Jenalyn: Crossing Lines (#4) [Complete]

Chapter 15: Hayden

Saturday, 8:34 P.M. EST

Only after I landed in New York was Dane a thought in my mind. Any other time I was out here, I’d initiate meeting up with him to avoid a fit of rage whenever he found me. 

This time? I have no intentions of doing so.

It isn’t enough to keep my mind from being on edge though. Just because I don’t want to see him doesn’t mean he won’t want to see me…

I haven’t heard from him since that night in the hospital when he had given me those drugs… I didn’t take them, and the person who did ended up dead…

I shove the thoughts from my mind, unable to handle a meltdown thinking about it while out in public with Ty and Ivan. Unable to handle any more emotions than the panic attack my thoughts of Dane have already inflicted on me.

At first, I eased my mind because I told myself he wouldn’t know I was here. Nothing that I’m scheduled to do is live, and Dane isn’t really one to pick up a magazine. Anything the paparazzi sells by morning shouldn’t be too much of a threat.

As time passed though, I found myself unable to rely on that comfort. 

Dane has eyes everywhere that he wants them, and considering his standing out here in New York? I wouldn’t put it past him to have them out here. 

“We should go to Ripley’s!” Ivan says, licking the melted frozen yogurt from the side of his cup. We make our way down the crowded streets of New York. “It’s been a while since we’ve done anything fun like that, Hayden. Want to give it a go?”

I toss my cup of frozen yogurt in a trashcan we pass. As much as Ivan tells me I’m a pain in the ass, I can tell he likes to hang out with me. It’s cute. 

I wish I had the energy to focus on it longer, but I’m having an anxiety attack. 

“Puh-lease, I am exhausted!” I exclaim, pushing past the anxiety to try to match his enthusiasm. “I’m not a good plane person, you know that! I’m calling it an early night!”

Ty scoffs beside me, and Ivan falls into a fit of exaggerative laughter.  

I’m sure neither of them believe me, and any other time they'd have reason not to! I’m no stranger to sneaking out of my hotel room to go get into some secret trouble somewhere around the city.

I don’t want to be out here in the open like this anymore though… I’m starting to question whether it’s Hayden or Jena drawing the eyes of a few random passerbys…

“I’m serious guys!” I exclaim, trying to hide the underlying anxiety that’s been bubbling inside of me since we landed. “I’ve got to get used to a bedtime anyway… and tomorrow will hit me too hard if I don’t get some rest.”

Ivan glances over his shoulder to raise a brow at me, but ends up just nodding his head as he continues to sip his frozen yogurt. 

“She’s your problem now!” he says, nudging Ty with a wink. “Just don’t get into any trouble with boss lady, alright?”