There Goes My Bailey

by LL Dahlin

  “You about ready to go?” Ollie asked, looking more nervous than he had when they were in the car earlier.

  “Sure. I’ll go say goodbye to my mom and pop. I’ll meet you by your car.” Bailey walked away but kept his eyes on his friend's face. Whatever it was he wanted to say was tearing him up inside. It probably wasn’t anything big and if it had to do with furniture Bailey had more than enough money to help with that. He located his mother sitting in the living room with his aunts and pop. “I’ll be over once I get settled and we can talk a bit more.”

  They all stood up and he had round two of hugs and kisses before he got out of there, plus a bag full of his favorite foods. He walked toward Ollie’s car and could see him and Scott having a discussion that didn’t look too pleasant, but he was too far away to hear what they were saying. They stopped talking before he could reach either of them and it was silent when he got to the car.

  “What’s up, fellas?” Bailey tried to lighten a mood that seemed a bit heavy.

  “Scott was looking for a roommate because his last one just bailed. Off to train to be a ninja for a show on television and I thought of a perfect solution.”

  Bailey knew exactly why Scott looked like he did. He was getting a 250lbs man dumped on him. “It looks like only one of you think the solution is perfect. Hey, it’s no problem. I can stay at a hotel for a few days until I find something. Worst case scenario, I stay here with my parents. They would love it and I’d not mind too much.”

  “We both know how much you don’t want to do that. I’ve had an issue come up lately. I’ve been living with a woman who was having trouble with her ex so she and her daughter have been with me for about a week. She doesn’t have anywhere to go and I offered her the same room I offered you.” Ollie looked devastated.

  “Hey, man. It’s not a problem. I know all about your knight in shining armor shit.” Bailey reached out and hit Ollie’s shoulder playfully. “Let me get my bag out of your car and I’ll just stay here.”

  Ollie and Scott must have followed him to the back of the car because when he got there they were both there just looking at him.

  “What?”

  “I don’t know… you’re just kind of accepting of things now. In the past if things didn’t go the way you’d planned them you’d get upset and then you’d go quiet. I didn’t know how to get around this because I damned sure didn’t want you mad at me after you’ve just returned.” Ollie stood in front of him with Scott at his side. Bailey tried not to look at him at all. It pinched a bit that Scott had been arguing about not wanting Bailey to come home with him. He’d figured he was uninterested in him, but he didn’t know any type of friendship was off the table.

  “I’ve grown up. Things happen and situations change. I’d rather not get mad about the way life goes. It’s easier to just go with it.” Bailey turned to the trunk. “Pop this thing for me and I’ll get you get going. Oh, and give this to your friend and her daughter. I’m sure she’ll appreciate it.” He handed the bag of goodies to Ollie.

  “Wait a minute,” Scott said, stepping in between both of them. “I do have a spot up for rent. I’m trying to decide if I’m staying there or moving somewhere else cheaper. I have to decide if I want to sell it or not, but I don’t have a problem with you moving in.”

  “I just watched you and your brother argue about it so I don’t think that’s entirely true. I don’t want you to do something you don’t want to do because you feel bad. I’ll stay here with my parents and find a place later. It’s not an issue.”

  Scott turned to his brother. “Give me a few minutes to talk to Bailey alone.”

  Ollie looked between the two men and then nodded, but he gave a pointed look at Scott. “I have to go to the bathroom before I hit the road anyway.”

  There was silence as the two men waited while Ollie put his package of food in the back seat and then walked slowly back to the house.

  Scott leaned on the trunk of the car and looked at the ground. “Do you not want to move in with me because I know where you were last night and how hard you are trying to keep that a secret?”

  “I’m not trying to keep anything secret.” Bailey looked away from Scott with that one, but then turned back to watch him recline easily on the car. He didn’t remember Scott being so comfortable with himself. It looked good on him and made it hard to look away.

