A Thousand Consequenses
1262 Words
HAILEY
The second my hand connected with Carlton Stone's face, I knew my life was over.
Not because I regretted it but because people like Carlton never lost. They didn't get humiliated in public. They didn't become the punchline of a story, they were the story. The heroes. The stars. The golden boys everyone rushed to defend. And I had just slapped one in front of an entire diner full of witnesses.
As the silence stretched around us, my anger slowly gave way to something far more dangerous. Fear.
Carter brushes a thumb across the side of his cheek, glacier eyes burning through me as a slow smirk curves his lips. "You shouldn't have done that, Hailey." I gasp, my pulse jumping at the fire flickering in his gaze. He leans close, and I can't help but suck in a breath. "You really shouldn't have."
Then he storms off without another word.
My chest tightens as I realize l've never seen that look in his eyes before-not even when news of his parents' divorce leaked. Now, a part of me wonders if I've hurt him.
A sigh of relief escapes my lungs as he leaves the diner with his teammates, but his last statement rings in my ears like a promise of impending doom. I place my palm on my chest, sucking in deep breaths in an attempt to relax.
It doesn't work. I'm taking larger breaths now, gripping the edge of the counter as I try to steady myself. I shouldn't have done that. I shouldn't have slapped him. I should have controlled myself instead of making this entire situation worse than it already is.
"Hailey."
What on earth am I going to do? What if he decides to take this up and my scholarship gets withdrawn? What if he tarnishes my reputation and gets me expelled? What if-
"Gosh, Hailey!"
Jade is suddenly in front of me, her fingers digging into my shoulders. She looks worried, but I know better than to trust the fake concern in her eyes.
"Are you okay?" Her voice is soft, almost soothing, but I don't fall for things like that.
"I'm fine," I say with a stiff smile, shrugging out of her grip. "You didn't tell me you knew Carter." Her eyes light up the way they always do when a hot guy is involved. She's so men-centered, it's infuriating. "How long have you known him?"
If I tell her I've known him all my life, will she even believe me? Even before he became a well-known NHL prospect, Carter has been my biggest bully.
Not interested in the conversation, I shrug. "We attend the same college." Then I quickly change the subject. "I've got to go, Jade. See you later."
"Well, wait! Link us u-"
I don't wait for her to finish.
The rest of the day blurs together with my usual routine. One moment I'm washing dirty dishes, the next I'm trying to serve dozens of customers at once. I groan when my feet keep throbbing inside my shoes. It's a constant reminder that l've been standing for hours, and I don't even realize how exhausted I am until I finally stop moving. It hits me all at once-the fatigue, the burn in my shoulder blades, the ache with every movement of my arms. I keep pushing because Dane, the manager and owner of the diner, is paying me today.
Giddy and a little excited, I change out of my work clothes and slip into my usual hoodie and baggy pants.
I find Dane near the counter, flirting with Jade like he always does. I've seen them around the city a couple of times, and that's one of the many things I dislike about her. She knows he's married with two beautiful kids and an amazing wife who works tirelessly to provide, yet she still wedges herself right between them for some sick validation.
I cringe at their laughter.
"Dane," I lower my head slightly, "about my pay .... "
"About that?" He turns to me, jaw so tight he's about to explode. "You have the guts to ask for your damn pay after the tantrum you caused today?" "That wasn't her fault," Jade says, running her fingers over his chest. "She just happens to be unlucky."
"But she slapped him! She slapped a damn NHL prospect," he growls in my face. "He has every right to press charges for harassment, but I'm sure you don't know about that because you're some dumb countryside bitch."
My fingers curl into fists at my sides.
"If he presses charges, I'm sure you know this diner goes down with you."
"He won't press charges," I say, a bit hopeful, but Carter's last words echo in my mind again.
You really shouldn't have.
What if he does? What if he actually presses charges? A small, insignificant person like me won't win. They won't care that he bullied me for years. "And how do you know that?" Dane hisses. "You know what? I'm not taking chances. You're fired. I don't ever want to see you here again."
I freeze. "What ?! "
"You heard me," he says calmly. "You're f*****g fired. And don't you dare ask about your pay. I'll keep it for the damage you caused."
Tears burn my eyes.
I can't lose this job. My entire life hangs on it. I pay my bills with it. I feed and clothe myself with it. I even manage to send some little money back home. My other job barely covers half.
I press my palms together, hot tears streaming down my cheeks. "Please, Dane. I really need this job. I'll talk to Carter, I'll beg him not to press charges."
"I don't care." He snarls, pointing at the door. "Show yourself out and don't make me drag you." I drop to my knees. "Dane ... "
"Get out!" His voice booms, making me flinch. Casting one last glance at Jade, I whisper, "Beg him for me. Please."
She shrugs. "I'll see what I can do."
Lowering my head, I walk out of the diner, tears still spilling down my cheeks. The night air hits my skin and I sob harder, completely overwhelmed by how twisted my life has become.
Coming from the countryside, I never imagined this for myself. I didn't ask for this miserable life.
And this is all Carter's fault.
He's the reason I'm drowning in misery.
The reason my world feels upside down. And, for some strange reason, I still can't stop thinking about the look in his eyes. I flag down a taxi and sink into the seat, resting my head against the window as I wipe my tears.
My phone vibrates with a new message, and my breath catches. Someone paid my wages? I stare at the screen, confusion replacing my tears. Did Jade really convince Dane? A laugh spills out of me as I quickly dial her number, but before it can get through, another text pops up.
I frown when I realize it's a message from Coach Mathews, Carter's team coach.
"Hailey, you've been assigned as the official photographer for the Timberwolves' trip to Pine Ridge. You'll cover the games, team shots, and scenery for the year's magazine. It's a two-week trip, so make sure you pack up."
The phone slips from my grasp, landing on my shoes with a dull thud.
Oh no.
Oh no, no, no. I shake my head, refusing to accept the nightmare forming in front of me.
Two weeks.
Two whole weeks stuck with Carter.
- Writer
