by JL Paul
“Shoot.”
“If something is going on, please, please talk to me. I swear I won’t say a word to anyone – not even Lucas.”
“Thanks but I’m fine. Go enjoy the show and tell everyone I said hey.”
I hung up quickly before she could make me feel guiltier or worse – more pathetic.
***
I decided to stick around for awhile – my reasoning being that the more time I spent away from Collin the better my chances of getting over him. Besides, he needed to deal with what we’d done and move on without me being a constant reminder.
It wasn’t until Wednesday night that any of my old high school friends called. I couldn’t really be too pissed – I hadn’t called them either.
“Bailey! It’s Kora. What are you doing tonight?” Kora Zimmerman cooed into the phone.
“Nothing special,” I mused as I floated on the tiny raft in our pool. “Why?”
“Daddy just told me that your father told him you were in town. And I’m throwing an awesome beach party tonight for my boyfriend’s birthday. You remember, Todd, right?”
“Sure,” I said. “I remember him. Anyone good coming to this party?”
She laughed bitterly. “Oh, a couple of our mutual friends and a few other people that might interest you.”
“My curiosity is aroused,” I said with a grin. “Who?”
“Veronica Lindgren.”
My skin crawled as bile crept up my throat. Veronica was the bane of my existence and I longed for the chance to smash her face in the sand.
“Party starts at six,” Kora said.
“I’ll be there,” I smirked.
***
I dressed rather modestly that night. I wore a one piece white bathing suit, bikini cut with a low neckline that emphasized my generous curves and hinted at nice breasts. I pulled a simple pink skirt and white tank over it and slipped my feet into flip flops before I drove to Kora’s house.
The music was blasting and people were already on the beach, hitting a volley ball over a net and consuming alcohol from the many coolers on the deck. Kora rushed over and hugged me, exclaiming how pretty I looked. I smirked and asked for a drink.
I drew loads of male attention that day as I splashed in the water and played volleyball with my old friends. It was just what my bruised ego needed and by the time it grew dark enough to light a bonfire, I had my fair share of admirers vying for my attention.
“Oh, look,” a droll voice said from somewhere behind me. “The slut has returned.”
Chuckling, I turned slowly. Veronica Lindgren stood amidst a group of her friends with a knowing grin on her heavily painted face.
“And the pathetic, spiteful bitch has arrived. That really sucks – the party was going so well,” I said with a sarcastic smile plastered on my face.
Veronica gestured at several of the males gathered around. “How many of them have you screwed tonight, Bailey?”
“Why?” I asked, folding my arms over my chest. “Jealous? Wish just one of them would do you?”
She sputtered a little as her neck turned red. “I wouldn’t waste my time.”
I snorted. “You mean they wouldn’t waste their time. None of them want to sleep with a butt-ugly wretched loser like you.”
Kora eased beside me and placed a hand on my shoulder.
“She’s right,” Kora said.
“You’re both nothing but a couple of whores,” Veronica continued. “You know the only reason why guys date you is because they know they’ll get lucky.”
“Maybe,” I said as I finished my drink. “But I’m honest about it. If I want someone then I tell them – I don’t play coy like you. I know what I want and I go out and get it.”
But that wasn’t entirely right, was it? I wanted Collin and yet I ran away.
But you had a reason my conscience tried to tell me. And it was right. I'd had to leave because he didn’t want me and he felt bad about what had happened. And I really didn’t need to go through the entire list of reasons why I fled from my friends like a coward. I had other things to deal with at that very moment.
“Just stay away from me, Bailey Foxworth, and stay away from my boyfriend,” Veronica ordered.
I laughed. “Why? Afraid I’ll steal him from you? Where is he? Let me see if he’s doable and maybe I’ll give him a shot.”
Standing on my toes, I glanced around the crowd, totally pissing off Veronica. She fisted her hands and jammed them on her hips as her entire face turned redder than a baboon’s backside.
“He’s not here so don’t even think about it,” she said, her eyes spitting nails and other sharp objects. “And he wouldn’t have anything to do with the likes of you.”
