Love Me ~ Like That (13 page)

She looks at her watch, “I really need to go home and get my Jeep.” She looks around for the waitress. “This is on me by the way, as my thank you. You’ve helped me more than you can possibly know. I’m not talking about just with what happened tonight. You also lifted my spirits.”

We’ll see about her picking up the check. I motion to our waitress, and she heads our way. When she places the check on the table, we both reach for it. The touch of Bailey’s hand sends sparks to my dick. “Johnny” is awake and wondering what in the hell is going on.

“Sweet Cheeks, a real man never lets a lady pay, and in case you haven’t noticed, I’m a real man.” Shit, did I really call her sweet cheeks out loud?

“Sweet Cheeks?” She lifts both eyebrows, smiling a big grin. “That’s a new one, are you trying to say I have fat cheeks?”

Her grin tells me she must not be mad about me calling her “Sweet Cheeks.” I grin in return and realize I have smiled more tonight than I have in my whole life. I’m not giving her the fake smiles I give to everyone else because my life hasn’t given me much to smile about. These have been genuine and I can’t seem to stop them. They feel good and I want to make her smile and feel good too, and she does. She gives me her million-dollar smile and still, I want more.

“Bailey, it would be my honor to pay for your meal tonight. So, please allow me this, okay?”

“Okay, but next time it’s on me, capisce?”

After I pay the bill, I place my hand in the small of her back and escort her to the truck. I have never been more thankful for my old four by four lifted truck than I am tonight. Having to pick Bailey up gives me the perfect view of her sweet ass. I’m only looking because she is feeling better, otherwise I would have closed my eyes.
Right!
I would like to take a bite because her ass reminds me of a peach. Hell, I want to see all of her naked, but there is a five-year age difference between us that is something to be considered.
Is five years really that big of a difference?
Probably not in the grand scheme of things, but it’s something to consider. I can’t lie, though; I like the flirty conversation we have on our drive out to Mt. Hope.

When we pull up to Papa and Granny’s, Cash jumps out of the truck and comes around to help me down.

He walks me to the door, and I reach up and give him a kiss on the cheek. “Goodnight, Cash.”

There’s nothing wrong with kissing him on the cheek as a thank you because he was so sweet tonight. He took my mind off of my circumstances, and even made me laugh. That has to be a talent, to make me smile when I feel like my world has been turned upside down. He asks for my cell number then types it in his phone as I reel off the digits.

“I’m right across the street if you need me. I sent you a message so you’ll have my phone number.”

Can he get any more supportive? Seriously, he has to be a knight in shining armor. His white horse has to hiding around here somewhere.

“Goodnight, Bailey, sweet dreams.” He gives me a longing look then stuffs his hands in his pockets as he takes a step back. “Will you please go inside before I leave? I need to know you’re safe.”

He needs to know I’m inside safe? Maybe chivalry isn’t dead. He’s worried for me.

“Bye, Cash, thank you for the ride and the pancakes. Those were probably the best pancakes I’ve ever had.” I smile, looking up at him because he’s so tall. His dark hair is a tad long, a length you can run your fingers through and really grab onto. His eyes are blue with a darker blue rim, and in them I see genuine concern for me. Granny was right. He is a good guy. Too bad I like my guys a little bit naughty. Even if he is so great to look at, I can’t be with a good guy. I need naughtiness. Someone who pushes me a little, infuriates me at times. “You’re a great neighbor, Cash. Really. Thank you so much for what you did for Granny and Papa because they mean everything to me.”

He puts his arm up on the doorframe, and leans in much closer. “I would like to be much more than neighborly, but I know now isn’t the right time, Bailey. You’re going through one of the most emotional times of your life and you need me more as a friend, but I wanted to let you know my intentions after things with your grandparents are back to normal.”

“You’re right. I can use a friend right now, but while I’m flattered about your intentions, I’m dating someone.”

He comes closer, and I feel his breath on my face. Sensations ripple through me merely from him standing close. I hear the phone ringing inside.
Thank the Lord!
I turn and open the door, and Cash follows.

As I pick up the phone, I see it’s Hendrix. Awe, he’s checking in to see how everything’s going. “Hey, babe.”

“Bailey, I need to talk to you. I’m sorry to do this over the phone. I was going to talk to you after dinner, but you really left me no other choice.” His matter of fact tone tells me he means business.

“What is it, Hendrix? Just tell me.” It can’t be that bad because my spidery senses aren’t tingling.

“Until you get done with your babysitting detail, we need to take a break,” he says. “You don’t ever have time for me anymore, and I have needs and obligations to fill.”

I’m not believing this. He has reached into my chest and twisted my heart, making me feel even worse than I thought possible. I feel a tear run down my face, and I quickly wipe it away. “What do you mean when I finally have time for you? I’m with you all the time, babe, I just can’t stay the night.”

“Bailey, while you get all of your shit figured out, let’s date other people. I’m not going to be stuck babysitting every damn weekend.”

I guess my spidery senses were off tonight. I am on emotional overload after all. He can’t really be breaking up with me because I’m taking care of my grandparents. I am about to come unglued. I’ve got to remain calm. Deep cleansing breath, Bailey. Don’t go all bat shit crazy. “Honey, don’t be that way. We have been together close to a year. We can’t let a little bump in the road get in the way of a good thing.” There. That’s all I’m saying, I’m not going to beg him to stay with me. That’s not me.

“We can still date. We just won’t be exclusive like we are now.”

