Chapter 5

I wake up at one the next afternoon. I gasp as I jump out of bed realising that I only have two hours to prepare before the game. I check my phone and find two missed calls from Dean. He probably wanted to know if I was awake yet. I quickly take a shower and put my pyjamas back on before heading downstairs for ‘breakfast’. 

“Morning, Hailee.” Dad greets me with a warm smile. I envelop him with a hug from behind with a smile. “Morning, dad.”

“You look like you’re glowing.” My mom says, laughing. I roll my eyes, trying to shift everyone’s focus from the mere blush growing on my cheeks. I sit down next to my sister who then seems irritated by it. 

My mom hands me a plate with cheese and bacon sandwich. “Don’t get used to oversleeping.” I smile at her as a thank you. 

I turn to Halsey. “Hey.” She only gives me a short smile and continues to eat. “Okay.” I take a bite of my sandwich, refraining from taking my phone out because I’m afraid Dean might call or text me. 

After eating, I go back to my room and text Lisa to lend me a blue jean because I don’t own one and some makeup. 

Me: Hey. Can you lend me your blue jeans? And perhaps bring them over? Pretty please.

Lisa: For?

Me: I’ll explain it to you when you get here. Oh, please bring your makeup box too.

Lisa: Alright, I’ll be there soon.

About an hour later, Lisa arrives. It kind of had me on edge as I was constantly looking at the time but I didn’t want to rush her. I could’ve simply gone myself and fetched the stuff. Lisa greets my family before joining me upstairs. She closes the door. I dramatically turn in her direction. “Okay, I need shady blue eye shadow, mascara, blue eyeliner, perfectly outlined lips and blue nail polish.” 

Lisa looks at me as if she’s not taking a single word coming out of my mouth seriously. “We haven't even gotten to the part where you tell me what’s going on?”

I press my lips together before blurting it out. “I’m going to the Yankees game with Dean.” I quickly turn around and look for a jacket. She places her things down by my mirror. 

“Oh, so you do like him. Wow!” She mockingly says with a smile. 

“Shh, someone might hear you.” 

Lisa laughs. “Let’s get you ready for your date.” Lisa helps me get ready, and honestly, her help has saved me a lot more time considering that I was completely off schedule. I text Dean that I’m ready and he lets me know that he’ll be here in ten minutes.

Lisa and I head downstairs together, receiving stares and a smile from my mom. “You look amazing, honey.” 

“Thank you, mom. But this was all Lisa.” I say. Lisa smiles proudly. “Thanks for the credit, Hendricks.” 

“My ride is here.” I say to everyone. 

“Have fun!” They all wish, except for Halsey, who’s still giving me the cold shoulder and doesn’t know a thing. For now.

I get into Dean’s car, glad he didn’t park in the driveway. He hands me a cap and a shirt as promised. I take off my jacket and put the shirt on over the vest I’m wearing. I place the cap on my head and put my jacket back on. 

“Ready?” Dean asks. I nod as the car roars to life. I sigh at how awful I feel for actually agreeing to take part in this.

>>>

Dean and I get top seats at the game for a better view. Everyone is already yelling and singing, ready for the game. Dean stays on his feet while I take a seat, and sings along. Dean pulls me up and wraps an arm around my shoulders. I softly hum along to the tune, not wanting to give away that I don’t know any of these songs. 

I pull my phone out of my pocket and put it on silent. Dean looks at me and smiles, still singing along with the crowd. I lean closer to his ear. He bends slightly down to hear me. “You know, this feels like stabbing my sister in the back, and it sucks because she’s always looked up to me.” I shout into his ear. 

He moves his arm from around me. “I’m sorry. But, I’m just trying to get over her.” He says. 

I furrow my eyebrows. “So, you’re just using me?” I ask him. 

He shakes his head before smiling. “No. I genuinely like you, but this is also like getting over her. Just because we broke up and I wasn’t that into her, doesn’t mean that I still don’t care about her.” He answers. 

I choose to extract the best part of his answer and ignore the rest because I don’t think he was paying attention to what he was really saying. I nod and watch as the game starts.

The first half takes interesting turns and I can feel my throat start to hurt from all the cheering and shouting. Dean returns back to his seat after offering to buy us drinks. The crowd continues to sing, but this time, Dean stays seated and wraps his arm around me. I shrug it off and notice him smirking. I roll my eyes with a playful smile. Dean looks at me, placing his hand on my thigh before scooting closer to me. 

