Chapter 24

Haley's eyes flashed with anger as she scrambled to her feet. "Who do you think you are? My dad can do whatever he wants to. He doesn't have to answer to you. He can like whoever he wants. And that's not you!"

"Haley," her dad spoke softly, his hands coming up to grip her shoulders firmly. "Haley, I think you should calm down."

"But Dad," Haley argued.

"Haley…"

Haley shut her mouth at his tone. That tone meant business. He was mad. Calm on the outside, but she knew that tone…question was, was he mad at her? Or her? "Dad," she hugged her dad's waist, glaring up at the woman who called herself her mother. The message was clear…get lost!

"Haley," her dad spoke without looking at her. "Stay here with Sheridan. Beth and I need to talk. Sheridan…do you mind?"

Sheridan finally raised her eyes to meet his, and her voice was a soft, sincere whisper, "I don't mind."

Haley forgot all about her for a moment as she watched her dad lean down and kiss Sheridan's cheek gently. Take that, she thought, sending a wicked grin her way.

"I won't be long," her dad smiled into Sheridan's shining blue eyes. "Take care of her," he nodded toward her…Haley.

"Don't worry, Dad," Haley assured him. "She always does."

She bristled at Haley's words.

Haley watched her dad lead her to one of the park benches a few feet away.

"Haley," Sheridan's voice was soft, gentle even as she tugged at her hand.

"Yeah," Haley said distractedly.

"I think maybe we should talk about something else, do something else instead of stare…"

"Okay," Haley turned confused brown eyes on Sheridan. "What was that all about?"

"What was what all about?" Sheridan dodged the question. She knew exactly what Haley was referring to.

Haley rolled her brown eyes at her. "Oh, come on, Sheridan. You know."

Sheridan's blue eyes shied away from Haley's intense scrutiny.

"We can't do this," Haley said mockingly. "What is that? Sheridan…I know you like my dad. He likes you back. What's so wrong about that? He was going to kiss you! He likes you, Sheridan," she whined as she dropped to her knees in front of Sheridan, forcing her to look at her. Haley groaned at the disbelief in Sheridan's blue eyes.

"Maybe, Haley. Maybe. But Sweetie…how much of that is because of me saving your life? He loves you more than anything in this world. I can see that. Anyone can see that. He's grateful to me for…"

"Sheridan," Haley scoffed. "You're being stubborn just like my dad. You guys are perfect for each other," she cried in exasperation. Sheridan's lips curved upward of their own accord, and Haley could tell the sentiment made her happy. Maybe so happy it scared her. That's what it was! Haley remembered everything Ivy had ever told her about Sheridan. How she was so unlucky in love and stuff. That was it!

"Haley," Sheridan laughed nervously. "I know that look. What bright idea have you come up with this time?" she teased.

Haley floored her with her ensuing admission. "You're scared, aren't you?"

Sheridan's jaw worked uselessly for several silent seconds, until she finally found her voice, and it came out in a surprised squeak, "Haley! What on earth are you talking about?"

"You're scared," Haley repeated matter-of-factly. "You're afraid of caring about my dad too much."

Sheridan's cheeks flushed, and she ducked her head to avoid Haley's questioning brown eyes.

"But you already care a little too much, don't you?" Haley said quietly. "Sheridan," she pleaded. "Don't try to stop it. Just let it happen. My dad won't hurt you," Haley said earnestly. "I promise."

"Haley," Sheridan sighed with sparkling, wet blue eyes. "I'm afraid that's not your promise to make."

"But Sheridan," Haley cried, her own throat tightening with tears as she rubbed her smooth cheek against Sheridan's palm.

"Shh," Sheridan hushed her. "I know it's not what you want to hear, but Haley…I want you to give your mother a chance…"

"She's not my mother!" Haley protested, trying to pull away, but Sheridan held on tightly.

"Sweetie," Sheridan sighed with a shaky smile on her lips. "She isyour mother. Not the mother you deserved. She's made mistakes. She never should have left you. Or your dad. But people aren't perfect. There's no such thing. Give her a second chance, Haley. Take your own advice. Be there for your dad if he chooses to work things out with her."

"How can you even say that?" Haley cried. "How can you? I told you," her voice rose in desperation. "He likes you. You, Sheridan. Not her…."

"Haley," Sheridan interrupted.

"No," Haley shook her dark head vigorously. The day had started off kind of shaky, sure. But just having Sheridan near made things better. So much better. And now…this was a nightmare.

"I won't put myself in the middle of this, Haley. I have no right to interfere with any chance you might have of becoming a family again," Sheridan's voice wobbled.

"Sheridan, no," Haley wouldn't let her go. Her heart was breaking. Why was Sheridan doing this when it was so obvious she was breaking her own heart, too? She didn't understand. "I don't want her to be my mom," she cried against Sheridan's shoulder. "I wish…"

Sheridan closed her blue eyes, tears clinging to her lashes at the ugly truth of her next words, "Wishing doesn't make it so. Don't cry, Haley. Please don't," she murmured as she brushed Haley's tears away with the pads of her thumbs. "Smile," she told her, smiling through her own tears. "This doesn't have to be the end of anything. I don't want that."

"I don't understand," Haley sniffled.

"You'll always be special to me, Haley. No matter what."

"What about Dad?" Haley asked, rubbing at her eyes with her fists.

"We'll be friends?" Sheridan smirked at the thought. "We'll be friendly," she said in a near-whisper. "Haley, this is something I have to do. I have to take myself out of this equation. If only for a little while. And let things run their course."

"Does that mean…?" Haley's brown eyes lit up hopefully.

"It means I want everyone to be sure of what they want. And when that happens…we'll see," she trailed off awkwardly as she saw Beth and Luis walking toward them. "Smile," she breathed a reminder as they walked closer. "This is between us, okay? Haley?"

"Between us," Haley squeezed her hand reluctantly.

"For me, Haley," Sheridan whispered softly as she advanced on them with a nervous smile on her lips.

"Haley?" she ventured awkwardly. "Haley, I was wondering if you and your dad would like to join me this evening for dinner. We could go to your favorite place. Your choice. Whatever you want to do."

Haley wanted to tell her dad everything. So he wouldn't ever let Sheridan go or fade to the background of their lives with her arrival. But, she thought with a quick glance at Sheridan out of the corner of her eyes, she wouldn't break her promise, no matter how much she wanted to. "Okay," Haley answered with a shrug of her shoulders, and she smiled in surprise.

Her dad smiled in relief.

Even Sheridan smiled, a smile of thanks for Haley keeping her end of the bargain.

And Haley herself smiled—just a tiny smile—though inside her heart was breaking.

What do you think of Sheridan's deal with Haley?