“Whatever!” I’m close to turning my bitch side loose on his ass. “The more I think about it, Hendrix, the more I think you’re right. We do need to date other people.” I really want to slam the phone down and scream at the top of my lungs, but I close my eyes and take a minute before I say, “Bye, Hendrix, I’ll talk to you later.”

“We’re not over, Sweetheart,” he says soothingly. “We’re just taking a break until you get out of that hellhole.”

He did not just say that. I take a deep breath holding back the bitch side, and say, “Sure babe, talk to you later?” I hope that sounded sweeter than I feel. I hang up. He better keep his fucking little sports car away from me for a few a days or I’ll have to jack it up. I can’t lie, though. My heart is broken. I feel the tears building. Who is that pecker head wanting to date? I can’t decide if I’m mad or if I’m sad. I feel arms go around my waist from behind and I nearly jump out of my own skin.
What the hell?

“Cash! Oh my goodness, I forgot you were even here. I’m so sorry. That was so rude of me to act that way in front of you.” My face heats up. I’m sure it is as red as a lobster.

“Shh, Bailey, it’s okay. He is only a boy who has no idea of the good thing he has.”

With that, I can’t hold back the waterworks. My breakdown isn’t a few tears running down my face. No, this is the makeup ruining kind. It’s not a pretty sight and I always end up with a snotty nose. He turns me and holds me close.

“Do you want to talk about it?” he asks.

“Cash, thank you for the ride home and the sweet words, but I really don’t want to talk about all of this right now. I need time to wrap my brain around it.” I push out of his hold, but I really wish I hadn’t. His arms felt good around me. His whole body felt wonderful pressed up against mine. I just can’t go there. It has been such a stressful day and I can’t let my emotions make me do something I might regret later. “Cash, there isn’t any doubt that I’m attracted to you.”

“I can be your friend for now.” He reaches out and strokes my cheek.

I feel the tenderness in his touch, and I lean into his caress. He might be able to keep things between us as friends only, but will I be able to? He steps closer. I do need comforting, or I would at least like some. Having someone to lean on after a day like I’ve had sounds nice. He has taken the time to listen and make me feel better.

“Can you stay for a while so we can talk? I really don’t want to be alone right now.” I look up at him, hoping he will agree to stay. I can’t bear the thought of having to sit in this dark house and dwell on everything that’s happened tonight.

“Sure, I can stay. Whatever helps you cope with everything that’s happened to your grandparents, with whatever happened just now between you and your boyfriend.”

I heave a deep breath of relief. “I’m going to get out of this dress, and into something comfortable.” Ugh! That didn’t sound cliché. Why am I even worrying about this kind of stuff?

When I return to the living room, I’m barefooted and wearing my comfy sleep pants and an old t-shirt. Cash is sitting in the middle of the couch. One point for him for allowing me to only put minimal distance between us. I sit on the couch, but not too close to him.

“So, what all do you have planned for tomorrow?” he asks.

“I need to take some stuff to the hospital for Granny and make sure she gets up and walks around. She’ll have to have some good coffee in the morning too,” I laugh. I touch his bicep. He works out. You can’t have a body like his and not work on it.
Oh, good Lord, help me now, don’t let me touch anything else on him.
“Do you want some tea or a coke?” I get up to fix some tea.

“Yeah, I’ll take some tea.” He follows me into the kitchen.

“We could go outside and sit on the picnic table since it’s a nice night.” I try not to notice his tight ass Wrangler jeans as I fix our tea. Or the button up shirt with the sleeves rolled way up above his elbow.

“Sitting outside looking up at the stars is my second favorite past-time.” He gives me a wink and that damn smile, which isn’t shadowed by the cowboy hat he was wearing earlier.

He looks good with his cowboy hat, but without it I just want to put my hands in his hair. He doesn’t wear any styling products like Hendrix does. His hair is just naturally gorgeous, and most girls would love to have hair they didn’t have to do anything with.

I don’t need to be alone with him because I’m still in a relationship with Hendrix. I think. He did say we were seeing other people, but I don’t see how that will work.

We sit outside on the picnic table with our glasses of tea. The view of the stars is brilliant here in the country without the streetlights dulling their twinkling. The crickets are chirping, as always, but you don’t hear much of anything else, except for a passing car now and then. It is so peaceful out here at night.

I lean back on my hands to get a better view of the stars. “Do you ever wish on a star, Cash?” I want to see a deeper side of him. I want a peek into his head.

“I stopped wishing on stars a long time ago.”

He looks serious.

“I’ve learned to quit thinking about the ‘what ifs’ and live in the ‘right now,’” he says. “Let’s live in this moment and enjoy it together. We don’t have to worry about wishing for anything else. If something is meant to be, it will happen one way or another. What do you say, Sweet Cheeks?”

I say he isn’t playing fair. I wasn’t expecting that answer from him. All he has been so far is kind or funny, sweet and charming. He may be deeper than any guy I’ve ever known.

“Okay. I say ‘yes’ to living in the moment.” I hold up my glass for a toast, and he lifts his to touch mine, and we laugh a little. “Are you always so deep and philosophical?” I raise one of my eyebrows then lean back on my elbows and so does he.

“That’s not deep or philosophical. That’s just me living life for a few more years than you.”

We both turn onto our sides facing each other.

That is the most ridiculous thing I ever heard. “I’m not that much younger than you, Cash. We’re really only four years apart.” He is crazy.