“You know, you don't have to keep thinking about your sister. Just be you for the rest of the game. I brought you here so we can have fun. Also, you can keep pushing me away, but I know you want me too.” He says as he points at a screen above the field. 

Everyone around us starts shouting “kiss!” Dean leans closer and I turn my head towards him, remembering my dad is watching the game along with everyone else at home. I try not to think about it, not wanting to disappoint Dean on live television and kiss him. The crowd claps and cheers. 

I pull away and adjust my cap. Dean turns my face with his index finger and kisses me again after realising that we’re still on screen. I hope Halsey chose not to watch the game just like any other. An unsettling feeling rests in my stomach. 

Dean pulls away with a smile. “Wasn’t so bad, was it?” He asks. 

I sigh loudly and reply. “Trust me, I don’t feel so good about it anymore. Why us though?” He shifts back into his seat and moves his hand from my thigh before standing up to leave. “Hey! Where are you going?” I ask. 

“Don’t worry. I’ll be back before the second half.” He answers. I nod and check my phone. I scroll through my messages and one comes in from Lisa. 

Lisa: I can’t believe you kissed him on LIVE television. I’m still at your place and Halsey is fuming over this.

I turn my phone upside down and close my eyes, suddenly feeling like crying. Dean comes back with a few snacks and looks at me with a worried face after sitting down. “What’s wrong?” He asks. 

I shove my phone into his chest and stand up. “Please take me home.” He looks at the text message, about to open his mouth to say something but I cut him off. “Now, Dean!” I shout, getting a few stares from the people behind us. 

“Okay.” He replies, giving my phone back to me. I grab it and walk ahead of him. I get to his car and slam the door twice. 

“Hey, watch it! I’m sorry your sister saw that, but if you didn't want to kiss me, you shouldn’t have. So, you can’t just blame any of it on me. Please, just relax, Hailee. You’re frustrating me.” Dean says, putting his head on his hands on the steering wheel.

I look at him and start to regret ruining our evening. I move closer to him and rub him on his back. “No, Dean. I’m sorry. I was wrong. I had a choice too, and I don’t regret it.” I admit. We look at each other. I lean in to kiss him and he meets me halfway. 

Dean gently pushes me back, to give him more access. I put my hand in his hair and smile against his lips. He smiles back. We both pull away. I sigh and remove the clothes that were given to me. 

“What’s wrong?”  He asks confusingly. 

“Nothing. I just, I’m still not sure if this is right. If it’s really what I want. I’m sorry I keep leading you on.” I look down at my Vans. 

Dean leans back into his seat and starts the car. “This sucks.” He whispers, upset.

>>>

When we get to my driveway, he parks next to my dad’s car. I reach to open the door but he stops me. “Wait, what you’re doing feels unfair. Do you ever care to think how I feel, Hailee?” He asks. 

I sigh and lean back into my chair. “Look, Dean. I like you and all, but don’t you think you should be asking yourself that question? I mean, I’m sorry if it feels like I’m holding you back, but I don’t want to do this like this. I want someone who will respect my decisions, and if you can do that, I’ll respect you too.”

He says nothing and looks outside his window. So I take it as my cue to leave. I walk into the house, only seeing Lisa in the living room. “Where’s everyone else?” I ask. 

She turns her head and frowns. “Why are you here? The game hasn’t even finished yet. And where’s Dean? What about your things?” She asks all at once. I look at my hands and realise I left my things in Dean’s car. 

“I’ll be back.” I say as I turn around.

“Yeah, me too.” She replies before running to the bathroom. When I get to the door, there’s a knock. It suddenly swings open. Dean comes inside. 

He sadly smiles and hands me my jacket, the shirt and the cap. “I’m sorry for being an ass, and I’m sorry if I’m hurting you.” He says. I take my things from him. “Hailee?” Dean calls. “...I want you, Hailee.” He says. I look at him quietly. “Please, say something.” He begs, placing his hands on my shoulders. 

“Dean, what are you doing?” Halsey asks from upstairs. “He just came to drop off my stuff and he was about to leave. I answer for him. Halsey rolls her eyes and disappears. 

Dean kisses me. I don’t do anything. He pulls away. “I don’t want to confuse you. Believe what you want, but just know that I’ll really be waiting for you to come back to me.” He whispers in my ear before leaving.