Page 43 of Right Number, Wrong Man

COLT

A buzzing wakes me. Adrenaline shoots through my system and I’m instantly on my feet, phone in my hand before my eyes have properly opened.

At the foot end of the bed, Gracie lazily lifts her head into the early morning sun streaking through a gap in the curtains.

She yips softly and I scratch behind her ear.

“Messages or calls at the crack of dawn always mean bad things, girl,” I say, but she rolls over and closes her eyes again.

How I wish I was a tiny dog, too. No problems. No worries. Just walkies, playing, treats and snooze time.

Properly coming to, I realize I’m holding Jax’s phone and the text is from Hailey. My blood freezes as I swipe up to look at the message. It’s a goddamn wall of text.

Hailey

I’ve been lying awake alone in this hotel bed where you left me, thinking about what needs to be said… but I still feel awful for doing this.

Jax, you’ve given me a chance to explore myself and my fantasies without judgment. You’ve guided me with patience. You’ve made me feel safe. I’m so grateful and I have the utmost respect for you—even if I don’t know your face or your last name or really anything much about you.

My respect for you is precisely why I have to be honest. Our dates were casual fun, but keeping this a secret isn’t fair to you.

I can’t see you anymore. It’s not your fault, I promise. You’ve been perfect, but I think I’m falling in love with someone else and I want to explore those feelings. I’m sorry.

No, this can’t be. Fuck. This ain’t happening.

Dazed, I read the text twice over, but the words don’t change no matter how hard I squint. My breath hitches. It feels like my heart bursts through my ribs and out of my chest, shattering on the floor.

I’m losing her. Again.

She’s in love with another man. Again.

I pace the bedroom, gritting my teeth until my jaw aches. I’m stunned. Blindsided.

Everything was going alright, so where did this come from? Who’s the bastard stealing her from me?

I’ve been watching Hailey like I always do, and she didn’t go on a date with anybody except me—I mean Jax. I would’ve noticed that. She’s only ever at work or at home, occasionally going to the grocery store or meeting with Andrea.

Did she meet somebody online?

She wouldn’t have to go outside for that, and her laptop is never turned toward the windows for me to see. I should’ve asked Cody for some fancy CIA software to spy on her laptop and her phone, but I didn’t think she was the type for online dating.

I scoff. No matter who the motherfucker is, he ain’t a match for me. Nobody is. I killed my own brother for her and I killed Justin, too. If I have to, I’ll kill every man in this world and drench the soil in blood until there’s no one left but me to claim her.

Another message comes in and I stop mid-step.

Hailey

Shit. I can see that you read my texts. You’re awake, huh?

I should’ve called, but I don’t think I could get the words out. I’m really sorry.

My brow furrows as I hammer out a message.

This ain’t her fault. I have no right to be mad and I have no right to be possessive, but this once I can’t hold my tongue. This once, I can’t be the bigger man.

The agony of grief and anger, the weight of secrets and lies—it’s too much.

The pain of a lifetime without her bubbles over inside me, poisoning me, spilling into my words like venom.

Me

I’m not a toy you can throw away cause you’re done using me.

Hailey

Not fair. You’re lashing out and being mean.

I am being mean and unfair, but life has always been unfair to me, too. I hate myself like this. Too angry. Spinning out of control.

I gotta get a grip .

Why can’t I stop typing?

Me

Then tell me who the bastard is and I’ll prove that I’m better than him. I’ll prove that I’m everything you’ll ever need. Whatever you want, I can give it to you.

Hailey

I don’t think this is a good idea.

Me

Last chance, Sugar. Don’t do this.

Hailey

I need to figure out what I feel for him and if those feelings are real.

Me

You’ll regret this.

If you think I’m gonna let you go without a fight, you’re dead wrong. I know where to find you. You can’t run from me.

Nobody can protect you from me.

Not your new boyfriend. Not the cops. Not a whole damn army.

I stare at the phone. Minutes crawl by. The morning silence suffocates me and I take a stuttering breath.

Why did I come down on her so hard? What did I expect to achieve?

If I kept my emotions in check, Hailey might’ve told me more and then I would’ve had a starting point, could’ve done some research, and taken the asshole out. Calmly, like a professional. But nah, I went crazier than a soup sandwich and fucked it all up.

Fingers trembling, I type another message.

Me

I’m sorry I got a little heated. Can we talk about this, please?

I hit send and a red exclamation mark pops up next to the message.

She blocked me.

Tears sting at my eyes. I deserved it, but fuck. Is she really done with me?

I leave the phone on the bed and trudge downstairs to pour myself a drink in the kitchen. The bourbon burns my throat, but I immediately pour another.

How the hell can I fix this mess?

I ain’t her mysterious Dom no more. I’m just… Colt.

Sure, we’re friends now, but that’s all we’ll ever be. I can’t stand by and be happy for her when she’s in love with another guy. Again . That makes me a lousy friend and an awful man, but even I have my limits.

I walk to the living room window and sit with my back against the cold brick wall, next to my rifle. My fingers find the cat charm, twirling it.

The soft pitter patter of Gracie’s paws comes down the stairs and she wags her tail sleepily. She trudges over to shove her head into my free hand and I pet her favorite spot under her chin.

“At least you still love me, right?” I ask and she climbs on my lap, curling up with a big yawn. Guess that’s a yes. “I love you too, Princess,” I say and put a kiss between her ears.

I take another sip of bourbon. Inhaling a deep breath, I bump my head against the wall, trying to jumpstart my brain.

Calm down and think, Colt .

Hailey was never into Justin and he’s deader than dead now, so it couldn’t have been him. She was looking for a date for Andrea’s wedding party and?—

A grin splits my face.

That’s it! The party!

At the Retro Reel a few weeks back, I overheard her talking to Andrea on the phone about it, so I know where the venue is and what time to be there.

I’ll be her date this Saturday, but I won’t ask. She won’t have a chance to say no if I just show up.

I’ll go as her platonic friend… and friends tell each other everything, don’t they?

Since I saved her from Justin, Hailey trusts me. The real me. If I tease her about her dating life, she might spill the beans about her new love. I chuckle.

And then I’ll go and rip the fucker’s throat out.