Jenalyn: Crossing Lines (#4) [Complete]

Chapter 43: Hayden

Monday, 8:11 A.M. EST

I wake up in the same room Dane had left me in yesterday. The only difference today is that a pile of pillows has been shoved beneath me as a half-assed attempt to provide me some comfort. 

How fucking sweet. 

Why the fuck am I in here? I did what he wanted! I might have killed that stupid bitch, Sierra- and he’s locking me in this disgusting fucking room again?!

My stomach grumbles in pain, and McKaiden reminds me that it’s a bad thing by kicking me in my ribs. Once again, I find myself desperately needing to leave this fucking room. Only now, there’s no stupid bitch outside my door willing to make that happen. 

I make my way to the door using what little light creeps in from behind the black paper covering the two windows. I press my ear against it only to meet silence on the other side. 

“Hello?” I call out, my voice raspy from dehydration. “Dane? Hello! Someone?”

Nothing. Great.

I fall back against the door, temporarily defeated before a thought suddenly pops into my mind. I hid that phone in here when I couldn’t bring myself to destroy it…

I shouldn’t be excited about this because it’s a huge risk I’m taking when I can’t really afford it… but I could use a little bit of Hayden after everything I’ve been through in the past 24 hours alone. 

I make my way over to the faulty floor board I only know about from when Evelyn use to occupy this room, and carefully pull the tiny flip phone out. It blinks green with notifications, but I know it could only be Harper, Ty, or Gage because I blocked everybody else. 

I start by opening Harper’s messages because I know I’m least likely to respond to her. It’s probably just a bunch of nagging and demanding I’m sure resemble what Mama Gold would send me if she wasn’t blocked. That’s just how she’s been since I got back from Miermont.

I shouldn't respond, and I know it.

Harper: Hayden if you need a 
break, we can cancel work for 
a while and you can take some
time for yourself! I know this is 
hard, but you don’t have to do 
this!
Harper: We spoke to Tyler…  is
this really what you want? 😧
Harper: Please take care of 
yourself, and keep in contact. We
can’t… force you into this, but we
will ALWAYS be your family. I love
you little sister… come home soon?
And bring my buhbuhgirl!

Hmm… that’s not what I was expecting to read. They spoke to Tyler? Wow… he must have covered for me after all…

As horrible as the situation I’m in is, I can’t help but be thankful for him. I can’t imagine what would happen had they actually come looking for me! It’d be a shit-show! Dane already made that clear.

I text Harper back thanking her for understanding and telling her I love her. I can't help myself from texting hereally back; She doesn't deserve this! She has been the best... I don't know where I would be without her.

I quickly press send and open my thread with Ty next.

Ty: Please keep the phone, 
Hayden? Please? 
Ty: I love you so much, okay?
If this is what you want… I have
to give it to you. But please… for
the sake of my sanity, PLEASE
keep this phone so I know my
baby girls are safe? You know I’m
worrying, Hayden… please? 
Ty: I can’t sleep knowing you 
might be in danger. Please don’t 
tell me I’m covering for you to go 
back to that guy... 
Ty: I still can’t sleep…
Ty: I swear to God if you come home,
I’ll be so perfect for you. Please? 
Ty: I can’t sleep. I’m getting restless. 
How coud you blame me for grabbing
a bottle, right? But I didn’t. I’m just 
here… worried sick about my babies…
Ty: Please don’t leave me like this! I 
love you!

There are four more messages telling me about how he can’t sleep- the most recent being from about a half hour ago. It was around 4:45 A.M. over there.

I have to text him back; The part of me that gave into the anger I felt toward him after I got out of Miermont has completely dissipated. Now, more than ever, I want Ty.

No-  I need Ty. 

Me: I’m sorry I did this to you,
Ty… I miss you so much already.
We’re okay, you don’t need to
worry! I love you. Thank you for
trusting me. I kept the phone,
but don’t want to keep in
CONSTANT contact. I need a
little space between my life
and Hayden’s…

I hope I don’t hurt him more, but I know I’m probably going to. It feels silly telling him all of these lies when I know deep down that I want to tell him the truth so he could come save me and McKaiden…

We know it wouldn’t turn out like that… I have to remind myself. 

I leave my messages with Ty to open my thread with Gage. I can't focus on these thoughts too long; It'll only upset me.

Gage: Wtf? What happened? 
Where are you, I’ll come stay
with you. 
Gage: Please don’t do this…
Not now! You can do Hayden,
I swear! I’ll be with you every
step of the way if you want!
Let me in, Hayden! You know
I fucking love you! I’ll make
everything better for you and
McHayden… give me that chance
before you try to run away from
all this!
Gage: Hayden are you really
doing this? That’s Ty’s baby! 
It’s my niece!
Gage: For real…?

He must not be down with this whole “I need my space” deal; That’s okay though, he’s not enough to send anybody looking for me. Everybody else, though unhappy about it, is on board. 

So they're safe... even if I'm not.

I immediately begin texting a response.