Chapter 11
The vibration of Tempest’s cell phone had her digging in the recliner beneath her for the phone.
“I don’t want to talk to anybody!” she complained while still digging for the phone.
But by the time she managed to find it, it had stopped vibrating, which meant the caller had hung up, which was fine for her.
Except when she checked the recent call log to see who it was, the call had been from Bailey.
“I like Bailey,” she said. Sighing irritably, she hit redial.
Almost immediately Bailey picked up. “Hey!”
“Hey, yourself,” Tempest said.
“How are you feeling?” Bailey asked.
“Huge. Tired. Achy. Ready to have this baby!” Tempest practically growled.
Bailey laughed. “I’m sorry. I’ve heard it can be miserable near the end.”
“So miserable,” Tempest echoed.
“Sorry I haven’t been to visit you. First I was busy because I’m running the place by myself now, and now, honestly, I just don’t want to be a pest. I know you’re uncomfortable and don’t want to add to it,” Bailey explained.
“It’s okay. I understand. It’s as much my fault as yours that I haven’t seen you in the last few weeks. I just can’t make myself get up, get dressed and get down these stairs to go anywhere.”
“It’s fine. I don’t expect you to. Besides, if I’m being totally honest, I really didn’t want to run into Remi, either.”
“Yeah, he’s pleasant to be around lately,” Tempest said.
“Shaun told me he’s been removed from the clan.”
“Hopefully it’s just temporary. Brandt is upset about it, but when you become combative to your Alpha, and argumentative to anybody else in the clan, you really can’t expect much more.”
“Sorry. He is definitely not himself lately.”
“Oh? You saw him?”
“I did. He and his fiancée came into the shop.”
“Fiancée?!” Tempest asked.
“Oh, yeah. She wants whatever flavor of wedding cake is the most expensive one. And gold flakes on the cake. And a gold dress, and gold everything.”
“She’s a piece of work, isn’t she?”
“I really don’t know her, but I got the impression she’s very worried about money.”
“What did Remi say?” Tempest asked.
“He only slightly tried to dissuade her, then simply shut up and let her plan whatever she wanted.”
“I am going to have to yank him up, I can see it now,” Tempest said.
“Not until you have the baby. Brandt’s firm about little-to-no magic until the baby is born,” Bailey said.
“I may not have a choice. The girl has already emptied his bank accounts, insulted Brandt, intimidated Abby and her kids, and is just an unpleasant individual all the way around. You know, the kind that comes off as sweet, gentle, live and let live, then takes control of everything and everybody, while alienating her target from all those he knows and loves?”
“Ah, narcissistic. Yep. I do know. I’ve seen that myself, but was afraid it was just a little prejudice on my part because of who her partner is.”
“Oh, no. You were spot on. So am I.”
“I really hate that Remi is struggling through all this. He’s such a good guy, he deserves his mate.”
“I know. I hope he finds his way.”
“You know what I don’t understand?” Bailey asked.
“What’s that?” Tempest asked.
“Why has no one contacted Cristie? If he won’t listen to anyone else, maybe he’ll listen to her.”
“He refused to see her before she left. If I was Cristie, I’d refuse to see him.”
“Yes, but, you’re not his mate. She is. We don’t know how she’s feeling.
She has no idea that he’s gone off the deep end.
Maybe she’d come back to call him on his behavior and straighten him out, even if she doesn’t want him personally anymore.
I mean, they were childhood best friends before they realized they were mates,” Bailey said.
“That’s true. And if it were any other time, I might have thought of that myself. Or, I might have even acted on it. But in all honesty, all I want to do is get this baby out of me!” Tempest said, raising her voice to put emphasis on her frustration.
“It won’t be long. Shaun says you look like it’ll be any day.”
“Lord, I hope so!” Tempest said.
“Oh, the bright side, want some positive news?” Bailey asked.
“Yes! Please!” Tempest answered.
“Shaun and I have been getting closer, a lot closer. I really, really care about him. He makes me laugh, Tempest. Life is fun with him.”
“Aww, I’m so glad!”
“Me, too. He said that I’ll never have to worry about him finding his mate and choosing them over me, because I’m it.
I’m his mate, and he knew it when he saw me, but I was happy with Remi, and part of loving somebody selflessly is wanting them to have whatever makes them happy, even if it’s not you. ”
Tempest was sniffling.
“You alright?” Bailey asked worriedly.
“That’s so romantic! Why’d you have to tell me that? Now I’m crying,” Tempest said.
“You’re crying?”
