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about it for a few minutes, but then she said that not everyone will give in to temptation and their
feelings. When she said that, it made me realize how much of my time and life I was wasting, waiting
for Shadow to smart up about the two of us getting together.
Haden s being back home under tragic circumstances might be my saving grace from Shadow, if I
start to hang out with Haden while he s home for the semester. It would give me a distraction and
something to think about other than Shadow. The day I can go without thinking of him once will be the
day I know I can truly live my life without ever having something to do with him other than friendship.
I hope being friends with Haden and my plan to use this time with him at home will provide me with
that one day that I need.
When we get to Ma and Pop s, I motion for Smokey to find another table, but before I can finish my
sentence, I see Shadow eating breakfast and drinking coffee like it is an everyday thing. This isn t his
routine, so what the hell is he doing here?
On second thought, there s Shadow. Go sit with his ass.
Haden strolls in as soon as I take a seat in a window booth, far away from the guys. I want as much
space between us as I can get.
Look at that. You got double the protection, now, he teases as he takes a seat.
Wow! I love this Haden. It s sad his mom had to pass away for him to become the person in front of
me. My heart aches at the thought that maybe he is trying to mask his pain this way.
Right! You d think I was of royal blood or something. I smile.
Haden takes it upon himself to order our old usual breakfast, and the memories that flood into my
mind from our past make me want to cry. God, I really loved him, but when I caught him cheating on
me, it demolished that feeling very quickly.
So, what have you been up to? Did you not go to nursing school at all?
Oh shit, I forgot he didn t know. Nope. I m doing online business management courses because, let s
face it, I d be failing all of my courses if I weren t doing something online. We go on lockdown way
too much, and dad would worry if I lived on a campus. Even though he still acts pissed when people
talk about my sudden change of mind.
He seems to understand my reasoning because he drops it. This is what I miss the most about the
relationship we had. He always understood the lockdown process. He hated it, and he always voiced
that he did, and ultimately, it is what ruined the bond we had. When a person is neglected, he or she
will seek to find that connection with someone else. I don t give a shit if I am young, and have exactly
one relationship under my belt. I know that people crave closeness with another person. It is the main
reason my dad gave in and fell in love with Storm. She strayed from their friendship because she was
in love with him, and it hurting her to be friends. When she started to back away slowly, my dad
freaked. He craved, desired, and needed that bond with her, whether he wanted it or not. His heart
failed at closing off towards her. She won, hands down, and the saying, all s fair in love and war is
true. He battled long and hard before surrendering to her.
It s really good to be talking with you again, he mumbles quietly as our food is placed on the table.
It honestly is, isn t it? I respond and then tell the waitress thank you.
I see Shadow s feelings about me haven t changed, he teases as he forks at his pancakes.
I groan and twist my body to look. The scowl on his face forces a laugh to bubble from my throat. He
has no reason to be looking at Haden like that. What happened between Haden and me is in the past. I
quit dwelling on things months ago. Being friends with Piper is amazing because she teaches you how
to enjoy life the best you can no matter what and she does it without even knowing she is doing it. She
helps the family loosen up all the time.
I ve changed a lot over the past six months, I say as I take a bite of my pancakes.
His blue eyes search mine to see if I am telling the truth. He was always good at reading me.
I don t think you ve changed, babe. I think you re growing up, learning yourself.
See. He s so perceptive when it comes to me, and my heart squeezes when he calls me babe. The
little butthead still has an effect on me. Who knew?
It s good to talk with you, Haden. I hate that it had to happen under these circumstances though.
He takes a drink of his orange juice, sets it down, and wipes his mouth before speaking again.
I know. God, we were together a long time, weren t we?
Since sixth grade. Wow, that s like what, I count in my head, shit, six or so years. Seven school
years we were together.
I hadn t realized it had been that long until now. Our relationship was there, and our friendship was
the glue that probably held us together that long. In a way, he will always be my best friend. He may
have broken my heart, but if I ever need him, deep down I have always known that he will be there
for me. I guess it has taken a lot of maturing to realize that. I still have a lot more growing to do, but at
least I can see everything for what it was now.
Tatiana, believe me when I say, I m truly sorry for messing it all up. I was selfish. I broke the trust
you had in me and I ll forever regret that.
My hand slides across the table and laces with one of his. I d like us to be friends again, Haden. I
really would. You re the only one from my childhood that understands my life, and I miss having
someone to talk to about it. I know that s selfish of me, but in a way, I need someone on the outside
that understands it all. Someone besides my family.
His thumb rubs against the back of my hand, and that single movement reminds me of the comfort I
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