by R. Linda
I chuckled. I liked it when she got feisty. I did as she demanded and switched my shirts. Bailey grabbed the one I was wearing and put it on, tying a knot in the side so it didn’t hang down to her knees. Pulling on a pair of jeans and boots, she set her sunglasses on the top of her head.
“You’re wearing my shirt?”
“I feel comfortable in it.” She shrugged, giving me a sad smile.
“Didn’t want a clean one?”
She lifted the collar to her nose and breathed in. “This one smells like you.”
My heart thudded in my chest. She was so damn perfect. I reached for her, pulling her into my chest, and lowered my mouth to hers.
“Ready?”
“No.”
“Come on.”
***
We arrived at the café to find Ian Daniels already waiting. He stood as we approached and held out his hand for me to shake. “Ryder,” he greeted, turning to Bailey. “And you must be Bailey.”
Bailey nodded and shook his hand. Wrapping her arms around her waist she dropped into the chair I pulled out for her.
“Right, well, I’m sure you want to get right to it, then?” Ian asked, not waiting for a response. “It’s been a while. And I know how much you want answers.”
“Am I going to trial?” I asked. There was no beating around the bush. I just wanted him to get straight to the point.
“Well, that depends.”
“On what?” I placed my hand on Bailey’s knee to stop it from shaking.
“Both of you…” He paused.
I wasn’t sure if he was waiting for a response or what, but I simply arched an eyebrow and waited for him to explain.
“There’s a deal on the table. Which I highly suggest you consider seriously.”
Pause.
Jesus Christ. I was losing my patience.
“You won’t have to serve any time in a cell if you complete three hundred hours of community service and attend anger management classes.”
That was it? I could do that in my fucking sleep. “Done. I agree.”
Bailey let out a sigh of relief and turned to smile at me. Her eyes were so bright and lit with happiness.
“There’s a catch.”
Pause.
The light in Bailey’s eyes faded as quickly as it sparked to life.
“Deal’s only good if Bailey agrees to drop the charges against Chace.”
“Hell fucking no.” I slammed my hand down on the table, and the salt and pepper shakers shook.
Ian held up his hand. “Hear me out. Bailey drops the charges, but Chace is served with a two-year restraining order, meaning he can’t step foot on that campus while Bailey is still a student. He’ll also go through a mandatory psych evaluation because if Bailey’s statement is true, there’s something not right there. He’s not showing any remorse. And depending on the results of his evaluation, he will receive the appropriate treatment and counselling.”
I looked at Bailey. It was her decision. “What do you think?”
“Let’s do it,” she said, squeezing my hand.
“Love, you need to think about this. He won’t have a record. It will all be brushed aside. You know what his parents are like.”
“I don’t care.” She shook her head and turned to look at Ian. “Take the deal. I’ll do anything to make sure Ryder doesn’t go to prison.”
“Okay. Great. I think that’s the best choice. It’s not worth the risk. I’ll get the ball rolling and be in touch. But, Ryder, I’m happy to say you’re a free man.”
I smiled and shook his hand. “Thank you.”
The heaviness that had been weighing me down for weeks lifted. I felt light and free, and for the first time since Jack walked into my work, white as a ghost, to tell me about Bailey, I could breathe again.
“This is a big deal, Bailey. Are you sure?” I held her face in my hands.
“It’s you and me, Jones. We’re in this together. If dropping the charges, means you come home to me every night, then that’s a small price to pay.”
She pressed her lips to mine and laughed.
“What?”
“Just relieved.”
“Me too. Let’s get out of here. I feel like celebrating.”
Bailey’s phone rang as we were walking back toward my car. “Hey, In. What’s up?” Bailey smiled. There was a skip in her step, and her eyes sparkled with happiness.
“Heading back now. We just met with Ryder’s lawyer.”
Deciding I had better let Johnny know what was going on, I typed him a quick text while Bailey filled Indie in.
“He’s free,” she said excitedly into her phone.
