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

Chapter 172

"It's me!"

A familiar voice echoed down the hallway.

I grabbed the railing, coming to a sudden stop. All the tension drained out of me in an instant.

A second later, I turned around and saw Hayden standing there, half-hidden in the shadows.

The awkwardness from earlier still hung in the air, thick and uncomfortable. I didn't know what to say, so I went with annoyed-always a safe move. "Do you even realize how creepy you look just standing there like that?" He just grunted. That one sound.

God, it was frustrating. He had no idea how cold and dismissive that little "mm" came off, and it drove me insane.

I was ready to snap at him again, but then he spoke, his voice low and soft. "It won't happen again."

That shut me up.

I pulled out my keys, turning to unlock my door. Just as the key slid into the lock, his voice came again, low and quiet. "I had the wrong idea tonight. It won't happen again." Wait, what?

I froze, glancing back, but he was already slipping into his half-open door.

second before he shut it. "Goodnight," he

of something to

agreeing to

I couldn't keep doing

Why had I ever asked

attached. No, the problem was me. I didn't want to

a girlfriend before, and I'd used him like a freaking prop. His first hug, first

like the worst

guilt gnawing at me like a bad case of heartburn.

my dreams were filled with Hayden. Every time I turned around, there he was, looking

guilt, even though it was

grabbed my phone.

+25 BONUS

Chapter 172

If I had my timing right, he'd be on

chance

on

I couldn't help but feel like a total loser. Here I was, grown, living in my own place, and yet I was sneaking around like some kind of fugitive. I started leaving earlier and coming home later, managing

was always a cold breakfast sitting by my door. And with every passing day,

about texting Hayden a bunch of times, telling