Jenalyn: Crossing Lines (#4) [Complete]

Chapter 3: Tyler

Friday, 6:19 P.M. PST

I hate what I’ve done to us.

I don’t know how much more of this I can take. I’m fucking breaking inside. Any more of this shit, and I’m going to go off on a fucking bender!

It started off simple; I noticed that she was a little too interested in the contents of her phone. A little protective of it and shit.

And then there were the late night disappearances, despite the “close eye” Mama G has been keeping on her.

I knew she’d been fucking around. But at least then, she was trying to keep it discreet!

“Hayden, come to the car with me?” I call out across Paul’s backyard to her. She stands flirting with Zain in front of everybody, like I’m not supposed to be her fucking man and baby daddy!

I know she heard me. I know she did because a slick smile spreads across her lips. She ignores me though, in very Hayden-post-hospital fashion.

Letting out a frustrated sigh, I ignore Gage when he offers to go get her for me. 

I’ll do it my fucking self.

Before I know it, I’m storming across the yard with anger boiling through my veins. Who the hell does she think she is? They are my friends!

I’m taken off guard when I catch glimpse of her, illuminated by the evening sky and glowing from her pregnancy with my child. It stops me in my tracks, leaving me breathless for a moment.

She’s… beautiful. This is what I do this for: For the moments like these, when she can literally take my breath away.

The moment doesn’t last long.

My mind unhinges as I watch Hayden, flirtatiously offering Zain to feel my baby.

That’s not fucking happening.

“Hayden! I asked you to come to the fucking car with me!” I yell, my voice a lot more angry than I intended. I approach them both, turning her body away from him before he touches anything.

Her brows furrow, but he forces a smile on her face to keep up with appearance.

“I was in the middle of something, Ty,” she sneers, flashing me a look to show her frustration. 

A few other people besides Gage and Zain try to listen in. I know that I should try to keep up appearances too, but my head just can’t bring myself to do it. 

“That can wait,” I snap, grabbing onto her arm before proceeding to lead her away. “This is more important. Let's go.”

Hayden resists, only until she realizes that it’s drawing more attention from the other guests. She brushes it off as she pretends to follow me willingly, knowing damned well that causing a scene would risk Mama G finding out about this. 

“What the fuck, Tyler!” she growls as soon as we make it to the front yard of Paul’s house. 

She tries to stop there, but I grasp her arm with more force and pull her to the truck with me.

“Get in,” I demand when we make it to the passenger side door. “I’m taking you the fuck home if you’re going to be acting like that in there!”

Her face twists up in disgust. She refuses to get in the car, leaning up against the door instead. “Acting like what?” she hisses, crossing her arms over her chest. 

I roll my eyes and push her to the side so I can open the passenger side door myself. 

“That vengeful ‘fuck your best friend because you fucked me over’ shit!” I can’t help myself from yelling. I signal, once again for her to get in the car. 

And again, she refuses. 

“You’re funny,” she laughs in my face. “Walk me back inside and apologize to your friends. You made yourself look like a douchebag.”

She goes to walk away, but I can’t let her. I won’t!

I know Hayden well enough to see that she’s trying to get into some shit. I’m not fucking stupid! And I am not allowing it, especially not right under my fucking nose!

I scoop her up with little effort and head back to my truck.

“Tyler!” she yelps, grasping her arms around my neck in fear of falling.

I’ve missed the way this feels...

I place her in the passenger seat, slamming the door before I make my way over to the driver’s side. 

“I’m not leaving,” Hayden says after a moment of trying to gather herself.

She attempts to open the door, but I once again grab onto her arm. 

“Just sit the fuck down, and shut up!” I roar.