“I don’t care!” she said. “I will not pass through your smoke cloud just so I can check my schedule for next week.” Jacob was about to respond, but stopped short as Bailey stepped out of the car.
“No shit,” he said, his mouth curling into a huge grin. “Bailey Whitehall? Is that you?!” Bailey felt her heart skip a little. Hearing her name come from his mouth, filled her with a joy that she had not felt for a very long time.
“The one and only,” she said. Jacob put his cigarette out before making a beeline straight for Bailey.
“I can’t believe this,” he said. “It’s been way too long, girl! How have you been?” Jacob wrapped his arms around her. Jacob had gotten more muscles since she last saw him, and she could not deny that it felt good to bury her face in his manly chest.
“I’m fine, Jake,” she said. “You look great.” Bailey froze. She didn’t mean to just blurt it out to him. She just felt so comfortable all of a sudden and it slipped out. Jacob, not paying any mind, simply smiled and looked her up and down.
“I look like a piece of shit,” he said. “But you look gorgeous! I see a Georgia diet is treating you right.”
Bailey blushed as Cathy punched Jacob as hard as she could in the arm. “Watch it!” said Cathy. “She may not know you anymore, but I do Jacob Nelson. Bailey is not about to be another one of your floozies.”
Jacob clutched his heart. “Ms. Cathy, you offend me,” he said. “Bailey is like my sister. You know, like a hot sister who I would love to take out some time.”
Cathy proceeded to punch him several times in the arm as they all laughed together. “I’ll leave you two alone for a second,” she said. “Go in and say hello to Frank soon.”
Bailey was somewhat relieved when Cathy left. She loved her mom, but she wanted to spend a little more time alone with Jacob. Still, she couldn’t shake her mom’s comment out of her head.
“So….” She began. “Floozies, huh?”
Jacob threw his arms up. “What is this? ‘Harass your neighborhood Jacob Day’!?” he asked.
Bailey gently pinched his cheeks. “Aww, poor baby,” she said playfully.
Jacob gently pushed her hands away. “If there is one thing I am not, it’s a baby,” he said confidently.
Bailey smirked. “I’m glad to see you haven’t changed,” she said. “Still the baddest boy in Sawyer Bay?”
Jacob shrugged. “I’ve moved up in the world, actually,” he said. “I’m now the baddest boy in South Carolina.”
Bailey raised her eyebrows impressed. The two stood in silence for a moment. It wasn’t, however, like it once was.
“So,” they both said simultaneously before laughing at themselves.
“You go,” he said.
There were a million things she wanted to say. She wanted to ask why he never contacted her anymore. She wanted to know why the promise they had made at the gazebo had been tossed aside. Most of all, she wanted to know why he and his brother had let their friendship die.
Instead, she asked, “When did you start smoking?”
The question seemed to catch him off guard, but he simply smirked and took out another cigarette. “’Round about the same time I moved back here,” he said. “The stress of living back under your parents’ roof can do that.”
“It’s one reason I never came back,” she said with a wink. Jacob flashed her another smile that made her shiver in delight. She always viewed the Nelson twins as her best friends, brothers even. Now, however, she couldn’t help, but find Jacob extremely attractive. He seemed so rough around the edges, but there was a charm about him she could not resist.
Bailey chuckled before grabbing his cigarette and taking a drag herself. Jacob looked at her impressed. “And since when did you start?” he asked.
Bailey shrugged. “Probably the same time I got split up from my friends,” she said. Jacob’s face dropped for a moment. He didn’t say it, but she could tell that he wanted to say sorry. Jacob took his cigarette back. The two stood in silence, passing the cigarette back and forth, but this time it was not awkward. They had an understanding of each other and they could see that the other had not changed to the point of unrecognition.
“Guess we should head inside,” he said. Bailey nodded and followed behind him. Bailey could see that the hall leading to the kitchen had not been touched and that comforted her. She had imagined that so much of Sawyer Bay would change when she came back that she wondered if there would ever be a place for her there again.
