The Delivery Girl

27. Success

Julie

Hayley wrinkles her nose at my question. "I'd love to know who had the audacity to spread a story like that," she scoffs. "I was pregnant, but with an ex."

"But you were with Callen?"

"I didn't cheat, if that's what you're implying," she says, frowning at me. "Callen and I were already together by the time I found out. I reached out to the ex, but he ghosted me as soon as he found out."

"Jesus," I mumble.

"Men," she scoffs. "Even though it wasn't his, Callen told me he would support me and help raise the child if I wanted him to."

My eyes widen. I can't help but feel guilty as I realize I couldn't have been more wrong about this story. Why didn't I give him the benefit of the doubt?

"I chose to not go through with it, but it still meant a lot... the fact that he was so willing to help me." She sighs softly as she looks over at Callen. "He hides it, but he has a good heart."

"So then why are you so mean to him?" I accidentally blurt out. As if Hayley doesn't dislike me enough already.

A small grin tugs at her lips and she chuckles. "I'm honestly not really sure. I met him at summer camp when we were kids. He put a fake spider in my hair, and I shoved him into the lake. It's how our relationship has always been and probably always will be."

"Is that why you broke up?"

She shakes her head. "It's a long story. Our dads were both CEOs who had known each other for years. They wanted to start some sort of partnership between their companies, but they didn't fully trust each other for whatever reason."

I find myself unable to make the connection. "What did that have to do with you and Callen?"

"The plan was for us to take over our respective companies after our dads retired. They thought us being together would guarantee that the partnership would be safe and last long-term," she explains. Her brows are furrowed, clearly unhappy recalling the story. "We were basically their safety net. They set us up... we were even engaged for a couple months."

My eyes widen. Callen never mentioned he was engaged, let alone to Hayley. "But you didn't go through with it?"

"Yeah. I finally put my foot down and told them to stop treating us like pawns in their rivalry." She shakes her head and sighs. "Callen, on the other hand, was ready to suck it up and make the sacrifice. He would do anything he felt he had to for the sake of the company."

Somehow, I'm not surprised. That sounds exactly like something Callen would do. "That was brave of you."

She laughs dryly. "My dad didn't think so. He kicked me from the company," she says. "Callen heard and gave me a job at Sterling, and I've been here ever since."

I take a moment to let everything sink in. I'm relieved that the rumours were nothing more than that... just rumours. It's upsetting though, knowing what sort of person some of his staff think he is.

I feel my phone buzz in my pocket.

"Do you want to come to my place after this?"

I look up and see Callen glancing over his shoulder at me. Erica and Ivan don't seem to notice, busy chatting away. I quickly nod and smile shyly.

–

"See you Monday!" I call and wave to Erica and Ivan as they get into a taxi. They wave back before shutting the door and driving off.