Jay sat in the front seat of his truck, keys in the ignition, seat belt buckled and hands on the wheel. He had every intention of pulling out of his driveway, but he was a bit distracted. Admitting his feelings for Hailey had shaken him, even if it wasn't out loud and it had been affecting him for days.

Speaking of Hailey it was Friday night and he was supposed to pick her up for the first football game of the season. They were all going to support Kevin, who had made starting lineup. Jay would admit that his outfit was a little ridiculous, all the games are themed and tonight's was hawian. He was sporting vans (because he refused to wear flip flops), khaki shorts and a very ugly hawian print shirt. Not to mention sunglasses and a lay that was making his neck itch.

The drive felt a little longer than normal, probably because his head was all over the place. He had stayed when the doctors explained Hailey's condition to her, and he hadn't stopped worrying since. She needed the pacemaker and it was going to stay until they had to remove it.

Hailey being in the hospital had really thrown him for a loop. It wasn't until then that it all clicked for him. Erin was really dead and whoever killed her tried to kill Hailey and Kim. There was no way around it anymore.

When he reached her house he jumped out of the truck, normally he would have just texted her, but a switch had flipped and now "i'm here" just didn't seem good enough. He rang the doorbell, taking a step back as the door swung open. He took in the girl standing in front of him. Her blonde hair was falling in waves over her shoulders, pulled back out of her face by the sunglasses resting on the top of her head. He couldn't control his wandering gaze, which reached the tiny, white crop top paired with high waisted (and very ripped) denim cut offs. He was so distracted that he almost didn't notice the obnoxious flamingo print that covered the massive, open button up she was wearing.

Hailey's voice snapped him out of his trance, "What? Do I look stupid?"

"What? No!" Jay choked out, raising his gaze to meet hers. "You look great." He sighed.

She smiled softly, pulling up her top that was barely covering the scar left behind from her surgery that plunged down her chest. Jay gave her a sympathetic grin, causing her to drop her hand from her chest. "Let me grab my ID." She said, disappearing behind the door and returning a few moments later. "Ready."

Jay smiled, nodding at the truck. Hailey followed him like she always did, struggling to keep up due to his much larger strides. She couldn't help but feel giddy, sure she was tired and a little sore, but she was ready for life to start again and she would be damned if she missed this game. It was so important to Kevin.

She hoisted herself up in the truck like he always did, slamming it shut as Jay turned the key. She watched him as he turned to look over his shoulder, his right hand resting on the back of her seat. His eyebrows were furrowed in concentration as he navigated his way out of the driveway, smoothly switching gears and pulling forward out into the road. He always drove with his left hand at the top of the wheel and his right elbow leaned against the center console. Unless he was in reverse, then it was stuck on the passenger seat, radiating heat to Hailey's shoulder just a few inches away. Jay's head turned to the right, watching for oncoming traffic and Hailey snapped hers down to hide her blush. She suddenly realized that she had spent the past several minutes watching him drive. And it was her only thought for that entire period of time.

Jay noticed her sudden movement and decided to break the comfortable silence. "How are you fee-"

Before her could even get the words out, Hailey cut him off. "Please don't ask me that." She said, sighing. "I just want to pretend for tonight that we are normal high schoolers going to a game, and that the only problem we are going to have tomorrow is hiding a hangover." She pleaded.

Jay nodded, knowing that they weren't normal high schoolers and they probably never would be again. He was determined to let her have one night of peace. "Yeah, me too."

"Thank you." Hailey said, moving her hand to rest over his on the center console.

It was gone as soon as it appeared, only giving him a small squeeze, but Jay still found himself fighting the urge to look down. To make sure that it had actually been there. He felt the heat rush to his cheeks and cursed himself for something as little as her touching him affecting him so much. He trained his eyes on the road as Hailey turned up the radio and the two of them spent the rest of the short drive in silence.

…

Not thirty minutes later, Hailey found herself squished between Sylvie and Kim in the middle of the student section. Jay had gone with Adam to get them snacks while the girls held down their seats. There were lots of familiar faces around them, many of tem stopping by to see how Hailey was doing. On the other side of Sylvie sat Joe and Brian, who Hailey had learned were her best friends.

Hailey became acquainted with Sylvie through Kim, along with Stella, who was currently standing with other members of the dance team along the side lines. It was strange to Hailey how much her circle had grown, especially after how crazy the past few weeks had been. Suddenly the crowd erupted and Hailey stood with everyone else as the players took the field. Hailey watched Sylvie grin, following her gaze to see the quarterback throwing her a quick wave.

Apparently Kim noticed too, because once the roaring died down she called it out. "So you and Matt? Are you guys together now?" She asked, wiggling her eyebrows.

