Ian's POV
"Do you want to go?" I asked her, feeling like such shit for making her cry earlier. Although this moment was perfect, her smile is all I ever hope to see. It's now my goal to get her to smile at me at least once a day.
"She invited you to dinner too?" She asked, seeming a little suspicious for some reason.
"Yup. So, do you want to go?"
"Duh, it's Liv," she said, giving me a classic Hailey smirk and leading the way to my car. I wanted to open the door for her, but Hailey didn't seem to care enough to allow me to do so. I think she would rather open her own doors. "Let's go, lover boy." She winked at me before ducking down and getting in her seat. My heart skipped a beat at her beauty and her nickname. Would she ever fall in love with me?
I had every intention of talking to her about what Liv had advised me to do, but with the way the evening went, I hadn't had a chance. Hurriedly taking my seat, I pulled away from the skatepark, heading for Liv's little dream house. I had only ever been inside once, and it was more than I could handle. Lucas had built them a picture-perfect house. It was the house of her dreams, one I knew I could have never given her.
"I am sorry I made you cry, Hailey."
"I know you are, Ian. I'm okay, but I may have a plan or two for you to make it up to me," she said, winking at me playfully. That smile, though, was what kept my attention fully on her. "Watch the road!" She scolded me as I weaved a little. She then let out a light laugh. "Loco."
"I am not crazy, just a little distracted by your beauty." I smirked, being a little too flirtatious right now. Maybe a smidgen cheesy.
"You did not just say that!" She laughed, only making me smile wider. Her laugh was so full of joy and infectious that it had me laughing alongside her.
"Too cheesy?"
"God, yes!" We laughed some more before we quieted down, but not for long. "How about some music?"
"Sure, you pick. I wanna know what you're listening to now," I told her, having her phone already paired to my car's Bluetooth.
"I was listening to merengue. Are you sure you want to hear that?"
"I want to hear all your favorites, Hailey, whatever they may be. I'll learn to love them, too." I didn't take my eyes off the road as we hit more traffic.
She began to play a song, which, according to my car screen, was called "Mi Niña Bonita" by Chino y Nacho. Hailey was singing without a shred of worry, whereas I would be too self-conscious to do so. Her voice filled the car with lively melodies as she belted out the lyrics, dancing so cutely in her seat. I couldn't help but tap my fingers on the steering wheel, feeling the infectious rhythm taking hold of me.
"I like this one," I said, nodding along to the fast rhythm.
"It's one of my favorites!" She turned the song up all the way, trying to burst our eardrums, clearly having fun. I didn't want to put a stop to it, but as we approached Red's driveway, I found myself turning down the volume, letting the music fade into the background.
Red stood at her doorway as if she knew I had arrived already. I stepped out of my car with a friendly smile, walking around and opening the door for Hailey. This time, she had waited for me. Hailey smiled, taking my hand and stepping out. We then walked hand in hand towards the redheaded beauty who stole my heart many years ago. She looked at our interlocked fingers, and I finally remembered myself, quickly releasing Hailey's hand. For a second, I thought Hailey had frowned, but when I looked at her again, she was wearing her smile.
"I didn't know you two were coming together," Red commented, seeming suspicious of us.
"Yeah, we were hanging out when you texted," Hailey answered, making it seem like it was no big deal. She gave Red a big hug before entering the house. I did the same, holding her tightly against me. I thought I was getting over this, but here I am, not willing to let her go from this simple hug. I'm an ass.
"I am glad to see my best friends are getting along, but don't forget about me!" she pouted, talking to Hailey and I. "I wanna come the next time you two hang out."
If she only knew.
Hailey already had Abi in her arms, cooing and playing happily with her. It was obvious Hailey adored babies, but particularly this one. Little Miss Abi has stolen the hearts of every person she's met. Mine included.
"I don't know if we'll be hanging out just with us again, but if we do, I'll be sure to let you know," Hailey answered. What's that supposed to mean? Is she calling this fake relationship off? Or is she just trying to cover for us?