“It’s hormones. I cry over freaking dog food commercials!”
Bailey laughed. “I’m sorry.”
“You know, everything happens for a reason. I swear it does, it’s not just a saying. And if Remi hadn’t brought you into the fold, maybe you and Shaun wouldn’t have met.”
“That’s true. Or maybe we would have. I’m sure he’d have come in for coffee at some point.”
“He doesn’t like coffee. He’s just forced himself to learn to tolerate it, because you sell it.”
Bailey burst out laughing. “Again, he just makes me laugh.”
“Aw, crap,” Tempest said, struggling to sit the recliner up so she could get out of it.
“What’s wrong?” Bailey asked.
“I gotta pee. Again.”
“Oh, well go ahead and take care of you. I’ll see you soon.”
“I want you at the hospital when I have this little ruffian,” Tempest said. “So, even if I don’t think to let you know I’m in labor when the time comes, you’re welcome there. You’re my best friend.”
“I’ll be there as soon as I hear about it.”
“Thank you. Love you.”
“Love you, too,” Tempest said. “And I’m happy about you and Shaun, but I really gotta pee.”
“Bye!” Bailey said, and ended the call as she was laughing.
She sat there for a few seconds, the idea of getting in touch with Cristie rolling around in her head.
Apparently none of Remi’s clan were going to do it because they believe that ship had sailed.
Plus he was no longer really associated with any of them — at least for now.
She opened her laptop and went to her search engine.
She typed in ‘Cristie Colter, and smiled as Cristie’s information popped up on her screen.
Address, age, possible relations, but no phone number.
Bailey kept searching diving deeper, and deeper until she finally happened on a phone number for a diner, that seemed to be right next door to Cristie’s house, if the addresses were any indication.
When she researched the diner, she found that Riley and Maia Colter were the owners of the building.
“Well, it’s worth a shot,” Bailey said, keying the phone number for the diner into her phone, and pressing the button to send the call.
She waited while the phone rang four times before being picked up. “The Best Bite! How can I help you?”
“Hi, my name is Bailey. I’m trying to contact Cristie Colter. I don’t have her number and was hoping that you might be able to help me.”
“I’m sorry, I can’t give out her number,” the girl said.
“I understand, but would you be able to take my number and pass it on to her if you happen to see her?”
“Uhh, sure. I can take your number, but I can’t guarantee when I’ll see her again.”
“That’s fine. I appreciate any help at all.”
“Alright, give me one second to grab something to write on… okay, I’m ready. Shoot!”
“My name is Bailey. I’m Remi’s ex-girlfriend. I’d really like to speak with her if she wouldn’t mind calling me back. Anytime, at her convenience, doesn’t matter what time.”
“You mind me asking what this is about?”
“Without getting too much into detail, it’s about Remi. There are some things I think she should be aware of,” Bailey said.
“Alright. I’ll give it to her whenever I see her, but I can’t guarantee she’ll call.”
“I understand. I appreciate you taking my number for her regardless. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Bye.”
Bailey ended the call, then made sure that the ringer was all the way up in volume on her phone, plugged it into charge and went to take a shower.
She looked back at the phone one last time, feeling like she really hadn’t achieved much of anything.
“It’s all I can do right now,” she said to herself before getting in the shower and trying to wash away all the stress she was feeling.
~~~
Julia hung up the phone near the cash register and held a strip of receipt paper out to Cristie. “She said her name is Bailey, and she’s Remi’s ex.”
“Yeah, I know who she is,” Cristie said.
“She said there are some things about Remi that she feels like you should know. Anytime you want to call her would be fine.”
“Thanks, Julia. I appreciate it,” Cristie said.
“You’re welcome. I hope it’s nothing too serious.”
“I don’t think I’ll ever know. I’m not planning on calling.”
“I’m sure that’s fine, too. Only you know what’s best for you,” Julia said.
Cristie nodded and tried to smile, but didn’t do a very good job of it. “I’m going to call it a night. I’ll probably see you tomorrow.”
“I’ll be here bright and early!” Julia said.
Cristie waved to a few regulars as she went out of the front door and crossed the parking lot.
She keyed the pass code into the keypad on the gate that separated the parking lot at the diner from the expansive yard surrounding her family home and paused long enough to make sure that the gate closed securely behind her, then went straight to the house and inside.
She let herself in and took the stairs two at a time until she reached the second floor.
“Cristie? Is that you, baby?” Maia called up the stairs.
“Yes! I have a headache. I think I’m going to lie down for a while.”
“You alright?” Maia called.