Vicious Circles (2 page)

When he parked in front of Irelyn’s building and turned to me, I hoped he wasn’t expecting an invitation to fol ow me home. But he didn't - he just took my hand and stroked it softly. “What’s up tonight, Bailey?”

I cringed – he was going to be nice and understanding and it would only make things worse. I sucked it up and laced my hand with his. “Listen, Spencer, I think we need to cool it. I mean, we agreed at the beginning that we weren’t going to take things serious, remember?”

“Sure,” he said as a flash of pain flickered in his eyes. “I know. Are you seeing someone else?”

“No,” I answered quickly, praying he could read the truth on my face. I’d always been straight with him. “Nah – I just want us to be friends. I’m not into the dating thing right now.”

“That’s cool, darling. Don’t sweat it. As long as we stil hang out. I’d hate to lose you as a friend,” he said with a sad smile. It nearly broke my heart – a feat that was not easily achieved.

“Oh, sure. I’l be at Rusty’s tomorrow night.”

“I’l see you then,” he said. He leaned over the console and pecked me on the cheek. “Good night, Bailey.”

“Night, Spence,” I said as I hopped out of his car and ran to mine.

***

Morgan was camped out on the sofa, a pile of books next to her. She smiled as I breezed inside. “Hey, how was your night?” “Eh,” I said as I raided the fridge and dug a beer out from the back. Returning to the living room, I sat on the floor. I picked up a book and glanced at the cover. “It was fun.”

“Is that…Col in’s shirt you’re wearing?” Morgan asked, her eyes wide and her brows nearly in her hairline.

“Oh,” I said as I set the book down and glanced at the shirt. “Yeah. Me and Irelyn went to Col in’s to watch the guys rehearse. I spil ed beer al over my shirt so Col in gave me a dry one to wear.”

“I see,” Morgan said. She dropped her gaze and rifled through the pile of books.

“Where’s Spencer?” She kept her eyes on the books but I noted a hint of speculation in her voice.

“What’s going on, Morg?” I asked. “Out with it.”

She looked up, startled. “Nothing,” she said with false innocence. “I just wondered if he was coming over tonight.” She was lying, I could tel , but she wasn’t ready to spil and I wasn’t going to force her. “Nah. We decided to cool it for awhile.”

“Why?” she gasped as she dropped her book. “What happened this time?” I shrugged as I picked at the label on the bottle. “It’s just not there anymore, I guess. I don’t know.”

“Are you interested in someone else?”

I snorted. “Nah. Not real y. Just want to chil out and see what’s out there.” She rose and began piling the books in neat stacks. “Wel , I don’t blame you. You’re a beautiful girl and if things aren’t there with Spencer, then you want to find someone else. It's not like you haven't tried with him several times already.”

“Yeah,” I murmured. “Maybe.”

She paused in the mouth of the hal , her arms heaping with books. “Bailey, if you don’t love Spencer and you’re not comfortable with him anymore, then you did the right thing. Don’t make the same mistake Irelyn made. Yes, it did work out for her in the end, but a lot of people got hurt.”

“I know.” I jumped up and handed her the book I’d been perusing. “I’m going to bed.

Good night.”

"Good night," she said as I brushed past her on the way to my bedroom.

I climbed between the sheets and rewound my day. Okay, so I was a little in love with Col in. He was very good looking and talented and charming. But it was wrong

– way wrong. Nothing would ever come of it because he would never date me– it would probably be very awkward for Spencer. And I didn’t want to hurt Spencer, either. He was a good guy.

Yeah, I’d have to get over this little crush. Maybe I’d meet a new guy at Rusty’s or at the pool or something. The new school year was just around the corner – I could meet someone there. It didn’t matter where I met the guy – I just had to meet him.

Then I’d banish these sil y feelings.

As I drifted off, I knew I was only fooling myself.

Chapter 2

Rusty’s was pretty packed Friday night, which wasn’t surprising. It was stifling hot outside and the beer was ice cold.

We took our usual table, where Irelyn already sat, and I immediately ordered a drink

– coke and whiskey. Marissa, the waitress, raised a brow

– I was usual y just a beer girl – but I thought I’d need something a little stronger to get me through the night.

Irelyn smiled her thanks when Marissa returned with our drinks then pointed her eyes at me. She lifted a brow in an effort to be coy but I knew her al too wel .

“Just spit it out, chick,” I said, smirking. “You have something on your mind.”

