Bye-Bye Jerk, Hello Mr. Right

This was a situation I definitely hadn’t seen coming, and suddenly, everything snapped into focus.

It was, honestly, super awkward–being stuck between two guys like this.

I knew I had to do something to break the tension, and one thing was crystal clear: there was no way I was starting anything with Wayne.

If I had to choose between them, it was gonna be Hayden

I’d almost married Jace; no way could I get involved with his brother after that breakup.

“Wayne, I’m tired,” I said softly.

Wayne held onto my hand for a moment longer before finally letting go.

Hayden took my hand and started walking, and I didn’t look back, but I could feel Wayne’s eyes on me the

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Whether it was the alcohol or my jumbled thoughts, I wasn’t sure, but I ended up tripping on the hotel stairs. The next thing I knew, I was in the air as Hayden scooped me into his arms.

“Put me down,” I demanded, grabbing onto his shirt.

“If you want him to back off, just stay quiet and don’t fight it,” Hayden muttered.

Wayne’s words replayed in my mind, and I decided to stay still, letting Hayden carry me. I could get caught up with any guy, but not Wayne.

Wayne was like a brother to me–a real brother, no romantic feelings at all. That connection was too important to mess up.

He was the kind of guy who kept things to himself, never wearing his heart on his sleeve. But if he thought. I was into someone else besides Jace, he’d probably distance himself.

So, I let Hayden carry me all the way into the hotel lobby. But even when we got to my room, he didn’t set

me down.

Understanding Wayne’s feelings made me realize something else too: Hayden had feelings for me.

Since I’d pretty much shut down Wayne’s hopes today, was time to deal with Hayden’s.

When Hayden finally put me down, I didn’t let go of his shirt. I held onto it, looking up at him with a boldness I didn’t usually have.

“Hayden, you’re really good–looking.” I said, my voice just as bold.

“Mm,” he replied, letting me stare at him without flinching.

They said alcohol would give you guts. I reached up and traced the bridge of his strong nose. “Bet a lot of girls are into you, huh?”

“Mm,” he responded again. Wow, this guy was seriously confident.

I smiled, letting my fingers trail to the corner of his eye. “Demi likes you too, you know,”

:

I wasn’t betraying Demi; her feelings were written all over her face. Hayden wasn’t blind–he had to have noticed, even without me spelling it out.

“And what about you? Do you like me?” This time, Hayden didn’t just “mm” me. He went straight for it, asking me directly.

I hesitated for a second, then shook my head. “No, I don’t.”

His eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn’t push.

Still, I felt like explaining. “I’m not into guys who attract other girls. I don’t like competing. I want someone

who’s just mine, even if he’s not as handsome as you.

“Okay,” he said.

I raised an eyebrow, smiling. “And what does ‘okay‘ mean?”

He looked totally chill. “It means I get it.”

His response threw me off a bit. I wasn’t sure how to take it, and I wasn’t about to overthink it. I let my hand slide down the sharp angles of his face and onto his shoulder.

“Hayden, don’t try to seduce me, and don’t be too nice to me…” As I spoke, I started to pull my hand back and step away.

But Hayden caught me by the waist. “Liking you and pursuing you? That’s my call. Not responding? That’s yours. Just do your thing, but don’t tell me what to do.”

Wait, what?

Now I was the one feeling a little disoriented.

He liked me, but didn’t want me getting in the way?

“So, you’re saying you’re gonna keep hitting on me? Flirting with me?” I asked, not holding back.