Hung Up on Hadley

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

A flat tire was not the end of the world, but it also wasn’t how Hadley Hayes wanted to start her morning either. “Stay here, girl,” Hadley said to Lady as she pulled up the e-brake of her pickup then slid from the door.

She looked down at the driver side tire, and just as she expected; flat as a pancake. Luckily, her father had taught her how to change a tire when she was fourteen—a skill that had come in handy many times before.

With luck, she would be back on the road in the matter of minutes. The spare, along with the jack and the cross wrench, were in the bed of her pickup, and she went around to gather them.

Once the jack was in position and the truck was propped up, Hadley got to work loosening the lug nuts. Unfortunately, the third one wouldn’t budge.

“Come on, you good for nothing…” she grumbled as she resorted to standing on the wrench and bouncing.

Fifteen minutes of not even a slight shift, Hadley opened the truck door. “Afraid this is beyond my capabilities, girl,” she said to Lady, who looked perfectly content curled up at the far end of the cab.

There were so many people Hadley could call, including one of her three brothers, but Sam Bennett was always the one she turned to when she needed help. She had no idea if it was out of a deep-rooted desire that each encounter would build toward an inevitable explosion of attraction, or if she was just pathetic and needed an excuse to see him. It was most likely the latter, and because of that she understood completely how pitiful she was.

She dialed Sam’s number and waited for the voice that whispered in and out of her thoughts every day to answer.

“Hey, Hads. What’s going on?”

“Hi, Sam. Are you busy?”

“Depends what you need,” he said with a laugh, and she imagined the edge of his mouth lifting slightly and the lines around his eyes appearing.

“I got a flat and can’t break the lug nut loose.”

“Where are you?” The tone in his voice softened, sending a wave of warmth through her entire body before settling in her chest.

“Over on Spruce.”

“I’ll be there in ten.”

“Sam?” she said.

“Yeah, Hads?”

“Lady’s with me.”

“I figured as much.”

Hadley had fostered Lady before realizing Lady had already found her forever home with her. She’d been a permanent member of the Hayes family ever since. Not only was she loyal, sweet, and the best companion Hadley could’ve asked for, Lady also welcomed each one of Hadley’s new fosters with love and warmth.

“Don’t show up empty-handed.” A smile spread across her face as she tried to suppress a laugh but was unsuccessful as she all but snorted into the phone. “You’re the one who made the mistake of giving her a treat that first time.” That simple gesture made Lady fall in love with him, but also made her have expectations too.

Hadley found it utterly adorable.

“That dog is lucky I keep a box of Milk-Bones in my car just for her. What about Duke?”

Duke was the foster dog that Sam had gone with her to get in Mass a couple weeks ago. “Already placed in his forever home,” Hadley said.

“Wow, that was fast.”

“It was a good fit for both. I was actually excited to let him go.”

People always wondered how she was able to bring dog after dog into her home and then easily hand them off when they found the dog a perfect family. She was just happy for the short time she got with them and grateful that she was able to place them in a loving environment where they could live out their days.

“He was a good dog,” Sam said, and Hadley’s heart warmed at the genuine affection in his tone. “Okay, I’ll see you both soon.”

He hung up, and Hadley melted into the seat. Lady nudged her hand, making it known she had every intention of resting her head on Hadley’s thigh whether she was willing or not. Hadley lifted her arm. “Come on, girl.”

Hadley gave Lady’s head a nice scratch as her mind drifted to Sam.

It was impossibly hard, loving someone you couldn’t have, but she’d been doing it for so long that it was just a part of who she was. She kept the feelings to herself, never having the courage to speak them out loud.

She was so used to pretending she wasn’t in love with him that sometimes she actually believed it. Until he looked at her with those aquamarine eyes—that could never really decide if they wanted to be blue or green—and curved those deliciously sexy lips in her direction, and every reason for why she loved him was thrust back into her like a jolt to the heart.

Many nights were spent dreaming those eyes would one day look at her and see past the girl who used to chase him around the farm and instead recognize the woman she had become.

There were times over the years when she thought she saw glimpses of that recognition. When she’d catch him staring at her and she actually thought there was a spark, but in the next breath it would be gone, making her wonder if it was just wishful thinking on her part.

Ignoring thoughts of what could never be, she plastered a smile on her face as she spotted his truck in her rearview mirror. She slid out and greeted him with a wave, pretending not to notice the casual ease with which he walked—how his jeans fit him in all the right places and how his shirt hugged muscles she knew damn well were even more impressive beneath the material.

