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knots, and I found myself struggling to give an answer. The idea of sitting down with Haden was simultaneously revolting and fascinating. My heart pounded furiously while he looked at me, while my head screamed to turn and run. In the end, only one of them could get their way.
    I nodded my head slowly.
    “Okay,” I said.
    The corner of his lips turned up into a dim smile, and the tightness in his face eased. “But I’m driving there separately,” I added.
    “Whatever you want,” he said.
    As we turned to leave the bar, I ventured one last look at Kyle. I caught him watching us with an expression I’d never seen on him before. It was surprising, though I didn’t pay it much thought.
    He looked sad.

Chapter 6

    Haden caught a few more green lights than I did, and arrived at Chili’s before me. I was thankful for it, because I needed the space. Everything seemed to be happening so fast again—still—and I needed to figure out some way to keep control of my life. I’d set out to talk to Scottie about Haden, and about the Battle of the Bands, and hadn’t really been able to do either. Now, I was doing the one thing I had promised myself I wouldn’t—actually give Haden the time of day.
    Even after everything he’d done to me, I still wasn’t able to refuse him. It was like my body acted on its own when it came to him, and my brain might as well be a passenger along for the right. Sooner or later, though, it was going to have to say its piece, if I would ever be able to live with everything that had happened.
    The parking lot was nearly empty at this hour. Soon, the sun would begin to set, and the parking lot would swell with diners. But, for now, we had our run of the place. I glanced at the Starbucks sitting next door, and cringed as I remembered walking past it with Haden, hand in hand. That moment had been one of the best and worst times since I’d arrived in Green Falls, and now that I was so close to it again, the memory was even more powerful.
    Guilt rolled through me when I entered the restaurant. Memories of my childhood summers surfaced - memories with my family in this very spot - memories with Mom. Would she ever set foot in there again? Would she ever leave the hospital?
    I pushed the feelings down as best I could. I didn’t want to think about that right now - I couldn’t think about that right now. I couldn’t let Haden see that weakness. I had to let him know just how strong I was—that I was capable of handling anything.
    I had to let myself know just how strong I was—that I was capable of handling anything.
    A young hostess greeted me and I told her I was there to meet someone. She pointed me around the corner. Haden was sitting in the far booth, and he saw me before I saw him. A huge smile spread across his face—it made me ache in ways that it shouldn’t have.
    “I’m glad you made it,” he said as I slid into the booth across from him. I gave him a puzzled look. “It took you a little while. I was beginning to think you’d changed your mind.”
    I gave him a tight-lipped smile, not trusting myself to be too genuine. I couldn’t afford to let down my guard, not when it was just the two of us in that secluded little corner. Haden wasn’t allowed inside. Not anymore.
    We sat for a long time, staring awkwardly at the menu without saying anything. I wasn’t about to be the first one to say anything. This was his show. I tried my best to focus on the food, but I didn’t even have a hint of an appetite. Breakfast had been big, and I just wasn’t in the mood to eat.
    “I haven’t been here in forever,” he said, finally. I nodded my head, slowly, trying my hardest not to look up from the menu. “It doesn’t look like it’s changed much,” he said with a tiny laugh.
    Another awkward silence passed over us until our waitress finally appeared. She asked what we’d like to drink.
    “Water, please,” I said.
    “Iced tea,” Haden said. “Hold the lemon.”
    She scooted off,