Down the Rabbit Hole (Stuck On You)

Chapter 20: Just You

The next morning, I woke up to find Hayden's arms around me loosely. Our legs were tangles together and I could feel his warm, steady breath on my neck. I rolled over to lay on him and smiled. His eyes fluttered open sleepily. When he saw me, he closed his eyes and smiled.

"I love you," he said sleepily. I chuckled and kissed him gently. His hands went to hold my waist as he deepened the kiss. I felt him get excited as he pulled me closer to him. I chuckled and pulled away from him. He looked at me briefly before he flipped me over and kissed me again. My legs went around his waist automatically. "Hayden, no," I muttered. I might have been saying no, but both of our bodies were saying yes. Hayden hesitated before he stopped kissing me. His head lolled in the crook of my neck as he tried to catch his breath.

"I don't think I'll be able to hold out on this bet any longer," he muttered into my skin. I laughed and slipped from under him to stand. I stretched and smiled at him.

"You'll be fine," I said. He practically groaned before he sat up.

"I guess I'll go take another cold shower... again," he said grumpily. I belly laughed as he walked to his bathroom. After we showered, we drove to the warehouse for practice. We ran the routine in the costumes a few times before we changed and just relaxed. "Hey, we're still going to your dad's charity ball thing in three weeks, right?" Quinn asked. I nodded.

"Hayden is going with us too," I informed her.

"Charity ball? Is your dad rich or something?" Luca asked.

"He's rolling in it," Hayden answered for me. I rolled my eyes at him.

"Is not," I countered. Quinn laughed and rolled her eyes.

"Yes he is Jojo," she said, backing up Hayden. I looked at their faces. They seemed so smug about it. Luca's face was different. He looked like he just came up with the best plan in the world.

saw immediately what he was getting at and it worried me. I automatically started shaking my head. I wanted that week away to just be Hayden and

thought. "No way, it's in a few weeks. It's too short of a notice," I tried. The only one who didn't seem

just did. We already have the costumes and the dance ready," Luca tried explaining. I tried to picture us doing that dance at the ball. People would be mortified. My eyes widened and I shook my head. "There's not a chance in hell of us doing that one. Half of the people there would have a

and closed my eyes. There were really determined

said. I thanked him quietly

rolled my eyes as she smirked at me. She looked like she knew something that I didn't. It, surprising, didn't bother me that much. "Hey, Hayden!" Sophia called after him. Hayden turned and looked at her. "Call

back. He carried me all the way to the truck before he set me down. I pushed my hair back behind my ear and smiled at him. I interlaced my fingers with his and just smiled at him. He chuckled and kissed my head. "What?"

going to talk to my dad with me." I said. His eyes widened as I got in

should meet your dad," Hayden said nervously. I leaned over and kissed

be fine,"

call my dad. I set up my laptop and hit FaceTime. My dad's face appeared moments later. Hayden sat watching, but out of view of the camera. My dad smiled at me. "Hi, princess. How's it going?" he asked. My dad was a bit more on the accepting side than my mom was. It was part of the reason

you?" he asked. I glanced at

at the ball; just as a little

You're dance crew can perform. I'll pay them for their time and get them rooms in the same hotel as you. Maybe even rent out the hotel ballroom as a practice space for you guys beforehand. I'm just glad that you found something over here that you enjoy. I'll support

the last one. Hayden gave a tight smile before he

Hayden McCormick," he

me Peter," my dad said. "Jobear, I've got to run, but call me again tomorrow, okay pumpkin?" he said. I was a little disappointed that he had to go so soon but I was used to it by

before signing off. I closed my laptop and set it

Hayden said. I sighed and moved to lay down in

buy my love sometimes. I wasn't complaining about it, I'd just wished that he actually spent time with me. It only got worse after Thomas died. I wanted him