Ryder: I’m a free fuckin’ man
Ryder: Thank you. Couldn’t have done it without you.
“No prison,” Bailey shouted into the phone excitedly, drawing stares from people passing by. “I know. Such a relief.”
She looked at me and winked. She was so cute.
“Well, I mean, he’s not dancing in the street, but he’s a little less broody.”
I smirked at her and she pressed her finger into the dimple on my cheek.
Johnny: I’m happy for you kid. Now keep your nose clean. I ain’t bailing you out again. You’ve been given a second chance. Don’t screw it up.
Bailey laughed at whatever Indie was saying. “Okay, so, what did you ring for?” She paused as Indie spoke. “No way!” she exclaimed, coming to a stop and pulling me back to her. “When?”
I grabbed Bailey’s hips and leaned down trying to hear what Indie was saying, but she was talking too fast and too loudly to make any sense of her.
“You’re kidding? Oh, my gosh, this is amazing.”
Bailey slapped my chest over and over and bounced on her feet.
“Yes, I’ll tell him. We’re totally celebrating this. Okay, bye.”
Bailey stared wide-eyed at me, shaking with excitement. “We got a house!” She jumped up and threw her arms around me, wrapping her legs around my waist, and kissed me. “Is this not the best day ever?”
“Definitely ranks up there with one of my favourites,” I said, spinning her around. “We’re moving in together?”
“We’re moving in together, Jones baby!”
And I couldn’t fucking wait.
Jack came out of nowhere the moment we stepped into the dorm. Catching us both off guard, he lunged for me, wrapping his arms around my neck and legs around my waist, knocking the wind out of me as we fell to the floor.
“You’re staying. You’re not leaving me!” Jack exclaimed, hugging himself to me. We were a tangle of limbs on the floor, and Jack was pressed hard against my back as I struggled to get out of his hold.
I hated my personal space being invaded.
I wondered briefly how he knew until Indie giggled from the other side of the room. There were no secrets between those two.
“Will you get off me?” I yanked my arm free and tried to shrug Jack off.
“No.” Jack squeezed me tighter. “Not yet. Just making sure this is real.”
I groaned and squeezed my eyes shut when something hard pressed into my back. “That better be your phone in your pocket.”
“Puh-lease. Have you seen how small my phone is? You wouldn’t feel it if it were in my pocket. That’s on my bed.”
I’d never moved so fast, even though I knew he was only joking. I shoved Jack off me, jumped up, and went to stand behind Bailey, wrapping my arms around her waist.
Jack rolled onto his back and laughed like a maniac. Hands holding his stomach, he had tears rolling down his cheeks.
“Small things…” I muttered, and Bailey laughed, catching my double meaning. I pressed a kiss to her neck before resting my chin on her shoulder and focusing my attention on Jack. “You done?”
Jack sucked in a breath, but because he was still laughing so hard, he sounded like a donkey. He-haw. He-haw.
Ignoring him, Indie stepped over him and moved to wrap me in a hug. I stiffened at her touch a
nd dropped my arms from around Bailey’s waist. She turned to face us, and I just stared at her with my arms out to the side, not sure what to do with them. My gaze darted from Bailey to the top Indie’s head in a silent question. What do I do?
Bailey laughed and closed my arms around Indie. I wasn’t affectionate with other people, so Indie hugging me felt all kinds of wrong. It was awkward and uncomfortable, and I just wanted her to stop.
“I’m glad you’re not going to prison,” she said against my chest.
“Umm…thanks.” I patted her back once and dropped my arms, waiting for her to release me.
After what seemed like forever, Indie finally released me and huffed out a breath. “Was that as awkward for you as it was for me?” she asked, dusting off her clothes as though I was the one who had germs.
I narrowed my eyes at her and nodded. “Don’t do it again,” I said. Indie shoved me playfully in the shoulder.
Jack jumped to his feet, while Bailey moved over to my bed and sat down.
“Are we celebrating?” Indie asked.
