My eyes felt heavy as they flutter open.
I let out a groan as I stretch. Rolling onto my back, I move my head so that I am looking to my left. There is an indent in the mattress. I bite my lip softly, closing my eyes once more.
While asleep, I felt someone lay beside me. I could feel their hot breath on the back of my neck. I rolled over and buried my head into their warm, naked chest.
I had slept in Hayden's arms, or, I had a realistic dream that I did. Reaching out, I ran my hand over the now-empty mattress. It happened, right? He had laid down beside me. I pressed my forehead against his defined chest. I could feel the heat from his body.
While trying to distinguish reality over my drowsy state-of-mind, my phone began to vibrate on the bedside table. Groggily, I reach over.
"Hello?" I mumbled sleepily, rubbing my face.
Silence.
"Hello?" I repeated.
"Who is this?" the voice asked. I recognise it, but it is so low and harsh, it is hard to put a finger on exactly who it is.
"It's obviously Grace, you rang me?" I said with a frown.
"I did not ring Grace; I can guarantee you."
Confused, I pull the phone back and squint down at the phone. Instead of seeing my rose-gold iPhone, instead, I am met with a black one. It had "Mia" written across the screen and I let out a snort as it had the rolling eye emoji beside it.
"Oh," I said into the phone, once having it back to my ear. "Sorry, wrong phone."
"Why the fuck are you answering Hayden's phone?" she snapped and I could see perfectly in my mind, the face she would be pulling. Her eyes would be narrowed, her cheeks would be red, her lips spread into a thin line.
"Because I'm at his house," I pointed out, my tone blunt. "What do you want?"
"Screw you," she seethed, before the line went dead.
Blinking drowsily, I stare down at the phone. That was random.
Yawning, I place the phone back down and get to my feet. I pad over to his bathroom and run a hand through the angry snarls of my hair. I throw it up into a messy bun, before making my way down stairs.
As soon as I enter the kitchen, I can smell dinner cooking. My stomach rumbled embarrassingly loud and I slap my hand to it. I open my mouth to tell Hayden Mia called, but he spoke before I had the chance.
"Was that thunder?" Hayden joked, sending me his boyish smirk.
That smirk made all thoughts of the random conversation with Mia vanish from my mind.
My insides clench as I stare at him. He looked amazing. His hair is messy and he is shirtless. He looked so hot right now, I almost have to fan myself.
"Sounded like it," I replied, walking over to him. "What cha' cooking?"
"Hamburgers," he grinned. "Hayden Deluxe, I call it."
"Hayden Deluxe?" I giggled, leaning onto the bench. "Sound delicious."
"Have a nice nap?" he asked as he flipped the patties over. "You were out of it."
I study his face. It happened. It wasn't a dream. The look on his face gave it away. He had held me, while I slept. The fact that he did that, made my stomach do a flip-flop. I almost wanted to laugh out loud at myself.
I had my legs wrapped around Ashton's waist, his tongue in my mouth and I didn't feel the intense squirmy feeling Hayden gave me. Of course Ashton made my heart beat faster and breathless, but when Hayden holds me, my stomach turns into the spaghetti circus. I'm not the type of person to get jittery and nervous around boys.
But Hayden made me nervous.
"Really good," I answered, my eyes trained on his face.
He nodded, not looking up.
"Hi Hun," Heather said as she entered the kitchen. "How are you feeling?"
"Refreshed," I replied with a smile.
"Oh good. Your cupcakes were amazing, by the way," she laughed. "I had three."
"I know, there were hardly any left for me," Hayden muttered and I let out a soft laugh.
"I'm glad you liked them. I haven't baked cupcakes for ages."
"Feel free to cook them more often and send them over," Hayden told me and Heather nodded in agreement.
"I'll make note of that," I teased.
As Hayden cooked, we all chatted. They were the easiest people to talk to. Which is ironic, because Hayden seemed the opposite at school. When he is home, he is much more relaxed. It is obvious he is close with his mum. I envy their relationship as I don't have that with my own.
Speaking of my mother, my phone began to vibrate in my pocket. As I saw my mother's name across the screen, I decline the call and shove it back in my pocket. I am pissed at her, beyond words. I feel betrayed and hurt. I'm not answering that call.
A text came through. With a sigh, I pull my phone back out.
Vera: Where r u???
Vera: Was hoping we could have dinner???
