I've posted an alternate version of this chapter on my blog! If you guys want more SR today, go check it out!

Highest rank on the hot list over the last two weeks - #27 in Chick Lit and we hit 26k!

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© 2017 Shay Spencer. All rights reserved.

Something Real

[ Chapter 28 ] Bad Timing

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After the long day of traveling it had taken to get to my mother's chosen wedding venue, all I wanted to do was fall back onto the bed and sleep.

Hayden had other ideas.

"You want me to help you unpack?" He suggested with a smirk as he closed the door behind him.

He walked slowly across the room, setting my bag on the ground below the bed before he settled himself next to me.

"I think I've got it covered." I reassured before turning over to face him. "Besides, everyone's already got an eye on us. If you spend too much time in here-"

"Then they'll keep thinking whatever they want," Hayden shut me down. "They've made up their minds about us, Blaine. There's no point in trying to change their minds now by spending less time together."

Hayden wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me into him, my hands landing on his chest for support with his sudden movements.

"So I'll ask again: do you need help unpacking?" He whispered before gently pressing a kissing to my cheek.

I rolled my eyes at him, "no, Hayden. I think I've got it."

"Good," he breathed. "I didn't want to waste time unpacking."

Hayden flipped me over, managing to help me steady myself as I placed my knees on either side of him. He leaned up, pulling me down as he did before roughly pressing his lips against my own.

My hands bunched up his shirt while his fingers dug into the now exposed skin on my hips, my own shirt riding up with the unexpected kiss.

I threaded my fingers through his hair, pulling him closer before Hayden managed to push his body flush against my own. His lips tasted of the mint gum I'd given him earlier, and it made it all the more satisfying.

Hayden ripped himself away from me for only a second as he pulled my jacket off my shoulders and tossed it into the floor. His lips were back on my own before I could register where my jacket had landed.

He flipped us over a second time, Hayden now hovering over me as the kiss slowed in pace; each of us taking our time as we fell deeper and deeper into the kiss.

The only thing on my mind was Hayden Pennington, and I knew in this moment, I was the only thing on his.

I jumped away from him as the loud knocking at the door abruptly pulled me out of the kiss. Hayden quickly threw himself over me and off the bed, the man landing safely on his feet to the side of where I was sitting.

"I'll be in the closet," he mumbled before he dashed around the edge of the bed.

I bit my lip to keep from laughing, watching as he slid the door closed, closing himself inside.

The knocking sounded again as I hoped up off the bed, and once I finally had gotten to the door, the voices on the opposite side told me exactly who was here.

"What took you so long?" Wren whined before shoving me aside and inviting herself into my room.

Jay gave me an apologetic smile, the man trailing after Wren before I closed the door behind them.

"I was trying to take a nap."

"Oh please!" She scoffed. "Look at this view! There is wine all over this place, and they're a killer pool downstairs! Get your ass up and change into your bikini. We're going swimming."

"Why now?" I laughed, crossing my arms over my chest. "We just got here."

"And already Angel and Elias are taking a tour of the vineyard while we're stuck here in the middle of nowhere," Wren relayed. "Please? I'm bored and I need my best friend."

I sighed dramatically, looking over at my still unopened suitcase before turning my attention back to Wren.

"One hour," I agreed. "And then we get dinner."

"Yay!" She cheered as she threw her arms around me and pulled me into a tight hug. "Meet us downstairs in five!"

The two lovebirds quickly made their way out of the room, the loud crash of the door closing being my indication that they had made themselves scarce.

Hayden poked his head out of the closet, warily taking a step out of his hiding place.

"They want to go swimming?" Hayden mocked Wren's upbeat tone. "Count me the fuck in."

"Shut up," I slapped his upper arm. "Just go change and meet us downstairs. I'll tell them I texted you, or something."

"Yeah, it'd be best to leave out the make-out-sesh when telling them how you got me down there," Hayden teased. He kissed my cheek once more, leaving me alone in my room as he too left to change into his swimming attire.

I had a feeling this little adventure would be far more fun for Wren than it would be for us.

-

"Pass the sunblock," Wren smiled as she pushed her sunglasses back down.

I frowned, letting my eyes trail over the fading skyline.

"The sun's setting, Wren. I don't think you need sunblock."

She practically gaped back at me, "I do too!"

I shook my head and picked up the large bottle she had brought along, handing it to her there after.

"Speaking of sunsets," Wren started as she once more turned her attention to me. "What happened with you and Zane the other night?"

"What does that have to do with sunsets? It was pitch black outside when I ran into him."

"It was something to start with," Wren sighed. "You haven't exactly talked about what happened the last few days."

"Because there's nothing to talk about," I reiterated. "Zane and I broke up. End of story."

"What!" She sat up, turning her body so she could fully face me. "Why didn't you tell me? I thought he was coming to the wedding?"

"And maybe he still is. It just won't be with me."

"Scarlett," she groaned. "How could you do something like this? He really liked you, and I could have sworn you liked him too."

"I did," I paused to avert my eyes from her gaze. "But things change. Zane isn't the guy that I thought he was."

"What? Because of Hayden?" She hissed out his name like venom.

"Actually yes," I sat up, copying her actions as I turned to look at her. "Zane, Axel and Eddy got Hayden kicked out of U-Pen last year. Zane doesn't feel any but of remorse for what happened, and every one of those guys thinks that Hayden should just forgive him for what happened."

"You know that wasn't what I was referring to," Wren narrowed her eyes in on me. "You needed some excuse to break things off with Zane because you like Hayden. And as good as that excuse may be, it wasn't worth it, Scar. This little fantasy of how you think things are going to go between you and Hayden is a fantasy."

"Wren-"

"No, let me say this," she cut me off. "You need to stop messing around with him. You're only going to get hurt."

I shook my head at her as I picked up my bag, setting it in my lap in case I needed a quick escape.

"If it were you in my position, and Jay was in Hayden's, what would you do?"

"What?"

I rolled my eyes at her, "you know what. If you like or love Jay as much as you say you do, and you were stuck in my position; what would you do?"

Wren merely shrugged, "I don't know."

"Exactly," I hushed. "I'm so sick and tired of everyone judging me when I've found the first real thing that I've ever had in my life. I felt things for Hayden that can not be explained, and I hate myself for it every day. So I don't need anymore of it from you."

"Scarlett-"

"No," I cut her off just as she had me. "What Hayden and I have may not be right, or normal by any means. But it's something real, and I'm not giving that up just because people like you think it's wrong."

With that, I stood up and made my way towards the lobby, and sadly, I had to ignore Hayden's confusion in my leave. I needed time to myself right now.

I could feel myself getting lost in my thoughts before a hand landed on my shoulder, turning me around to face whoever thought it best to interrupt me at a time like this.

I frowned at the man standing before me, unable to come up with a cognitive thought or phrase to sputter out for him to hear.

"Scarlett," he breathed, awkwardly taking his hand off my shoulder. "It's so great to see you."

I stood there, unable to speak as it seemed my words were tied up in my own head. Far too many thoughts were fluttering around for me to grab onto one.

"Is your mother around?" He asked. "I'd really like to talk with her.

I shook my head, taking a step back from him. "You shouldn't be here."

He nodded, "I know. But-"

"No, dad," I took in a deep breath. "Now isn't the time."

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Another twist! I wonder what Scarlett's dad is doing here...

Did everyone enjoy the Hayden/Scarlett moment? I hope so 😜

ALSO! The first version of this chapter has been uploaded to my blog! If you guys want to see the feet draft, check out the link on my profile!

The next chapter will be up on August 9th!

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Thank you all!