by Jaime Lewis
“I don’t know. We’ll see.”
Before she made any plans, she first needed to figure out how she would make it through tonight without running into Irish or any of the others. She looked down at the bouquet of pink roses lying on her desk. Pink was Sienna’s favorite color, and ever since she was given the lead role in the play, she’d been talking about how it would be cool to have someone give her flowers after the show like they do on Broadway.
◆◆◆
Alex entered the multi-purpose room of the elementary school. She and the rest of the gang were excited to watch Sienna perform in her first school play.
Her and Ace had arrived a little early, hoping to get a chance to see and talk to Bailey. When Potter called Ace earlier and told him that Bailey was back, it made everyone relax some. Everyone, including Irish, had been worried. After he finally got his head out of his ass, thanks to a talk with Derek, he tried going to her condo. After letting himself in, he realized she hadn’t been home in a couple of days. Alex took a deep breath and looked around the room.
“Are you sure she’s even here?” Ace asked her.
“Potter said she told him she’d be here. Plus, I know how much she cares for Sienna. She wouldn’t miss her performance.” Alex walked out into the hallway with Ace right on her heels. “Let’s check her classroom. Maybe she’s there.”
As they made their way down the hall, they saw the light coming from Bailey’s classroom. As they walked closer, they heard voices. One was Bailey’s, and the other was a man. Ace put his finger to his lips, signaling for Alex to be quiet. As much as Alex hated eavesdropping, she was curious as to who the male voice was.
“What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know. The reality of it hasn’t even sunk in yet. Maybe I’ll do some charity work or something.”
“Shit, Bailey. You don’t even have to work.”
“I know that, Jonathan. But I need to do something. There is no way I’m just going to sit around and be a trust fund baby. Then I’d just be acting like my parents.”
“Don’t even compare yourself with those pieces of shit. Why not take a little bit of time for yourself and go on a long trip? Go explore the world.”
“I don’t know. We’ll see.”
Alex didn’t like what she was hearing, and apparently, Ace didn’t either by the frown on his face. It appeared that Bailey might be leaving. He motioned for Alex to go into the room.
She knocked and popped her head around. “Hey, stranger!”
◆◆◆
Bailey turned around and gasped. “Alex!” Then saw Ace walk in behind her. She prayed that rest of the gang wouldn’t follow. She wasn’t ready for that.
She met Alex halfway and hugged her. “Oh girl…do you know how worried we’ve been about you?” Alex said to her.
Bailey pulled back, and Alex noticed she wiped her eyes. “So, I’ve heard, but why?”
“What do you mean, why? You’re our friend, and we couldn’t get a hold of you. When Sienna told us you hadn’t been at school, we all became concerned.”
“Yeah, sorry about that. I had some things I had to take care of.”
“So, we heard. But too important to even return a call or text and let your friends know you were at least okay and not lying in a ditch somewhere?”
Bailey heard the sadness and hurt in Alex’s voice, and she felt bad. It wasn’t her intention to hurt anyone.
“I’m sorry, Alex. I had a lot on my mind this past week and was up to my neck dealing with some personal stuff. I never meant to hurt or insult anyone. I just needed some time.”
“What’s with the boxes?” Alex asked, moving the conversation along and looking around the room. The only items she had packed up were the ones that were hers that she’d personally bought. Though some of the items she was going to let the school keep just because she knew the students would be disappointed if she took those with her. That included the library corner she created with the bean bags and a ton of books that she had bought with her own money.
Not wanting to hash out all over again about losing her job over some fake internet pictures, Bailey just shrugged her shoulders. “Just making some changes.” As the words left her mouth, she happened to glance over at Ace, and when she saw him squinting his eyes at her, she knew right away she wasn’t pulling the wool over that man’s eyes. But thankfully, she was saved any further interrogation when Jonathan cleared his throat.
“Oh, I’m sorry…Ace, Alex, I’d like you to meet my cousin, Jonathan Perner. He’s from Alabama and staying a few days with me.”
