Love Me ~ Like That (15 page)

After I wake up, I wipe the drool from my mouth and clear the sleep from my eyes. What Granny said to me in the hospital this afternoon has me thinking. I need to take control of my life and quit living to please someone else. Constantly pleasing Hendrix has only led to me feeling rejected. I want to be me again. I think I’m pretty damn likeable just the way I am, and if anyone doesn’t like me this way…screw them. They weren’t my true friends anyway. People who matter will always be there for you. You can take that to the bank.

I decide to call Hendrix because I want to get this whole mess straightened out between us. I still can’t believe he was rude last night. He must have been out of his mind.

Once I hear him answer, I ask, “Hey, can we talk?”

“I was getting ready to head out to the beach for the week, can this wait until I get back?”

The beach? When did he decide to go to the beach? He doesn’t start his internship with his daddy’s law firm until next week, but the last we discussed it, we were going the Fourth of July, not before then. “No, this can’t wait. I really need to talk with you. I didn’t know you were going to the beach this week. When did you plan this?” He hadn’t mentioned the change in plans when we were together last night.

“Last night at the club. Hilary came over after you left, and I made plans with her.”

What the fucking hell did he just say?
“What? Wait a minute. Hilary who and why the fuck are you taking her to the beach, Hendrix?” Breathe, Bailey. There has to be some mistake. I’ve heard this wrong. “This is why you wanted to date other people? Because you wanted to take some other girl to the beach?”

“Bailey, you know we are not exclusive. I told you that last night. Hilary Madison and I are old friends. We dated back in high school. Our families are friends as well, remember, Sweetheart?”

See, this is where the issue of him not respecting me comes in. We’re not exclusive now, but he made those plans with Hilary before he broke up with me. He expects me to simply accept his relationship with Hilary. And don’t even get me started on ass-ademic Hilary Madison. Doesn’t he realize how big her ass is now? “Hendrix, I didn’t know you knew Hilary. You guys didn’t go to high school together because she went to high school with me.” I’m done with this pig-headed, uppity, prick! “This relationship is no longer working for me, Hendrix. For one thing, you treated me like shit last night, and I gave you a fucking blowjob in your car. You want to talk about family being uncouth? Well, your mom is a bitch, and she made sure to let me know how low class she thought I was. You get mad at me for leaving after my granny had a heart attack. Then you turn around and invite another fucking girl to Destin? You still do not understand that I had to leave, Hendrix. My family comes first.”

“Cool your tits. It’s not like I said I wouldn’t see you anymore. Get your shit together while I’m gone to Destin, Bailey, and I’ll talk to you when I get back.” He hangs up.

He fucking hangs up the phone on me. Who does he think he is? I’m about to come unglued. I pour myself a glass of tea and sit at the kitchen table to calm down. I get ready to send Lizzie a 911 text when I notice Cash has texted me.

Cash: Will you be at hospital tonight? I’m bringing mom to see your granny. She wants to meet you, too.

Holy crap
. He wants me to meet his mother? That is too awkward.

Cash: Before you start psychoanalyzing that last text, she’s heard so much about you from your granny. That’s why she wants to meet you.

He is worried about what I will think? How cute is that? But he’s right.

Bailey: Lol! I was about to say creepy! I am going up there now. What time are y’all going?

Cash: It will be a few hours for us. I have a few things to finish up for work. Can we meet you around 6?

Bailey: That will be fine, I plan on staying until visiting hours are over. I will see you guys then.

I put my phone down. I’m in a better mood now. Cash is sweet and he certainly sends tingles all over my body with just a kiss, but I’m still agitated at Hendrix. I need to let this go for now though because no good comes from worrying about something you can’t change. Maybe Lizzie was right, and I need to let Hendrix go all together. Once she hears about all of this, she will advise me to dump his ass. Instead of sending her that 911, I’m going to sit on this and weigh my options on my own. Hell, what am I thinking? This isn’t how I want to be treated, how I deserve to be treated. This isn’t me. I’m not a doormat. I’m calling Hendrix back and giving him a piece of my mind.

“What, Bailey? I told you I was getting ready to leave.”

