Torment ( Book Two )

Chapter 45

Chapter Forty-five

"He keeps chasing it!" 

Amber laughed with Hailey. They were playing with Oliver, who, thanks to Amber's mom, had a new chew toy. Every time the toy moved, Oliver would stumble after it. So of course the girls dangled it just out of his reach for their amusement.

Hailey took the toy from Amber's hold. "Watch this," she said as she hung it above the dog's head, spinning it in circles. Oliver's eyes followed its every move and once he built up the courage, he jumped for the toy, clawing at it eagerly. 

Amber giggled and Hailey surrendered the toy, allowing Oliver to finally take it. 

“How is teaching going along?” Amber asked Hailey who still had a job at the school.

“Great, though it isn’t as fun now that you and Asher are gone,” she admitted with a smirk.

Hailey looked pretty in her cheetah dress and curled hair. It was the weekend and Amber had been bored out of her mind with no crazy witch to kill or funeral to attend. Luna was busy with royal duties so Amber had approached Hailey for entertainment. 

“I kinda miss it,” Amber said, watching Oliver yank on the toy with his teeth.

“I doubt you miss all the work,” Hailey replied, shifting sitting positions. They were in one of the living rooms, sitting on the floor to play with Oliver.

“I’d have something to do then, though,” Amber said with a sigh.

“Do you want to go somewhere again?” Hailey asked with a hint of hope in her voice.

Amber hesitated but quickly shook her head. “I need to stay here for Luna and Sally. Plus, you have work.”

Hailey’s lips pulled down in a frown. “I forgot about work.”

Amber chuckled and the two watched Oliver play with the toy again.

“I miss you, Amber,” Hailey blurted out suddenly.

Amber was shocked but knew she shouldn’t be. She was aware that Hailey still wanted her. “I know,” Amber replied.

A look of pain flashed across Hailey’s face. “You know? That’s all you can say?” She whispered, hurt dripping from her words.

“I… I don’t really know what else to say,” Amber admitted. She always felt as if she could be honest with Hailey. “I’m with Luna now and that’s not changing. I hate that you and I don’t get to see each other as much as usual but we cannot date again.”

Hailey looked down to the floor. “I understand,” she said, her voice cracking.

“I’m really sorry. I-“

“No, Amber. It’s fine.”

Amber felt her heart shrink. She hated hurting Hailey but the woman needed to move on.

“I remember how you used to sneak around in order to date me,” Hailey recalled quietly, a sad smile on her lips.

“Hailey-“

“And that time I took Eva to the hospital because Luna sewed her lips shut.”

Amber winced at the memory.

“And fighting with Luna to try to make her leave you alone.”

“We had great times,” Amber said honestly with a sigh. “But now-“

Hailey leaned forward quickly and forcefully pressed her lips on Amber’s.

Amber didn’t know what to do. She didn’t kiss her back but she didn’t pull away as Hailey stayed there pushing her lips onto Amber’s in a romantic manner.