24. Bailey
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Bailey
PAST
“You lying piece of shit!” I slam the front door shut behind me, speaking to my brother for the first time since going to him for advice.
Only now, I see the advice he gave me for what it really was. Hunt wanted me to fuck everything up with her so I’d send Kaitlyn straight into his waiting arms.
I can’t believe I fell for it. If I hadn’t seen Hunter kiss Kaitlyn by her locker, I’m not sure I would’ve believed it happened.
“Whatever, Bailey. Throw your temper tantrum. See if I care,” he says, starting up the stairs to his room.
“You told me to pretend that kiss with Kaitlyn never happened, so you could make a fucking move on her.” I’m nearly shaking with how angry I am.
Hunter stops to turn around and look at me. He’s as calm and collected as ever. It fucking pisses me off more than I already am because I can’t hide my feelings as well as him. I’ve been wielding my silence as a shield, but I want to hurt him like he’s hurt me.
“Yeah, I did. You’re a fucking wreck, and all you’d do is hurt her just like you’re hurting everyone else. I didn’t make you take my advice either, but I wasn’t wrong in anything I said. You can’t even make yourself happy, so why do you think you would make her happy?”
We’ve always been on the same team, but now I’m not even sure I recognize him, despite sharing the same face.
“So I can’t, but you can?” I ask, balling my hands into fists at my side as my ears ring.
Hunter shakes his head at me, his mouth pressed into a thin line. “I’m not trying to be an asshole, but seriously? No one knows what the fuck is going on with you. Just because you want to be miserable, it doesn’t mean everyone else has to be.”
“I might be miserable, but at least I’m not a fucking liar.
I came to you for advice because I care about Kait, and you manipulated me to get your way.
Everyone thinks you’re so fucking perfect, but you’re not.
However long this thing with you lasts, I hope you never forget she picked me .
Kaitlyn wanted me, and the only reason she’s with you is because I pushed her away.
You’re the second choice,” I say, ruthlessly calling him out on his shit as he turns away.
Hunter’s composure falters, giving me momentary satisfaction in knowing my words hit their mark. I know my brother—or at least I thought I did—and he won’t forget this. He’s used to always being number one, but not this time.
“Carter, I can’t do it. I can’t stay in this house anymore with these fucking people.” My mind is spinning after walking in on Kaitlyn and Hunter making out in the shed. I was just trying to get my surfboard.
Ever since everyone found out they’re together, it’s like I can’t escape them .
It’s been a month, and things have only gone downhill since then. I haven’t spoken to anyone other than Carter since my fight with Hunter, and I’m really not looking forward to the trip to France we’re taking as a family next week with Kaitlyn’s family.
Kaitlyn’s tried a few more times to talk to me, but I have nothing to say. I’m the one that pushed her away. There’s no reason she can’t go out with my brother, even if it makes me want to punch him in the face.
Mirabelle’s home, but when she’s not too busy nursing her own broken heart, she’s decided she’s going to be the one to get me to talk. I wish she’d get the hint and leave me alone.
Liar. You don’t want to be alone.
“You know you’re always welcome here,” Carter says, pulling me from my thoughts. It’s tempting to think about. If only I could leave and pretend I never belonged to this family. I’m not even sure they’d miss me. “Have you learned anything else?”
“I wish. I’m not sure I trust anyone to tell me the truth if I asked.” Except to ask, I’d have to speak to them, and that’s the last thing I want to do.
If I weren’t being escorted to and from school, I’d try to sneak out to the Charlotte house to see if I can find more letters. Hell, even just something Dad might’ve kept from back then would help after I made the mistake of burning the letter I found.
“If it makes you feel better, I’ve tried getting more information out of my mom about your dad, but she shuts down every time I mention his name,” Carter says, sighing. I can’t blame her.
“If my fiancé left me while I was pregnant for another woman, I don’t think I’d like talking about it either,” I say, completely understanding Kiera’s side.
Everyone I know has always put my father on a pedestal, and I know without a doubt their inner circle knew about Kiera and Carter. None of them has ever said anything.
“Well, as the child born from that situation, it’d be nice if she did answer some of my questions,” Carter says, and I kick the sand as I walk closer to the water. “I know I shouldn’t be, but I’m jealous you grew up with our dad.”
It still feels weird to hear. I’m not sure it ever won’t.
“Why? I’ve been questioning how much of it was even real, and how much of it was pretend. I mean, if you had grown up with us, things would’ve turned out so different. Maybe I wouldn’t be . . .” Alone. I wouldn’t be alone.
I guess I have no one to blame since I did it to myself. I could’ve picked football like everyone else. I should have made more of an effort to connect with my siblings. It’s not their fault they’re closer.
“Bailey?”
I hum a sound of acknowledgement to let him know I’m listening. The cold water kisses my ankles, getting the bottom of my sweatpants wet. I could be surfing right now, but there’s no way I’m going back in the shed.
“You’re not alone,” Carter says softly.
I want to believe him, but it’s not easy.
“Except I am. Carter, you’re living your life, and I’m stuck here in this house of mirrors.
I’m happy for you, but I don’t know who I can trust right now.
My own twin stole the girl I love because I was too blind to see what he was doing.
” The fucking image of Kaitlyn and Hunter kissing is burned into my retinas.
“If my brother did that, I’d strangle him.” Carter scoffs, and it makes me feel a little better to know at least one other person knows about this side of Hunter.
“Actually, he’s your brother too,” I remind Carter, and I feel bad for even considering the idea that he might regret coming to me .
“Is it too early for me to disown him?”
I laugh, feeling a smile form on my face. “I think it might be.”
“You know, B, I’m really glad I found out about you,” Carter says a moment later, and my shoulders slump in relief.
“I’m glad you did too,” I reply, my grip tight on the phone.
Since the rest of my life has gone to shit, and I can’t tell the difference between what’s true and what’s a lie. But at least I gained a brother. Maybe there’s a reason he didn’t come into my life until now.
There has to be a reason for all of this.