Chris: Fine. Been thinking about that day a lot.
I stop dead in my tracks once again. Maverick busies himself with a bush, and I stare at the screen. One thing we never talked about was that day. It’s been ten years, and there’s nothing more that could really be said about it.
We went through it. Our lives were changed. End of story.
What else is there to talk about?
Chris: Do you?
I don’t want to respond. I don’t know where he’s going with this conversation, but I don’t want to be a part of it. There’s a small voice in the back of my head that tells me I should at least say something, but I’m not going to entertain an in-depth conversation about the worst day of my life.
The day that completely altered who I was as a person.
Wes: I try not to.
Chris: Ok.
His response throws me off, but I don’t know what else to say. I lock my phone and put it back in my pocket, trying to do anything I can to take my mind off the odd exchange. Maverick and his adventurous nature helps with that.
But I know what distraction I really want.
The tall, gorgeous woman that lives next to me and enjoys driving me insane is exactly what I would like right now.
Actually, that may be exactly what I need. More-so, it may be just what she needs too.
I left her exactly how I wanted to, wet and needy. I thought she may actually give in that night, but she’s too proud. And she’s had years to convince herself that she hates me, which is fine, it makes it a little more fun for me.
It’ll make it even better once I finally break her down. She’ll crawl, beg, cry, and do whatever I want because she wants how I can make her feel.
The best part is, her body can crave me, but there’s no risk of her developing feelings for me. If there’s one thing I know about Bailey Collee, it’s that she isn’t one to fall in love. Neither am I, which is why it would be perfect if we can enjoy each other’s company and move on with our lives.
I bring Maverick back to his kennel, his food dish is full so he’s happy to go back in and start eating, which makes me feel better about having to lock him in the cage.
On my way out, I give Gloria a small wave, then pull my phone out to text my little distraction.
Wes: Ready to play, Angel?
CHAPTER 14
Bailey
I’m closingup the coffee stand by myself because I sent Jenn home since we weren’t very busy for the last couple of hours.
My phone goes off, and I look at it without thinking about who it could be. The second I realize it’s Wes I freeze. This man is haunting me, the ghost of his touch specifically. I should end it all right here and now. And then move, because I clearly can’t be trusted.
Wes: Ready to play, Angel?
Bailey: Whatever game you’re trying to play I’m not interested.
Wes: Say the word to end this then.
My fingers hover over the screen, right over the S and U. But I can’t bring myself to type the word. Instead of saying anything, I lock the screen, tucking my phone in my back pocket while I finish cleaning up so I can leave for the day.
Of course, when I pull up to my house I see Wes’s car in his driveway, so I quickly run inside hoping to avoid getting caught by him. I let out a sigh of relief as I close and lock my front door. It’s ridiculous that I feel like I need to do this. It seems so silly to be running and hiding in my house just because an attractive man wants to drive me crazy, especially because my entire childhood was spent running and hiding for safety.
The yelling starts. First it’s my parents, and then Brandon starts yelling back. I freeze in the chair I’m sitting in at the overflowing dining table as I try to eat my cereal. My stomach is growling. I managed to find some stale cereal that doesn’t taste very good, but it will have to do. We didn’t have any milk, so I have to eat it dry.
“Bailey.” Bryson steps in front of me, blocking the view of my screaming family members. “Go join Brynn in the bedroom.”
