Down the Rabbit Hole (Stuck On You)

Chapter 32: Tick of the Clock

November. It was officially November and I'd met Hayden five months ago. We'd both come a long way. I shed my 'goodie two-shoes' title and Hayden had shed his 'bad boy' exterior. He'd never really been a bad boy, now that I thought about it. He was just a player. Things had been going well for us. We'd been dating for three months on and off. Hayden spent Christmas with my dad, Cindy, and I. He was the only thing keeping me sane around her. New Year's we spent setting off fireworks on the beach with the rest of the crew. For Valentine's Day, Hayden took me out to dinner. For March and April, if I wasn't at work, or at rehearsals, we stayed inside because of all the rain. In June, Hayden took me out to dinner for my birthday. I dressed up in my favorite strapless high-low and matching wedges. Afterwards, Hayden took me to the warehouse. I jumped back into Hayden as people jumped out at us and yelled 'Surprise'. Hayden's arms went around me as he chuckled.

"Happy birthday, Jo," he said softly before he kissed the side of my head. I turned to him and smiled.

"Hayden, did you do all this?" I asked. He shook his head.

"We all wanted to do something special for you," he said. I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him gently.

smiled. He swiped his thumb under my eye and chuckled. I

hurt to hear it

love you, Hayden," I

you too," he said

from behind me. Hayden kissed me gently before I turned and hugged Quinn. I moved through the warehouse thanking everyone for coming. I didn't even know where

presents. I didn't think that it would ever end. Hayden and

muttered an acknowledgement as

set the tray down in front of me. It looked delicious;