Broken Bad Boy novel Chapter 14

PERCIE

The dinner with the Wards became regular every weekend—Saturdays with my grandparents and Sundays at Hailey’s. The only difference today was, I was going with her instead of driving there alone. 

“Dad wants us to stop at the grocery first before going home.” 

I faced Hailey. “And what he wants this time?” 

“He wants me to buy candles. They used the candles he bought yesterday when the electricity had a short circuit at home.” 

“What’s he going to do with the candles this time? Didn’t he call someone to fix it?” 

“It’s done, but we need candles for Mom’s cake.” 

I froze. “Hailey, wait. What’s with the candles and cake? Is your mom’s birthday today? And you didn’t mention it to me?” 

She shrugged and smiled sheepishly. “I thought it’s not a big deal, and it’s just us like every dinner over weekends.”

“Still, it’s your mom’s birthday. Remind me to buy a gift, even just flowers.” 

She nodded as she was done packing her bag. That was all I got.

“Are you ready to go? We still have to stop at the grocery.” I carried her bag since she had her books. 

She was staying with them tonight. So I’d be on my own after dinner. I felt sad a little bit. I was already getting used to her being around, but that was how she wanted to spend time every Sunday night. 

“I’m coming with you.” 

We always went to the grocery store together every week since we became roommates. I didn’t want to trigger her memory by allowing her to go alone. Since then, she was always coming with me after she did it without a panic attack. 

She refused to see a shrink, even though how much her parents forced her to. I had the same reaction when my grandparents suggested the same thing.

“I’ll just buy candles. Be right back.” 

I groaned. “Fine. I’ll wait right here.” 

She nodded and walked right to the sliding door.

Thankfully, I found a gift shop. I wondered what I could get for Lillian. I didn’t know what she liked aside from cooking. I should have asked Hailey. Cooking. The idea popped into my mind. I found a cookbook and let the sales lady wrap nicely.

“Where have you—?” Hailey stared at the paper bag in my hand. “What is that?” 

I rolled my eyes. “What does it look like?” 

She smiled. I had noticed everything about her in a short time. As annoying as it sounded, she was getting prettier every day. And my stupid heart thumped like a mad. 

I liked her when she was at our apartment. She didn’t care how she looked, even if she had a bad hair day, or just wearing her shirt and PJ bottom, or sometimes shorts, showing off her toned legs. I had to clench my jaw all the time and ignored that I enjoyed her presence.

“Did you just buy Mom a gift?” She looked even surprised. 

“No. I bought this to the homeless when I find one on the street.”

“You’re very sarcastic.” She got in the car without saying another word. 

Did I just hurt her feelings? Emma would laugh or hit my arm if I said something like that. Or she pouted because she knew I was messing with her. I guessed that was one of their differences. What the fuck am I doing, comparing them? 

“Sorry about what I said earlier. I was just joking with you.” 

She shrugged. 

“Are we back to the one-word game, Hailey?” 

“Gift.”

“Unfair.”

“You know that’s not how it works.” She glared at me, crossing her arms around her chest.

“Fine. Yeah, I bought this for your mom. I used to buy them gifts on special occasions. Since I have no one to buy gifts for, why not buy something for your mom since it’s her birthday.” 

“I’m sorry.” She looked even sadder.

“It’s alright.” I smiled at her. Deep inside, I was bleeding.