Rescue (Ransom Book 5) by Rachel Schurig

Author:Rachel Schurig [Schurig, Rachel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-01-25T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Haylee

“So I hear we have plans tonight,” Layla says, plopping down in the chair across from me in the lounge of our hotel.

“That’s the rumor.”

“I also hear the male contingent of our band is opting out.”

“Lucky them.”

She squints at me. “You sound super excited about the evening activities.”

I sit up a little straighter. “I’m sure it will be fine.”

“Any idea what we’re doing?”

I shake my head. “I mean, it’s Paige doing the planning, so it could be anything.”

She smirks. “Good point. Well, she said we didn’t have to dress up, so I’m assuming it’s not clubbing.”

“It’s also only seven,” I point out. She’s eyeing the coffeepot in front of me. “You want some?”

“Sure.” She fixes herself a cup, and we sit in silence for a few minutes, people watching. Finally she sighs. “Haylee, why are you doing this to yourself?”

“Doing what?”

She fixes me with that knowing look of hers, the one where she raises one eyebrow and I become convinced she knows every last one of my secrets. It’s kind of scary, that look. “You like Lennon,” she says.

“Of course I like Lennon. He’s a great guy and—”

“That’s not what I’m talking about, and you know it.”

I sigh, consider arguing with her, and decide there’s no point. She knows me too well. “I really messed it up.”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t think we should be together. I think it could be a huge mistake for both of us.”

“Haylee.” She sets down her coffee cup and faces me across the table, holding my gaze. “You have to stop punishing yourself for what happened with Randy.”

I try not to wince at the name. “I’m not punishing myself.”

“You are. You don’t see it that way, you see it as protecting people. But all you’re doing is holding yourself back. You’re missing out on so much because you’re scared.”

“Of course I’m scared,” I snap. “It was a terrifying experience. I was practically kidnapped, Layla. He had a gun.”

“I know that.” Her voice is icy, and I have a sudden flash of memory—Layla at the police station, leaning towards me, her eyes wide and terrified. “I’m sorry,” she mutters, closing her eyes for a second. “All I’m saying is that you’re scared of getting close to someone because you think you don’t deserve to be happy. Because of how you handled things after Randy. And that’s just not true.”

“I think he deserves to be happy,” I whisper, feeling tears prick at my eyes. I look away, hating how vulnerable it makes me feel. Even Layla, one of my best friends in the world, is not allowed to see me cry.

“And you don’t think you can do that for him? He’s crazy about you.”

“I think I could hurt him.”

She sighs, reaching for her coffee again. “Shouldn’t he be the one who decides if he wants to risk that? I don’t think you give him enough credit.”

“What are you saying? I should tell him how things have been since… the incident?” It’s kind of funny—even after all this time, none of us knows how to refer to what happened to me.

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