Love Me ~ Like That (32 page)

It’s funny how my big strong man can handle all the little details of major projects, but can’t manage receipts. He has too much on his plate. If I can get him organized, I should be able to keep him in good order by coming in and helping him one day a week.

After about three hours of inputting information into the accounting program, I’ve noticed he has some of his personal household expenses in with the business. I make a pile for those, too. I have almost everything separated; organization is the key. I come across a receipt for the rehab center Granny was in, and I examine it further. Behind the receipt, there is a hand written note from Granny which states she and Papa want to be put in a nursing home should they become too much of a burden for one person. The statement was witnessed by Cash and Margie. What. The. Hell. He paid for Granny’s care? Nursing home? Have they been lying to me this whole time? Taking care of poor helpless Bailey? She can’t do anything by herself.

I am infuriated. If he wanted to help, he could have at least told me like Hendrix did. He wants trust and respect, but he isn’t showing me any right now. However, the thing that worries me the most is the hand written letter from Granny. I’m so hurt by all of them. Why would they keep all of this from me? I’ve got to go. I need to be somewhere I can think.

I pick up my purse and walk out of Cash’s office. I don’t stop when Dawn calls out her goodbyes. I can’t stop. If I do, I will breakdown in front of her. I push the front door open with force then get into my Jeep and drive. I drive a little too fast. I know I have a temper, but I can’t help it. I inherited it from Momma and Granny.

The texts roll in from Cash, and then from Lizzie. I don’t want to talk to them. I want away from all of this. I send my own text. Then I turn off my phone. I want to go somewhere that I know I can vent, and nobody will be trying to change my mind. Sometimes you want to blow off steam and not to be coddled. I know the place to go—a place where I can find the answers I need.

Bailey left the office without a word to anyone. She isn’t answering her phone from any of us, and she hasn’t gone home. Granny hasn’t heard from her and neither has Kathy. I don’t know what happened to make her leave like she did. I question Dawn, “Did she say anything or give any indication of where she was going?”

Dawn stands there shaking her head. “She hit the door hard and left, Cash. She didn’t even make eye contact with me.”

I open the door to the spare office and look around to see if she left a note or a clue, something. Two neat stacks of invoices are on the desk, a stack for the business and a stack of my personal bills. I sit with my elbows on the desk and my head in my hands. There isn’t a note anywhere to be found. Something has upset her. I go over everything in my head.

I’m not sure how long I sit here staring at that desk, but I finally notice the invoice on the top of the personal stack—the one for the rehab center. Then I see the note of Granny’s wishes—the only way she would accept our help. I’ve been meaning to tell Bailey that mom and I are the ones taking care of the Jacksons’ medical expenses, but she was being so headstrong on doing it herself. Then when she thought Hendrix was paying, I let her believe it. I’m not sure what has made her so upset. So I was making payments to help them out. I really don’t understand the problem. Why the hell is she not answering her phone? If she would at least talk to me, I could explain all of this.

Finally, her phone goes straight to voice mail. Stubborn woman. Which is what she is. A damn stubborn woman. I don’t know whether to track her down or just let her go. Anyone who would get this mad over this has to be a little crazy.

When I find her, I’m going to say my piece. If she still wants to be a brat after that, so be it, but she will hear my piece. I tell Dawn I’m leaving early. I pick up my keys and I’m gone. I rack my brain over the places she might go. There is only one place I can think of, but I pray to God she isn’t there. If she is, I won’t be responsible for my actions.

I pull up and wonder why I’m here. I shouldn’t be here. I’ve calmed down, and I can see reason now. Well, I can see some reason. I’m still a little upset about all of this. I’m as aggravated by Hendrix as I am by Cash. But I don’t think it isn’t anything we can’t talk through.

I walk up to the door where he is waiting. “Hey, Sweetheart! Come in. What did that asshole do to you? I will kick his ass. I’m so glad you’re back.”

“Hey,” I say, looking down at my feet, “I’m sorry I bothered you. I was temporarily insane. I’m not here to take you back, Hendrix.” I look at him and smile a little bit.

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

I shake my head and the tears flow again. He pulls me inside and closes the door. He takes me in his arms for a hug and I let him for just a minute or two.

“Hendrix, why did you let me believe you were the one paying for Granny and Papa’s health care?” He stands there looking at me like he’s been caught.

“Bailey, it was the only way I got to see you and spend time with you.” He takes my hand. “Please know I would do anything to be with you. If you want me to give up all of my money, if you want a house right beside your grandparents, I’ll build you one. Whatever it is, Bailey, give me a chance to show you I’ve changed.”

“You’re too late, Hendrix. It’s over between us. I would like to remain friends, but you can’t do things like you have been. I’m going to marry Cash, I love him.”

He rocks back on his heels with his hands in his back pockets. “I know that, Bailey. Just know, if anything ever happens, I would like my second chance. I’m so sorry, Bailey. I do love you and I think you’ve really changed me.” He kisses my cheek.

He can be so sweet when he wants to be, and I smile up at him. “Thanks, Hendrix, I hope you have changed because I think you have the potential of being a great boyfriend for someone.” Oh my God. I’ve got to pee so badly. “I need to use your ladies’ room.”

“You know where it is.”

I go to the one in his master suite because I’m so accustomed to using that one. I need to hurry up and get out of here so I can confront Cash about all of this, too. When I come out of the bathroom, a couple of pieces of paper on his nightstand catch my attention. One has a familiar color pattern, so I go over and take a peek, I’m so nosey. Un-fucking-believable!

Lizzie gave me his address. I hope she isn’t there, but it’s one of the first places I check. I pull into the parking lot scanning for her Jeep.
Shit
. I hit my steering wheel because there it is. I pull in a couple of spots down. It can’t go down this way. I won’t allow it. If nothing else, she is going to hear what I have to say.

I’m out of the truck and at his door before I can change my mind on anything. I go to knock, and Hendrix opens the door. I give him my best “go to hell” look and ask through gritted teeth, “Where’s Bailey?”

He opens his door up wider for me to come in. “She’s freshening up. She should be out in a moment.”

I swear if he smirks at me one more time, I’ll knock it off his face. I’ve been wanting to do that for a while anyway.

He takes his thumb and wipes the corner of his mouth. “So, you screwed up?”

That’s it, that’s all it takes. He meets the business end of my fist.

“Cash, what are you doing?”

I hear Bailey, but I’m furious she ran back to him, I don’t even look at her.

Hendrix gets up and puts out his hands. I hit him in his gut, and his knees hit the floor.

“Hendrix, why do you have the number to the Center on Aging by your bed and these blank prescription labels?” Bailey asks.

“What the fuck was she doing in your bed?” I hit him again busting his lip.

“Cash, stop it!” She gets between us. “We only talked, and I was leaving to come talk to you.”

Holding his gut, Hendrix is gasping and struggles to his feet. “Bailey, I heard about your grandfather’s overdose on morphine and I called for them to check on him. Those labels, I can explain. Just call off your dog and I will explain it all.”

“You were the one who reported Bailey? You are the one who put her through all of that? Did you give Papa the morphine that day too?” I give him an uppercut to his chin and land the next one on his temple. The asshole isn’t fighting back or trying to protect himself.