Chapter 9

“I don’t know who is worse, you or the press?”

“Shhh! You’ll wake my godbabies up!” Debbie cautioned Hailey, playfully glaring at her. They both exited the boys’ room, Debbie gently shutting the door behind them.

“Of course, I have to be here. I needed to make sure you and my babies are okay, especially after what happened today. And don’t tell me the press is bugging you?” Debbie asked as they walked side by side down the hallway.

Hailey took a deep breath, folding her arms. “I don’t know if this is a good thing or not. I mean, when I started ENROL, the goal was just to have something to do, to keep busy, and to be some sort of investment for my boys so they would have something to rely on.”

“I didn’t know it was going to be this big. Maybe I put too much effort into the company. You of all people know how much I detest attention.”

Debbie stopped, making Hailey stop too. “There’s no such thing as too much effort, babe! This is just the reward of your hard work.”

“It’s insane. I tried my best to keep a low profile, and then suddenly, everyone wants to know about me. You’re right! Maybe I shouldn’t have accepted the position at my father’s company. I have to control that, then there’s Cole, Vanessa, Tyler, and my feelings. I feel like my head is going to explode.”

“You want something to drink?”

“Yes, please!” Hailey nodded.

The two friends went to the bar in the living room. They sat, and Debbie poured them drinks. She watched Hailey gulp the alcohol as if it were the sweetest thing on earth.

“What happened between you and Cole?”

She stared at Debbie. “What do you mean?”

“Just spill. I’m not going to judge you.”

“Nothing happened; he was being an asshole as usual.”

“Yeah, and I hit him in the face. Vanessa, too!” she added, bringing the glass to her lips.

“Okay,” a small smile crept onto Debbie’s lips. “I think I’m proud of you, but you might want to go into more detail.”

“Cole cornered me in the restroom. To sum it up, he was jealous I was with Tyler. He asked where I’d been and apologized for how he treated me.”

“Asshole!”

“Yeah! He is. He wants me back. I could see the pain and regret in his eyes.”

“Oh, and did I tell you how terrible he looks?”

“What do you mean?” Debbie asked. “He’s still one of the top three bachelors in the country.”

“I’m not disputing that. He just seemed so…off. Really off! He looked exhausted and unkempt. Obviously, he’d been going through a lot.”

“I still can’t believe he looked vulnerable and wants me back in his life. What the hell? Cole wouldn’t even look at me twice. Every time I tried to make peace, he tossed me aside like I was some piece of shit.”

“You never truly know what you have until you lose it,” Debbie mumbled, bringing her cup to her lips.

“He said that too, hoping I’d have pity on him.”

“Be sincere. Do you still feel anything for him?” Debbie stared intently at her best friend.

Hailey remained silent, staring at her almost empty cup.

“Hate! That’s what I feel for him.”

“And I don’t think I can see him any other way. He always saw me as someone who took advantage of him and never failed to point out how much better off my sister was. I don’t think I can trust a word he says.”

“I understand. And I’m sorry you had to see him. Today must have been a rollercoaster of emotions.”

“And I’m not going to ask what that bitch Vanessa did to warrant you hitting her. You’re the calmest person I know. Even if people treat you badly, you let it go. She definitely crossed a line.”

“You know, I’ve always wondered why she picked on me and hated me. I mean, Dad married Mom first, so if anyone should be mad, it’s me. I never considered her a stepsister, but she never fails to remind me how much of a bastard child I am.”

“She always got more attention, more love. Most people even think Eric Summers has only one child—Vanessa.”

“She’s always been envious of you, for as long as I can remember. She has insecurity issues. I wish I’d been there to see her reaction when she saw you.”

“I know I’ve said it before, but I’m going to say it again: I’m super proud of you, my friend. I’m sorry you’re going through this overwhelming phase, but I’m sure it will be over soon.”

“I’m honestly not bothered about the people involved. I just want the twins safe.”

“I got back to my company, and already there are reporters outside my building. I really don’t want a celebrity life. I don’t want people in my business.”

“I understand, babe. You’re obviously a very genuine person. I’m sure the media won’t mess with you. And as for my godchildren, you don’t have to worry about them. They’ll have a normal life, just like every other kid.”

“Definitely! I don’t want Cole to know about them. I’ll do everything I can to make sure he doesn’t.”

“But what do you think his reaction will be if he ever learns about the twins?”

Debbie watched as Hailey thought for a moment.

“I don’t know. I wanted to tell him about the pregnancy, but he wasn’t receptive that day. And even if he’d listened, I don’t think he would have responded positively. He probably would have thought I was lying or that the baby belonged to another man.”

“I don’t know if kids were ever in his plans. We never discussed it.”

“You were framed the first time, but the second time was willingly, right?”

“I don’t want to talk about it,” Hailey said absentmindedly, refilling her cup, trying to block the memory of the night she and Cole made love and conceived the twins.