Jenalyn: Crossing Lines (#4) [Complete]

Chapter 14: Hayden

Saturday, 2:44 P.M. PST

Ivan pays way too much attention to me when it comes to monitoring my food intake. I know that it’s kind of in his job description, but we’re on a freaking plane! Does anybody just sit there and eat a full lunch?

I feel sick. 

“You’re just sitting there staring at it!” his gruff voice booms through the small aircraft. He watches me twisting noodles around my fork about as close as a hawk watches its prey. “I mean, get in there itty bitty! Dem babies is hungry!”

He lets out a few gutty laughs before digging into his own plate as if he were ravenous. I was silly to think I felt sick before seeing this, but I can’t help myself from laughing too. 

He’s so exaggerative. It used to get me through a lot of hard work days with Harlee when I was first starting out as Hayden.

“You’re going to stress me out this entire trip, aren’t you?” I ask with a playful tone, rolling my eyes at him. 

He holds his chin up as if to be proud. “Oh, you already know it little missy!”  he exclaims before kicking at Ty’s feet. “Me and this guy over here, right? We’re gonna keep you in check!” 

Ty laughs, nodding at Ivan before turning to me with a stern but playful look.

“Oh yeah!” he calls out, nudging me with his elbow. “We aren’t letting any type of buffoonery go down on our watch!”

I can’t believe that everybody waited until Ty and I are amidst a break-up to accept the fact that we’re together. Ivan already had it out for him after everything that happened with Harlee, but after we announced that we’re going to be together?

Oh, he lost his shit!

I bet he would again if he knew Ty cheated on me with Sophie too.

I guess it’s still cute to see them on “friendly” terms though…

“You guys are grossing me out,” I laugh, rolling my eyes as they puff out their chests. “Go back to hating each other!”

Ivan lets out a gutty laugh before clearing his throat in a way that means he’s about to get serious about something.

“Okay guys,” he says after a few moments. “It’s time to get serious!”

Called it. 

Ty lets his laughter falter off, turning to me with a worried look before turning back to him. 

“I’m going to head out of town tomorrow morning to spend the Fourth of July with my family. I’m just hitching a ride,” he says matter-of-factly. “As cool as you are, little miss, you’re not who I choose to spend my paid time off with. You require too much work for that!”

He laughs, and I let my jaw fall open in mock offense. Before I can respond though, he’s adding on. 

“No, but for real,” he says, clearing his throat. “I heard the boss lady didn’t arrange separate rooms for you lovebirds. You know the rules: Do not disturb after 10:30, and be mindful! Not everybody agrees with your relationship! No crazy… you know-”

I interrupt, letting out a loud laugh as I direct his attention to my belly. “Oh, come on, man! You know it’s happening! How do you think this did?!”

Both Ivan and Ty laugh, but Ivan speaks before Ty has the chance. 

“Well then save the sexy time for after I leave!” he exclaims, trying to hold back his laughter. 

Ty is cracking up. It’s almost like we never had that conversation about actually breaking up this morning, but somewhere in the back of my mind it’s also the only thing I can think about. 

“We were already planning on that, big man!” he laughs, reaching out to pat Ivan’s massive arm. “We know how to play that game!”