Song:
"Last Christmas"

Shout out to Mrsdeemo for helping me find a song for this chapter! 🎄
Be sure to give her a follow and check out her books 🥰

Luke stepped aside, giving me a full view of Baker. The broad shoulders and tapered waist. The same well-fitted black shirt that accentuated every muscle. It's rolled sleeves collecting at the bend of his arm to reveal beautifully inked forearms.

I knew every inch of that body. Every line. Every mark and scar. And it wasn't solely because of nights spent worshiping one another—as fun as they were—it was because I volunteered to care for him after his accident.

My stomach twisted as the silence descended, and none of my family moved—all waiting in dreaded anticipation to see what either of us would do, including my mother.

She glided by, and I caught her toss her raven-coloured head in my direction—a firm order for Baker to get his ass over to the living room and greet me.

He looked like he'd rather go through ten more rounds of rehab, but he never argued with my mother. She'd been there for him more than his own and even attended parent-teacher interviews when his father couldn't be bothered.

My nerves tightened as he approached, but I wouldn't falter. The shit Nick Baker took me through was more than anyone else would have put up with. I didn't care that my heart still skipped a beat as he approached or the way it raced when his scent poured over me.

The smell of his seductive cologne brought me back to happier times. Of black spruce on cold nights spent racing through mountain passes, campfire smoke, and melted dark chocolate smeared across charred marshmallows and gram crackers. I remembered those days perfectly. When we'd escape and follow the boys to the cabin. And every heat inducing moment after that.

His laugh echoed through my mind like a ghost. Recalling all the times my fingers slipped into those dark strands. When his lips brushed against my own whenever it suited him.

He stopped before me, and I needed to lift my chin. Those earth brown eyes still ensnared even if the light had died. I searched every line of his face, hoping he'd give way to how he felt, but all he said was, "Your hair's different."

Wow. Eight months and that's all he could come up with. No apology. No argument. I think I would have preferred it if he called me selfish again. At least then, I'd have a reason to feel as angry as I was. "You're very perceptive, Baker. Does it help you on the track?"

"And here we go," Nate muttered to Johnny, who folded newly muscled arms across a broad chest.

My mother snapped her manicured nails at the boys in warning before saying in a language we knew all too well, "Enough—" then quickly went back to English, if only for my friend's sake. "I want you boys to show Janelle where she'll be staying."

And here we go, I thought, knowing a lecture was on its way.

Johnny pointed ridiculously between the three of them, his brows raised in question. "All of us?"

Nate cuffed him upside his blonde head as Luke hobbled towards the stairs, gesturing for Janelle to go first.

I caught my friend's curiosity as she followed the boys but revealed nothing. I hadn't mentioned Baker. Ever. So seeing him was likely a surprise for her.

My mother waited till they were upstairs before she looked between Baker and me. "I'm going to say this once. It's Christmas, and I don't need everyone in this house walking on eggshells because you two can't control your tempers. Do you understand?"

I rolled my eyes, and my mother snapped. "Lose the sass Hadley Bell. I mean it. You broke up, that's fine, but you need to figure out how to get along for all our sakes. It's been months since I've seen you—" Reverting to me. "—And I'd like your visit to be as pleasant as possible. And Baker—" turning to the God of snowcross. "You're not leaving, so give it up and leave that piece of shit car alone."

Baker didn't move, but I could tell he wasn't happy.

"Now... shake hands."

I lifted a brow.

She closed her eyes in frustration. "Just do it. Desperate times call for peaceful resolutions. You're lucky I don't make you hug like your grandfather made us."

I wouldn't exactly call this peaceful, but I'd take it if it meant I didn't have to hug Baker.

Baker begrudgingly lifted his hand, slipping the other in his jeans pocket, and I took it, noting the grease stains and calluses. So different from my clean ones. But it was his tattoo that drew my eye. The same symbols that matched my own.

They were the first of many tattoos riddled along his exposed forearm. Some I'd been there for, others I wasn't.

Upset struck, and I took my hand from his and hurried towards the stairs, grabbed my suitcase, and hauled ass toward my room, needing to be far away from the man who calloused my heart.

I watched her go just like I had when Hadley left for school—emotionless. Indifferent. In other words, like an asshole.

She lugged her suitcase upstairs with all the fury she could muster. Tight jeans moulded to that perfect ass, and the undone red peacoat coat hung across delicate shoulders, un-inhibiting her.

Part of me wanted to offer to help. An old part that would've chuckled at her frustration and cupped her jaw before planting a kiss on that petal soft pout midargument. And I might have—helped her that was, had she not glared through long curled lashes, tossed the newer version of her hair from her face and continued to her room.

I might have told her I liked her hair had she not been so quick with a comeback. Not that I blamed her. My comment wasn't as sweet as I had intended. It was laced with all the bitterness I'd held since she left.

Leave it to us to cause a fucking scene, I thought, knowing we weren't always that way. Now, we couldn't even be in the same room without drawing every eye.

My mind drifted to my hand and the matching tattoos there.

