Following Me by Linde, K.A. (best books to read in your 20s .txt) 📗

While it was a relief to haveHadley alive and back in the house again, it didn’t make the living situationany better.  When Devon and Garrett weren’t taking care of Hadley, they tiptoedaround each other.  Devon probably should have been gentler with him at thehospital.  They had both been grieving, and she had snapped, but her pride heldher tongue.  She couldn’t admit that to him, but either way, he never shouldhave touched her.

“Hey,” Devon said, walking intothe living room.

Hadley had taken up residence onthe couch ever since she had returned.  She was back to watching MillionaireMatchmaker and bad Lifetime movies.  At least, some things had remained constant.

“Hey,” Hadley said with a smilewhen Devon walked into the room.

In the few days that Hadley hadbeen home, color had come back to her cheeks.  The week off was already doingher some good, but Devon knew the battle was far from over.

“How are you feeling?”

“Not so bad today,” Hadley said,staring down at her nail beds.  “It’s getting easier at least.”

“That’s really good to hear.” Devon leaned against the wall.  She was so thankful that Hadley was alive.  Noteveryone was so fortunate.

“What about you?  How are youdoing?”

Devon shrugged.  “I’m alright. No work today.”

“Off on a Saturday?  That’s ashocker.  And here I was under the delusion that Jenn was a slave driver,”Hadley said with a laugh.

It was nice to hear her laughagain.  Hadley was turning back into her friend.

“Don’t let her think otherwise!”Devon said, cracking a smile.

“Hey, Dev.  Will you come herefor a minute?”  Hadley sat up in her seat.

“Sure,” Devon said, taking a seatat the end of the couch.

“I kind of wanted to…talk to you.”

“What about?” Devon asked, herheart rate picking up before she even knew what Hadley would ask.

“Well, first, I wanted to saythank you,” Hadley whispered, staring down at her hands.  “You’ve been reallyhelpful here, taking care of me.  Garrett told me that you came to see me inthe hospital.  I wish I had been awake to see you.  But also,” she said,looking up at Devon, “ thank you for trying to get through to me even when Iwasn’t listening.”

“Hadley,” Devon said, waving thethanks away, “you don’t have to thank me.  I’m your friend.”

“I know, I know, but I reallywanted to.  I want you to know…you’re my best friend, and I shouldn’t have donewhat I did,” Hadley said.

Devon nodded, reluctantlyaccepting the thanks.  She felt bad taking them, especially after she had takenadvantage of their friendship, after Garrett had kissed her, after she had heldback all her own secrets.  But what else could she do?  Hadley wantedher to accept the gratitude, and she couldn’t deny Hadley anything.

Hadley cleared her throat. “Well, I’m glad that’s out of the way.  Now, tell me how things are with you. I feel like I haven’t talked to you in forever.”

“Oh, things are fine, Hadley,”Devon said awkwardly.  She didn’t want Hadley to know about Garrett or Reid. She wanted anonymity.  Most of all, she wanted to move on, and right now,moving on looked like Brennan’s handsome face.

“Fine,” Hadley said, weighing theword.

“Yeah.  Really, I’m fine.”

“Look, I don’t want this to comeoff the wrong way because I know I just majorly fucked up.  But what’s wrongwith you?  Not knowing makes me feel even worse because you’re my friend, and Ican tell that you’re sad.  I just don’t know how to help because I don’t knowwhat’s wrong,” Hadley said, staring directly at Devon.

“I just, uh…” Devon began.  Shedidn’t know what to say, but she knew that she had to tell Hadley something. “Reid and I are kind of on rocky footing.”

“I knew it!” Hadley shot up,immediately regretted it, and slumped back into the couch.

“I think we broke up,” Devonsaid, finding the reality of that to be truer the more times she said it.

“Holy shit!” Hadley cried. Forgetting how hurt she was, she quickly moved to sit next to Devon.  “I can’tbelieve you guys broke up!”

“I know,” Devon said truthfully.

“I thought you guys were perfecttogether.  What the hell happened?” Hadley asked in shock.

“I don’t know.  I came here, Iguess.”

“Wow.  I never thought longdistance would be your undoing,” Hadley said, shaking her head.

“Well, I didn’t exactly tell himwhere I was going,” Devon finally admitted, feeling the weight lift.

“What?” Hadley asked, hereyebrows coming together.  “So, he never knew you were here?  Did you guysbreak up before you left?”

“Yeah.  Well, sort of.  I don’tknow.  Either way, it’s over now,” Devon said with a note of finality.

“Holy shit!  Seriously, holyshit, Dev!  You and Reid are no more.”  Hadley put her hands on her head andshook it back and forth.  “I’m totally shocked.  Sorry.  Give me a minute.”

Devon laughed.  “Take as long asyou like.”

“Well, no wonder you’ve beensad!  God, I should have just asked earlier,” Hadley said with a giggle.

“To be honest, Hadley, I’m notsure I would have told you.  I’ve been kind of moping around—”

“Ya think?” she asked, nudgingDevon’s shoulder.

Devon laughed and nudged herback.  “But I’m glad you know now.”

“Me, too,” Hadley said with asmile.

She looked healthier in thatmoment than Devon had seen since she had arrived.  She was happy to have Hadleyback to her old self again.  Devon just hoped it was sustainable.

“Well, I have to get out ofhere.  Sorry to leave you all alone,” Devon said, standing.

“Where are you going?  I thoughtwe could have some girl time,” Hadley said, sticking out her bottom lip.

“I’d love that, but I’m goingsomewhere with Brennan,” she said, not able to hold back her blush.

Hadley arched an eyebrow.  “WithBrennan, huh?”

“Yeah.”

“Where are you guys going?”

Devon shrugged.  “He won’t tellme.  He said he wanted it to be a surprise.”

“A surprise?”  Hadley didn’t evenbother to hold in her smile.  “Uh-huh.”

“Stop doing that!” Devon said,laughing.

“Doing what?” Hadley askedinnocently.

“Oh, you know what!”

“I mean, Brennan’s good-looking,Devon.  I don’t blame you.”

“Hadley!  Jeez, we’re justhanging out,” Devon said.

They had been hanging out allweek—with their lips locked, playful touches at work, eyes staring across theroom, and their hands exploring one another.  Devon’s cheeks heated as shethought about it.

“Hanging out,” Hadley said withair quotes.  “I sure hope that involves a bedroom.”

“Oh my god, seriously, you areridiculous,” Devon said, shaking her head.

“Just look at you!  You’reblushing from