90. Bailey
ninety
Bailey
It’s only been an hour since he left and I miss him. I groan and pull the blanket over my face like it will shield me somehow. This is actually pathetic. I should be embarrassed but honestly it’s fucking worth it.
I replay the conversations in my mind, revisiting every small smile, and every laugh—the familiar warmth of leather and cardamom.
My thoughts are interrupted when my phone pings.
Liam: Tell me everything
Me: You sure about that?
Liam: Okay, so tell me mostly everything
Me: He left an hour ago
Liam: And??? ??
Me: And then? ??????
Liam: NO AND THEN!!!! ??
I cackle, unable to stop the smile splitting my face. It’s not lost on me that this is the same guy I worried wouldn’t be accepting of me dating another man. What the actual fuck was I thinking?
Me: It was perfect.
Liam: We should all get together sometime. It’s been too long. Invite Jay and Jinx too.
I stare at the screen. Reading the message a few more times to make sure I’m not imagining things. Holy shit.
Me: Hell yeah. Let’s do it.
My chest hums with new resolve. Relief, too. I can’t wrap my mind around this being my reality. Lolly is back in my life and Liam wants to hang out with him and his friends? “Holy fucking plot twist, Batman,” I laugh to myself.
I turn the TV volume up, trying to distract myself when Mom’s ringtone pulls me out of my daze. “Hey Mom.”
“Hey, sweetheart, how are you?”
Sweetheart. I roll my eyes. “I’m good.” My heart picks up speed and my hands start sweating at just the thought of telling her. Fuck.
“What is it, Bailey? You sound like you’ve got something on your mind.”
I fist my shirt as I stand up and start walking the length of the living room. “I, um, I have something I need to tell you, Mom.” My breath catches in my throat as I swallow back the fear threatening to silence me.
“Is everything okay? Is Liam okay?” Her voice is heavy with worry.
“It’s nothing like that, I promise. Everyone is okay. It’s, um, personal.”
“Well, whatever it is, you know you can tell me, right?”
My face flushes. “Well, I’m not so sure about this one,” I admit, shoulders slumping as I stop my pacing to take a few deep breaths.
“Simon Bailey, there is nothing you can’t tell me.”
I place her on speakerphone with trembling hands. “Okay,” I breathe. “I’m seeing someone.” My pulse is pounding in my ears, face burning with apprehension.
“Oh, well that’s great, hun. Why would I be upset about that? She’s not Catholic is she?”
I laugh, shaking my head. “No, mom.”
“Oh, thank goodness,” she says with a huff.
“I’m bi,” I spit out before I can stop myself.
“You’re what?”
“Bisexual, Mom. I’m dating a man.”
I hear a sharp inhale and can literally see her hand flying up to cover her mouth.
And, now we wait.
I flop down onto the couch, throw an arm across my eyes and set the phone on my chest, the silence deafening.
“Well…” she says hesitantly.
I force my breathing to slow, looking to the ceiling as I try to center myself.
“Is he Catholic?”
“Mom!” I sputter, unable to stop myself from laughing at the absurdity.
“What?” She says, feigning innocence.
“No, he’s not Catholic,” I answer with a grin.
She’s quiet for a beat, but I hear her bustling about.
“Is he good to you?”
Pressure builds behind my eyes. “Yes.”
“Well, then I’d say that’s good enough for me, but your father, on the other hand…”
I wipe a tear from my face as my chest fills with warmth.
“He might need a little grace granted to him, but he’ll come around.”
“Thanks, Mom.” I say through trembling lips.
“No need to thank me, I just need you to let me meet the man that has you all flustered,” she says.
I can hear the soft smile she’s wearing and it’s everything I need in this moment.
“I think I can make that happen.”
“Good. I love you, hun. I’m proud of you.”
“I love you too, Mom.”
We end the call and within seconds, all I can think about is him.
It is entirely too soon to text him, but my fingers are itching to defy me. Okay, I have eaten, the laundry is done, and I hydrated and read the Daily Reflection. I’m literally caught up on all the adulting. Are there really rules about texting anymore? We’re adults. It’s fine.
I grab the phone and pull up his text thread.
Me: Remember that time I missed you?
I hit send with a wince, already blushing, ears burning with embarrassment. Damnit, Bailey.
Lolly: Remember that time I missed you too?
A grin pulls at my lips and I kick my feet, some high-pitched squeal working its way out of me.
Okay, Bailey. Reel it in. Be cool.
Me: Liam wants to hang sometime soon. He said to invite Jay and Jinx.
Lolly: Let’s do it.
Me: Can you wear the wings?
I chew on my bottom lip as I stare at the phone in apprehension. My stomach twists. I hope that wasn’t too weird to ask.
Lolly: Only if you promise to wear your glasses.