“Bailey is trying to break up with me,” he blurted out.
“Ah, yeah. I thought it might be coming. I just didn’t know if it would be you or her.”
“Ma! Why would you say that?”
“Remi, honey, it’s obvious.”
“How can it be obvious when I have no clue what’s going on?”
“Seriously?” she asked doubtfully.
“It’s like everybody’s lost it! Shaun is flirting with my girl, my girl is telling me we need a break, and you’re saying you didn’t know if it would be me or her that would end it. What did I miss?” he asked irritatedly.
“You honestly have no clue?”
“No!”
“Cristie,” Avaleigh said.
“Oh, my God! You, too? There is nothing going on between me and Cristie.”
“No, not a thing. Yet.”
Remi looked at his mother, appalled that she’d think he’d cheat on Bailey. “Mom, I’m with Bailey.”
“Yes, you are. And the moment Cristie walked into sight yesterday, you almost lost the ability to speak. You didn’t hear Bailey speaking to you. You didn’t hear any one at all speaking toyou. And then when Cristie went back to sit with her parents, all you did was stare at her. For the rest of the night you stared at her, or you were looking around, trying to find her.”
“I was not! I was just glad to see an old friend.”
“Remi, honey, be honest with yourself.”
“I wouldn’t cheat on Bailey, or anyone else for that matter. That’s not who I am.”
“I know. And that’s why I knew you and Bailey would have to be coming to an end. She’s a sweet girl, and I really, really like her. And it’s obvious she adores you, but she’s not right for you.”
“I love her.”
“You might. And if you really are in love with her, you have some soul searching to do. But if it’s just that you love her, and aren’t in love with her, Bailey breaking up with you might be the best thing for you.”
“Why? How could this be the best thing for me?”
“Because Cristie is your mate.”
“No, she’s not my…” he was clearly lost in thought as his words died off before he even finished his sentence.
“Back when you were both little toddlers, you always protected her and watched over her. We used to smile and say how sweet you were, and never really thought it was more.”
“It wasn’t like Havoc and Analise,” he said thoughtfully. “Not that I remember anyway.”
“No, it wasn’t. It was just two best friends. You’d both been through a lot, and I think that brought you closer together.”
“That’s probably all it is now. We’re just old friends.”
“Think about the way you were drawn to her last night. You couldn’t stop yourself even though Bailey was right beside you. She’d speak to you and you didn’t even hear her because you were so lost in Cristie, who wasn’t even looking your way.”
“Was it really that obvious?” Remi asked.
“Yes. Even more obvious than I’m saying.”
