“That was like four months ago. You’re telling me you guys have been seeing each other since then?”
“We’re not seeing each other, Harry. We’ve just been sleeping together,” Bailey states once again in a low voice, and I can’t decipher if it’s embarrassment, sadness, or both.
The rest of her family stands to the side with disbelief written all over their faces while they watch this entire shit show unfold.
“Like that’s supposed to make it any better,” he snaps.
I clasp my hands on the back of my head. “This was just something between Bailey and me that we never intended on anyone else finding out. And I’m sorry that everyone”—I take a quick look at her family in the corner of the room—“found out this way.”
“I can’t believe this. You’ve hooked up with so many women you probably can’t even count, and now you’re doing the same with my sister, using her as your fuck toy?” he screams.
Bailey’s mom interjects, “Now, Harry, Bailey is an adult, and she can do whatever she wants. You can’t try to be her protector like you were growing up.”
I appreciate the support from Mary.
I try to maintain a respectful tone, but my best friend is starting to cross the line. “I’m sorry, Harry. I never—we never meant to keep this from you,” I say.
“Bailey, you went through so much with Tyler. You saw what happened today. Why would you set yourself up to be hurt again?” Harry says, looking at his sister as if I’m not even here.
Bailey’s head drops to face the floor. “Yes. I understand that.” She looks so upset. I fight back my desire to comfort her.
Harry runs his hands through his hair, turning his back to us, then turning around to face everyone only a second later. “But she’s my little sister, and she’s better than you! You don’t deserve her.”
“I know.” I try to hide the gut punch that is true and utterly justified.
“That’s not true.” Bailey bites back. “And I am an adult, Harry. I can make my own decisions and that includes who I do and do not sleep with. I understand that this is a shock to you, and you’re upset, but I’m not going to let you disrespect Mason like that!”
“Harry, I think it’s best to just let Bailey and Mason work this out on their own,” Fred offers, trying to calm the situation.
Harry’s jaw clenches as he shakes his head. “No, Dad. This is not okay. You don’t understand. I’ve seen Mason do some shit in his time.”
My blood starts to boil. I understand that he’s upset, but belittling me in front of his family, in front of Bailey, is just not going to fly. “Harry, I am trying to keep my cool, but you’re starting to make it difficult,” I warn.
“Let’s give them some space to work this out, alright.” Jess wraps her arms around Fred and Mary, ushering them into the other room. Then she glances at Bailey with a sympathetic look on her face.
Bailey nods and mouths, “Thank you.”
“So what? You’re just going to fuck her, use her, and then be done when someone else comes along?” Harry fires.
How am I supposed to answer his question? I can’t tell him that I might be falling in love with his sister. I can’t tell him before I actually tell her. And I most certainly can’t do it right here, right now.
I take a step away from them, white knuckling the back of one of the dining room chairs. I hang my head, squeezing the cream-colored fabric. I am a fucking man. I need to verbalize my feelings. If it has to be here in front of her brother in an effort to define myself, so be it.
I just hope I don’t regret it later.
“It’s not like that, Harry,” I say.
He takes a few steps closer to me, cocking his head to the side. “What’s it like then? Enlighten me on your pure intentions with my sister,” he baits.
I squeeze my eyes shut, pushing myself off the chair. “Bailey is fucking different!” I raise my voice.
Suddenly, I see Bailey’s brown eyes fly over to mine; Harry’s are soon to follow. I don’t know what to do or say.Goddammit.
Silence.
“Harry, we are not young anymore, you can’t tell me who I can and cannot be with,” she interrupts, picking up without acknowledging my comment.
“I’m not. Be with whoever you want to be with, Bailey, except for Mason—and Tyler, for obvious reasons!”
