Snowcrossed: Currently Under Construction

20. How the Tables Turn

Song:
"Dark side" - Bishop Briggs

Hadley and Sofia shot insults back and forth in the living room. Hadley from the stairs and Sofia before the stone fireplace, reminding me a little too much of myself.

Oh, how the fucking tables had turned, I thought as I bolted through the threshold, shoved through bodies and climbed the stairs to where a very frightened Johnny stood in front of his raging sister.

The look of relief on his face might have had me laughing, but the anger burning across Hadley's face worried even me.

Johnny stepped aside, surrendering his position with a lift of his hands. "Stop," I damn near pleaded, two steps below.

Her attention turned on me—brandy eyes livid. "You told me it wasn't serious!"

My brows furrowed, not sure why she was suddenly so jealous. "It's not."

"Then why is she here!"

I might have explained had Sofia not shouted back. "Because I was invited!" Just as pissed as Hadley.

I didn't notice Max trying to calm her down. I didn't see Luke trying to calm Janelle, and I sure as hell didn't notice Austin taking bets in the corner while the others watched. I was too distracted with Hadley.

I cupped the sides of Hadley's face, keeping her attention on me. "Max invited her."

"Well, how fucking convenient for you, Baker! Do all your friends drop off your side pieces at my parents' cabin?"

Sofia didn't like that. "Don't you have some big shot hockey player in the city waiting for you—"

"Sofia!" Max barked as he tried to contain her, but it didn't deter her.

"Why are you so worried about Baker Hadley?"

I wondered the same, but I was a little preoccupied with keeping Hadley on the stairs.

Sofia pulled her arms from Max's grip, her smile a clear indication that she'd struck a nerve. "She's just going to leave again, Baker! Once she's finished with you, she'll go running back to her star forward! Hadley was always too good for us."

Hadley snapped, "And you'll still be here blowing my cast-offs!"

Sofia ripped from Max's grip, storming through the mob toward the living barricade of people who rushed to stop her as Hadley made to shove through me.

I had enough. "Get her out of here!" I shouted over the music and nosy gawkers.

I didn't bother to check if anyone heard me. Not as I bent, flinging a raging Hadley over my shoulder and marched upstairs as she continued to yell at Sofia. Then proceeded to yell at me as I barked at others to move and go downstairs.

"Put me down!"

I did. In the room she, Janelle, and Alyssa were going to share once the latter arrived.

"Why the hell is she here?!" she shouted, not giving me a minute to catch my breath.

"She came with Max!" I shot right back. "I didn't even know he was coming!"

"Sure," she clipped, knowing exactly which tone to throw.

"Okay," I said, pinching the bridge of my nose. "I'm not doing this."

"No, why would you?" Hadley questioned when I reached for the door. "You have a side chick to calm."

For fuck sake. "I'm not with her, Hadley. Max is with her."

She rolled her eyes. "She's with everyone."

My frustration reached sky scraping heights. I wasn't about to explain Max and Sofia's situation, Hadley wouldn't listen even if I tried, so I said, "What was I supposed to do? Wait for you to come home? Never be with anyone else? Come on, Hadley."

Something like hurt gleamed in her eyes, or perhaps it was the sting of realization. "Whatever, Baker, you wanna bang the town pass around that's your business."

"Clearly, it's not," I snapped back. "You just made a scene in front of half our friends and family."

"Sucks, doesn't it?"

Oh, she knew how to piss me off. "You found someone else. Why do you even care?"

"I don't!"

I lifted my brows in disbelief before explaining very clearly. "I'm not with Sofia."

"You don't have to be to sleep with her."

"Jesus Hadley, I don't want her! Do you not get it?"

"Clearly, I don't," she flung back. "Maybe you should spell it out for me."

"Because I still fucking love you!"

She stilled as if my words just punched her in the gut.

I immediately regretted it. And I wish I could take it back, but once it came out, I couldn't stop. "I fucking hate your boyfriend," I continued, pointing at the invisible bastard. "I hate how you put up with his shit and devalue yourself. You never did with me. Why do you with him?"

Her lips parted, but nothing came out. She merely stared—her eyes darting in mine.

I went on, "I hate how you're freaking out over Sofia when you choose to be with someone like Dallas. I hate how you moved on so easily. How you up and left and found someone new. I hate that I'm still here, waiting for you to come home like fucking idiot. There is no reason for you to be jealous because I want no one else."

Her eyes glistened, and I waited for her to say something. Anything! But in true Hadley fashion, all she said was, "I'm not jealous." Denying me to the very end.

A silence colder snow settled between us, and I was loathed to admit it hurt more than I wanted it to.

I huffed as Hadley stood her ground, giving me nothing.

She really was done. After everything, she really wanted nothing to do with me.

I nodded slowly as I backed toward the door. "I'm sure you're much happier with a cheating prick like Dallas."

"I am," she replied flatly.

I scoffed, unable to look at her and left Hadley to her own devices.