Jonathan smiled and shook Ace and Alex’s hands. “It’s nice to finally meet some of the folks Bailey’s been gushing about for the last few weeks. She talks very highly of all of you. You and your friends are in the Navy, right?” Jonathan asked, and Ace raised an eyebrow at that comment, and Bailey had to hide her smile. Ace was so protective of his team. Jonathan only knew Irish was in the Navy. He didn’t know he was a SEAL.
Ace looked at Bailey with that intense stare down thing the guys sometimes do. “What? Why are you looking at me like I committed a crime? You are in the Navy, right? Or have you all been lying to me? Because if so, that means I lied to my cousin.” She gave him a wink and raised one of her eyebrows back at him. She heard Alex mumbled the word “smooth” under her breath.
She relaxed a little when Ace’s face finally showed that he got what she was saying. Yes, she told her cousin that they worked for the Navy, but she never actually told him what they did. She’d never betray them like that.
“And that is why we all have great respect for her. She has a trait that we all respect. Loyalty,” Ace replied to Jonathan as he gave Bailey a nod with his head.
“Well, I’m just glad she was able to meet great people like yourselves and that she has friends watching her back.”
Ace chuckled. “You don’t have to worry about that. She’s got more eyes on her than she probably realizes. Though it would help if she’d let people know if she decides to pick up and leave town in the middle of the night.”
Bailey felt a little embarrassed as Ace and Jonathan spoke about her like she wasn’t even in the room. She cleared her throat and gave her dear cousin a look that said, knock it off. He chuckled then pulled her into his side. “Sorry, cuz. I just like knowing that you’re safe.” She rolled her eyes, and Alex laughed.
“Get used to Bailey. You’re stuck with us.” Alex said, and Bailey smiled. But she wasn’t so sure she agreed with Alex’s comment. She glanced at her empty desk and started wondering what her future in Virginia Beach really held for her now that she was unemployed and boyfriend-less.
Alex looked at Ace. “Hey, honey, why don’t you and Jonathan go save us some seats. There is something I want to talk to Bailey about, and I’m sure you guys don’t want to sit here and listen to girl talk. Plus, maybe you can give Jonathan some insights on what you really do for the Navy.” Bailey had to hide her smile when Ace just quirked his eyebrow up at his fiancé.
Ace nodded his head and gave Alex a quick kiss on the lips. Bailey loved watching the two of them interact. They were so in-tune with one another and obviously so madly in love with each other. That was what was hurting her so much because she was in love with Irish.
The two guys left the room, and Bailey was left standing there with Alex. And from her posture and the blank expression on her face, Bailey knew she had some explaining to do. And she would explain everything to Alex; after all, Alex, along with Tenley and Autumn, had been good to her.
“So, we only have a few minutes before that caveman of mine will come back looking for us. So, what’s the deal, chica. Where the hell were you for a week that you couldn’t have even sent a text to let us know you were okay, and why in the hell is your desk empty? Are you leaving?”
Well, so much for keeping things under wraps for a little while longer. Leave it to Alex to notice every detail. She thought about asking her what she was talking about, but that woul
d just be insulting the woman’s intelligence, and Alex was too good of a friend for her to treat her in that way. Nope, the best scenario was to come right out and be honest with her.
Bailey cleared her throat and leaned against her desk, half standing, half sitting on it. “I was in Alabama.” Alex went to say something, but Bailey held her hand up. “Let me finish because I know what you’re going to ask, and that answer is no. I was not at my parent’s. I stayed with Jonathan. He and his parents live about an hour from Birmingham. He’s been helping me with some personal things relating to my parents and Randy. With Jonathan’s recommendation, I hired a private investigator to look into my parents. It seems my parents have known about my trust fund for a while. They paid off the attorney to give them information.”
Alex shook her head and stepped closer. “Bailey, I’m so sorry.”
“It’s nothing for you to be sorry about, Alex.”
Alex glanced at the boxes stacked on the desk again. “So, what’s the real deal with the boxes?”
