39. Bailey
thirty-nine
Bailey
Six Months Later
The jeep rattles across the uneven highway, a plastic cup shakes noisily in the console.
I turn the music up, drowning out the sound as I head to Peyton’s new apartment.
Liam’s dad owns a large portion of the prime real estate in town and was able to hold this one for her when the previous tenants left.
I enter the gate code and park, my steps light as I head to her door.
“Hey babe!” she smiles, hair pulled up, with a t-shirt and relaxed jeans complementing her tennis shoes.
“Hi,” I reply, pulling her into my arms. “I missed you.” She smells good, a light scent of cherries that is pleasing, but doesn’t quite disarm me like leather and cardamom.
“Missed you too,” she says, grabbing me by the hand and pulling me into the living room. “When are Nat and Liam supposed to be here?”
I glance at my phone, “In about fifteen minutes. Is that okay? Liam has been talking about this nonstop so it might be impossible to convince him to give us even an extra two minutes,” I say.
“He’s been wanting to see these guys play for years.
Apparently, they’ve been on tour in Europe and the only time they came to the states, he couldn’t make it.
He might not survive missing them again. ”
“Oh, I believe you. He’s foaming at the mouth. Probably driving Nat crazy in the car right now. You know he’s making her listen to them as we speak,” she says, a playful smile on her face.
I laugh. I can picture it now, Nat rolling her eyes while Liam justifies the volume and explains the importance of streaming their songs on all platforms whenever possible.
“Oh no doubt,” I reply. “I know she’s glad he’s driving though.
She won’t drink at the bar otherwise, so it’s a small price to pay.
She will abstain completely before taking that risk.
Her brother’s accident scared us all, but Nat couldn't even ride in a car for the first few weeks.” I pause, remembering when she got the phone call.
“He’s still improving and is closer to baseline now than he was, but it scared the shit out of them both. ”
“I’m sure it did!” Peyton exclaims. “Can’t blame her for that. I’m glad he’s doing better. He seems like such a good kid.”
“He is. They both are,” I say sincerely.
“Well,do you want an official tour while we wait? I know you saw it when we did the walk-through but it’s totally different now that it’s furnished and decorated!
” she exclaims. Her eyes are sparkling with pride, and her dimple is out on parade, pulling me in even though I thought she already had all of me.
The ivory walls are now tastefully adorned with framed artwork, a camel-colored sectional facing a large flat screen in the living area with pops of bright blues in the throw pillows and tabletop décor. It feels cozy but modern. Elegant but familiar. Just like her..
Not quite home, but the closest thing I’ve found since leather and bergamot.
The smell of soft vanilla and orange laces the air with a hint of cherry trailing after her. It’s easy to forget the past when she’s occupying all the space in the room.
“Liam, turn it down for fuck’s sake,” I yell from the back seat. Peyton and Nat giggle.
“If I can hear you complaining, then it’s not too loud,” he shouts. I catch a glimpse of his profile and smug grin. Jackass.
“Liam, you’re the only fan in the vehicle. I find your opinion to be skewed in its authenticity and I would like to recommend a new control group,” Nat says sardonically.
“The only reason I agreed to go is the fact that they have the best burgers in town,” I chime in. It’s true. Those burgers fucking slap. Throw a fried egg on and it’s game over. Bar food heaven.
“Bailey you don’t have any right to talk about my taste in music, Mr. “Are We Out of the Woods”,” Liam says over the music and laughter.
“Shut the fuck up, that song is a lyrical masterpiece and that beat absolutely ate,” I cross my arms defensively as Peyton doubles over in laughter.
“Mind your manners tonight and maybe I’ll let you listen to it on the way home,” he catches my gaze and winks at me in the rearview.
“Don’t act like you don’t know every word to that bridge. You literally played air drums on my dash last week. Don’t worry, Liam. The Swiftie closet is a safe space,” I tease.
I look over just in time to see Nat break her attention away from Liam, cheeks red, eyes with a hint of something I can’t place. Longing? I wish they’d give up the fight and let the fates win this one. Maybe someday.
“How is it that I’ve known you for six months and have never once heard you so much as humming along to her music?” Peyton questions, looking at me inquisitively, a teasing lilt in her voice. “You even went so far as to make fun of me, you ass.”
I hold my hands up in surrender and can’t help the laugh that bubbles up.
“Don’t blame me, your love made me crazy,” I respond, my laughter calming enough to get the words out.
“Oh my god dude! That was so lame I have secondhand embarrassment right now,” Liam chokes out.
I love to hate these assholes.