tonight [joe keery]

33 | [i hope so]

Hailey had made a phone call, one she didn't think she wanted to make. He was coming over, and she was nervous. He was everything to her, and it was going to hurt to tell him this.

The doorbell brought her out of her thoughts. She jumped up from the couch, rushing to the door, a blanket over her shoulders. She threw the door open and smiled at the face on her porch.

"I missed you," Hailey said, wrapping her arms around him.

"I missed you, too," he said. "Now, tell me what's going on."

"Paul, I think I messed up," she said, pulling away from him. "I-I ended things, but I don't want to end things. Or... do I? God, I don't even know."

"What did he do? What happened," Paul said, the two of them making their way to the couch. Hailey sat down, shaking her head.

"He's—" Hailey cut herself off, sniffling. "I love him."

"I know, and I like him too. He's good to you and for you," Paul said, pulling his little sister closer to him. "But whatever he did, is it worth breaking up over?"

"I don't know," Hailey said. "He was being crazy, absolutely unbelievable. I can't be with a guy that acts like that."

"Did he hurt you? I swear to God, if he put his hands on you—"

"No! He didn't hurt me, Paul. God, no, not at all. He was just being mean. Not to me, but to his best friend, and it was over something so stupid," Hailey sighed.

"Best friend? Who?"

"Dacre," she said. "He's in love with me, apparently."

"Well, shit. Now I see where Joe's coming from."

"What?" Hailey asked, scoffing.

"If I found out my best friend was in love with my girlfriend, I'd probably beat his ass," Paul said. "It's what guys do."

"Not all guys, and especially not him."

"Yeah, I know," Paul sighed. "If you love him, call him and get back together."

"I can't. He can't treat Dacre like that."

"You're the love of his life, Hails. And he's yours. Is Dacre really worth breaking up over?"

"He is when he's my friend."

"Hailey—"

"Paul, please don't lecture me. I don't need it."

"I know, I know. You've always been the tough one in this family," Paul smiled. "You'll get through this. You and Joe both."

"I hope so."

"I know so."

[3/16/18]