Vicious Circles (23 page)

this one slower and much more thorough. My heart swel ed as my emotions escalated and the desire to express myself increased.

His other hand tangled in my hair as he shifted me to my back and lingered over me. His fingers floated graceful y from my neck and shoulder and down my arm. I moaned softly and ran my hands through his hair before dropping them to his back.

His muscles bunched under my touch and I tingled inside at how I affected him as much as he did me.

He leisurely explored my body as if he’d never done so before and I squirmed in delight. His kisses were deliberate and tender as if he read my mind and knew exactly how I felt.

I fel asleep that night tucked securely in his arms with his warm breath and soft snores caressing my cheek and my hair.

***

His alarm clock woke me up before the sun even peeked its head. Groaning, he reached over me to hit the snooze button. “You have to work, don’t you?” I mumbled as I snuggled into his chest.

“Yes,” he said with another groan. He pressed a sleepy kiss in my hair. “Sucks, huh?”

“Mm hm,” I answered.

He chuckled, kissed me again and scrambled out of the bed. “I have to hop in the shower and if you want, I’l take you for breakfast before I drop you off at home.” I sat up and yawned, admiring his naked body. “I have a better idea. How about if I help you shower then you can drop me off at home and you can grab some breakfast on the way to work?”

He planted his hands on either side of my body and kissed me. “I love how you think.” Frigid water forced us out of the shower, luckily, or else Col in would have been even later to work. I took care of the dogs while he rushed around locating his work clothes. By the time we made it to his car, he had barely enough time to get to the body shop.

He kissed me quickly in front of my building while a squirming Otis tried to lick his cheek. “I’l cal you when I get home.” I jumped out of the car and hurried up to the condo. I changed my clothes and checked my voice messages as Otis attacked his favorite squeak toy. My heart sang happily as I dialed Irelyn’s number. The lovesick girl was emerging and I couldn’t stand it any longer – I had to share my joy with a friend.

“What’s up?” Irelyn asked, a yawn in her voice.

“Wel , just thought you’d like to know where I spent my weekend,” I said as I studied my nails.

“Oh?” she asked and I could visualize her raising a brow. “Where?” I repressed a giggle – I didn’t want to sound too school-girly. “With Col in.”

“Seriously?” she asked incredulously. “Wow. Luke was wondering why Col in didn’t cal him al weekend.”

“That would be me,” I said, beaming.

“So, are you guys dating now? Official y, or whatever?”

“I guess,” I said. “He took me to dinner last night. He said he’s going to talk to Spencer.”

“Ouch, I’d hate to be a fly on the wal for that conversation,” she said.

“I know,” I said. “Hey, I offered to do the talking but he said he thought it should be him. I just hope Spencer doesn’t turn out to be the violent type.

I’d hate it if he ripped Col in’s bal s off.”

“Oh, geez, Bailey,” Irelyn snickered. “That’s real nice.” I laughed. “Just being honest, babe. So, any luck with Morgan?”

“No,” she said, disheartened. “Not at al . She won’t answer my cal s. And I heard she’s been actual y dating Owen. I don’t like that at al .”

“Me, either,” I said as I bit my lip. “I’m working on that.”

“What are you up to?” she asked.

“I’l tel you when I get a better grip on it,” I said. “And I’m going to let you go so you can go join the other working stiffs. Cal me later.”

“Sure,” she said.

I hung up and careful y set the phone down. I leaned against the wal , my mind mul ing the Owen situation. It was quite obvious that I hadn’t made that big of an impression on him if he was stil seeing Morgan and hadn’t cal ed. I’d have to step it up a notch.

But, things were going so great with Col in - did I dare take a chance on messing that up for Morgan’s sake?

I pictured Tori’s pained face when she'd confessed her horrid relationship with Owen. I didn’t want to see Morgan looking the same way. I didn’t know Tori as wel as I knew Morgan but I had a feeling that Morgan was stronger. I couldn’t see her succumbing to Owen’s lifestyle but she was upset and very vulnerable.

“Damn it!” I shouted, startling Otis. He scampered beneath the coffee table and peered up at me cautiously, his brown eyes frightened. I sighed and squatted, tapping my thigh. He sidled up to me and I scratched his ears until the quivering stopped.

“Sorry, buddy,” I cooed. His tail thumped the floor. “What the hel am I going to do?” He yipped as if offering a solution but it wasn’t the answer I was looking for. I considered speaking to Col in about it but I knew he’d be total y against my original plan and as I had no clue what else to do, it looked like I was on my own.

