The concrete was cold under me, and I was kind of glad. My toes curled tightly in my shoes, and I shook.

“What the fuck was that?” I whispered it aloud to myself, as if I could make the creepiness go away. I held my hands out in front of me, and sure enough, they were trembling. Looking up into the sunlight-dappled leaves of the oak, I gripped the bench hard, trying like hell to keep myself still.

This was too much. Dr. Fields was officially a total creeper. I closed my eyes and breathed deeply, counting to ten each time until my heartbeat had slowed and the adrenaline had dissipated from my system.

“I’ve got to tell somebody,” I said aloud, as if the sound of my own voice could scare the monsters away. “I’ve got to get another adviser. This is not happening again.”