“Yes. I think we deserve a night of celebrating, don’t you?” Bailey asked as I climbed onto the bed beside her, folding my arms behind my head.
“I’m happy to stay here,” I said, preferring to stay in and have a quiet night. Things got crazy when Jack was involved, and someone always ended up naked, and not the good kind.
“No. No way.” Jack came over and yanked on my arms. “Up you get, handsome. You were this close to becoming Tiny’s bitch. You didn’t get a second chance at freedom only to lock yourself up in this room.”
I groaned and sat up, but Bailey smiled at Jack, excitement in her eyes. It had been a while since she’d done anything fun. Chace kind of ruined that for her. I clenched my fists at the thought of him. “What did you have in mind?”
“We’re going to a party!” He clapped once and threw my closet open.
“No. No parties.” I kicked a foot out and closed the door.
“Yes. One party,” Jack argued, opening the door again and flicking through my clothes. “Do you have anything that isn’t checkered, or doesn’t have holes in it?”
My shoes?
“Have you seen me wear anything without holes or checks?”
“No.” Jack sighed dramatically, giving me a once-over before shutting the closet and giving up on finding me something to wear. “Fine.”
“Fine, no party?” I asked hopefully.
“Parties are fun. Don’t be a downer, Jones.” I raised an eyebrow at Bailey, and she widened her eyes, giving me her best innocent expression. “What? They are?”
“What happened at the last party we went to?”
She smiled and pointed at Indie. “She got drunk and ended up in Lincoln’s bed.”
Indie took a deep breath and closed her eyes, her lips curved up slightly. “That was a great party.”
“What else happened?” I urged.
“Christina poured her drink over me, and…” She trailed off, and a small smile spread across her face as she was clearly remembering the sponge bath I had given her in the bathroom to wash away the drink.
I bit my lip and smirked at the memory. “That was a great party.”
“And you broke Chace’s nose,” she reminded me. It really was a fucking spectacular party.
“Sounds like an epic night,” Jack cheered.
Bailey tilted her head and watched me. She knew I’d give in eventually. It was just a matter of time. I couldn’t say no to her.
“Who knows what could happen? It could be fun. It could be a disaster. I could end up with another drink down my shirt…”
Well, when she put it that way…I jumped off the bed. “What are we waiting for?”
Bailey laughed, pleased with herself.
“So, where is there a party?” I asked.
Jack stared, opened his mouth, and closed it again. It wasn’t often he was speechless, but for whatever reason, my question had thrown him.
“Well?”
“We’re at uni. There are parties everywhere.” Jack rolled his eyes.
I pulled my jacket out of the closet and handed Bailey hers. “Doesn’t answer my question.”
“Jayden and Cohen are throwing one.”
Slipping my hands into Bailey’s back pockets, I pulled her in for a kiss and nodded. “What are we waiting for, then?”
“Wait? Really?” Jack asked. “We’re really going to a party together?”
“Jack…” I warned.
“Together. You and me?” Jack continued. “Like a—”
“And us.” Indie slapped Jack, cutting him off.
“Shhh, baby cakes. This is huge. Ryder and I are going to a party together. Like a date.”
I took a deep breath, and Bailey tried not to chuckle. “It’s not a date,” I said.
“It could be.”
Slapping her hands on Jack’s shoulders, Indie shoved him toward the door, before I chained him to the desk and left him behind. “Let’s go.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Bailey
We arrived at the house Cohen and Jayden shared to loud music thumping. The bass vibrated down the street, and people spilled out of the front door into the yard. This party was bigger than anything I had been to in high school. Chace’s parties had nothing on the soccer team.
Pushing our way through the throngs of drunken students, we forced our way inside and could barely move. Ryder’s hand stayed firmly on my hip, holding me close to him, while Jack raised his arms above his head and whooped.
“Come on, baby cakes let’s go get drinks,” he said, grabbing Indie’s hand before turning to us. “Thirsty?”