When they entered the kitchen area, she was once again greeted by the familiar sight of the old kitchen. Sitting around the table as if she were six years old again, was Frank Nelson and his wife, Claire. Bailey’s mother sat next to Claire as they laughed about some joke that was just told. As soon as they entered, Frank looked up at the doorway to see her.
His face beamed with excitement as he got up slowly. “My God, is that really you, Bailey?” he cried. Bailey smiled and gave her only true father figure a hug.
“Hey papa,” she said playfully.
Claire snickered. “I swear, Cathy,” she said. “I do think Frank wishes he had Bailey rather than twin boys.”
Jacob chuckled as he poured himself a cup of coffee. “Of that, I have no doubt mom,” he said.
Frank pulled away from Bailey and smiled. “You pay them no mind,” he said. “You look wonderful, sweetheart. I’m glad you could make it.”
Bailey nodded. “So am I,” she said. “Although, to be honest, I wouldn’t have missed this for the world.”
Bailey looked at Frank, and while she was happy to see him, she felt a bit of sadness. Frank would have never told her, but Bailey’s mother had informed her that Frank had been diagnosed with leukemia. What was worse was that he apparently did not want any more of his treatment after years of fighting. She had wanted to call him and talk him into getting help, but that was not the type of man Frank was. If he didn’t want help, there was nothing she could say to make him change his mind no matter how much he loved her.
Frank took her hand and sat her down. “I read your last article,” he said. “Most impressive. You’re getting better.”
Bailey blushed. “Thanks,” she said. “I wasn’t too sure people would be interested.”
Frank scoffed. “Nonsense!” he cried. “Anyone would be more than happy to read what you write.”
“This is very true,” said a voice from behind her. Bailey turned around to see her second surprise of the morning. There, dressed in a very nice shirt and slacks, stood Andrew. He looked clean and polished, the complete opposite of Jacob who had clearly just woken up. Though they were twins, it was hard to tell at first glance.
Bailey gushed a little as she stood up and gave Andrew a hug. “No one told me you would be in town,” she said.
“I wanted it to be a surprise,” he said. “I just got in this morning.”
“And what a surprise it was,” said Jacob. Andrew forced himself to keep smiling though he was clearly annoyed by Jacob.
Bailey smiled sweetly at Andrew before turning back to Frank. “Looks like someone is about to have the best birthday they could possibly have,” she said.
Frank smacked his hand on the table. “You’re damn right I am!” he cried out. Cathy and Claire rolled their eyes at each other before poring back over their magazine. “Been a long time since my boys have been home. And what a treat it is to have my adopted daughter here too.”
Bailey turned back toward the boys. “I am glad you both are here,” she said. “I’ve missed you.”
“I missed you,” said Andrew before his brother could make a remark. “I’m sorry I haven’t called or messaged you. Life just got so crazy.”
Bailey nodded. “Yes, it did,” she said. “And it’s fine. We all change after high school, but we’re back together now!”
Andrew nodded. “I agree, but I still feel awful,” he said.
Bailey played with his necktie. “Well, I think someone has fallen into their own money,�
� she said playfully. “How about taking a girl out to lunch to catch up.”
A sly smile flashed over Andrew’s face. His eyes darted to his brother for a moment who clearly did not like her suggestion.
“Yeah, I think that’s a great idea,” said Andrew. “I want to know everything.”
“Great!” said Bailey. She turned around and looked at Jacob. “And you’re coming too right?” Andrew’s smirk was wiped off his face and slapped onto Jacob’s. Jacob looked as if he had just hit the lottery.
“Oh!” he said. “Sure, I’ve got no plans today.”
Andrew took a step forward. “Are you sure?” he asked. “I mean, Bailey and I are clearly on vacation, but don’t you have work around here to get done?”
“Actually,” said Jacob. “Dad gave me the weekend off so I wouldn’t have an excuse to miss his birthday.”
Andrew looked at Frank. “Dad?” he said, warily. “Is that really the wisest decision now? Especially after what we talked about this morning?” Frank waved his hand away.