He has a pissed off tone to his voice. That’s okay. I’m pretty pissed off myself. “Hendrix, I would like to see you, if for only a few minutes, before you leave.” I’m trying to remain calm because if he knows I’m this irate he will never agree to meet with me.

“You didn’t have time for me last night, and I don’t have time for you today.” This is all about a wounded ego? I left him last night and he can’t get over it? If he wants to act childish, he will get this over the phone then. “Is that what this is about? Me leaving you last night when my grandmother had a heart attack? Listen, I don’t want to see you any more on any level. You’ve never treated me with respect, and I have enough respect for myself to know it’s time I walk away from you. I can’t make you respect me, and care for me, but I care enough for myself to not let you hurt me. I’ve tried and tried to be the person you wanted, but I’m done. I thought you were different. Your wealth and status don’t make you any better of a person than anyone else. Showing kindness toward others, caring for your neighbors or people in general make you a better person, but you suck at all of those. I deserve to be happy and treated with respect. Don’t call me anymore, Hendrix.” I say all of that in what feels like one big breath.

“Fuck you, Bailey and your backwoods redneck family, too. You
will
come crawling back to me. Don’t go all self-righteous on me because you love my wealth and status.” He lets out a long breath. “Look, Sweetheart, I will be back in a few days. Let’s not make decisions until then. I love you, Bailey. Hilary doesn’t mean anything to me. It’s you. It will always be you. You put a spark in my life, Bailey. We’re going to make a life together. I’m sorry I got all upset. Can you forgive me? We’ll start over when I get back.”

He is out of his mind. This is over. All the sweet talking in the world can’t change my mind. “Are you still taking her to the beach?”

“Bailey, it’s not what I led you to believe before, Sweetheart. Hilary is going to be with her family, and my family will be there as well.”

“Hendrix, it’s over. Leave me alone or I’ll let Lizzie to cut off your balls.” See, I had to get childish with him. I hang up on him, and I feel like the weight of the world is off of my shoulders now, or at least I think I do. I send Lizzie a text because I know she will be happy.

Bailey: It’s over with Hendrix :-P!

Lizzie: YAY!!! I want details!

Bailey: Later. When are you going to the hospital?

Lizzie: I was going after class tonight about 7. Are you really going to tell me in front of everyone, lol?

She has a point. I call her and fill her in. She didn’t say I told you so. She says she was sorry I had to go through it.

I get to the hospital later than I intended, but I stop by the bookstore anyway to pick Granny up a couple of magazines and a book. I can’t let her read one of my books. She’d have another heart attack then turn me over her knee.

Granny is sitting in her bed, basking in the attention she’s getting from a few of my cousins. No wonder she is so loved. She gives so much love. They finish their visit and I sit on the edge of her bed.

“You just missed your Papa. He was getting tired, and your mom took him back home,” Granny says. She’s the one in the hospital, yet she is still taking care of him. Granny and Papa share an incredible love for each other. I want someone to love me like that one day. A love that stands the test of time, the kind that gets down in your core. You feel the love running through every vein and living in every cell of your body. The kind of love in which you can’t live without the other person because you’re not whole.

Granny told me the first time Papa kissed her, she knew he was the one that she wanted to be kissing him for the rest of her life. When Cash kissed me last night, I didn’t want him to stop. I’m not sure if that is the same thing. If love like that still exists, I hope it is in my stars. I’ve decided I’m not going to settle for any half-ass romance. Not anymore. If I can’t be loved liked that, I don’t want to be loved at all. I’m ready to live for myself and adopt a little of Lizzie’s attitude of “take no shit”!

“How is Papa taking you being in the hospital and not at home with him?”

She does her hand back and forth in a so-so motion.

“How are you feeling?” I lean over and give her a kiss on the cheek.

“I feel like a million bucks. Doctor Thomas told me I could go home tomorrow night, if I continue to improve, so cross your fingers.”

She crosses her fingers on both hands, and I do too.

“What all did you do today?” she asks. “Did you bring me some coffee?”

Oops. “Granny, I didn’t even think about it. I can text Cash or Lizzie to get you some.” She has the biggest smile on her face.

“Are you and Cash doing that texting stuff now?”

I laugh. I can’t help it. “He gave me his number last night in case I needed anything.” I say, hoping she gets rid of whatever crazy notion she has in her head. I can get my own dates. I don’t want help.