“I got fired today,” Bailey said on a sigh. Damn it to donuts. She really didn’t want to hash all this out tonight.
“What? Why?” Alex exclaimed.
Again, it only took one word to answer. “Randy.”
“What did that fucker do now?” Leave it to Alex to not hold back.
“He had someone photoshop some risqué pictures of me and sent them to every member of the school board.”
“Oh, shit!”
“Yeah. So, needless to say, I’m out of a job as of about four hours ago. Since I was coming up for the play, Mr. Pega, the principal, let me clear out my stuff tonight.”
“God, Bailey. I’m so sorry. I don’t even know what to say right now.”
Bailey waved off Alex. “Nothing to say. I explained those were not real pictures, but without any proof, I can’t really argue my case.”
“Well, hopefully, Sienna’s birthday trip to Orlando next week will cheer you up some. She’s so excited.”
Bailey nibbled on her bottom lip. “I don’t know, Alex. That will be a little awkward, don’t you think?”
“Bailey, I’m not going to lie. Irish fucked up, big time. The man has been miserable, believe me. He misses you and wants to talk to you. Don’t get upset, but he even went to your condo a few nights ago and let himself in so he could make sure you weren’t hurt or something.”
Bailey's eyes widened. “He broke into my condo?”
Alex smiled. “Well, technically he didn’t break in, considering he had a key. And well, we were all worried about you, and when you wouldn’t respond to our calls or texts, we thought something might have happened to you.”
Bailey was shocked, but at the same time, her heart grew a little, knowing they had truly missed her.
She looked at Alex. “Fine, but don’t expect me to stay in the same room as him.”
“Good luck with that,” Alex chuckled.
“Oh, here, before I forget. These are for Sienna for after the performance.” Bailey handed Alex the bouquet of pink roses. “Give them to Irish. I’m sure he forgot about them.”
“Wow, Bailey. That is really sweet. Sienna is going to love them, but why don’t you give them to Irish?”
Bailey shook her head. “Nice try. I’m not ready to talk to him yet. Please, Alex. With everything that’s happened in the last week and now with me losing my job, I’m hanging on by a thread right now.”
“Deal.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Irish looked around the auditorium in search of Bailey. After groveling for what had to be close to ten minutes, Potter finally broke down and told him that she would be here tonight. He was just about to take his seat when he caught sight of the blonde-haired goddess. She was walking into the room with Alex, but what stopped him in his tracks was the tall, dark-haired man Bailey had her arm around. He watched her closely as she introduced the guy to who he assumed were some of the other teachers she worked with. He saw her smile at something the guy said, but he knew that wasn’t her “real” smile. No, her real smile would light up the room.
“Here, asshole!” Alex said, shoving a bouquet of pink roses in his face. Asshole had become his new name amongst the women. But he took it in stride because he deserved it.
He took the roses from her. “What are these for?” He asked as their large group started to take their seats. He would have to wait until after the performance to talk with Bailey.
“Well, they’re definitely not for you.”
“Alex!” Ace growled her name in warning, and she turned and gave Ace the Ice Queen glare.
She glanced back at Irish. “They are for Sienna.”
His jaw dropped. “Shit! I completely forgot. Listen, Alex, I know you are still pissed off at me, but thank you. I want this night to be perfect for Sienna.”
“Oh, they didn’t come from me.”
“Who?” He asked.
She looked at him like he had asked a ridiculous question. Alex let out a deep sigh. “Bailey gave them to me to give to you to give to Sienna.”
He knew he looked surprised, and when he took a glance in the direction where he knew Bailey was sitting, their eyes locked. He saw the sadness she still held in her eyes, and his gut twisted, knowing he did that to her. He held up the roses and mouthed the words “thank you,” and she smiled at him. A real smile, and he couldn’t help but think he still had a chance to redeem himself.
◆◆◆
Right after the final curtain call, Bailey and Jonathan headed out to the car. She planned on taking him to Bayside for dinner tonight. As they made their way to her car, she spotted Derek and Juliette walking to theirs.