"Too bad. I like the idea of you two becoming close friends," she shrugged before stepping towards the kitchen. "I'll be right back. I have to check on the food."
The moment she left the room was the moment I took in my surroundings better. Finally noticing Lucas, staring observantly at me.
"You two hooked up," he said. It wasn't a question, but a statement. Which I'm sure neither of us told him.
"You two just had your first fight," Hailey countered back, surprising the hell out of me. They just had a fight?
"How- never mind. What should I do?" He panicked, asking Hailey for answers.
"Apologize and tell her she's right, duh!" She rolled her eyes.
"But she's not."
"She's always right, Lucas, even when she's wrong. She'll notice it later and apologize. That is, if she really is wrong. What did you do anyway?" Hailey asked, and I was all too intrigued for the answer.
"I'll tell you later," he said, grabbing Abi from her and walking towards the dining room. It was obvious he didn't want me to hear what they had been arguing about.
"I'll be waiting for that text. Otherwise, I'll hear Liv's side of things first, and you know I'm usually on her side, anyway." Hailey was obviously very comfortable with Lucas, or maybe she's just like this with everyone.
"We both know you'll side with her, no matter what I say." Lucas shook his head as if it were unfair as he strapped Abi into her high chair. She giggled that adorable baby laugh as she reached for Lucas' nose.
"That's what best friends do."
"Bull. Leo calls me out on my shiitake mushrooms." He tried to censor himself so as not to curse in front of his daughter.
"If Liv ever has shiitake mushrooms, I'll be sure to call her out on it." Hailey smirked at the word they were using, finding it amusing.
"Dinner is ready!" Red announced, entering the dining room with a large pot of spaghetti. I could smell the familiar scent of mom's recipe. She had taught Red how to make a great tomato sauce from scratch, and it seemed she hadn't forgotten it.
"Smells like mom's," I said, smiling at her, gaining one in return.
"I totally use what she taught me. How could I not? She makes the best spaghetti!"
We all sat at the table with smiles on our faces, but the air was tense, thick with unspoken tension. The atmosphere grew awkward, almost palpable. I could feel Lucas' and Hailey's eyes on me, and then Red. They were watching us closely, and I didn't like the feeling.
"So, what were you guys doing while you were hanging out?" Red asked as she served her plate. I looked to Hailey to see if she would answer, but she didn't say anything, keeping her gaze fixed on her plate.
"We were at the skatepark when you texted," I answered, trying not to give too much away.
"What were you doing there? That's a random place." Liv smirked, finding it amusing but odd.
"I burned dinner, and he was trying to cheer me up," Hailey answered this time, but it felt like she gave too much away.
"Oh, Hailey, I am sorry. I know you want to cook so badly." Red was sweet as always, comforting her friend. Even though she knew not to tease Hailey about this, I was stupid enough to do so earlier.
"It's okay. Ian already gave me a whole inspirational speech."
"Oh, did he?" Red arched her brow at me in question.
"Yeah, he's pretty good at those." Hailey nodded, making her plate next.
"That he is." Red kept her eyes on me as she spoke this time. I could see she knew something was up. It seemed to all click into place when she asked her next question. "Was it a date?"
Jesus, what do I say? If I told her no, I would be lying. I would probably end up hurting Hailey's feelings in the process, too. However, if I tell her yes, she will know that I hooked up with her friend due to the conversation we had prior. Will she hate us? Will she hate me?
"It was," I finally answered, deciding it was best to be honest with her. Lying to Red is the one thing I hate to do the most. My heart was pounding as I closely observed her, worried she would be mad. She looked at me and then at Hailey, who had taken her eyes off her plate. Her eyes locked with Lucas for a second before she stood up from her chair.
"Sorry, I'll be right back. I just have to use the bathroom," she said as she excused herself.
I watched her run down the hall as if she couldn't get away from this moment fast enough. Was she upset? Is it because we are her best friends? Or could it be that she has some romantic feelings for me and this is too much for her to bear?