“I want your brother to be well rested for the party,” he said. “People are coming from all over town to this thing and I don’t want people to think your brother is some sort of black sheep of the family.”
Andrew glanced at Jacob who kept his smile. A moment passed before Andrew smiled back and turned his attention back to Bailey.
“If you want it to be the three musketeers again, then let’s do it.”
*****
Andrew waited by his rental car for Jacob, so they could go and pick up Bailey. As usual, his brother was less than prompt.
Sometimes, it amazed him that he and Jacob had been such good friends. After they got college, however, things changed. While Andrew was not about to throw away his shot, Jacob had gotten sucked into the party lifestyle at college. Night after night, Jacob would come stumbling into their dorm room with some half-naked coed that he intended to screw. Andrew could live with that, but it was his attitude about their inheritance that truly made him mad.
To Jacob, their parents’ wealth rightfully belonged to he and his brother. There was no point in going to college if you already had a spot on easy street. Andrew couldn’t abide by that. Especially after hearing that their father had been diagnosed with leukemia. Andrew knew people handled bad news differently, but he never imagined that his brother would be so insensitive. He stopped talking to his brother and not too long after that, Jacob dropped out of school and ran back home to Sawyer Bay.
Andrew was furious and refused to speak to his brother after that. What made matters worse was that he could not understand why his parents allowed him to stay. No doubt he had filled them with lies. As a result, Andrew worked his ass off to make his own money in business so that his father could see that if anyone was going to inherit the resort, it should be Andrew, the responsible, hardworking son who stuck to the plan and saw it through.
Jacob came out of the front lobby wearing what Andrew could only assume was what he wore to the nightclub, or to meet some lowlife drug dealer.
“Were you waiting long?” asked Jacob. Without saying a word, Andrew put his sunglasses on and proceeded into the car. He was hoping Bailey would just stay until lunch, but she insisted on dropping her things off at the apartment first.
As the two brothers sat in silence, Andrew let his mind drift to Bailey. Admittedly, he’d always had a crush on Bailey. She was sweet, they had similar interests and she was incredibly pretty. Today, however, he saw a drop dead gorgeous woman that he could not wait to see again, even if that meant spending more time with his good for nothing brother.
He was immediately smitten with Bailey when he saw her again after all these years. Truthfully, he let her out of his life, just as he had all things that reminded him of his youth. He did not want to be reminded of the time when he, his brother, and Bailey were the best of friends, his brother wasn’t a dead beat and his father wasn’t sick.
“So, what exactly are your intentions with Bailey?” asked Jacob.
Andrew sneered at his brother. “Can we not talk about this?”
Jacob smiled. “Why?” he asked. “It’s a simple question. You didn’t seem too excited about me tagging along.”
“Oh! Was it that obvious?” asked Andrew. “Besides, what’s it to you? It’s not like you stand a chance anyway.”
Jacob laughed heartily. “That’s rich!” he exclaimed. “You know I get way more women than you on a nightly basis.”
“Ah! So you are a man whore,” he said. “I thought Mom was just joking when she said that.”
Jacob turned up his lip. “Mom never said that,” he pouted.
Andrew shrugged, “Believe what you want,” he said. “But just know that you should probably get tested for STIs soon if you plan on inheriting anything.”
Jacob shook his head. “I love when we get to have these lovely chats,” he said. “Makes me remember why I stay away from New York.”
“Look,” said Andrew. “Just don’t ruin anything, alright? Bailey is our friend, first and foremost. If something should happen today, so be it.”
They pulled into a parking spot just outside of Bailey’s apartment. Andrew began to send a text to Bailey when Jacob looked over at his brother. “I’ll make a deal with you,” he said. “Whoever she seems to be feeling the most gets to spend the weekend with her. Loser has to stay away.”
Andrew looked at Jacob. It was clear that Jacob was serious. While he didn’t want to make Bailey a prize to be won, he was not about to lose out on something closer than friendship. Especially to Jacob.
“Fine,” he said. “You’re on.”