Overcome with annoyance of her expecting me to drop everything for her, the one time she decides to come home for dinner, made me act on impulse. I angrily text her back, my fingers flying over the screen.
Grace: Why don't you have dinner with your boyfriend instead.
With that, I turn my phone off and head into the kitchen, ridding thoughts of my mother's deceitful nature into the back of my mind.
As I sit down at the table, Hayden moved one of the chairs, so that Heather can roll in. The table has been adjusted to her wheelchair height.
"Why can't we sit on the lounge?" Hayden asked her.
"This is what families do, Hayden," she informed him. "We sit at the table, ask each other about our days..."
"Which we could do on the lounge."
She pursed her lips. "Grace, does your family insist on sitting at the table, too?"
I cleared my throat uneasily, looking down at my plate. "Considering it's only me at home, I personally just sit on the lounge."
"See," Hayden said to her, but she ignored him.
"Just you?" she asked softly.
"Yeah, my mum works as a surgeon at the new private hospital. She is rarely home."
Maybe not for the reasons I thought, I said to myself bitterly.
She fell silent. She opened her mouth and shut it again. I knew what she wanted to ask.
"And my dad died when I was younger," I explained, my voice sounding a little strained.
"Good one," Hayden said to her, giving Heather a pointed look.
"Well," she said awkwardly. "I was being nosy. I apologise."
"All good," I said to her, playing with a bit of lettuce that had fallen from the burger.
"You're welcome to come over here for dinner, any time you like." she said to me with a genuine smile. "We're happy to have you."
"We are?" Hayden asked.
"Hayden," she scolded.
I let out a laugh. "Thank you, Heather."
"Have you..." Heather said slowly, looking at Hayden. Her eyes flicked over to mine, before resting back on Hayden's. "Told her-"
"No," he said firmly.
She nodded, before beginning to eat. I furrowed my eyebrows.
"Told me...?" I pressed, staring between the two.
"Oh," she said awkwardly, looking at Hayden again. "Well, Hayden's father-"
"No." He snapped, glaring at Heather. His tone held significant anger. I am shocked at his sudden attitude adjustment. His eyes hold a fiery look. "Don't."
She fell silent once more, ducking her head. I sit back in my seat, suddenly feeling very uncomfortable. It had been so cruisy and easy-going before and now...
"Fucking hell," Hayden said, slamming his hand down on the table. "Why?" He looked at Heather, a stormy, dark expression on his face. "Why would you bring him up?"
She looked taken back. "I thought... You two had become... I just-"
"What makes you think I ever tell anyone?" He argued, a vein in his neck sticking out. "I pretend he never fucking existed."
I am simply blown away with how he is acting. They seemed so close before. They were so kind, laughing with each other, making jokes... Now he is looking at her, like he is disgusted. Like he hated her. I stare, my mouth hanging open, completely perplexed.
She let out a breath, shaking her head. "I'm sorry."
Hayden got to his feet and stalked towards the stairs. I heard his heavy footsteps ascend. He suddenly turned.
"Don't say a word, Heather."
I wince at his word choice. He must call her by her first name, when he is upset with her.
"Hayden-"
He stormed up the stairs and his bedroom door slammed shut. The sound echoed loudly.
"I'm so sorry," she said to me, tears welling in her eyes. "This is something we don't discuss. I should have known better-" she hiccupped, wiping her eyes. "I thought he might have told you-"
I sit there, my spine stiff. I don't know what to do.
"It's okay," I told her. "I know what it's like to not want to talk about family. I get it."
"He has so much anger in him," she said softly. She sniffled as she wiped her eyes. "Lately he's been much better. He's been back to how he used to be... I thought it might have been because of you."
"O-oh," I stammered. "We're not... We're not dating or anything like that."
"Not yet."
"Um..." I said, looking anywhere but at her. This is a weird thing to talk about. "I don't think... Um... We're not..."
"I'm sorry," she said softly. "I shouldn't have said anything. It's not my place."
"It's okay."
"Just don't do what the last girl did." she shook her head, her eyes glistening. "She destroyed him."
I open my mouth, to ask more, when I hear Hayden's footsteps.
"We're leaving," he said to me, his fists clenched at his side.
"Oh, okay."
"Where are you going?" Heather asked. "Hayden, don't do anything stupid."
"I'm taking her home," he snapped.