And it total y sucked.

Chapter Eighteen

The next week was a rol ercoaster ride through hel . On the one hand, things with Col in were rol ing along smoothly. He cal ed me every night when he got home from work and we saw each other twice during the week. He even said that he'd spoken to Spencer but he wouldn’t disclose what was said – al he would tel me is that Spencer took it wel .

I had my doubts but I didn’t push it. They had their regular gig at Rusty’s Friday and I’d just have to wait and see how things played out.

Col in cal ed me Friday just as I was about to walk out the door and warned me to keep things cool in front of Spencer. That immediately put me on guard but I sucked it up and agreed. I wasn’t exactly anxious to flaunt my new relationship – or whatever it was- under Spencer’s nose.

I got there as the boys were setting up their equipment and found Irelyn at our regular table. I dropped into a chair next to her, my eyes on Spencer.

“Has Spencer said anything?” I whispered.

“About what?” Irelyn asked as she turned her head toward me. “Oh, Col in must have talked to him.”

“Yeah, he said he did but he didn’t exactly elaborate on the details,” I said in a bitter tone. I motioned for Marissa to bring us some drinks.

I caught Spencer glance at our table but when I looked at him, he quickly averted his eyes. My stomach plunged to my feet and my blood iced. I desperately wanted to talk to him and try to smooth things over but I hadn’t had the best of luck lately so things weren’t exactly looking good for me.

The guys didn’t join us for a pre-gig drink and when I raised a brow at Col in, he gave me a swift head shake. My stomach fel even further and I couldn’t get comfortable or relax. I did, however, take it easy on the alcohol, although it was tempting to just get sloshed.

The guys were nearing the end of their last set when Tori joined us, adding to the awkward tension cloud lingering over my head. She smiled feebly at me before turning her attention to the stage. I couldn’t look at her.

When they finished, they settled around the table and absent was the usual raucous chatter that always thrived on their adrenaline. Only Lucas seemed at ease and the urge to punch him was damn near irrepressible.

“Hey, Bailey,” Spencer said as he stood. His hands clutched the back of his chair and his knuckles turned white. “I’m going to step outside for some air – care to join me?”

I fought to keep my eyes on Spencer’s and not let them dart to Col in. I slid my chair away from the table with a tight smile. “Sure.” He held the door open for me and placed a hand on my back. He steered me to the metal steps that led to his apartment. He sat on the third one and patted the spot next to him. I settled on the cool metal and took a deep breath.

“Al right, Spence, spil ,” I ordered.

“Why didn’t you just tel me, Bailey?” he asked, his voice pitiful.

“Tel you what? About Col in?” I asked but didn’t wait for an answer. “Spencer, there was nothing to tel . I was total y honest with you when I broke things off. There was no one else – I just didn’t have the feelings for you – not romantic feelings.”

“But Col in said that he wanted to date you – that you wanted to date him,” he said.

“That’s the truth,” I said as I craned my head to look at him. “But at the time, I had no idea that he liked me in that way.”

“Did you like him – that way?” he asked, his eyes earnest.

I swal owed. “Yeah, I did – but I didn’t think he felt the same way. I never thought he would.” Spencer narrowed his eyes. “Why?”

“Geez, Spence,” I said as I dropped my head. “I never thought you’d feel anything real for me, either. I’m just not that girl, you know?”

“Oh, bul ,” he said as he grabbed my chin. “That’s bul shit, Bailey. Maybe if you’d stop putting yourself down for a few minutes you’l see that other people real y care about you.”

I could only nod. I knew he had a point but for the past few years, I’d relied heavily on my reputation – it was easier than letting my guard down.

But since Irelyn and Morgan stormed into my life – fol owed closely by Spencer, Col in, and Lucas – I’d lowered the wal s a bit. It was nice having real friends and people who accepted you no matter what.

And now I was hurting them al . First Morgan and now Spencer.

I sighed heavily, expel ing al the negative air that I could. “Spencer, I didn’t do you right. I didn’t do Morgan right. Hel , I probably won’t do Col in right.”

“Stop,” he said, laying a hand on my arm. “You’re different around Col in – I’ve noticed. Maybe you tried to hide it but I could see. I could see before Irelyn and Morgan could. Hel , I probably saw it before you.”

