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.

for this event?" Luca asked. I 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 me, but I could see now how that wasn't going to happen anymore. "Maybe the crew could perform," Luca suggested. I wanted to slap Quinn for

way," I started. The others were starting to get excited about the idea now. Their eyes brightened at the 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 all that excited about it was Hayden. I looked

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

really determined to do this. I sighed.

he said. I thanked him quietly

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 me later," she said. She was starting to bother me with her persistence. I walked forward without him. He

set me down. I pushed my

smiled. "Come on, you're going to talk to my dad with me." I said. His

parents and all, but... I don't think I should meet your dad," Hayden

be fine," I

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

you?" he asked. I glanced at Hayden before I

crew was wondering if we could perform at the ball; just as a little entertainment in between the other songs or something. It's okay if you say no," I

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 whatever it is 100%. You know that," he agreed. I groaned inwardly before

on the last one. Hayden gave a tight smile before he

Hayden McCormick," he introduced himself. My dad waved

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

bye," I said, before signing off. I

pretty cool," Hayden said. I sighed and moved to lay

he's the best," I said dryly. I loved my dad but it seemed like he was trying to 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 to care that I was rooming with a guy. He wasn't the protective type, but I wished that he was. Hayden