  “So coming into town a day early and visiting a bar that’s known for engaging men who enjoy sex with other men, sleeping in a hotel and then going back to the airport so his best friend thinks he just got in today sounds like a man trying to keep a secret? I’m not judging you. This was just the rebuttal to your ‘I’m not trying to keep anything secret’ response.” Scott’s eyes were clear and so was his thought process.

  Bailey wasn’t sure what to say about that, so he didn’t say anything at all.

  “If you moved in with me you could do whatever you wanted, and no one would be the wiser. You appear to be in question mode. It’s nice when you have a place to go and explore where you don’t have to worry about being judged and or persecuted. I won’t ask any questions and I won’t give any advice unless asked.” Scott took a deep breath. “How does that sound?”

  That whole speech made Bailey want to roar. Not only was Scott not interested, but he had no issue with him experimenting in the same house they’d be sharing. This meant that Scott was also free to bring home ‘friends’. Right? He backed up a little from the man who was making him dizzy, because it was difficult to watch him and form rational thoughts that didn’t include touching or tasting the man in front of him.

  “What are you thinking?” Scott turned to him and waited.

  Bailey needed to pull himself together. Beside possibly wounding or killing anyone Scott brought home, it was a good idea. Maybe then he could get to thinking about Scott as just a friend and then he could see what that would mean.

  “I’m thinking it’s a pretty good idea.” Bailey hated that it came out sounding like a military officer’s bark, but it was hard to hold whatever had come over him inside.

  “Great. I’ll get the trunk open and you can get your bag.”

  “What were you guys doing? Holding my stuff hostage until I listened to reason?” Bailey asked as the trunk opened.

  “I’m not sure what my brother was doing, but I just wanted you to think about the benefits of coming with me.”

  “When I walked up it didn’t look like you were listening to reason. You didn’t want me to move in with you. Why change your mind?” Bailey dumped his big duffle bag into the back seat of Scott’s Jeep.

  “I didn’t know the reason why Ollie wanted you to stay with me. Listening to that love struck fool made me want to take some of the stress off his plate. You know how he gets about the people he cares about. He was torn and he thought you’d be upset with him. Who knows how long he’s been chewing on finding an answer to that problem.”

  Ollie came jogging down the path from the house and stopped when he got to the car. Looking at both of them, he nodded and a smile spread across his face. “Everything worked out. Huh?”

  “Yep. Bailey agreed to stay with me so you don’t have to worry about anything.” Scott walked over to his brother and patted him on the shoulder.

  “Great. I love when things all work out. Now I’ll know where to find you and I won’t worry that you aren’t enjoying your time home. Scott’s house is the ultimate bachelor pad and you can bring whoever you want there any time.” Ollie wiggled his eyebrows like he did in high school when he was talking about scoring sex with the ladies.

  “Right,” Scott agreed and then moved to get in the car. “We’d better be going so I can get him settled at the house.”

  “Okay, then,” Ollie gave another hug to Bailey, handed him back the bag of food Bailey had given him that was in his back seat before standing back to watch them prepare to leave.

  Inside the car the both of them waved to Ollie and watched as he waved back and then turned aro
und to go back to the house. Probably to get a plate of his own to take home. “When did you tell him about needing a roommate?” Bailey locked his door and put on his seatbelt.

  “This afternoon. He lit up like a Christmas tree, but he didn’t say anything about his plan until he called me over to his car. I’d just heard the idea.”

  “And immediately said no.”

  “That was my first response, but I can see the error, possibly the benefit of both of us in it.” Scott pulled off slowly and maneuvered around all the cars on the grass.

  “What do you get out of this?” Bailey’s heart sped up just a little. Maybe he didn’t want to move in with him because it would be too much of a temptation. It’s possible the man was just supremely good at hiding his emotions.

  “The rent gets paid. Splitting the rent is going to take a lot of pressure off me. I didn’t know how I was going to scrape together all the money. I was going to have to start enjoying ramen noodles by the box again or pay more visits to my relatives for food. I don’t work a part time gig at The Male Box for the perks. I enjoy my house in the woods, as my brother calls it, but the upkeep and mortgage are a pretty penny.”