Just as they shook hands, Bailey came down the steps towards the car. She smiled and waved at the two boys whom she had no idea would be vying for her affection this afternoon.
***
The place to go for lunch in Sawyer Bay, especially after the age of 21, was Cherry’s, a bar and grill that was a favorite with the locals. When the three were younger, they would daydream about what it would be like to go in and sample the forty or so taps. Today was the day to live out that dream.
Despite being lunchtime, Cherry’s was not too crowded. They were seated on the deck next to the water. They ordered two pitchers of a local brew and enjoyed the sunshine and breeze. Bailey breathed in the salt air.
“God, I miss this,” she said. “I don’t think I realized how much I missed that smell until I moved to Atlanta.”
“How do you like it?” asked Andrew as he took a sip of beer.
“I like it just fine,” she said with a smile. “The people are nice, but nothing like here.”
Andrew chuckled. “That’s the exact opposite back in New York,” he said. “I can’t tell you how many times I have to curse out someone on the street.”
Bailey beamed. She always imagined Andrew being successful later on in life and he did not disappoint.
“So,” Jacob chimed in. “Are you seeing anyone?”
Andrew choked a little on his beer. “Wow,” he said. “Really, dude?”
Jacob frowned. “What?” he asked. “A man can’t ask his best female friend if there is someone special in her life?” Bailey giggled.
“Its fine, Drew,” she said. “No. I’m not seeing anyone. I’m a bit of a homebody still. Even my girlfriends are worried about me.”
Jacob shook his head. “That’s a shame,” he said. “A pretty girl like you needs a man on your arm.” Bailey blushed. The line was a bit forced, but it did the trick.
“Yeah, I guess,” she said sheepishly. Andrew slugged him in the arm which made Bailey giggle more. “What about you two? Anyone I should know about?”
“Not me,” said Andrew promptly. “But Jacob here had a girl over last night.”
Bailey looked at him in surprise.
“Oh?” she asked, trying to appear excited for her friend. “Is that true, Jake? You have a girlfriend?”
Jacob laughed nervously. “I wouldn’t call her my girlfriend,” he said.
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“No?” asked Andrew. “What would you call her then?”
Jacob turned and looked Andrew square in the eyes. Bailey could see that Andrew was trying to goad Jacob into something and, as usual, Jacob was ready to meet the challenge.
“She was a fuck buddy,” he said. Bailey snorted at his bluntness.
“Jake!” she said embarrassed. Jacob turned and shrugged.
“What?” he asked. “Bailey, please, we’re all adults here. You mean to tell me you’ve never had a one night stand?” Bailey’s face turned a deeper shade of red, but she smiled coyly.
“I suppose,” she said. “…maybe once or twice.”
Jacob laughed and took a swig of his beer. “Did you hear that, Andrew?” he asked. “Bailey’s had a couple of flings. It’s no big deal.”
Bailey threw up her hands. “Hey! It’s not like I do it often!” she exclaimed. The three laughed, but she could see that Andrew was a bit alienated by her comment. She knew Andrew was a lot more straitlaced than Jacob. She reached over and took his hand. When she had his attention, she gave him a wink.
“Don’t worry,” she said. “I’m still that same nerdy girl who used to hang around you guys.” Andrew smiled kindly and took her hand. Bailey felt so comfortable holding his hand. Talking to both of them was so natural, but it seemed like whoever she showed favor towards, the other would be unhappy. She quickly let his hand go and went to reading the menu.
She didn’t dare look up to see Andrew’s reaction to her taking back her hand, but she knew that it was probably better to be neutral. The rest of lunch went as normally as she could have hoped. The three caught up on the past few years. On occasion, one or the other twin would open an opportunity to flirt with her, but she quickly shut it down and changed the subject.
However, she could not deny how good it felt to be flirted with by these two guys. Her friends would take her out to pick up guys all the time, but they all would eventually go after her more morally ambiguous friends. She gave in a few times when she had a bit of a dry spell, but she had one too many walk of shames. She wanted a relationship no matter what she told her friends and family.
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