Chapter 3
Bailey
Lily was in the middle of one of her outrageous stories when I noticed Wes leaving last night. All my attention focused on him. Even when the words “leash” and “man” were used in the same sentence, I wasn’t able to focus on what Lily was saying because I was glaring at the back of my neighbor.
I tried to stay and enjoy myself, but eventually ended up leaving because my social battery felt almost completely depleted.
I do enjoy being around them, and even Jameson and his friends were nice, but I’m an introvert to my core.
When I do venture out to a bar or something, I’m not social.
If I’m looking to go home with someone, I don’t need pleasantries and they’re the sole focus of my attention.
Sometimes I don’t even need a name, or I forget it. Like the night with Wes. I’m pretty sure he didn’t remember mine either since he kept calling me angel.
I heard him come home last night, and it wasn’t long before I had a text from him.
He didn’t have my number for the longest time, but Sutton “accidentally” gave it to him, supposedly.
She’s been on me for awhile, questioning if there’s something between.
She had some excuse as to why she gave it to him, but I think it was some failed attempt at trying to play matchmaker.
That will never happen between us.
Now he has my number and uses it to his advantage more often than I would like. The grump sure as shit stays to himself, and I try to as much as possible. You’d think we could live in peace, never speaking to each other, but that’s just not the case.
I left him on read last night because his threat to show up at my house was a little too tempting. It’s been a while since I’ve had an orgasm that I didn’t give myself, and unfortunately for me I remember exactly how easy it was for him to pull the pleasure from my body.
And I’m sure there’s more where that comes from.
I did get a text from Sutton this morning sending an SOS because she needs caffeine and left her coffee at home, apparently.
I was working on inventory, but told her I would be her savior.
Luckily, Amity is extremely small; we only have one stoplight and the grooming salon where she works is less than a mile down the road from my coffee stand so it won’t take me long to get over there.
She always orders the same thing, an iced vanilla latte with almond milk, so I put it together quickly, and let Jenn, one of my employees, know I’ll be right back.
I could easily walk to the grooming salon next to the fire station, but I opt for the faster option of driving. When I walk in I’m greeted with a bark that definitely did not come from a dog.
“Shut up, Vern!” the shop's cockatoo, Jerry Lee, announces like he always does. No one here is named Vern, and no one really knows where that came from, but he has lots of interesting phrases he’s learned over the years.
“Jizz! Hot guy, Jameson!”
Like those.
“Jerry Lee, I swear to God I will pluck your feathers out one by—Oh hi!” Sutton greets and I laugh, handing over her drink. “Thank you so much. I owe you my life, or my first born.“
“Keep any child you have to yourself, you don’t owe me anything.”
“Wait, why are we offering children?” Lily steps out into the entryway. “Hold on, where’s mine?”
Sutton clutches the drink tightly to her chest, as though she’s trying to conceal it.
“This isn’t fair,” Lily pouts.
“You didn’t ask, she did. Sorry.” I shrug.
“See if I do anything for you two ever again.” She looks between us with a glare before storming off.
Sutton smirks before calling out, “Parker’s outside.”
“He’s not on shift today,” Lily calls back, and Sutton slaps her hand over her mouth, stifling her laughter. “I didn’t say that, I don’t know anything about him or his schedule and I hate you both.”
Standing between them, I’m a little lost in their banter. I know Parker is a firefighter who works with Jameson, and that he and Lily have a past. I’m not one to bring up anyone’s histories, considering mine with my neighbor, so I stay quiet like usual.
Lily’s head peeks around the corner. “I’m kidding. You know I love you both, but also you’re mean.” Then she’s gone again.
“Anyway, I should head back to work. Lily,” I call out, “do you want me to bring you anything?”
“It’s too late for you to try and buy my love now, this ship has sailed!” she yells from the other room, and Sutton just shrugs.
“Okay then, I’ll see you later.”
“Bitch!” the bird squawks.
“That’s a new one,” I comment.
“Yeah, take one guess where it came from.” Sutton points her thumb in the direction where Lily disappeared.
I smile, shaking my head and saying goodbye before I turn and head back to work.
One thing I’ve always loved about my job has been the hours.
I prefer waking up early so I can be done before the day is over.
Call me crazy but it’s my preference. However, I don’t like it when I’ve been woken up in the middle of the night.
Especially by Wes’s damn sports car roaring to life, then tearing out of here to wherever the fuck he goes at all hours.
I can only imagine it’s some woman’s house or something.
He never has anyone over to his place, and other than annoying me, he hasn’t attempted to get me into bed again.
Though, he doesn’t seem like the commitment type, so I’m sure whoever the poor girl is will get her heart broken.
Or girls, I’m sure there’s multiple when it comes to him.
No judging here, he can do whatever he wants and break all the hearts he wants.
It just will never be mine.
I am, however, tempted to break something of his when I’m awoken for the second time tonight. Yet again, I look at the clock and see it’s a little after two in the morning. Everything is silent so I can hear when he shuts the car door, and I debate storming over there to yell at him.
I hang on to my composure, but just barely. Though, when I’m unable to fall asleep after several minutes, I grab my phone again and type an angry text I may not even send.
Fuck it.
Bailey: I don’t know what or who you’re out doing all the time but either stay out or get a quieter fucking car.
Wes: You sound jealous.
I scowl at the screen even though he can’t see me.
Bailey: What’s there to be jealous of? Two seconds of mediocre dicking? I’m good.
I swear our street is so quiet I can hear his bark of laughter from next door. But there’s also a high probability that I’m just hallucinating because I’m half asleep and pissed off.
Wes: You and I both know I last a lot longer than that, and that it’s anything but mediocre. Go to bed.
Bailey: You don’t tell me what to do.
Wes: Watch me.
I toss my phone down and stare at the ceiling.
It’s times like this I can’t but think about the night we had together. Does he remember? Has he remembered this entire time? I feel like I’m going crazy and any chance I had of going to sleep tonight is now completely obliterated because he’s fucking with my head.
And the worst part is, I think that’s exactly what he’s wanting to do.