“Yes, but it wasn’t arealdate. You didn’t really know each other. Look, it’s awful what he’s done, but I haveneverseen you as happy as you are with him. Someone wants you apart, for whatever reason, and I have never liked bowing down to cowards, regardless.” She sipped her milkshake and licked her lips, wiping her mouth afterward. I noticed a familiar tan bracelet on her arm and nodded at it with interest.
“Is that Elijah’s?”
She blushed then, her fingers touching the bracelet.
“Yeah, it is. I loved it, and he wanted me to have it. I miss him.”
I smiled, happy that my brother and my best friend were working out so well.
“Could I talk to you for a minute?” A deep voice came by my side, and Ray instantly stood up.
Bailey.
I didn’t need to look up; his scent arrived before he did. I could feel the heat from his body as he stood close to me, waiting for Ray to leave. Finally, he slumped into the chair in front of me, rubbing his hand over his chin as he gazed at me through tired eyes.
“First of all, I’m sorry. Again. I feel like all I do is apologize to you.” His voice made my chest tighten as I stared at the table, avoiding his intense blue gaze. He sighed and leaned forward, his hands suddenly on mine. “I fucked up, Annabelle. I’m not proud of myself. I just want you to know I wouldneverhurt you intentionally. If I had known how I would feel about you, I would never have-”
“Fucked the waitress from our date?” I finished for him. My voice was cold. I realized I was shaking as he winced.
“That sounds fucking awful,” he said as I nodded.
“Itisfucking awful, Bailey. Do you have any idea how hard it is being your girlfriend?”
He bit his lip as he looked at me, eyes locked on mine.
“So what you’re saying is; you’re still my girlfriend,” he quipped as I lifted an eyebrow in his direction, causing him to apologize immediately. “Sorry. Carry on.”
“You made a bet-”
“Oh, comeon.Don’t bring that up now, please.” Bailey interrupted with exasperation.
“You were my first kiss. Myfirst-”
He smiled then as I stopped, closing my eyes against the memory of his body against mine.
“I have given you so much, and what have you done for me? I just don’t think you care about me. Do you?”
“Do I care about you? Seriously?” he asked, his eyes suddenly dark. “I drive you home after your date with Chase falls apart so that you don’t walk home alone. I watch you kiss mybrotherin front of the entire beach, then hunt you down and take you home to sober up when you get too drunk and almost go home with some random college guy. Then when you are insulted at a party, I break my best friend’s nose. I would do itallagain, Annabelle. But don’t for one second think I don’tcareabout you.”
He pushed the chair back angrily as I swallowed.
“So what’s it going to be, Annabelle? I’m sorry- I can’t change what I did, but we weren’t together; in my shitty defense- it’s all I’ve got. I’ve spent the past few weeks living like a hobo because I didn’t have you. I fuckingloveyou, even though sometimes I wish I didn’t, I do.” I watched him as he spoke, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he leaned on the table, his blue eyes boring into mine. “Well?”
“If youeverdo that to me again-”
He silenced me with his lips on mine, kissing me so hard I worried there would be bruises on my face. I felt the stress leave my body as he kissed me, his arms wrapped around me. I breathed him in, the intoxicating scent filling my nostrils. Even when I was kissing him, it didn’t feel like I was close enough; it was a borderline obsession.
“You’remine,Annabelle Aurelle. Fuck everyone else; their thoughts and opinions mean fuck all. Just you and me.”
I nodded as he kissed me again, knowing he was right again.
I am his.
Twenty-Three
One
My mother approved.