  “Good to know I can be a help to you.” Bailey looked out the window and tried to see the good in this. It wasn’t happening for him right now, but he was sure something would come to him.

  They got to the bottom of the mountain where he supposed Scott lived and the man turned his amber eyes his way. “You can hold on to the ‘Oh shit’ handle above the window or lay back and enjoy the ride, but either choice comes with a bumpy ride.”

  Bailey sat up and grabbed onto the handle. “I’m ready for whatever you got.”

  Scott gave him a smile that went straight to his cock. It was confident and wicked. What the fuck have I done?

  Chapter 4

  What the fuck have I done? Scott watched Bailey walk into the house with his big military green duffle bag and knew he shouldn’t have said a word while his brother tried to tell Bailey the reason he couldn’t come home with him. Scott knew something was going on with his big brother, but they mostly just stayed out of each other’s hair when it came to relationships. From the time he’d come on to his big brother’s best friend and the man took off to parts unknown for military service, they’d tiptoed around the topic of Bailey. He’d told Ollie what happened between them and he didn’t think he’d ever seen his brother so upset. Scott could see his brother’s red face and tight posture like he was there now. Ollie had never had a negative thing to say about his brother’s sexuality or who he was as a man, but he could tell he was pushing the boundaries when he’d told his brother, whom he’d told everything, what had happened between him and Bailey.

  “So you mean to tell me you were in the back of a pickup truck in the dark of night and just crawled on top of Bailey?” Ollie narrowed his eyes and balled up his fists.

  “In a nutshell, I guess, but there was a lot more to it and he didn’t push me off or yell at me. I’m guessing he liked it.” Scott hadn’t ever been afraid of his brother and he wasn’t going to start now, but he was mentally going over the instructions he’d been given by Bailey about throwing a punch.

  Ollie stood in the middle of the room looking like he wanted to bawl or hit something. It was probably both. “He liked it so much he went to stay with relatives until he ships out three weeks from now? I’ve not seen or spoken to Bailey since a week before you drove him away.”

  “I don’t think I drove him away.”

  “You did. He’s a straight guy, Scott. He stuck up for you in the school and in the streets more than even I have. They would have given him shit about it more if he wasn’t as big as he is, but he did all that for you because he’s my best friend and this is how you repay him? He cares about you too much to hurt your feelings.”

  Scott didn’t think that was true, but what did he know? He’d just let his hormones run away with him and when he’d straddled Bailey’s big body he knew he’d felt the man’s hard cock respond against his. He’d moved his mouth down to Bailey’s and waited, but it was Bailey’s large hand that cupped the back of his head and brought it the rest of the way toward his mouth. It was amazing that they’d not started a fire with the way they’d rubbed their denim covered cocks together, but they’d both come in their pants as they strained against each other. Afterward, they lay together until it got too cold and although Scott tried to hold it back, he shivered. That seemed to break the bond of whatever they were going.

  “Excuse me, Scott,” Bailey said as he waited for Scott to get off him.

  “Oh yes, sure.” Scott didn’t know what to do or think, but Bailey had hopped down from the cab and gotten in the car. Scott scrambled to follow him. Not a word was exchanged until Bailey pulled up to his house. “We still going to the volleyball game tomorrow?”

  “Nah. I think I’m going to pass. Take care of yourself, Scott.”

  Scott got out of the truck and Bailey zoomed away as soon as the door closed. It wasn’t until later that Scott wondered about the way he’d said goodbye. It had sounded so final.

  “Which room is mine?” Bailey’s deep, rich voice startled him and got him into action.

  “Right up the stairs, first door on the left. There is a bathroom between our rooms, but there is one down here as well.”