“Who is he?” I demanded. “Let’s just see if you’re right.”
“You are a whore,” she said. “You really would try to sleep with him, wouldn’t you?”
I shrugged, a lazy smirk on my lips. “Depends – is he hot?”
Huffing, she spun away from me, allowing the crowd to swallow her. I wasn’t exactly proud of myself, but it was a shallow victory for me. Especially after what the little bitch had done to me in school. And I hoped she worried that I’d come after her boyfriend. I’d even ask around at the party to find out who he was. I wouldn’t mess with him – had no desire- but I’d let her think I would. Screw it – I wasn’t winning any popularity contests around here.
Guy Fargo, a boy I remembered from high school, wrapped an arm around my shoulder and pecked my cheek. “How tall are you, Bailey?”
I shrugged. “Five four – five four and a half. Why?”
He squeezed me. “I’ve always heard dynamite comes in small packages.”
“Please,” I scoffed as I rolled my eyes. “She had that coming and a lot more. So tell me, who is her boyfriend? I may have to give him a call.”
Guy laughed and slid his arm down mine to grab my hand. “I can think of a better man for you.”
“I bet you can,” I said, as I raised a brow. “But I’m really not interested right now.” Actually, my heart wasn’t into it – it was miles away back in Dalefield.
“Your loss, babe,” he said and kissed my cheek again. I smiled apologetically and wandered to the deck so I could replace my empty beer bottle with a full one.
I sat on the deck steps, watching the inebriated people try to dance and hook up and wondered if I was destined for this sort of life. If I didn’t want to go to school, I certainly didn’t have to go. I had a hefty trust fund that I’d be able to live off of once I turned twenty-five. Plus, Daddy always gave me what I wanted and had done so ever since my mother had died and he was forced to raise a little girl while running a successful chain of department stores.
There’d been nannies, of course, and Daddy tried to make it to the important things, but he'd always been so busy. That’s when he’d shell out the money or bring home presents to make up for all the time he spent away from me.
The first stepmother arrived on the scene just after I'd turned nine. She and I clashed like water and electricity. She'd only been interested in Daddy’s money and the ‘in-crowd’. She hadn't lasted very long. Nor did she get any money – thanks to the prenup agreement.
Steffi came when I was thirteen and immediately put me on guard. She was young and beautiful and I thought she was just another woman out for a sugar daddy.
But she hadn't been. She'd genuinely loved my father and had actually reminded him several times that he needed to let delegate some responsibility so he could spend time at home with his daughter. In six months’ time, we became a family. A real one.
My phone rang, dragging me out of my visit down memory lane. I flipped it open without a glance, thinking it was Steffi checking to make sure I was sober enough to drive home.
“Yeah?” I said as I watched Guy flirt with a girl I didn’t know.
“What are you doing, Bailey?” Collin asked. My heart stilled.
“Um, sitting on the beach, drinking a beer and
watching some idiot try to pick up a girl who definitely isn’t interested. What are you doing?”
“You know what I mean,” he sighed. His breath hit the phone and sounded like a wind tunnel.
“No, I don’t think I do,” I said as my brow puckered. “I mean, I thought I did and I even told you what I was doing but apparently that wasn’t the right answer.”
“Bailey,” he groaned, his voice dripping with impatience. “Are you going to the party Saturday in Chicago?”
He’d obviously given up on his previous question yet I didn’t really have an answer to the current one. “I don’t know yet. Maybe.”
“You should,” he said quietly. “We’ll talk.”
“We’ll see,” I said sadly as I considered the beer in my hand. “Look, I have to go – the party is pretty lame and I’m tired. If I don’t see you Saturday, I’ll see you when you get back.”
“Fine,” he muttered. “Drive safe.” He hung up without another word.
I flipped my phone shut, jammed it in my pocket, and dumped out my beer. I definitely wasn't in a party mood any longer. I slipped quietly to my car and drove to Daddy’s.