“I heard you and Spencer cal ed it quits,” she said and caught her bottom lip between her teeth. “Why?” I lifted a nonchalant shoulder and sipped my drink. It was strong – just the way I liked it- and I welcomed the burn of whiskey on my throat. “I just don’t real y like him that way anymore,” I explained. “We agreed from the start that we were just fooling around – we were both able to see other people.”

“I see,” she said, her brow furrowed. I rol ed my eyes and watched as the guys took the stage. They usual y wore jeans and t-shirts but Col in had on a pair of khaki shorts and I couldn’t help but admire his wel -toned legs.

“Take a chil , Irelyn,” I said, trying hard not to snap. “We weren’t serious, al right? I didn’t love him, he didn’t love me. And when I realized that it just wasn’t there for me anymore, I told him. End of discussion, case closed.” She blinked at me, a little stunned. “Bailey, I wasn’t accusing you of anything. I just wondered if something was wrong, that’s al .” I nodded, a little ashamed at my tone. But I always struck first when I felt threatened – it was safer that way. “So, I think I’l go see the folks next weekend. Anyone interested in tagging along?”

“Can’t,” Irelyn frowned. “I have to work that Saturday and I can’t request it off because I have to be off the fol owing Saturday to go with Luke to his parents’

place.”

“I might be able to go,” Morgan offered. “I need to check my work schedule.”

“Cool,” I said as the guys ended their first song. “They’re playing at that party that weekend, right?” I asked as I gestured toward the stage. “That girl who graduated high school or something?”

“Yeah,” Irelyn said, her eyes on Lucas. “Friends of Luke’s parents – their daughter graduated high school and asked Out Back to play at her grad party. They volunteered to do it free of charge.”

“Hm,” I said, deliberating. “Maybe I’l tag along,” I mused. “It’s been awhile since I’ve been to the Chicago area.”

“Sure,” Irelyn said, dragging her gaze from Lucas to meet mine. “Luke’s parents won’t mind and I’d be happy for the company. I don’t think I could handle sitting through their entire set alone or listening to Mrs. Newton subtly tel me that Luke and I should just go ahead and marry since we’re already living together.” I laughed as an evil smile took possession of my face. “Did you tel her what happened the last time someone proposed to you?” She narrowed her eyes at me but I could see that she wanted to giggle. “No, I don’t think I’ve shared that heartwarming story with her yet.” I shrugged a shoulder. “Maybe I wil .”

“Maybe I’l tel her about you and her nephew making out in the pool house while the over sixty group did their water aerobics just a mere fifty feet away…” I laughed and nearly choked on my drink. “Yeah, I’d love to see her face. Who knows, maybe that wil give her ideas and Mr. Newton wil be smiling the same way Spencer was that day.”

“You’re terrible,” Irelyn laughed.

I leaned closer to her. “That’s not what Spencer said.” She actual y blushed and I straightened victoriously in my chair. I finished my drink and motioned for Marissa to bring us a round. That’s when I noticed Morgan and her ful glass.

“What’s up, Morg?”

She jumped and turned her lovely eyes on me. “Huh?” she asked.

I smiled. “What’s the matter? You’ve hardly said a word and you haven’t touched your drink. Something wrong?” She shook her head and forced a smile. “No, not at al . Thanks.” She picked up her glass and started taking frequent, tiny sips as if to appease me and assure me nothing real y was wrong. I raised a brow at Irelyn who just shook her head discreetly.

When the guys finished, Col in invited everyone to his place to chil out for awhile. It took both me and Irelyn to convince Morgan not to go home but to come with us, but she final y agreed.

At Col in’s place, we gathered in the kitchen around the table and enjoyed a pizza and plenty of alcohol. Tori, Col in’s upstairs neighbor and daughter of his landlord, came down to join us. She was a pretty girl and I knew Irelyn liked her, but something about her always struck me as odd.

She helped herself to a beer and sat in the only available seat next to Spencer.

I thought things would be tense and a little weird with me and Spencer but he acted as if everything was normal. I knew how people liked to hide unpleasant feelings from others – I myself was a master at it – so I kept a close eye on him. I didn’t want him anymore but I stil genuinely cared about him and hated to see him hurt.

Morgan continued her zombie-like behavior and I managed to corner Irelyn in the bathroom about it.

“I’l talk to you about it later,” she insisted before I could delve any further. “Just let her be tonight.”

“Do you know what’s bothering her?” I asked, astounded. How could I not know when she lived with me?