“Don’t bother them. I’ll be fine drinking water. I won’t sleep a wink tonight if I drink anymore coffee today anyway. What did you bring me?”

She is like a little kid at Christmas. She can’t wait to see what is in the bag.

After we sit and chat for a couple of hours, we hear a knock at the door.

“That’s probably Cash and Margie.” I say.

“Oh, good. I’m glad she’s coming to visit me. Come in,” she calls out.

Cash walks in behind a lady a few years older than my own mom.

“Hi, Margie, Cash, y’all come in,” Granny says.

Granny is always the hostess, making everyone feel welcome. “Margie, this is my granddaughter, Bailey. Bailey, this is our neighbor and my new friend, Margie Wilson.”

I extend my hand, but Margie envelops me in a hug instead. She leans back and looks at me with kind eyes and a warm smile. Normally, I would have been uncomfortable being hugged by a complete stranger, but her hug made me feel all cozy inside.

“Hello, Bailey, I feel like I already know you.” Margie smiles at Granny. “How are you feeling, Addie? Are they taking good care of you up here?”

I like Margie, instantly, and I get the impression she doesn’t meet a stranger.

They chat, and I go stand by Cash at the window. He smells delicious, with hints of citrus and wood. I want to merely stand here and inhale him. He is intoxicating. My body goes wild with want. I want to bury my face in his neck. I want his scent all over me. I want to suck on his lips. Last night, they were so soft and felt so good on mine. Get it together, Bailey. You haven’t even been broken up with your boyfriend for twenty-four hours yet.

“Have you had a good day, Sweet Cheeks?” he asks, leaning toward me.

“It was okay, it could have been better. What about yours?” I look up into his eyes and lay my hand on his arm. I can’t help myself. I want to feel that muscle. I squeeze then I feel him flex. Why in the hell am I gripping his bicep? I don’t know what kind of spell he has over me, but I feel like he has me locked under it.

He has some stubble tonight which makes him look even better, if that’s possible. He also has that cowboy hat on again which makes him look a little rugged with the scruff.

The door to Granny’s room swings open and Lizzie bounces inside. She is grinning from ear to ear. I wonder what she is up to. She gives me a small wave then goes over to talk to Granny.

“Do you have any plans after visiting hours?” Cash asks.

He has thoughtful eyes, I think.

“I’m sure Lizzie and I will go out and do something, I’m not sure what that may be. With Lizzie you never know.”

He looks at me questioningly, and I shrug.

Time flies by and before we know it visiting hours are over.

Margie tells Cash she is ready to go, and we all say our goodbyes.

Cash looks over to us and says. “I’m going to take mom home, but do the two of you want to get some dinner?”

Lizzie answers for us. “Cash, we would love to go to dinner. Why don’t we just follow you out to Mt. Hope and eat out there?”

I smile because that’s all I can do.

“That sounds like fun,” says Granny. “I’ll just get dressed and we will all go. How does that sound?” She smiles.

“You, young lady, are grounded until further notice.” I tell her.

Everyone laughs.

“Granny, I will be back in the morning with a cup of coffee for you. Is there anything else you need?” I bend down and give her a kiss. She holds onto my arm so she can whisper in my ear.

“Baby, don’t underestimate yourself. Remember it has to rain for there to be a rainbow.” She pats my shoulder. “Love you, baby.”

It’s like she can read my mind. I haven’t told what’s going on between me and Cash, but she knows. “Love you too, Granny. Be good and don’t go chasing any cute doctors around the hospital tonight.” I wag my finger. I don’t know what I would do without her in my life to guide me.

Lizzie and I take separate cars out to Mt. Hope, but we talk all the way there.

“I saw that look you were giving Cash, Bay. You want him.”

She sounds triumphant.

“I just ended things with Hendrix. Don’t you think I need to let the dust settle a while before I conquer Mt. Steamy?” She wants me to hop out of bed with one guy and straight into another. No thank you. I mean he has a body to die for, and I can’t seem to keep my hands off of him. I did promise him that I would live in the now, live for this moment. He did almost make me hyperventilate with a mere kiss and I practically begged for more, but my head is on straight now.