He tapped the bumper of the truck as he approached. “It amazes me this thing is still running.”

“Shh,” Hadley said, giving the truck a tender stroke. “She can hear you.”

Sam slapped a hand over his chest. “My sincerest apologies, but as old as she is, I’m pretty sure she can’t hear me.” He laughed as he slipped past her to the driver door and held out a treat for Lady.

The senior dog didn’t hesitate, snatching the treat and devouring it. Her tail wagged with blissful satisfaction as she licked her chops before nudging Sam’s hand.

“Hate to break it to you, Hads, but I think your dog has a crush on me,” Sam said, and she rolled her eyes with great enthusiasm. His lips slipped into that effortless smile, revealing the slight gap between his teeth. It amazed her how an imperfection was so damn sexy. Every time she saw the gap, she wanted to throw her hands up in victory, because whatever she did made him forget about the flaw that had made him self-conscious as a teen. Ridiculous, since in her opinion it only made him that much more attractive.

“You think everyone has a crush on you.”

“That’s because they usually do.”

Not that she’d ever admit it, but he was the hottest bachelor in town—especially now since all her brothers had been paired off—and every woman wanted him. The problem was most of them had him. It didn’t make him a bad person since he never lied about who he was. He’d be the first person to call himself a manwhore and wouldn’t feel an ounce of shame. Women knew what they were getting into with Sam, and if they thought they could be the one to change him, then that was on them. Still, Hadley secretly dreamed that one day she would be the one who tamed the beast.

It was a fantasy, though; Sam would never make a move on her. Even if there was a remote chance he might see her for more than his best friend’s little sister, she doubted he’d ever act on it. So it left her in the most pathetic of situations, because she still craved to be near him and cherished every second they spent together.

He plucked a piece of hay from her sleeve and laughed as it fell to the ground. Farm life wasn’t exactly glamorous, but she didn’t care; it was what she loved.

Sam rested his hand on her shoulder, sending an exhilarating wave of warmth crashing through her body. “Time for the man to take over,” he joked, and she gave him a good knock to the arm.

“There is nothing you can do that I can’t,” she said with defiance.

“Really? Then why am I here? Just admit it, Hads. You need my manliness.”

“Oh yes. Please.” She tossed her arm over her eyes, tilting her head back in a dramatic fashion. “I’m just a poor damsel in distress who is incapable of doing anything that a man can do for me.”

Sam looked at her with an amused gleam in his eyes. “Sometimes I wonder why you didn’t go to New York to become an actress instead of your sister.”

“Not everyone can follow a pipe dream,” Hadley said.

Her baby sister Daisy was irresponsible and impulsive. She made decisions without thinking about the consequences. If she did, she never would have left in the middle of the night for New York after her high school graduation, leaving behind a boyfriend who would have moved mountains for her and a family who only ever loved her.

Hadley couldn’t even be mad at her, though. Despite her flaws, Daisy was one of her favorite people in the world, and being her sister was just an added bonus. Daisy had a dream, and instead of letting life pass her by, burdening her with the thoughts of “what if,” she’d have no regrets. Not many people could say that in life.

Sam took hold of the cross wrench, and the muscles in his arms bulged as he tried to break the lug nut loose. “What if you could?” Sam asked, his voice straining with exertion.

“What if I could what?”

His body relaxed as he got into a different position. “What if you could follow a pipedream? What would it be?”

“I’m not sure. I’ve never really thought about it.”

He looked at her in disbelief. “Never?”

“You have?”

“Of course.”

“Care to share with the class?”

“I’d go live on an island that had a bar right on the water, kicking it back, sharing jokes with the locals, surrounded by girls in bikinis all day.”

“You’re a pig.”

“You’ve called me worse,” he said with a smile. “Your turn.”

Hadley shrugged. Honestly, she never looked beyond the farm, and she didn’t regret it for a single second. Farm life wasn’t for everyone, but for Hadley, it was the only life she’d ever wanted. There was something special about starting her day surrounded by mother nature while the sun made its ascent into the sky. The open landscape made her feel free, and she had no idea how her sister didn’t suffocate living amongst all those skyscrapers.

The one time she had made the trip to visit her, she’d felt uneasy, and the only time she actually thought she could breathe was when they were in Central Park.

“I’m happy with my life.”

“Everyone dreams of something more.”

Maybe she did dream of more, but it had nothing to do with where she lived or what she did. It had to do with him. If he would just notice her, love her the same way she loved him, then she would have everything she’d ever dreamed about.