“What are you talking about?” I asked as I lifted my head.

He ran his hands through his hair. “The tension – the chemistry. You two must have been blind and stupid not to notice it or else I was paying more attention.” I shrugged. “Maybe we ignored it because we didn’t want to hurt you.” He laughed a hol ow sort of laugh. “Maybe. But listen, I love both of you and I’d hate for us to not talk. I don’t want us to end up like…you know…

Morgan.”

I cringed a little and he wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “I sort of saw it coming and I’ve been trying to prepare myself. Yeah, it bugs me a little bit but I’l get over it.”

I bobbed my head up and down. “Thanks, Spence.”

He kissed my cheek. “Wil you tel me one thing?”

“Sure,” I said, my heart lightening.

“Did you…did you sleep with him…you know, while we were together?” It was like a sharp smack in the face and my breath left me in a gush. “No, Spencer.

Damn. How could you think that about Col in? Do you think he’d do that to you?” I asked, the pitch of my voice rising. “I mean, I know I deserve that because – wel , I do sort of have that reputation…”

“Hel , Bailey, I didn’t mean…” Spencer started.

“Wel , wel , wel ,” Owen drawled as he approached us, his arm wound tightly around Morgan’s waist. “Lover’s spat?”

“Bug off,” I spit, my eyes shooting darts at him. The little weasel had forgotten our conversation from the previous weekend and dared to show up again with Morgan.

I’d make him pay.

“What are you doing here?” Spencer asked in an icy tone. I was mildly surprised –

Spencer usual y spoke warmly to his friend.

“Thought we’d hang out, didn’t we darling?” he said as he kissed Morgan’s cheek, making my skin crawl.

“Yes,” she whispered, her eyes skipping al over the place.

“Wel , if you’l excuse us,” I said with venom in my voice, “we’re having a private conversation. Move along.” Owen shot me a wink and urged Morgan inside the bar.

Spencer watched them closely until the door closed behind them. “Col in let me in on the situation with Tori. Man, I knew Owen could be a dick but I didn’t know he could be that bad. I hate to see Morgan with him.”

“Tel me,” I said as my body began to tremble. “I can’t stand it. And I won’t. I’m going to get her away from him anyway I can.”

“Yeah, so I hear,” Spencer said as he twisted slowly to face me again. “And you need to stay away from him, too.”

“I can take care of myself,” I iterated firmly. “Morgan, on the other hand…”

“Morgan has made a choice,” Spencer said as he gripped my arm.

“Morgan is trying to get back at us,” I said.

“Do you honestly think she’s that spiteful?”

I leaned back on the step behind me. “I’m beginning to think so.” I hoisted my body off the steps and clumped to the ground. My blood began to race as anger stirred inside my stomach. “And I am going to get him away from her. No matter what it takes.”

***

“Absolutely not,” Irelyn said as we sat around Col in’s table later that night. She turned her eyes on Lucas, begging him to agree. “Irelyn’s right,” Col in said. He leaned back in his chair, ful bottle of beer in his hand. “The only thing we can do is keep trying to talk to Morgan.”

“That’s what you guys think,” I said as I stood and moved to stand near the counter.

“But I can handle him. He wants me. I just – didn’t keep up with him. I let too much time pass.”

“No, Bailey,” Spencer said. “Listen to us. He’s trouble.” I laughed. “You thought he was a great guy until a few days ago.”

“Wel I was wrong,” he muttered as he shot a quick look at Tori’s pinched, pale face.

He took her hand on top of the table.

“But Tori’s not,” I said as I narrowed my eyes at her.

“Leave her out of it,” Col in warned, final y looking at me.

I raised a brow, not at al happy he was defending her. I understood, but didn’t like his sharp tone. “I’m not attacking her – just pointing out that she is the one who real y knows him.”

“Yes,” she said, quietly. “And I don’t think it’s a good idea for anyone to get mixed up with him.”

“But it’s a good idea for Morgan?” I asked, my anger climbing toward hysteria.

“Not at al ,” Tori said. “And I don’t know why he’s with her - Owen has a thing for you – I can tel .”

“Exactly,” I said, throwing my hands in the air. “And Owen wants me. It won’t take much to get him upstairs.” Col in nearly knocked his chair over as he leapt to his feet. He took my shoulders gently and ducked to meet my eyes. “You cannot force Morgan to do anything she doesn’t want to do and getting yourself involved with Owen is only going to make her want him more.”