Sylvie blushed, shrugging her shoulders. "I don't know, we went out last weekend and it was great. I really hope he asks me to homecoming."

Homecoming. Hailey had completely forgotten in the midst of all the craziness. As Kim and Sylvie continued to talk, Hailey's mind wandered. She couldn't help but hope that a certain green eyed wannabe detective would ask her.

As if on cue, a bag of skittles and a can of Dr. Pepper were dropped in her lap. She grinned, turning around to face the culprit. She smiled at Jay, "Thanks." It faded when she noticed the slice of pizza in his hand, he froze mid bite, immediately realizing his mistake. Hailey let a pout overtake her face and Jay sighed, leaning down and letting her take a bite out of the massive slice. "You're my favorite." Hailey said, grinning big.

Jay shook his head as he laughed, "I better be." She shot him a dirty look before turning back around to face the players.

Adam cocked an eyebrow at his friend, having witnessed the whole scene. He fake coughed, covering his mouth with his hand. "So." Cough. "Whipped." Cough, cough.

Jay punched his arm before turning his attention to the game as well, but he couldn't focus. Not with the blonde beauty sitting in front of him.

…

Lots of screaming and stupid cheers later, it was halftime and they were up by thirteen. Jay would admit that he hadn't seen much of the game, between answering Hailey's questions and getting distracted by her contagious laughter, he didn't have time to focus on much else.

He excused himself to go to the bathroom, fighting through the crowded student section. He barely made it out of the stands before his pocket buzzed. He froze, knowing exactly who it was.

Blocked ID: Did you miss me? I'm sure you did. It's time for the athlete to weaken his game. If the tigers win this game, Hailey won't be the only one to know how it feels to have their heart stop.

Jay fought the urge to throw the phone on the ground and stomp on it. Kevin didn't deserve this, and every second he played counted. He considered not telling him, but he would never forgive himself if something happened to Vinessa. Neither of them would.

He changed his course, heading to the locker room instead, he needed to talk to Kevin. Thankfully they had finished the halftime meeting by the time he got there, so getting his attention was easy. Kevin walked over to him with a huge smile on his face. Jay couldn't blame him, he was playing great.

"What's up man?" He asked and Jay frowned, holding up the phone for him to see. Kevin took a moment to read the text before slamming his hand against a locker. "Shit." He snapped and Jay was thankful that it was so loud that none of the other guys had any idea of what was going on.

"I'm sorry." Jay said genuinely.

Kevin nodded, "It's whatever, I'll figure something out." He said and Jay sighed. He clapped him on the back before making his way out of the locker room and back to the stands.

Adam was the first to see him when he returned, "Did you take a fat dump or something?"

Jay rolled his eyes, "Yeah, or something." He kept quiet about the text. He wasn't ready to ruin everyone's night yet.

…

Sixty depressing minutes later, Jay found himself in his truck with Hailey once again. They had lost, and they lost bad. Kevin did his job and he might lose his spot in the lineup for it. Hailey sighed in the passenger seat as they pulled away from the school. "He had to do it didn't he?" She asked and Jay nodded. Hailey hit the car door and Jay fought the urge to gasp. It was the most violence he had ever seen from her, understandably. "This is so freaking stupid." She yelled, throwing her head about the headrest. "How are we supposed to live like this Jay? When does it end?"

Jay's heart clenched in his chest, he hated seeing her so upset. "I really don't know Hailes."

Hailey's head snapped up at his words. Hailes. He had never called her that before. Suddenly all her anger fizzled away, her gaze trained on him. She felt like puddy in his hands. She tried to rationalize with herself, it was just a nickname, but there was something about the way he said it. It just sounded so...she didn't even know, but it was perfect.

"I really wish I did," He continued, and Hailey wondered if he had been talking the whole time.

Her gaze softened at the sight of his, he was visibly upset, looking much more vulnerable than he usually did. "Me too." She rubbed her hand on the dash, she wished she could say thank you to his truck. Almost every important moment in their friendship had happened inside it and she was beginning to feel guilty for hitting her earlier.

They made it home faster than she would have liked, she could have used a million more minutes of his time, but unfortunately nights have to end and tomorrows have to start. And it was starting to feel like the sun wasn't going to ever come out. He walked her to the door, something that he hadn't done since the first week they hung out. She hugged him tightly before pushing the door open, she knew she should walk in and close it behind her, but instead she decided that the night didn't have to be over yet. "You want to come in? It's been a rough night and I have hot chocolate."

Jay grinned, nodding. "I'd like that."

Hailey wasn't sure what had changed, but something felt different. Him coming inside felt like a step in the right direction, even though they had been moving backwards for weeks. And even though she understood all the reasons why they shouldn't be together, it was getting harder and harder to care. They were living in a world where everything they wanted was slipping away and she was holding onto him for dear life.