I tap her name, typing out message after message, deleting each one right before I hit send because it doesn’t sound right, or it makes it seem like I’m thinking about her more than Ishould be. Which, I mean, I am, but she doesn’t need to know that.
If I knew what was good for me, I’d call Luna first to check in with her.
Fuck it.
I’ll just call her, and if she doesn’t answer, then that’s that. I won’t bother her again until Hunter fixes his mess.
The phone is already ringing before I can change my mind, and I know what a bad idea it is. Should I hang up and pretend it was a butt dial?
“Bailey?” Kaitlyn’s voice says, and my brain stutters, going completely blank.
Oh my fucking god. She actually answered. What the hell do I do now? I should’ve thought further ahead, but I didn’t really expect her to answer.
“Hello? Are you there?”
I clear my throat, shutting my eyes tight. “Hi.” My voice cracks, and now I’mreallywishing I hadn’t called.
“Congratulations on finally getting a phone.”
I lean back in the seat, tugging a hand through my hair. “Uh, yeah. My dad gave it to me earlier,” I say, hating how fucking awkward I’m being. Why can’t I just talk to her like a normal person?
“Cool. Now I don’t have to just show up and hope you’re home if I have a question for you,” she says, keeping the topic light.
“You can still just show up,” I blurt out, and it’s like I’ve lost any sort of filter I used to have. “I mean, if you want. You don’t have to, or anything,” I clarify. God, it’s just Kait. I know how to talk to her. This is embarrassing.
“Thanks, B.” Kaitlyn laughs softly. “I’m not sure if you heard, but I’ll be working at the gallery during my gap year, so thank you for suggesting it.”
“Really?” I ask, trying not to sound too excited, but thisisexciting. “That’s awesome, Kait. Congratulations.”
“I can’t believe I didn’t think of it before you said something, but it’s actually kind of perfect.”
“I’m glad it worked out.” Fuck, I’m just glad she isn’t mad at me. “Sorry I didn’t run the idea by you first before saying something,” I say, feeling my emotions start to screw with my head.
Kaitlyn’s sigh is quiet, and maybe I shouldn’t have brought it up. “It’s okay. Everything will work out the way it’s supposed to.”
“I’ve missed seeing you around the house,” I admit, despite knowing I shouldn’t. My face heats, remembering how she hid out on the beach for a chunk of the holiday, choosing to sit on the beach by herself until Henry went to join her. I wanted to be the one to go out to her, but it wasn’t my place. “Sorry, I just . . . I miss you. So does Javi. He keeps asking when you’re going to come back over to go surfing again.” It’s not a lie. He has been asking, but it feels like I’ve totally just crossed the line in the sandIdrew.
“I’ve missed you guys too,” she says after a moment.
I breathe in a sharp breath, opting to make another decision I’m sure I’ll regret, but I’m already on a roll, so why stop now? “I’m sorry for how Hunter’s been acting. You don’t deserve to be treated like that.” I try to say it as nicely as I can, because the only alternative isMy brother is a fucking idiot, and you should be with me instead.
Too bad it’s not an option. I know how terrible I am for even thinking it.
Kait stays quiet long enough to make me nauseous, and I know how terrible I am for even thinking she should be with me instead.
I had my chance, and the only person I have to blame is myself.
“He’s going through some stuff. If space is what he needs to come to terms with my decision, then I’ll give it to him.”
“Doesn’t make it suck any less,” I grumble under my breath, forgetting the speakers can still hear me.
She barks out a short laugh. “Yeah, you’re right. It does suck.”
I chew on my lower lip, debating how far I can push this. “Do you maybe wanna hang out today? I haven’t spoken to anyone outside my family since the Fourth, but only if you want to. It’s okay if you’re already busy,” I ramble, trying to give her an out.
“Hey, Bailey?” she asks, and I think this might be when she finally tells me to fuck off.
“Yeah?”