  Bailey just nodded and went in the direction he’d been told. Scott wasn’t done kicking himself. Had he actually told the man he could experiment with men in this house and he’d not balked at that? He’d seen him in a pick-up bar, but he just couldn’t believe that the man was interested in men. There was something that was making him think about it and damn it he refused to be pissed about it. He made a promise to his brother and he would keep it. Besides, he didn’t think he could be an experiment for Bailey. He already wanted to keep the man to himself way too much. So if and when Bailey changes his mind and figures out that this was just a phase, he can tell himself he returned the favor from his youth. Helping Bailey the way he’d helped him…not exactly the same way or the same material, but learning was learning.

  Scott was still trying to get himself acclimated to the decision he’d made off the cuff when Bailey found him in the living room. He was just aimlessly wandering around his house and must have just stopped here when Bailey found him.

  “You settled in already?” Scott said, hoping he sounded like he was making a joke and not slightly freaked out by his sudden appearance. He had on the same clothes, but he looked more relaxed.

  “I’ve got one duffle bag. I threw it on the bed, washed my face and here I am. I didn’t have any plans because I thought I’d be up half the night shooting the shit with Ollie.”

  “You still can. I’m sure if we call him up, he’ll be here in a flash.” Scott reached for his phone thinking that may be the thing that gets him out of here for a bit.

  “That’s okay. I got the feeling he was looking forward to going home to fulfill his knighthood. You know how he is when he thinks someone needs his help.” Bailey went to the kitchen and Scott could hear him opening up the fridge. “What do you think about us cracking a few of these beers?”

  “Sounds good.” Scott moved to the single, adjustable chair that he loved so much. It was comfortable and right now he needed to be more comfortable and less stressed. He felt tight and uncomfortable. That isn’t what he wanted Bailey to see.

  The large man walked into the room and Scott focused on the beer in Bailey’s hand.

  “You’ve got good taste in beer,” Bailey said, holding one out to him.

  Scott took it and had to smile. He’d bought this brand of beer ever since that night on the truck. He’d never drank beer before, but Bailey had been drinking them all night and that’s what his kiss tasted like. Scott had started drinking it when he missed Bailey in the beginning and then it just became a habit to buy it.

  “You would think so. It was your favorite brand.”

  “It was, before I left here. This local label had me
beer free for years because I couldn’t find its equal. I’ve craved this shit so many times since I’ve been away.” Bailey popped the top and plopped down on the couch. He took a long pull on the bottle and then looked at the container like he’d missed a lover. “Still tastes so damn good I can barely stand it.”

  “I’m glad I have something you wanted so much.” Scott was sorry he’d said that since it made Bailey sober up a bit and he put his beer on the table.

  “So what’s going on with you Scott? I know you’re a police officer. I know you work part time at a club and I know you like to drive like a wild man in your jeep, but what else is there?” Bailey asked and looked at Scott’s face.

  He cleared his throat, took a swig of his beer and sat up. This is what he’d always wanted as a teen. Bailey’s undivided attention, but now he couldn’t do what he wanted with it, so it was a tad too late. “That’s about all there is about me.”

  “You never found a partner?” Bailey questioned while studying Scott. “Was the guy who just stiffed you on the rent or Mark, the guy who owns the bar one of your…um...friends?”

  Scott froze for a minute at the mention of Mark. What had that asshole said to Bailey? He knew the man was pissed off at Bailey on behalf of his younger self, but he’d have to tell him to let the irrational anger go. “Why would you ask about Mark?”

  “I don’t know. There was a bit of tension in the air when you introduced us and he wasn’t the friendliest on the ride to the hotel. Nothing I can put my finger on but I just wondered if there was something going on between the two of you.” Bailey reached for his beer again. He sipped it a few times before just holding it in his hand.

  “Mark and I had a thing years ago, but it’s way over. We are just friends now.” Scott watched Bailey process that and hoped that little snippet would be enough.

  “Why’d you break up with him?” Bailey looked at his can like it could tell him what to say next.

  “I didn’t. He was done with me. It was for the best. Why did you assume I ended it?” Scott shouldn’t have been curious. The thread of conversation would have probably been done but nope, Scott had to keep that shit going.