She met his gaze. “People who dream of more are people who are secretly not happy with their lives.”

“Are you trying to tell me I’m not happy with my life?”

“Are you?”

“I can’t complain.”

“I’m not asking you if you can complain. I’m asking if you’re happy.”

“Once I get some of Terry’s pancakes in my stomach, I’ll be very happy.”

She laughed, not surprised at all that he inadvertently changed the subject. Sam was quick to ask probing questions, but the minute she turned those same questions on him he got uncomfortable.

Knowing well enough that the conversation was over, she nodded to the tire he was still working on. “Once you get that lug nut loose, we can be on our way.”

His muscles tightened against his shirt as he gave one final attempt. The veins in his neck bulged, and just when Hadley was about to thank Sam for his efforts and accept defeat, the wrench inched forward. One more hard crank and the lug nut broke loose.

“As you were saying?” Sam said with a satisfied glint in his eyes.

She crossed her arms over her chest, desperately trying to keep a straight face. “The tire still isn’t changed.”

“Look, you brat,” he said, pushing to his feet in front of her. As he stood to his full height, he looked down at her with that penetrating stare, heating her blood. She subdued the desire to reach out and touch those bulging biceps and run her finger along the corded veins. His gaze held hers, but it wasn’t full of lust and passion; it was more or less amusement.

“What?” She smiled, unable to help herself because she knew whatever he said next would be sarcastic or in jest. She lived for these moments, when it was just the two of them, going jab for jab.

“A thank you would be nice.”

“It would, wouldn’t it?” she said then jumped back as he tried to grab her. It didn’t deter him. Their eyes met, each daring the other to make a move. A laugh slipped from Hadley’s lips as Sam narrowed his eyes like a dog stalking an unoccupied dinner plate. “Don’t you have a tire to fix?” she asked.

“Don’t you have some gratitude to show?”

“Do I?”

Before she could react, he reached out, hooking his hand around her waist and yanking her toward him. Lady let out a soft whimper as she rested her head in between her paws as though she knew they weren’t leaving anytime soon.

“Say thank you,” Sam said as Hadley struggled against him.

“Never!”

“You asked for it.” His fingers attacked her sides, causing a never-ending string of laughter to explode from her mouth. She twisted and turned, trying to break free of his grip, but his hold was hard, and—despite the pure torture—she loved the feel of his fingers skimming up and down her sides and the strength of his hard chest pressed against her body.

“Two little words,” he said as his fingers continued their relentless assault. “Say it.”

She twisted hard, managing to turn and come face to face with him. Words evaded her, and her breath rushed in and out in small gasps as she tried to recover from her struggle. His fingers stilled on her sides as his eyes bore into hers. She felt the world slip away, lost to the sea of beautiful blues and greens.

They were eyes she had seen a million times, but what made them special was the fact that each time she got swept up into his gaze she discovered something new about them, like how right now in his amusement they had an extra little sparkle that, despite his graying hair, gave him a boyish charm.

He reached up, brushing a stray blonde hair out of her eyes and back behind her ear. His soft and gentle touch was the opposite of his big, work hardened hands. His finger lingered by her lobe. She could feel the heat radiating off him and mixing with her own.

Desire coursed through her veins, but like so many times before, she managed to keep it from surfacing. She was about to step away from him before her restraint waned when the look in his eyes went from soft and caring to hot and hungry.

His head tilted and every nerve ending in her body sparked to life as the man of her dreams moved closer to her. Her lips parted in stunned shock, and just as she thought she was finally going to kiss Sam, he pulled away at the last second. He thrust a hand into his hair and turned away so quickly it caused a cool rush of air to brush against her body.

Disappointment welled inside her. It was an awful tease—being so close to the thing she desired most only for it to be ripped away.

Sam turned back to her, mouth splitting at the seam like he wanted to say something but the words wouldn’t cooperate. He looked how she felt; unsure and confused.

She had no idea what had just happened between them, but she wasn’t surprised. She might’ve been in love with him for a long time—too long—but somewhere in all those years, she could sense a spark between the two of them. It was a tiny flicker that came to life every now and again, always waiting, never igniting.

“Now that the lug nuts are loose, I can finish up here,” Hadley offered, breaking the awkward silence.

“Don’t be ridiculous. I got it.” Sam walked toward her, her heart thumping hard and heavy against her chest as she imagined him taking her into his arms and kissing her senseless, but then he stopped, like he needed to keep his distance. “It won’t be long.”

He spun back around to the tire and got to work while Hadley attempted to calm her racing heart.