Cold State Line

Things were finally back on track in my life. The boys and I were writing again, working on a new album that was going to be unlike anything we had ever produced before. Val had finally left me alone, finding a new man to dig her claws into. My love life was still healing from Haylee, but I was feeling better. I still liked her and wanted to get to know her, but I knew she needed time.

In fact, we had been rebuilding our relationship. Three weeks ago, she had reached out to me via text and said she just wanted to talk. We had texted all day, talking about everything we could think of. It was Haylee's suggestion that we try friendship first, and I agreed with her. I was happy with where we were, and I was excited to see if we could make this work.

Stretching, I kicked my sneakers off. Basketball was getting harder to play. I wasn't even that old, but my body just wasn't like a teenager's anymore. I was having difficulty moving, but at least, I was able to still get out and exercise.

Just as I sat down to enjoy a beer, my doorbell rang. Fighting back a groan, I approached the door and opened. Anna was standing there, tears rolling down her face. She looked like she hadn't slept in days and her hair was in total disarray.

"Anna, are you okay?" I guided her inside and to my kitchen. Placing a glass of water in front of her, I waited for her to find her voice.

"Do you... do you... you have time to come to Texas?" Her voice was quavering.

I raised an eyebrow, not sure where she was going. "Honey, what's going on?"

She snorted and gasped. "Haylee is hurt... badly. I... she needs someone to be there, and Tina and I can't be. We have to get to Vegas and her family is in the height of ranch season and can't spare a hand, and I don't want Clay to get to her. Please?"

"Anna, slow down," I said, moving the cup next to her hand. "What happened to Haylee?"

"Snap threw her. He got spooked by a rattlesnake and she broke a few bones. She can't compete because her concussion is so bad, and she has broken bones. They want her on bed rest for the next few weeks. Can you come be with her?"

"Why me?" That was the only thing I could think to say now. Didn't she have other friends that could help her? Why had Anna come all the way out to me to ask for help? Why didn't she call?

"You were the closest to Vegas. I was there when I heard the news, and I tried all our friends. No one can help, and I know you have time, sometimes. Matt, please."

"Okay, Anna. I can help until you guys are back from Vegas," I said.

Anna jumped up and hugged me, knocking over her water glass. "You promise me that you will keep Clay away from her. Snap doesn't spook easy, and I have this weird feeling that he is behind this somehow."

"I promise." I wasn't a fan of Clay. If I found out that he had hurt Haylee worse than I already suspected he had, I was going to kill him. It wasn't something I thought lightly. Clay was not a good man, and if he had done this, I really did want to hurt him.

"Okay, this is the hospital she's at. Tina isn't leaving her until someone else is there to take care of Haylee."

I nodded and took the piece of paper from Anna. "I'll pack and get a flight now."

"Thank you, Matt."

I just nodded again. It was still weird to me that Anna had come to me. Was she trying to get me and Haylee together? I could have sworn Anna didn't like me. And if she was trying to get us together, why would she pretend Haylee was hurt? Shaking my head, I did what I needed to do. I could dwell on these thoughts later; right now, Haylee needed me.

Notes

Small update, but an update! Are Haylee and Matt gonna get it on? And what about Clay?