You Saved Me Once Book 1

“Hayes!” Rochelle yells. She’s stomping on her front lawn, towards us.

Hayes is standing next to me, repeatedly asking.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine Hayes.”

I wasn’t fine. I’m not fine.

When I’m done, the air was unpleasant. Not just because of the barf, but the heavy secrets, lies, and silence drowning us.

Rochelle was now by my side, giving Hayes stink eyes. Hayes was staring at me, and I was on the verge of round 2.

When Rochelle doesn’t say anything, and we are both looking at Hayes, he gets up tight.

“Come on, what’s going on?” He sounds innocent.

I could tell you what’s going on. Hayes was with Rochelle, and someone else at the same time. I don’t know, which hurt more.

At least I wasn’t alone anymore in this. I could tell by Rochelle’s face, that she’s pissed. More hurt, then anything though.

“Hayes, this is Alex. Our childhood best friend. Alex, this is Hayes, the guy who bailed on me yesterday.” She laughs.

“Yeah, sorry about that. Family trouble.” He says.

Each time he spoke I felt warm, and safe. The tears are coming, and I feel even worse than before. Yet, just seeing Hayes, somehow makes me better.

“Just like old times.” Rochelle mocks.

“Is this a bad time?” Hayes asks.

“Of course not. Why would you think that?” She offensively asks.

“I just wanted Alex to know how all of “this” happened.” Ro-chelle tries to smile, but I could tell she was about to cry.

“I was at the cafe, on Coast Drive and you wouldn’t believe who was there talking to some girl?” She says.

“Rochelle.” I say.

I try to take

“Then it hits me, it’s Hayes, but this can’t be Hayes. The whole town thought the Bartley men

they’re never loyal.”

Every few seconds he turns to me. He’s

to talking. We reminisce, talk about you

to leave, get into my car, drive away and nev-er

in his car, then he gives me a

romantic, Hayes?” Rochelle

wrong?” Hayes

did you do?” He turns to

did I do?! Are you fucking kidding me?!” I

“What did you

his words hurt, they burn my throat and

has nothing to do

she here?! Why did you want her here?! Why are

I’m

someone

fall on Rochelle’s cheek. I grab my

one person who was there for you when you came back! We talked every day Hayes, and you

insane. What are you talking about

He won’t stop looking at me.

go of me and

“You’re such a millennial dick!”

you were never coming back to Versa. Maybe you should just leave again, and this time stay gone. Fuck you,

pushes him, before going inside, and

now just Hayes and

could you?!” I

follow behind him, he’s now at his car,

“Hayes!” I yell.

finally looks at

“Stay away from me

of

best

what.” He