“I think so,” Irelyn said. “We’l talk about it tomorrow, okay?”

“Yeah, sure,” I mumbled as I left her alone and made my way back to the table.

My drink had been refreshed and I smiled my thanks at Spencer. He took it as an invitation and dropped into the empty seat next to me.

“How you doing?” I asked.

“Bailey, I’m fine,” he insisted. “Geez, it’s not like we were engaged.” I fake pouted. “Maybe I was expecting you to pine for me.” I sighed overdramatical y. “Did you even shed a single tear?” His eyes grew as he snatched a slice out of the box. “Did you want me to? Because honestly, I’d rather eat pizza.” I laughed and patted his stomach. He draped an arm over the back of my chair and leaned his head in close. “Bailey, I’m fine, honest. We’re cool – we’l always be cool.” I nodded and wished that I could have fal en in love with him. He wasn’t quite my type – and neither was Col in, actual y. They were both such good guys; nice, sweet, charming. Spencer was more of a goofbal while Col in was the quiet one of the bunch.

I pecked Spencer’s cheek and ruffled his hair. I was hoping he was tel ing the truth and maybe it was my overconfidence that was making me worry. Perhaps he wasn’t al that into me. I’d have to ask Irelyn – maybe she knew.

The party started to break up around one-thirty when Morgan announced she was tired. I offered to fol ow her home but she would have none of it- assuring me she was fine.

Irelyn fol owed suit – claiming she had to work the next day. Lucas kissed my cheek and whispered in my ear that they would make sure Morgan made it home al right.

As if on cue, Spencer stood and yanked me into a hug. “I’m out of here, too. I’m supposed to head over to Owen’s club. He thinks he can talk me into convincing you guys to play over there.”

Col in shook his head as he chanced a quick glance at Tori. “Tel him hel no.”

“Aw, mate, come on,” Spencer whined, his accent more pronounced.

“He expects us to do it for free,” Col in continued.

“No he doesn’t,” Spencer argued.

Col in held up a hand. “Okay – go talk to him. Find out what he has to say and we’l discuss it.” Spencer grinned, shot me a wink, and bolted out the front door. Tori got to her feet, yawned and headed to the back door.

“I’m out of here, too,” she said. “See you later, Bailey. Good night, Col in.”

“You don’t have to leave,” Col in said, his eyes lingering on Tori’s face.

“I’m tired,” she said with a sad smile. She waved and disappeared before Col in could argue further.

“Wel ,” I said as I drained my glass, contemplating whether or not I should leave, too. “We know how to clear a room.” He snorted a laugh and finished his beer. He scrutinized me briefly from across the table. “Are you abandoning me, too, or shal we partake of the good liquor?”

“Bring on the liquor,” I said, smiling at him. He winked and my pulse kicked into higher gear.

“I have some stuff my uncle gave me for Christmas,” he explained as he slammed a bottle of mescal on the table. “Straight from Mexico.” He picked it up and shook it.

“See the worm?”

“Yes, he’s lovely,” I said dryly as I watched the limp worm sink slowly back to the bottom of the bottle. “You sure you want to open this?” He grabbed two shot glasses from a cabinet above the stove. “Absolutely.” He cracked the seal and poured the amber liquid into both glasses. He nudged one across the table to me and lifted his. “To friends.”

“Here, here,” I said and tossed the shot back. The mescal was harsh – scalding my throat. My eyes watered and I real y wanted to cough but I sucked it in, not wanting Col in to think I was a wuss. “Smooth,” I choked. A tiny cough escaped my lips and I felt heat in my cheeks. I wasn’t sure if I was blushing or if the liquor was making me warm.

“I can tel you thoroughly enjoyed that,” he said with a laugh, his glassy eyes shining. “Ready for another or are you a chicken?” I leaned over the table and slammed my glass down in front of him. I leered in his face. “I could out drink you any day.”

“Ha!” he said as he fil ed the glasses again. “I think not. Cheers,” he said as he lifted his glass. He downed it before I could pick mine up. He set his glass down with a flourish and lifted an expectant brow at me. “Scared?” I slammed the shot, relieved it went down easier, and slid my glass across the table at him. I smacked my lips and grinned. “Tasty. Please sir, may I have another?” He tipped the bottle over my glass but paused halfway. “Um, you’re not driving home, are you? You’l crash here?” My heart leapt but I was able to keep my excitement masked. “Sure. You’re making breakfast right? Because I’m rather particular about how my eggs are prepared.”