Stuck On You

Chapter 18: No Take Backs

After collecting myself, I walked back out to the main room. I could see the curiosity all over Hayden’s

face.

“Who was that?” he asked, trying to sound calm. He seemed nervous though. I chuckled and walked

over to him. Holding on to his hips, I pushed up on my tippy toes and kissed him gently as a smile

spread across my face.

“I’m so glad that I’m here,” I said instead. Hayden only frowned.

“You sounded upset… like you were arguing with someone,” he noted. My smile feel and my hands

slipped away from him. I walked to the kitchen and grabbed a glass of water.

“That was my dad,” I finally answered. “It was nothing, he wanted you to… it was nothing,” I stopped

myself. I felt his arms slip around my waist. He rocked my gently as his lips pressed against my temple.

“If you say so,” he muttered. I smiled lightly and stepped out of his embrace.

“I’m going to go get ready for bed,” I said. He pulled my waist closer to him as he gazed at me

intensely. My breath caught at his smoldering look. His other hand pulled my chin up to kiss him. My

eyes fluttered close. Both of his hands pulled on my waist. He laid my down on the couch and

practically ripped off my pants. I pushed on his shoulders gently. “Hayden,” I muttered. He pulled away

and searched my face for a moment. I tried to catch my breath as I sat up.

“Sorry, I just… I don’t know. I-I’m going to go take a cold shower,” he muttered, getting up. He went to

his room and locked the door behind him. I shook my head and pushed my hair back. What was that?

I went the whole week without bringing up the ball to Hayden, but the more I thought about it, the better

it sounded. Hayden dressed up in a tux, him meeting my father, the wine, the food, the entertainment. It

was appealing. I talked to my dad a few more times. He offered to let Hayden and I stay at a hotel if I

didn’t want to use the beach house or apartment he had down there. Practices were running smoothly.

At the end of the week, a box arrived at the warehouse. We’d just finished running through the

contemporary routine and were taking a break.

“Where did that come from?” I asked, grabbing my water bottle. I twisted off the cap and took a drink.

Luca picked off a note that was on top.

“I hope these will lift a little load off of you and your friends. I love you, Jobear. Call me if you need

anything. Also, I went ahead and sent your dress. Love, Dad,” Luca read off. My eyes widened and I

almost spit up my water. I saw Hayden looking at the box curiously. I tried to grab the box, but Luca

already had it open. Luca pulled out a costume. My dad sent us costumes, for the girls and guys. I

rolled my eyes. I was sick of him trying to buy me. Luca distributed them. Everyone looked happy. The

costumes were really impressive and they looked extremely expensive. I went around and snatched

them all up before I put them back in the box. I didn’t even look for my all dress.

“What’s the matter with you?” Lana asked. I turned on my heels to face them.

“He can’t just try to buy me when he feels like I’m mad at him!” I practically yelled, my voice going up a

few octaves. Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

“What’s the $15,000 dress for?” I heard Jason say from behind me. I turned to find him holding up a

lavender dress with off the shoulder straps and looking at the tag. It had tulle all over the skirt and silk

corset top. It was long and had silver beading on the high waist. It had a straight neckline. It was

elegant and beautiful. It was also very expensive. I just stared at it. This was ridiculous. I sighed and

closed my eyes.

“I’m going to kill him,” I breathed.

“$15,000? Are you serious?” Hayden asked.

“He’s… excessive,” I tried to explain. “I’m going to send all of this back and we’re going to pretend like

this never happened,” I explained.

“Are you rich or something?” Lana asked. I immediately started shaking my head.

“No!” I snapped. “I’m just… me,” I said. Luca chuckled.

“You can be you all you want, but we’re keeping these costumes. They’re too good to send them back.

Plus, I won’t have to take costume costs out of the budget now. Feel free to send the dress back

though, but I don’t know why you would want to,” Luca said. I sighed as Luca took the costumes out of

the box and laid them out on the couch. I picked up the dress in its clear cover and folded it over my

arm.

“That’s fine,” I sighed before I started walking out. Hayden jogged to catch up to me.

“What was that back there? You seem… mad that your dad got you a beautiful gift. What is it for

anyway?” he asked.

“Hayden, you ask too many questions,” I said, getting in the passenger seat. I laid the dress over my

lap and sighed. He got in the car but he didn’t start it. He leaned over and kissed my neck. I felt tingles

in my stomach ad my heart dropped. “Hayden, stop it,” I stuttered. He only kissed my neck harder. A

smile spread across my face and I pushed his shoulder back gently.

“There’s that smile,” he said. A soft smile spread across his face.

“Let’s just go home,” I smiled, rolling my eyes. He kissed my cheek before he started the car. Hayden

cheered me up for a moment, but I didn’t forget about my dad’s present. As soon as I got home, I went

to my room and called my dad.

“You sent it to the warehouse?” I yelled as soon as he answered.

“I was trying to do something for you,” he argued.

“If you wanted to do something, you would come spend time with your daughter; not try to buy her

forgiveness!” I snapped back. I knew that I was probably making him feel bad, but I couldn’t help it. I

was just so angry.

“Fine, Jordyn, I’ll take them back,” he said defeated. I sighed and calmed down.

“It’s too late now. They’ve seen the costumes and they’re keeping them, and you always pick out my

dress; I’m not going to stop that tradition now… Look, I’m grateful for the gifts, but you could have told

me first, or sent it to my apartment instead of the warehouse,” I said, calming down. I sighed and

looked at my bed. “I told you yesterday that I didn’t want them to know,” I said softly. I heard a light

knock on my door before it creaked open. I turned to see Hayden slipping into my room.

“I’m sorry, Jobear, but… are you bringing Hayden?” he asked.

“No, he’s not going,” I said, turning away from Hayden. Hayden squeezed my waist gently and kissed

my neck.

“Please, sweetie, really think about it. I would love to meet him. I’ll stay out of your hair, I promise,” my

father said.

“I’ll think about it,” I finally said to shut him up. Hayden’s lips were way too distracting right now.

“I love you, Jobear,” he said. Hayden started rocking me side to side.

“I love you too, daddy,” I said softly. I hung up my phone before I put my arms over his and closed my

eyes. “Mhm, I’m going to go take a shower,” I practically whispered. Hayden kissed my neck again

before he let me go.