45. Kaitlyn
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
Kaitlyn
NOW
I feel like everything is finally going the way it’s supposed to be.
I can feel Bailey staring, and it might help him stay on his board better if he could focus on the waves he’s trying to ride instead of watching me. My heart is racing, and I’m trying not to stare back at him, but the truth is, he shines so damn bright, you can’t help but look at him.
I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to look away.
Tilting my head, I try not to laugh. “Why are you staring at me? Do I have seaweed in my hair or something?” I’ll give B the benefit of the doubt at least.
Bailey grins, his light eyes lifting to meet mine. “I’m staring at you because I like looking at you,” he answers, and I notice his cheeks are starting to burn. “In case I haven’t told you, I think you’re beautiful.”
I feel my face heat, and I don’t know what to say. “Gross.” I roll my eyes, reaching into the warm water.
“Gross? Me calling you beautiful is gross?” He tips his head back, laughter spilling from him. I love the way he looks smiling under the sun .
“I’m sorry, I don’t know what the appropriate response is. Saying thank you seems self-centered, so yeah, I said gross.”
I don’t know how to take a compliment. I’m working on it, but Bailey has a way of making me get tongue tied.
The more time I spend with him, the clearer it becomes that Hunter and I did love each other, but it was never in this all-consuming way where I can’t breathe if I’m not in the same room as him.
I think we were two hurt people finding safety and comfort with someone we loved. I’m grateful for the time we were together, but it doesn’t mean we were right for each other.
“Best part about me is you can say whatever you want without having to worry about me thinking you’re self-centered. You have the biggest heart I know, so it’s the last thing I’d say about you,” he says, flashing me as smile he paddles closer to me.
“You’re sweet, but I also think you’re stalling because you’re afraid to wipe out on another wave,” I tease, and Bailey splashes me.
“I’m not afraid.”
I pull my braid over my shoulder, loving how his eyes drift to it for a second. He really does have a thing for my braids. “Prove it.”
“I have better things to prove.” Bailey leans to pull my board next to his. I meet him halfway, smiling against his lips after he kisses me
“Like what?”
“This.” He slides his hand to cup the back of my neck, holding me in place as he moves his mouth against mine.
The water underneath our boards forces him to let me go, and I splash some water at him, but I really should splash it on myself. Even just a simple kiss has me wanting to drag him back to the shed for a repeat of the other morning .
“You’re getting red. We should probably go inside so you can get some studying done, or we could also see if Javi wants to go for ice cream?” I suggest, reminding myself that it’s not a good idea while everyone’s home and awake.
“Race you inside?” he proposes, and an evil thought pops into my head.
I smile, and reach for him again, luring Bailey into a trap he falls for too easily. Instead, I shove him off his board into the water with a splash before taking off.
I can hear him laughing behind me as I paddle, but his arms are longer than mine. He’ll catch me in no time, and I need to use all the advantages I have, even if it was technically cheating.
Laughing as I drag my board out of the water, I carry it under my arm as I move as fast as I can toward the shed. I’m pulling off the rash guard stuck to me like a second skin when I hear the door to the shed creak open behind me.
Bailey’s tongue is practically hanging out of his mouth, and my body pulses at the thought of how easy it would be to lose myself in kissing him.
“Sorry, but I wanted to win,” I say, and Bailey snorts, resting his board next to mine as I wrap myself in a towel.
“For an apology, that was pretty shitty.”
“I’ll give you a better one later to make up for it,” I tease, slipping past him on my way out the door.
Bailey’s sweatshirt is hanging on the back of one of the chairs on the deck, and I grab it, smiling when I smell the familiar citrus scent that clings to him.
Pulling it over my head, it brushes the tops of my thighs, but this is pretty typical attire at the beach house.
I’ll look for shorts inside when I ask Javi if he wants to get ice cream.
I talked to Henry a few days ago, and he mentioned he’s worried Javi won’t want them to adopt him.
I told him how ridiculous I thought it was because Javi loves them.
I think it’ll be a hard transition since Bailey’s been his safe place for so long, but as long as everyone follows through on their promises that they’ll get to see each other all the time, it’ll be okay.
The last thing I expected to find when coming inside was a stranger sitting with Thalia and Sebastian. They look like they’ve seen a ghost.
“Hi, Kait. Do you know Luna?” Thalia asks, her smile strained.
This is Luna? I know it doesn’t matter right now because it’s not the time, but Bailey really could have mentioned she’s beautiful. Did he know she was coming?
I clear my throat, trying to smile. “I’ve heard a lot about her,” I say, tugging at the bottom of Bailey’s sweatshirt. I kinda wish I was wearing more clothes right now, but I guess I should just be glad I grabbed his sweatshirt and I’m not just in a towel and my swimsuit.
“Is Bailey coming in?” Sebastian asks, his voice hoarse.
So this wasn’t a planned visit Bailey forgot to mention. Shit. I look over my shoulder to see his mop of blond hair appear on his way up the stairs at the end of the deck.
“Yeah, in just a minute,” I say, trying to smile, but I have a feeling this isn’t going to be good. “Does Javi know you’re here?”
Thalia shakes her head, clasping her hands together in her lap. “He’s upstairs with Mira.”
“He’ll be happy to see you.” I’m stalling, just trying to keep the peace until Bailey walks in, but apparently he’s taking his sweet time.
He looks like he’s thinking about something happy, and I’m hoping that whatever brought Luna here isn’t going to ruin all the progress he’s made. Fuck, I just want him to be happy .
Bailey walks in, and I wish I could protect him from whatever this is, but I don’t think I can.
All I can do is be there for him as much as he’ll let me.
He tilts his head, and more than anything, I wish we’d stayed out on the water longer.
Bailey turns, noticing it’s not just us in the room, and the smile on his face fades as he realizes all of his secrets are finally going to catch up to him.