Sk8er Boi

Chapter Eighteen: Look After You

Darby's POV- 

  It's the night before Dynamite, which means it's the last night I'll be with Hayleigh until Thursday. The bruising on her neck had healed a bit. We had been trying every home remedy you could think of to have them lighten up, but Ethan's handprint is still vaguely visible. We also done as Cody told us and I took her by the hospital where they checked her out and thankfully there were no serious injuries done to her neck.  

 Hayleigh sat up on the kitchen island while I took out a bowl of vanilla pudding from the fridge that I had made an hour earlier. 

 "I know you've been wanting something sweet," I start while putting some of it into a smaller bowl. "So I made vanilla pudding." I turned around, facing Hayleigh as I got some of it on the spoon and held it out to her. 

 Hayleigh leaned forwards and took a bite. I watched her face light up as she smiled. 

"It's good," She says softly, still being careful with her voice. 

"It doesn't feel bad on your throat?"

Hayleigh shook her head. "My throat doesn't hurt anymore."

"I still wanna be careful and make something that's easy on you." I hold out another spoonful to her.

 "You know, you don't have to baby me forever." Hayleigh grins before taking another bite.

"I know." I smiled at her before mixing the pudding around with the spoon. 

 I started thinking about how I had to leave her tomorrow. I still didn't want to, no matter how much Cody assured me, I was still going to worry about her. 

"Baby," She snaps me out of my thoughts. "What're you thinking about?"

"Tomorrow," I sigh, setting the bowl down. "I don't wanna leave you."

 "But I'll be with Brandi." Hayleigh reaches over and holds my hands. 

 "I know, I know. But I can't help but worry about you, Hayleigh. Every time I have left you alone something's happened to you and whose to say something won't happen while I'm gone? What if-"

"Darby," She cups my face, looking into my eyes. "I'll be fine. Brandi and Cody have some of the best security around. Plus, Ethan and Scorpio are both booked to be on the show this week. So there's literally almost no way for them to get here."

 "I still don't feel comfortable leaving you..."

"I don't like it either babe, but you need to be at the show. I'd be there with you, but Cody makes the rules hun."

 "I know," I stood between her legs, wrapping my arms around her waist. "I still don't like it though."

 Hayleigh giggled softly, running her fingers through my hair. "I think you'll survive one night without me." 

 I pout my lower lip a bit while Hayleigh giggled again. 

 "Darby," She cupped my face. "Everything's gonna be fine. You also need to not blame yourself over what happened." Hayleigh's voice turned more serious.  "What happened, wasn't your fault. What happened was my fault."

"What?" I furrow my brows at her. "Hayleigh, no-"

"Yes," She puts her finger over my lips. "Because Ethan told me not to show up last week and I did anyway. He told me he would hurt me and I showed up anyway. I should've told you exactly what he said, but I didn't. So please, stop blaming yourself."

"Hayleigh," I paused for a moment. "I'm gonna feel that way, no matter what you tell me. What Ethan did to you, wasn't your fault, and I will continue to take responsibility for it because I'm his main target. The only reason he's going after you is that he knows if he does something to you, no matter what it is, it's gonna get me worked up. And I can't just not worry about you. You're the only person I've been so damn protective over, and I know that you are more than capable of handling yourself, but situations like the other night make it that much harder to leave you on your own."