“I forgot how much fucking work this is,” Bailey swears under his breath, wiping sweat from his brow with the bottom of his shirt, and I try not to stare as he latches his side of the metal shutters.
“My whole body hurts,” I agree, pulling my attention to his face to offering B a short smile.
We move to the next set of windows, but it’s cracked open, making it possible for us to hear my brother’s voice from inside the room. “I want you guys to come with me.”
Mirabelle huffs, and I can only imagine she’s crossing her arms over her chest. “Well, I’d like for us to go too, but you know what the doctor said. I can’t fly without putting the babies at risk.”
“I wouldn’t really call staying in a hurricane safe either,”he argues, and Bailey rests a hand on my forearm, capturing my attention momentarily.
“Should we be listening to this?” he whispers, and I hold my finger up to my mouth to signal him to stay quiet. He might not want to hear this, but I do.
“So if it’s not safe in a hurricane, then we should just airlift the house to somewhere it doesn’t happen. Why didn’t I think of that before now?” Mirabelle asks, her voice dripping in sarcasm. “Because that would be insane. I will be perfectly fine staying at our house, or hell, maybe I’ll stay at my parents’ house, which is right next to the ocean in case you forgot. Or are you planning to move all of the houses out of the state?” In this moment, I pity Henry a little bit. I get where he’s coming from, but Mira is making some good points.
“It is completely insane to suggest airlifting houses.Mon cœur, I just want you, Javi, and the babies to be safe?—”
“And you think I don’t?” She huffs, and I hope for Henry’s sake he can climb his way out of this one.
“I’m sorry. I know you do.” He pauses, and I can’t help smiling because she’s the only one he ever apologizes to. Even if it seems like he has to do it a lot. “I hate having to leave you, especially with this storm coming.”
“I know. I hate it too. I’m sorry, I just . . . I have to believe that everything will be fine.”
“I feel better knowing Bailey will be there with you.”
I steal a glance at Bailey, noticing the shocked expression on his face, almost like he never expected Henry to say something like that. Does he know Henry hired a second private investigator to try to find him after the Walkers’ turned up with nothing?
On second thought, I don’t know how he would know unless Henry told him, which I doubt he did. Henry doesn’t share much when it comes to his feelings, but he cares more than anyone, even if he pretends not to. I’ve known him myentire life, but the way he acts with Mirabelle is different from anyone else I’ve seen him with.
“Do you think maybe I can pretend to go into labor to push him and Kait together? There’s nothing like a crisis to make you face your feelings,” she says, laughing quietly after.
My jaw drops at her deviousness, and I can’t bear to look at Bailey right now to know what he’s thinking. B hasn’t said anything about his feelings, but then again, neither have I.
The last thing I want is for my feelings for him to be mistaken for a rebound, because it couldn’t be further from the truth.
I’m even more embarrassed when I hear my brother’s response. “My god, you’re evil. Just don’t go into actual labor. These chicks need to cook a little longer.”
He’s a traitor. I’ll kill him—like actually.
Bailey laughs softly next to me, and I can’t help looking at him now. “Did he just call the twins chicks?” he whispers, just barely audible so they don’t hear us.
“Let’s get out of here before they find us.”
Who would’ve guessed Mirabelle and Henry were in the matchmaking business?
Not me, but it is nice to know ahead of time she’s planning on pretending to go into labor.
Bailey doesn’t say anything else as we move on to the next set of windows, but when I glance at him again, he’s already staring at me. He holds my gaze, not looking away, and it causes butterflies to flutter in my stomach.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Bailey
PAST
I haveto remind myself where I am every day when I wake up. Nightmares of flames and uncertainty manipulate my dreams, causing them to bleed into my subconscious.
Carter’s done his best to make me feel welcome in the apartment he shares with his college roommate, Nick. I lucked out they had a third bedroom they’ve been using as a home gym. I didn’t even know he had a roommate, which makes me wonder what else I don’t know about him.
They both work during the day, so I’m left alone with my thoughts in the apartment to contemplate everything my family is doing right now. I’ve been trying to make myself useful because I don’t want either Carter or Nick to think I’m overstaying my welcome.