Chapter 5
I parked in the lot of the charming hotel around three on Saturday afternoon. For such a squat building of about ten stories, it was rather impressive. The grounds were well maintained - the grass looking soft enough to sleep on - and the flower beds were overflowing with wave petunias in bright pinks and purples.
I walked up a cobblestone stone path to the lobby and approached the desk. The smiling young lady directed me to the block of rooms that Collin’s parents had reserved for us, handing me a key after I handed her my credit card.
My room was small but clean and as charming as the outside. I dropped my bag on the bed and pulled out the outfit I intended to wear. I changed quickly into the pale yellow capris and matching top. The neckline was fairly modest, only showing a hint of cleavage, and the material wasn’t as clingy.
I arranged my hair in a long braid that hung down my back and sprayed my favorite perfume on my neck and wrists. I slipped on my flip flops, glanced at my reflection once more before grabbing the keycard and hurrying out of the room.
The gardens were lovely: more petunias and plenty of other floral species I didn’t know. The colors complimented each other - their sweet aroma was so summery that I wanted to close my eyes and run through a field like the tampon commercials on television.
The stone path wound around trees and to a surprisingly large courtyard cut into the perfectly cut green grass. Several covered tables littered the lawn and a stage – complete with instruments – was set up in a corner. My eyes grazed the partygoers, anxious to find someone familiar but I couldn't find Irelyn or Lucas or Spencer or…(swallow)…Collin.
I shrugged, not overly concerned, and meandered to the bar where I requested a bottle of water. The uniformed bartender handed me one with a smile. I returned it flirtatiously and turned back to the crowd. I heaved a huge sigh as I twisted the bottle open and took a sip.
“Bailey!” Spencer called as he appeared beside me. He hugged me and dropped a kiss to the top of my head. “Irelyn was worried that you wouldn’t come.” He held me at arm’s length and allowed his gentle eyes to bore into mine. “Darling, what’s going on?”
Forcing a grin, I pecked his cheek. “Nothing, Spence, honest. I just wanted to spend some time with my family.”
“Well, you look outstanding,” he said, though doubt still lingered in his eyes. “Come on, the others are over here.”
He steered me to a table and Irelyn hopped up to hug me. “You did come!”
“Yeah,” I said as I hugged her back. I glanced over her shoulder and found Collin fighting a smile. My heart lifted. My time away had done nothing to quell my crush – it had only enhanced it.
“Wow,” Irelyn said as she stepped back to look at me. “You look fantastic!”
Shrugging, I plopped into a chair. “The stepmom took me to the spa – full treatment.”
“It’s working for you,” Collin said, a roguish glint in his eyes. Heat crept up my neck and I fought to keep it off my face. “So, what did you do?”
“Not much – shopped, spent Daddy’s money, hung out on the beach, went to a party.” An evil grin broke out on my mouth. “Got into a pissing match with an old enemy of mine. It was classic.” I snorted and took a sip of my water. “She thinks I’m going to seduce her boyfriend.”
“Bailey,” Irelyn groaned.
I narrowed my eyes at Irelyn as my stomach swirled. “She deserves a lot worse. And I’m not actually going after her boyfriend. I don’t even know him.”
“What’s the deal with this chick?” Lucas asked as he sipped a glass of iced tea, amusement flooding his eyes.
“Nothing,” I said as I turned my head to watch the crowd. “Long story – very boring.”
“Did you get something to eat?” Collin asked. “There’s a ton of food.”
I didn’t want to look at him but I knew it would be rude if I didn’t. When I twisted to face him, my heart gasped. He was so beautiful and so out of reach.
“Nah – I ate before I left.”
Nodding, he dropped his eyes to the table. It was obvious he was still feeling guilty. I wished I could smack some sense into him but I doubted it would work. I’d have to wait until we had a chance to talk and hope that whatever I said would chase the guilt from his heart.
The party droned on seemingly endlessly but I did have the opportunity to meet the Newton boys’ parents. Patrick and Sandy Newton were fun people and I could easily see where the boys inherited their good looks and easy going personalities. Sandy fussed constantly over her boys, and Irelyn also, throwing hints that she’d like the next big event to be a wedding. The strain in Irelyn’s eyes was visibly pronounced – the girl was not ready to marry.
