Bye-Bye Jerk, Hello Mr. Right by Rosie Steppe

Chapter 140

I turned to look at Hayden, and he was staring right back at me. With just the two of us alone in that quiet room, the air felt thick.

It was crazy, though. We'd stayed in the same hotel room before without any issues.

But now, in this two-bedroom apartment, it was like the walls were closing in, and the space between us was shrinking, making it hard to even breathe.

After a few moments of this intense staring contest, Hayden finally broke the silence. "Maybe I should just crash on the couch."

I blinked, completely thrown.

"Only your real boyfriend should be sleeping in your room. I... the couch is fine," Hayden added, sounding like he was trying to convince himself as much as me. His words hit me, making me feel like I was somehow being unfair to him.

I knew what he was up to-he was laying on the pressure, subtly hinting that he wanted to be more than just a friend.

Guess it's true what they say: honest guys can be the most cunning.

But I wasn't going to fall for it. I just shrugged and said, "Suit yourself," before hurrying into my parents'

room.

sleep didn't come easy. The tension from earlier in the hallway still had me

I was ready to defend myself, who knows how things might've turned out. It

it was pure luck that Hayden came looking

help but glance at the door. But it was closed, so I couldn't see a thing. Was he really going to sleep on the couch instead

up or something-but I knew he wasn't asleep

of his footsteps took me back to when I was little, lying in bed and listening to my parents moving around outside. I'd always drift off to that sound, feeling safe

it before, but now I realized how comforting it was to hear someone else in

asleep before sneaking out to check on him. But as

night, needing to use the bathroom. As I opened the door, I remembered I'd

still in the apartment, so

he was, stretched out on the tiny

Chapter 140

+25 BONUS

though-he'd pulled up a chair to prop his feet on. But what really made me stop in my tracks

room because he was not my real boyfriend, yet there he was, all snug with my

this uncomfortable setup just to make sure I was safe,

that I'd been staying here, I'd wake up after using the bathroom and find it impossible to fall back asleep.

one cared, no one loved me. Even if I cried myself to sleep, there'd be no one to

me if anything happened, I slept better than I