I shook my head. It was my first big party, and I didn’t want to drink.
“No,” Ryder said, waving Jack and Indie off. “Want to go outside? It’s really hot in here,” he asked, tugging on the collar of his shirt.
“Sure.”
Slipping his fingers between mine, Ryder pulled me through the crowd in the living room and out through the kitchen door where Jack and Indie were pouring beer down each other’s throats and laughing because they kept missing their mouths.
“Are we sure we want to live with them?” Ryder questioned with a shake of his head.
“If it means we get our own room, then, yes.”
“He’s going to be a nightmare, you know that?”
“He only wants to have fun.”
“And drive me crazy.”
“With Indie living with us too, I’m sure Jack will be too preoccupied to bother us so much. They’re great friends.”
We got outside and found a couple of chairs by the fire pit. It wasn’t a cold night, but I guessed parties just warranted a fire. Should have brought some marshmallows.
“This is fun,” Ryder grumbled from beside me.
“Shut up. It’s fine. We deserve a night of celebrating and fun.”
“Yet here we are. Both sitting by a fire, not doing anything.”
“We could dance,” I suggested, pointing to the group of people on the bottom of the lawn, dancing.
Ryder just raised his eyebrow and chewed his lip ring. “We danced at prom. That was enough.”
“We could have a drink and loosen up.”
Ryder sighed and rubbed a hand over his face. “I thought you didn’t want a drink.”
I shrugged. “One won’t hurt.”
He stood and leaned down to press a kiss to the top of my head. “I’ll be back.”
I smiled at him. Since high school, he really didn’t like parties or big crowds of people, so he was reluctant to drink in those situations. When it was just a few of us back home, he’d a have couple beers, but that was it.
I glanced around at everyone, trying to see if I recognised anybody, but there were so many people it was hard to tell.
Ryder returned a few minutes later with two beers in his hands and Lennon walking beside him. “Look who I found,” he said, handing me my beer.
“Hey, Len
non.” I smiled and indicated she should sit in the free chair next to Ryder.
“Hi. I’m so glad you guys are here. I don’t know anyone here. I hate parties.”
“Tell me about it,” Ryder mumbled into his beer and relaxed back in his seat.
“Why are you here if you don’t like parties?” I asked
“My boyfriend wanted to come, so…” She lifted her shoulders and trailed off.
“Well, you can sit with us. We don’t really like parties either.”
Lennon laughed and brushed her hair out of her face, tucking it behind her ear. “So, why are you here, then?”
“Celebrating,” I said.
It could have been a shadow cast by the fire, but I was sure there was a bruise on her cheek. I frowned and studied her face.
“Celebrating what?” As if realising I was paying too much attention to her face, she ran her hands through her hair, letting it fall back over her cheeks.
“Me attending anger management classes,” Ryder said.
Lennon’s eyes widened. “Anger management? That’s cause for celebration?”
“It is when the alternative was prison.”
“Well, then,” she raised her cup and tilted it toward Ryder, who did the same, “cheers to anger management classes.”
Ryder chuckled, but his laugh was cut short when a large body stopped in front of us.
My eyes trailed up from the heavy black boots, over the jean-clad legs, thighs that were bigger than my head, a tight black t-shirt, thick, strong arms, to the guy’s face.
He sneered down at Ryder before casting his eyes over to Lennon. She lowered her gaze to her lap and clutched her cup tighter.
“What the hell are you doing?” he asked her. I didn’t know who he was, had never seen him on campus before, but I assumed he was her boyfriend.
“J-j-just t-ta—” Lennon started.
“J-j-just t-t-t-. Jesus Christ learn how to speak,” he snapped at her, and Ryder tensed beside me, shifting in his seat ever so slightly, prepared to stand up to the guy who was built like a wrestler. The term meathead had come to mind.
“Hi, I’m Bailey.” I smiled and held out my hand for him to shake, wanting to diffuse the situation before Ryder did something stupid.
