“Not a problem.”
I kick my shoes off and lay back on Bailey’s bed, listening to the water running.
It runs for a couple minutes before I surmise she's running a bath.
I put her pillow to my nose and inhale, but a moment later, I catch the scent of cigarette smoke, and hear her sniffle.
I sit up.
More sniffling.
She’s in there crying. Crying and smoking.
I hear a cork pop and now I smell wine.
I move to the door and put my forehead against it. Her breath hitches and she tries to disguise it with a cough.
My insides feel sick. I pace the room for a minute before I can’t stand it any longer and knock on the door.
“Go away!” she demands.
“You know I’m not gonna do that."
“I’m taking a bath, Jason!” She's still crying. It's right there in her voice.
“I’m coming outta my skin here. You gotta let me do something, Bay.”
"About what?"
"About you crying. Being upset."
“Believe me, there's nothingyoucan do. Just go home. Gimme a night to myself.”
“Bailey, this is worse than the urge to fuck you. Worse than the ache in my gums to mark you. I’m supposed to take care of you and you’re in there crying. I can’t fucking take this!”
“Well that's just too bad! Go away and you can go back to pretending I don't exist.”
“Not gonna happen. Talk to me,” I request.
She doesn’t answer.
“Put out the cigarette, baby.”
“You don't get to tell me what to do, Jase.”
I grind my teeth. I've never been this frustrated in my life. How the hell am I gonna deal with this another two days or more if Bailey and Danica get their way?
“Fuck!” she snaps.
“What? What happened?”
“Damn it,” she mutters.
“Bailey, answer me or I’m bustin' this door in!”
“No!" She hollers. "Don't you dare! I’m naked in here!”
I stare at the door.