Tangled in Temptation 18+

T H I R T Y - O N E - F O R G I V E N E S S

Hailey stared at the white door as she stood on the porch. Her chest was heaving frantically and her breaths were harsh and rapid. Her head hurt so badly and all she wanted was someone to talk to.

She stood outside his door, contemplating if she should see him or not, but she was already there. She couldn't turn back now.

Taking a deep breath, Hailey knocked on the door and waited a few seconds. There were no movements heard inside, so she knocked again and waited. It was Sunday. He had to be home.

Still no sound from inside. She released a deep sigh and was about to turn around and go home when the rattling sound of the door knob caught her ears.

She swallowed.

The door opened and his brown eyes widened in surprise before he narrowed them at her, "What are you doing here, Hailey?"

"Zach," She breathed out. Oh, how she missed him.

"What do you want?"

"Zach, please. I've missed you. Can we just talk? Give me a chance to explain. You've been avoiding me for so long. Please, I need you," She pleaded.

Zach stared at her for the longest time, contemplating if he should let her explain or not. She was his best friend and he missed her too. Surely, he could find it somewhere in his heart to forgive her. She never meant any harm. Zach released a defeated sigh and opened the door a little wider, inviting her in.

She smiled gratefully at him, "Thanks, Zach,"

"Yep," He mumbled.

She entered the house and he closed the door behind him and followed her to the sofa.

Sitting beside her, he looked at her and commented, "Well, you look like shit,"

A hearty laugh escaped her lips, "Thank you for that. I needed the laugh,"

Zach smiled softly. He hadn't noticed before how much he missed her vulgar laughs, "So, what's going on?"

She gulped, thinking of where to start. He needed an explanation and she needed his advice too, "Um, the first time Romeo and I went out was that day when I made you ravioli and he invited me out to lunch, back in November last year. We went out a few times after that. I was apprehensive to tell you and Cassie because I knew you guys wouldn't approve of my relationship with my boss. Cassie figured it out though and I told her everything. Her reaction made me angry and that's how we stopped talking at the time. I thought I had lost my best friend at the time and I didn't want to lose you too, so I didn't...I didn't tell you..."

Zach sighed deeply as he looked away. He understood that she didn't tell him because she wanted to protect their friendship but he was still a little mad at her. She should've felt comfortable enough to talk to him about anything. That's what best friends are for.

"I'm sorry you didn't feel comfortable enough to tell me, and I'm so sorry that I judged you before letting you explain," Zach stated heartfully. 

She smiled sweetly at him, "It's okay. I just want to know one thing."

"What's that?"

"Do I have you back now?"

He grinned, "You never lost me, Hails,"

Hails...oh how she missed that name.

She grinned back as she pulled him into her arms, "I love you, Zach,"

"Oh, I love you too," He breathed, running a comforting hand along her back.

He was glad to have her back and in his mind, he scolded himself for not listening to her before. She didn't deserve the cold shoulder he gave her.

Hailey was sweet and caring and he should've been there for her.

"Now, tell me the real reason you're here," Zach chuckled.

She swallowed nervously. She hoped Zach wouldn't comment by saying, "I told you so,"

"Um, it's Romeo..."

"Go on,"

"Um, I don't even know where to begin," She laughed nervously, "Uh, recently, we've been arguing a lot and many times it's about irrelevant things. I've noticed that he's very jealous and insecure and he never listens to me,"

Zach listened patiently. In his mind, he hoped Mr. Snider wasn't hitting her. Oh, he'd kill him if he ever laid a hand on Hailey, "Continue, I'm listening,"

"He accuses me of cheating all the time and if he sees me with another guy, he'd believe he's my other boyfriend," She couldn't let him know that Romeo often accused her of dating Zach.  Zach would be so upset at Romeo and he hated him already, "I can't count how many times I've tried to reassure him that he's the only guy I'm dating. He just refuses to believe me,"

Zach released a deep sigh, "I can tell he's very insecure. I also believe that he thinks you're cheating because he's cheating too. Isn't he still married?"

She swallowed again, "Yeah,"

Zach released a deep breath, "Oh, you're in so deep,"

"Wait, I...I don't love him,"

"Then why are you still with him, Hails? Why do u date him when you know he's married? And why do you stay when all he does is accuse you?"

"Because when we are not arguing, I'm happy. He makes me happy, Zach. He takes me out, he treats me like a queen. He never made me feel like a side chick and the...the sex...the sex is amazing,"

Zach covered his face with a sigh, "Oh, I never needed to hear the last part,"

Hailey giggled sheepishly, "I'm sorry,"

"Well those are good reasons to stay, I guess. Well, what I can tell you is that every relationship will have ups and downs. They are a part of it. No relationship is perfect. Men are very insecure and sometimes we just want a little reassurance. Keep telling him and showing him how much he means to you and he'll get it one day. I can see that you care about him. If you really want him and want your relationship to work, don't give up on him easily," Zach advised, hoping he was making sense.

She nodded in agreement and released a satisfied sigh, "Thanks, Zach,"

He smiled, "Anytime. Now, let's get you into the bathroom because you stink,"

She gasped as her mouth dropped in shock, "Zach!"

He laughed heartily as he got up and extended his hand towards her, "Come on, you need a bath,"

She pursed her lips at him and glared playfully, before taking his hand. He grinned at her and bumped his shoulder into hers childishly as he escorted her to the bathroom.

She was glad to have her best friend back and he was too.