"Hayden, please-"
Without another word, he grabbed the keys from the hook on the wall and stalked out into the garage.
"Thank you for having me," I said politely, staring longingly at my untouched burger. This is the second time today; I have been deprived of my meal.
"I'm so sorry, Grace. It's not usually like this."
"I understand."
I get to my feet and hurry out to the garage. I slide into the passenger seat of the Ute as Hayden turned the key. The loud rumble echoed through the garage.
He is tense as he reversed out. I grip the door as he took off at lightning speed.
"Can you slow down?" I yelled at him over his music as we swerved around the corner.
He ignored me as he continued to speed through the streets. My heart thudded loudly inside my chest. I squeeze my eyes shut and curl myself into a ball. I press my face against my thighs.
"Please, Hayden," I pleaded, my hand gripping the door tightly.
The Ute came to a screeching stop and I knew we had reached my house.
Glaring at him, I unbuckled my seat belt.
"That was stupid." I said sternly. "I don't appreciate you driving like that with me in the car."
"Get out," he snarled, not even looking at me.
"Gladly." I retorted, before climbing out.
I slam the door as hard as I can, as he took off from the curb.
I shook my head as I stare at the retreating tail lights, unable to avoid the deep feeling of disappointment I feel on my shoulders.
***
"Good morning, my star pupils," Coach Brennon greeted as we all lined against the lockers.
I made particular effort to stand as far as possible away from both Mia and Hayden. One, Hayden hadn't spared me a glance since I arrived and two, Mia looked like she is going to spit fire at me.
I don't want to deal with either of them, today.
I am so angry at myself. I went to Hayden's house when I was completely vulnerable. I felt safe and comfortable there, before it all turned to crap. I felt we had gotten a little closer. He hopped into bed beside me, for God sake. He obviously felt that, too.
But the way he acted afterwards, was ridiculous. I understand that he clearly doesn't trust me enough, to know about his family. Whatever, that's fine. But to drive like that... I know he doesn't know the history of my experience with cars and what happened to me and my dad, but that does not justify driving like a maniac.
He didn't even apologise for the way he acted. He just said "get out". I shook my head, folding my arms across my chest as I thought back to Saturday night. I was an idiot to feel like I could get close to him.
"Something you want to share with the group?"
He didn't need to act the way he did and what's worse, is that I thought I might be developing feelings for him.
"Earth to Grace?"
Blinking, I focused back into reality and realise that almost every pair of eyes is on me.
"Huh?" I asked.
My face warmed as I realised I had been so engrossed with my thoughts, I had been making frustrated sounds out loud.
"Are you able to be present with us today or do you need to be excused?" Ashton asked, his eyebrow quirking up.
"No, sorry. I'm fine."
"Good." He said, his eyes lingering on mine. "As I was saying, this Friday, it's competition time. We need to bring our A-Game. You know my expectations. Train hard, swim harder. Let's get the quickest times we can, okay? The time for you guys is now. Any of you that are hoping for scholarships, this is the year they're going to be looking at you. Don't let me down."
"Yes Coach," a few people murmured.
"Let's get swimming."
We all began to trudge out of the locker room before Ashton held his hand in a stop signal as I walked past. Letting out a sigh, I stopped.
"What?"
"Excuse me?" he asked.
I had been in a foul mood, ever since the weekend. I dreaded walking inside, after what I said to mum, but she was asleep. She was gone the next morning. All she left, was a note, saying we needed to talk.
"Sorry," I apologised, rubbing my face. "Yes Coach?"
"Your first competition is coming up. This is the week you need to prove to everyone you deserve a spot on this team."
"I know."
"So," he said, his eyes staring intently into mine. "Do it, then."
"Yes Coach."
He nodded at me and I nod back, before walking out into the pool area. I appreciate that when he stopped me this time, it really was about swimming. He didn't ask what was wrong, he didn't ask me if I was okay. He simply reminded me of what I had at stake this week.
Which is exactly what I needed to hear.
Pulling my swim cap over my head, I adjust my goggles, before walking towards lane 5. I climbed onto the mounting block.
"Let's do some warm up laps. Four laps of each stroke. Don't push yourself yet, just warm yourselves up, okay? Let's go."
As I dove into the pool, I switched off all thoughts of the weekend. This week, it is about me and my swimming.
That's what mattered to me the most, after all.