Jenalyn: Crossing Lines (#4) [Complete]

Chapter 45: Hayden

Monday, 8:19 A.M. EST

I know I shouldn’t still be sitting here on this phone, but I can’t bring myself to put it down. Gage texted me back; I wasn’t expecting him to, but he did. 

And he hates me. 

I thought if anyone, that Gage would be the one to understand the story I had to spin. That’s what he’s always been Mr. Understand-and-make-it-all-better…

Gage: This is bullshit, Hayden. 
I’m over it. 

I can’t even bring myself to exit the screen. It hurts, but I can’t stop staring at it!

Gage is over me… ? 

It shouldn’t hurt considering my current situation, and inability to ever see him again. But it still breaks my heart. I love Gage, and I know he loves me too… had things been a little different, and he could have been Hayden’s man…

I let him down just about as much as I let Ty. 

The flip phone vibrates in my hand, startling me. A part of me wishes it was Gage apologizing for his last message and reassuring me that he still loved me. But what would that do for me? I’d still be stuck here. And he’d still be out there. It wouldn’t even matter. 

I finally leave my thread with Gage once the realization that none of this really matters settles in. Anybody texting this phone is looking for Hayden and well- she’s on her way to execution…

Ty: Why can’t you keep 
in contact? I won’t bug you.
No one will. We just want to
know you’re okay. I just
want to talk to you Hayden.
Ty: Can’t sleep.

I shouldn’t be so excited to see his words appear on my screen, but I am. I immediately begin texting him back despite the voices in my mind telling me not to. 

Me: Because you
want Hayden… and I’m 
not sure I do anymore.
Me: I’m sorry you 
can’t sleep, but we’re okay!
The baby has been my
strength! She’s okay too. 

It doesn’t take long for him to respond. I’m sure that now he knows I have a phone, he’ll be obsessing over messaging me. I know I should be upset, but truth be told? I really do miss him already. And Gage’s reaction to me only made it worse. 

Ty: Why can’t I want Jenalyn?
If I were just some girl from 
Philly, and NOT a famous pop
star- I’d be THRILLED if Tyler
Robson wanted to text me ;)
Ty: Hey Jenalyn, I saw you at 
a show a while back and found
your number… wanna talk? It’s 
Tyler, from Gen Z.

I can’t help my fingers from texting him back. 

Me: You’re funny… cute! But funny. 
Is that really how that’d work?

Ty: Not at all! I’d never just seek
out some random girl! But you? 
You really caught my eye. So…
what’s up? 

It hurts to smile, but I do it anyway.