Juliette waved. “Hi, Bailey!”
“Hi, Juliette. How are you?” Juliette was Tenley’s mom and Derek’s girlfriend, though rumor had it, wedding bells could be in the future for the couple.
“I’m doing great. That was some play tonight. Sienna looked so adorable.”
“She sure did.” Derek took that moment to walk over, and Bailey saw the way he eyed Jonathan and then looked at how her arm was looped with his. Did Derek think Jonathan was with her? As in she was on a date? Ewww….
Quickly, she introduced Jonathan to both Derek and Juliette. As they spoke for a few minutes, Bailey saw some of the guys from the team start to exit the building, and they were headed in their direction. Now she wished she would’ve gotten in the car instead of talking with Derek and Juliette. She quickly said her good-byes and said they might catch up with them at Bayside since it appeared the gang was heading there to celebrate Sienna’s performance.
◆◆◆
Irish watched in shock as the guy with Bailey had his hand pressed against her lower back as he guided her to the car. His temper started to rise. Could she have seriously moved on in just a matter of days?
He glanced over at Alex, hoping she may know who the guy was, but she just shrugged her shoulders. Fuck!
As Irish approached Derek and Juliette, he wasn’t going to beat around the bush. “Who was the guy with Bailey?” He asked but didn’t miss the glance Juliette gave Derek. Derek kept a straight face, of course, and just shrugged his shoulders. “A friend, I assume.” Irish knew for a fact they were hiding something, and he was going to find out, even if he had to play dirty. His friends couldn’t lie to Sienna.
◆◆◆
Bailey guzzled the last of her drink, then set the empty glass on the bar. She was debating staying and having another, but honestly, she wasn’t in the mood to socialize. She had spoken briefly to most of the guys on the team and, of course, Alex, Tenley, and Autumn. Now she was ready just to go home and curl up in her bed. She touched Jonathan’s arm. “Hey, I’m going to head home.” Jonathan was drinking a beer and eating buffalo wings. They were the best wings in town.
Her eyes darted to the other side of the room and to the table where her friends were. They were all smiling and laughing, having a grand old time. Well, except for Irish, who was in a dead stare with h
er. And damn if she didn’t feel the intensity from his eyes alone. When she talked with everyone earlier, they had told her how much they’d missed her, and she would be lying if she said she didn’t miss them too, especially Sienna. That little girl had carved a niche in her heart just for her. At least at the school, she was able to see her, but now that she’d lost her job, she wouldn’t see her anymore.
Her cousin's voice brought her out of her trance. “Why don’t you just talk to him? It’s obvious he wants to speak with you, and I know you want to talk with him.”
She looked at Jonathan. “I don’t think I’m ready yet.”
“Okay. If you say so, let me finish my beer, and I will get my food wrapped up, then we’ll go?”
“Stay,” she said, and fished her keys from her purse, then handed them to him. “Take your time. I’ll walk the beach home. The brisk night air will be good for me. I need it after today. Maybe it will help clear my head a little.”
“Are you sure? I mean, do you think it’s safe?”
“Positive.” She laid some cash on the bar to cover her drink and enough for Jonathan to have a couple more if he wanted. He gave her a hug and told her to be careful; then she slipped out the side door. God, she loved that side door.
◆◆◆
Irish couldn’t take it any longer. That should be him with his arms around her and hugging her. He wanted to know who the pretty boy was she was with. Everyone played dumb, but he had a feeling they knew exactly who the guy was but weren’t sharing the information. Again, he thought of sending Sienna to ask, but that was a pussy move.
He needed another beer anyway, so instead of asking the waitress, he got up and headed to the bar. He’d wait there until Bailey came back. She was avoiding him on purpose, and he was done with it. He was going to talk, and she was going to listen.
He stepped up to the bar right next to the guy and ordered another beer from the bartender. He waited a minute or two and looked down at his watch. What in the hell was taking her so long?