“Shit, Anna, give her a minute, would ya?” Nick says, as he leisurely strolls out onto the deck behind the hurricane that’s his girlfriend.

She shoots daggers at him and factors to his chest. “Not one other phrase from you. I’m nonetheless pissed that you simply waited till this morning to inform me.”

“Aww… come on, child,” Nick playfully whines. “I used to be solely making an attempt to offer her and Jaxon a while earlier than you got here barreling over right here to demand what occurred.”

That was most undoubtedly not the correct factor to say. Anna will get proper up in Nick’s face and pokes his chest so laborious it wouldn’t shock me if he has a bruise later. I’ve by no means seen her this labored up earlier than. Anna is a power to be reckoned with when riled. “Nickolas Reed, I do know you didn’t simply say that to me. Bailey is my finest pal and he or she might have wanted me. You had no proper retaining that from me.”

Attempting to defuse the strain that’s radiating off Anna, I seize her hand to get her consideration. It was very considerate of Nick to offer Jaxon and me time. I hate seeing Anna mad at him due to me, particularly when he’s leaving tomorrow.

“Anna, sweetie, I’m nice, okay? Nick is correct. I wanted time to assume. Please don’t be mad at him. Should you’ll give me a couple of minutes, we’ll sit down to speak and I’ll inform you all the things.”

Anna surprises me by bending down and kissing my cheek. “Okay, Bailey. It simply hurts me pondering you could have wanted me, and I wasn’t there.”

I pat her hand and provides it a squeeze. She releases my hand, and I watch her stroll over to Nick. As soon as there, she winds her arms round his neck to convey his head down for a kiss. I can barely hear a murmured “I’m sorry” earlier than their lips are sealed collectively.

I flip my head again to Jaxon and discover an affectionate expression on his face as he watches me.

“What?”

He shakes his head and smiles tenderly at me. “Thanks for reassuring her. She’s all the time been the mom hen of the three of us. At all times feeling like she must be there for everybody.”

“Apart from Chris, I’ve by no means had folks care about me earlier than. It’s a wierd feeling and it’ll take some getting used to. However Anna’s very particular. She has such a sort and delicate coronary heart. I couldn’t let her assume that I wasn’t okay.”

He reaches over and grabs the again of my head to tug it nearer to his. He lands a gentle kiss on my lips earlier than pulling again and saying, “You do have those that care about you. Me, my household, and a number of different folks on this city. By no means doubt that, angel.”

Jaxon brings his legs down from the railing and stands up. Grabbing my hand, he helps me stand as effectively. “I’m going to ask Nick if he’ll keep right here whereas I care for a couple of issues on the town. I don’t wish to go away you each right here by yourselves. Is there something that you simply want out of your condominium?”

“No, I feel I’ve all the things I want for a couple of days.”

“Okay.” After giving me one other transient kiss, he goes over to talk to Nick. Ten minutes later, Jaxon is gone and I’m nonetheless out on the deck with Anna. Nick determined to get in a exercise session on Jaxon’s gear within the basement, to offer us time to speak.

I flip to Anna and begin telling her about my childhood after which about Steven. At some factors Anna cries whereas throughout different instances she appears extraordinarily mad on my behalf. She interrupts me a couple of instances to ask questions and I reply as truthfully as I can. As soon as I’m completed rehashing all the things that’s occurred to me, together with the telephone calls and me seeing Steven within the bar final night time, she leans over and gathers me in her arms.

“I’m so, so sorry, Bailey. I knew that one thing occurred to you, however I had no concept it was that horrible. Why didn’t you inform us sooner?”

“I couldn’t. It was my drawback, and I used to be making an attempt to cope with it by myself. Properly, extra like run from it. I used to be so anxious, and nonetheless am, that if Jaxon will get concerned he’ll get harm. You don’t have any concept what Steven is able to.”

“Oh, Bailey, it’s important to study to let folks in. You’ll want to notice you don’t have to do that alone anymore.” She gazes at me with gentle eyes, which causes my throat to shut up with emotion.

“So, what’s the plan?”

“I don’t know but. Jaxon’s just about forbidden me to depart.” I give off a slight chuckle. “He says he may also help me. I don’t know the way he can, however I belief him.”

“Possibly Steven will lose curiosity and go house?” Anna suggests hopefully.

I giggle harshly at Anna’s phrases. There’s no means Steven will simply go away. He’s not the sort to surrender simply. When he desires one thing he feels he’s entitled to, he stops at nothing to get it. To him I’m his property.

“I can nearly assure that gained’t occur. I simply don’t know what his subsequent transfer shall be. Jaxon desires me to remain right here, and as you’ve seen with him asking Nick to remain right here whereas he goes to city, he doesn’t need me left alone. I don’t know what to do or anticipate. I hate it. I hate understanding there’s an opportunity Jaxon, or anybody, would possibly get harm due to me.”

“You possibly can’t give it some thought like that, Bailey. You don’t know if anybody will get harm. You don’t know if Steven will do something harsh. In addition to, Jaxon’s a lot able to caring for himself. Simply take it sooner or later at a time and see what occurs.”

I do know she’s proper. There’s nothing I can do proper now. There are too many eventualities to contemplate. I nonetheless can’t assist however really feel dread deep down. I’ve this sense that one thing terrible is about to occur, I simply don’t know what. Steven is unpredictable and there’s no telling what he’ll do. I simply need to hold praying that everybody stays protected within the course of. Even when I’ve to sacrifice myself to verify of it. It’s not one thing I wish to do, however one thing I’m greater than prepared to do. I’ll do something to maintain hurt away from the folks I care about.

Rapidly, Anna squeals and grabs my arm, shaking it. “Oh my God! I nearly forgot to inform you.” Her voice began out loud however then lowers. “Grams employed a brand new lady a pair days in the past. She has waitressing expertise so she ought to catch on fairly shortly. As you already know, Nick leaves once more tomorrow. In a couple of days, if the brand new lady works out and feels assured to work on her personal, I’m going to take a couple of days off and go stick with Nick on one in all his jobs.”

I attain over and provides her a fast hug. Once I pull again Anna has an unlimited grin on her face.

“I’m so completely satisfied for you, Anna!”

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