Defending Hayden (Second Chances #7)(42)
I closed my eyes and huffed. “It’s not anything I want to talk about.”
His fingers caressed my cheek, and my eyes shot open. I grabbed his hand and moved away from his touch. “I can’t, Jeremiah. Please don’t take this the wrong way, but I’m not ready for a relationship right now.”
He chuckled lightly. “I could tell the other night when I kissed you. But don’t worry, I’m a patient man. I’ll be here whenever you’re ready.”
“Dr. Hunter, Mrs. Jenkins and Lady are here,” Amanda called out over the speaker.
Jeremiah smiled and left my office before I could tell him that I’d most likely never be ready for him. One of these days I’d have to tell him, but it wasn’t going to be today.
I pressed the intercom button. “Thanks, Amanda. I’ll be out there to get Lady myself.”
—
The surgery went well; I tried to remove as much of the cancerous tumor as I could. From what I could tell on the X-rays, it looked like I’d been successful in getting it all. Lady was going to stay with us for a few days while I monitored her and ran more tests.
“Hayden, you about ready?” Michael asked, sticking his head inside my office.
I finished my paperwork and shut Lady’s file. “I am now. Sorry it took so long.”
“No worries. I had to finish up my own paperwork. I’m trying to follow up with my past patients before I leave town. Friday is my last day, you know.”
I huffed. “Don’t remind me.” Chuckling, he opened the door so I could walk past. “Wanna grab dinner? Or do I need to help you pack?” I asked.
He put his arm around my shoulders. “We could always do both. I’m not going to pass up free labor.”
“You suck.” I laughed. “I should make you do it all, since you’re the one leaving.”
“Yeah, but you love me. I’ll pay for dinner if that makes it better,” he offered with a dashing smile.
“Deal,” I said, laughing. We turned off all the lights and headed to the front of the office. My car was parked just outside, and when Michael opened the door, I stopped dead in my tracks. You’ve got to be kidding me.
Standing by my car was Derek, arms crossed, with a somber expression. He didn’t have the right to look at me as if he were the wounded one. I was the one he’d left after I’d opened myself up to him. So many emotions fought inside me, and I didn’t know what I was supposed to feel. On one hand, the anger was there, and I wanted to tell him to f*ck off, but on the other I was happy to see him. The wind blew his scent toward me and I stiffened, hating myself for wanting to run into his arms.
Michael squeezed my shoulder and whispered in my ear, “Talk to him, Hayden. If all else fails, you can always kick his ass. To judge the way he looks, I don’t think he’ll put up much of a fight.”
“Then why don’t you do it?” I challenged.
“Because it’s not my fight. He’s here for you. Just listen to what he has to say.” He kissed my cheek and then walked over to Derek. I couldn’t hear what he said, but after he was done, he marched off toward his car and left.
Heart thundering, I held my head high and closed the distance. “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t lean against my car. You’ll scratch the paint,” I snapped.
Huffing, he stepped forward. “Is that all you have to say to me?”
I threw my hands in the air. “What would you like me to say?”
“I don’t know, maybe that you can forgive me? You have no idea how sorry I am. I was wrong for letting you go.”
I walked up to him, barely holding it together. My eyes filled with tears, and as much as I hated myself for it, they fell down my cheeks. “Then maybe you should’ve thought about that before you ripped my heart out.” I’d never been so blunt with my feelings, but I couldn’t keep them in any longer. Derek stumbled back as if I’d slapped him, and that gave me the chance I needed to get away. Scrambling into my car, I bolted down the street as fast as I could. Unfortunately, when I looked in my rearview mirror, I wasn’t alone. Derek followed close behind.
I was tempted to go to Michael’s, but I didn’t want to bring this confrontation to his home. Instead, I went to my place and prayed I could get through the fight that was about to ensue. I hated confrontation, but I had to let him know how badly he’d hurt me. Taking a deep breath, I got out of my car, and he was right there, his blue eyes blazing.
“I know I hurt you, Hayden. It killed me to see the look on your face that morning. I’d give anything to take it back.”
The tears welled up again. “But you can’t!” I shouted. “I didn’t want to get involved with you because I knew you’d hurt me. I’m just another woman to add to your endless parade.”
He shook his head. “That’s not true. You’re worth more than that to me.”
“Oh yeah? Is that what you said to everyone else? There are pictures with you and a hundred different girls floating around on the Internet. I’m just waiting for the day I get put on there, lost in the midst of them all.”
The muscles in his jaw tightened. “We all make mistakes, Hayden. I’ve made a shit ton of them, but all in the past. I’m not like that anymore.”
“And how do you expect me to believe that?” I asked, pushing past him toward the door. I unlocked it and stormed inside, knowing he was right on my heels. He wasn’t going to give me the chance to lock him out. The door slammed behind us and I jumped, especially when he grabbed my shoulders to keep me from running away.