It was a childish decision and one we laughed about regularly. Some called it reckless. We called it pure stupidity, but they were so small that no one noticed. Especially with all the ink, I had surrounded mine with.

I felt the way her hand tightened when she caught a glimpse of it. Like she'd tripped and face planted deep into a memory she tried to avoid.

I wouldn't think about it or move, not till she disappeared up the stairs, but then Linda turned toward me, and I realized I had bigger problems. "Listen, Baker," she said softly, folding arms before her chest.

I braced myself—the guilt snubbing out any anger I felt for the one who left me to rot under the weight of my circumstances.

"I'm gonna need you to let it go. Paul and I haven't seen Hadley in months, and I'm not blaming you," she assured, lifting a hand between as if it would help convince him. "Hadley needed time. Your accident affected all of us, but her...." Linda cleared her throat, her eyes glistening in memory. "Well, I don't need to remind you."

No, she didn't. Hadley had been there for me throughout it all—when I woke, during my recovery.

I could still see the tear-filled smile she donned when I cracked my eyelids in that sterile hospital bed. Could still feel the hand she slipped into mine as she sobbed next to me–the river of tears a testament to the immense gratitude she felt. But I had been consumed by a rage so fierce I couldn't see anything past it. And I paid for it, tenfold.

I dared a glance through my brows toward the ceiling. To the spot, her room was located.

Linda looked me over as if she could see my internal turmoil. Caught between feelings I couldn't even begin to explain. I missed her, and I hadn't realized just how much until she stood before me with the same uncertainty she left with.

"The happiest day of my life is when my daughter chose to leave," Linda said, breaking into my thoughts. "I think the distance was good–for both of you. But if Hadley chooses to be with another, you need to accept that."

I ground my teeth but said nothing. I was still pissed.

I could look past her leaving. Forgive her for wanting space. Hell, I'd fucking pay for her rent every month if I had to. But to start a new life—

I wasn't an idiot. I knew Hadley had never mentioned me. I could see it in her friend's bright green eyes. The confused curiosity that lingered there as she examined me.

It felt like a knife to the spine. After everything, we'd been through. All the years we'd been together–

I flexed my fists to white knuckles. Hadley left and quickly replaced me with someone else. And she'd done it all in four months. Four months. After six years of being with me.

I desperately tried to reign in the anger, but all I could feel was the gut-twisting sense of betrayal as the woman I once called mine kissed another. In the same slow—thorough way, she once kissed me. And that mischievous, half-lidded grin she quirked when she pulled away—

I buried that hate, knowing it would end me. But it didn't stop all the pitying looks our friends flung my way.

Everyone saw it. Everyone who had a fucking Facebook account. It was like a big 'fuck you,' and I had to pretend like it didn't bother me. Even when I was constantly reminded.

I ignored it all—the messages, the pitying side smiles, but having her here—with someone from her new life—

"I need to feed, Wolf," I said, referring to the dog Luke brought home shortly after she left.

It was meant to be a joke, but I'd grown rather attached to the puppy and decided to keep her.

"Baker."

I stopped before the garage door, one hand on the knob.

"If it's any consolation, I don't like the boyfriend either. That damn coward doesn't even have the balls to show his face."

Despite the mention of the prick Hadley called a boyfriend, I chuckled, and it was genuine, but it quickly faded when Linda said, "But I don't want her to be afraid to come home. So if I have to pretend, I will."

Something inside me grayed. Like the long shadows of winter. "I know you've been through a lot this year. Between Hadley, the accident–your mom...."

The mention of my mother prodded old wounds like a red hot poker. And I'd be lying if I said it didn't hurt like a bitch.

Linda trailed off, waiting for a reaction to gauge my feelings. I remained unruffled and said nothing because there was nothing to say, but it didn't stop that gut-wrenching pain from surfacing.

The news of my mother hit me like a block of ice, and it had taken me down a long dark road I wasn't keen on returning to. I'd be the first to admit I fucked myself over, wallowing in a bottomless pit of despair I'd dug for myself. And in doing so, I lost the two things I cared for the most—racing and Hadley.

I glanced at Linda, knowing what she was asking. Linda didn't want me to leave, but she didn't want Hadley to stay away either, which meant I had to step up and move on. To pretend like it didn't bother me. Even though it did.

"We nearly lost you, Baker," Linda said softly in hopes I'd understand. "I can't risk losing Hadley too."

I lifted a gentle smile in answer but felt none of the warmth it held. I wouldn't pretend to know what that might feel like—to lose a child. I knew I wasn't theirs, but I may as well have been. Linda and Paul treated me no differently than their own.

I sighed, and rubbed the smooth skin on the back of my aching neck. "I'll do my best to get along with Hadley."

"That's all I ask," she smiled and watched me go.

A/N: Hadley's home! What do you guys think of her family? Her mother is my absolute favourite lol.

I couldn't think of a song to go with this chapter. My mind was drawing a blank, if you guys have any recommendations I would really appreciate it!

Thanks again for reading!