Spencer was nearly as preoccupied as Collin and my stomach dropped to my flip flops. I wondered if he’d somehow found out about me and Collin and if he was hiding his pain. I’d have to ask Collin – if we ever were able to talk.
The guys finally left us to prepare for the first set so Irelyn took that opportunity to pounce on me like a cat on a mouse. I set my mouth in a straight line and prepared for her assault.
“Okay, fess up,” she said, her eyes on Lucas as he strapped on his guitar and stepped up to the microphone.
“What am I fessing up to?” I asked in total innocence. “I did nothing wrong – that I can think of.”
“Bailey, I’m not entirely stupid,” she pleaded. “I can tell something is going on and it’s killing me. Why won’t you talk to me?”
Sighing deeply, I took a drink of my water, wishing for something stronger. I wouldn’t drink, though – not with Collin’s parents around. I’d wait until I got to my room.
“Irelyn,” I said in defeat. “It kills me, too, that I can’t talk to you about this.”
“So there is something going on,” she said as she scooted closer to me. “What?”
I bit my lip and ducked my head, trying to figure out what to say to her. I didn’t want to launch into the whole story, as much as it pained me to keep it from her. And I didn’t think she’d be too impressed with my recent behavior.
“Can you just give me a little more time to work things out?” I asked. “I’ll talk to you, I promise. I just need a little more time, okay?”
“Are you in trouble?” she whispered, her eyes wide.
“No,” I laughed. “Not at all.”
Her eyes continued to scrutinize me carefully, looking for cracks in my façade. “Okay, I’ll give you some space. But promise that you’ll call me if you need me. Please?”
“Of course,” I chuckled as I smiled at her. I really was grateful that I had her. I knew she’d come over in an instant if I called her – no matter what time. And I’d do the same for her. “Thanks.”
“Sure,” she said and managed a tiny smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. She wasn’t appeased b
ut she’d honor my request.
Jennifer, the graduate, and her friends danced in front of the stage while the guys played. Irelyn amused me greatly as she watched the girls like a hawk, making sure none of them were flirting with Lucas. I couldn’t believe she was still so insecure – couldn’t she see how much Lucas loved her? Didn’t she realize how lucky she was to know she loved him and he loved her?
My gaze left Irelyn and wandered to the stage where it finally landed on Collin. I could see beads of perspiration on his brow reflecting the lights as he pounded on the drums. My heart thumped in time with his beat so hard that I was afraid I’d break a rib.
Lucky Tori, I thought. She’s an idiot if she doesn’t realize what’s right in front of her face.
A lump formed in my throat which irritated me. I scowled and folded my arms over my chest earning a curious look from Irelyn. I pretended not to see as I concentrated on the dancers. I was so tired of feeling teary-eyed and emotional all the time. This being in love crap totally sucked.
When the boys finished playing around eleven, Irelyn and I jumped on the stage to help them tear down their equipment and pack it up in the cases. We hauled it to the van Collin had rented and once we finished, Spencer suggested we go up to the rooms to have a drink. Collin pulled me aside as everyone headed back in the hotel.
“What room are you in?” he asked.
My skin tingled from his touch. “Three-twelve,” I said. “Why? Thinking of grabbing a bottle of mescal?”
I cringed, cursing my runaway mouth. But he laughed and squeezed my arm.
“No, not tonight. I was thinking that I’d stop by later and maybe we could talk.”
“Oh, sure,” I said, excitement shooting throughout my body. “That’s fine.”
“Great,” he said with a grin and dropped my arm. We hurried to catch up with the others.
We ended up in Irelyn and Lucas’s room and sprawled out on the furniture. Lucas fell on the bed, tugging Irelyn into his arms while Collin and I took the two chairs tucked under the table. Spencer passed out the beers then perched atop a dresser.
“Hey, Collin,” Lucas called. “I thought you invited Tori to come?”
