Vicious Circles (24 page)

“Not if you guys get her to the club tomorrow night,” I said desperately. “I can make him think I want him and she’l see me go upstairs with him.

That’s al it wil take.”

“And what happens when he gets you upstairs, huh?” Col in asked, shaking me slightly. “What then?” I gritted my teeth. “I can handle him.”

“If anyone can, she can,” Tori added. “I mean, Owen thinks she’s…” I rol ed my eyes. “He thinks I’m a whore – you can say it. I know what people think.”

“I didn’t…” Tori stumbled. “I just meant…”

“Don’t worry about it,” I said as I held up a hand.

“No,” Col in said, dropping his hands and shaking his head. “No, way. There’s no way in hel I’l al ow this.” I blinked rapidly as my mouth opened. I was momentarily shocked stupid. “You…you’l not al ow it? What the hel ?”

“You know what I mean,” he said, his eyes unwavering.

“No,” I said as I recovered and crossed my arms over my chest. “I’m afraid I don’t.”

“Okay, cool down you two,” Irelyn ordered as she rose and stepped between us.

“Forget that, Irelyn,” I said as I stormed out of the room. “If he can run off for a week with Tori because of Owen then I sure as hel can make Morgan think I’m screwing him.”

“Bailey,” Spencer cal ed as he chased after me. He snagged my arm. “Think about it. Think about what you’re planning,” he said as he lowered his voice. “Not only wil you be hurting Morgan but you’l be hurting Col in, too.” I snorted. “How? He knows the truth. I don’t want Owen – I can’t stand him. Col in knows he’s the only one I want.”

“Does he?” Spencer asked.

“Bailey,” Col in said as he stepped into the room. “Don’t do this.”

“I have to,” I said quietly. “I’m the one who caused this and I’m the one who needs to fix it.”

“No you don’t,” he said. “It’s not up to you to fix everything.”

“You didn’t cause this,” Spencer added. “I’m the one who cried on her shoulder – I made her think you hurt me worse than you actual y had.” I couldn’t face him. I couldn’t look him honestly in the eye. He had no clue what real y set Morgan off and I wouldn’t tel him. I wouldn’t push him away from Col in.

“I’m doing this with or without your help,” I said. “I’l get Morgan to that club somehow.”

“Bailey, if you do,” Col in said, his eyes dark and angry. “I swear…”

“What, you’re threatening me now?” I asked.

He stepped back, his jaw set and his arms across his chest. “Take it how you wil .” I stared at him, looking for the bluff. I couldn’t find it. But it wasn’t going to stop me.

He’d come to his senses – he had to. He was the one who’d taken Tori by the hand and helped her through her nightmare. He should be the first to understand why it was so important to get Morgan away from Owen before it was too late.

I stepped toward Col in and rested a hand on his chest. “Col in, I have to do this. I caused it and I need to fix it.” I stood on my toes and pecked his lips. “I’m sorry.” I fled before anyone could stop me.

***

I spent the entire night wracking my brain to figure out a way to get Morgan to the club the fol owing evening and when the sun came up Saturday morning, I stil hadn’t come up with anything. My cel rang and I glanced at the ID. It was Col in this time. I ignored it like I had al the other cal s from him, Irelyn, and Spencer that had disturbed my poor phone al night. Once I was sure his cal went to voice mail, I opened my phone and toyed with the phonebook, looking for Morgan’s number and wondering if she’d answer if I cal ed.

I stopped when I came to a number I’d never cal ed and an idea suddenly sprang to mind. A queer smile crossed my lips as I contemplated cal ing him. I wondered if he’d be wil ing to help – or at least have lunch.

***

“I have to say that I am surprised you cal ed,” Craig said as he settled in the booth across from me. “And I’m even more curious about this plan.” I smiled warmly at him, a little surprised that he’d agreed to meet me after I'd poured out the whole ridiculous story to him on the phone. “Wel , it’s probably a long shot but my luck’s bound to change, huh?” “Do you actual y think your friend Morgan wil go out with me

?” he asked dubiously. “I mean, if she’s already supposedly seeing this Owen guy?”

“It’s worth a shot,” I shrugged as the waitress took our order. I waited for her to leave before continuing. “Like I said, I don’t think she’s real y into him – I think she’s using him to piss us off.”

“Sounds like it’s working,” Craig smirked.

“Like a charm,” I muttered as I dropped my eyes to the table.

“I told you on the phone that I’d try,” Craig said softly. “I’ve been in that bookstore countless times so I know exactly who you’re talking about.” He leaned back and scrunched up his face in concentration. “Maybe a different approach would be better.” My head jerked up immediately as my brows crammed together. “What do you mean?”

“Wel ,” he started as his face cleared. “She might not go for the idea of accompanying me to a club since we don’t know each other. But,” he leaned over the table. “Do you think she’d be hip to meeting with my book club?” My brows dipped further as I snorted. “I don’t think I’l manage to get Owen to a book club and even if I did, I doubt seriously that Morgan would believe that I’m going to screw him in the library.”

He laughed richly and it was a nice sound. Wouldn’t it be just peachy if Craig and Morgan actual y fel for each other? I hurriedly shoved that thought to the side. I couldn’t play Cupid right now – I needed to play the part of the horrible, back-stabbing friend.

“I’m not suggesting you drag Owen to my book club,” he said as he sipped his soft drink.

“Do you actual y have a book club?”

His smile widened, revealing his dimples. How cute. Too bad I was already in love with Col in even though I was about to possibly throw it al away. “Not real y but I do have a group of friends from the university that would more than likely be happy to pose as a book club.”

“Okay,” I said slowly. “That’s great. But how is that going to help get Morgan to Owen’s club?”

“Wel ,” he drawled as he rested his arm on the back of the chair. His grin was mischievous and I was beginning to suspect he had a devious mind. “That wil be my in, you see? I’l tel her that I’ve seen her at the book store on several occasions and ask her if she’d like to meet my book club. I’l have her join us somewhere – I haven’t figured out a place yet – and we’l sit around and talk about books for awhile. Then, I’l have one of my friends suggest we go out for a drink and we’l somehow get Morgan to the Tail Feather Club.” He lifted his hands as if to say

‘Duh!’

“That could work,” I said in awe. “It would work bril iantly as long as you don’t tel her what club you’re going to.”

“That’s simple,” he smirked. “We’l al ride together and drive past and I’l have one of the girls say she always wanted to go there and we’l just pul in and park. I’l charm Morgan into going if she makes a fuss.”

I appraised him careful y. He was more of Morgan’s type – studious, handsome, charming. If anyone could do this, he could. I wasn’t one hundred percent comfortable with this plan but it was the best I had.

He pul ed a cel phone from his pocket. “Let me cal my sister,” he said as he pressed buttons. “I’l have her help. She’s only a year older than me and she likes to hang out with my friends. She’l help me think of a place for our faux book club.” I nodded. The waitress brought our food while he was on the phone. He made two more phone cal s while I pushed my fries around on my plate.

When he finished, he smiled.

“Okay, al set. My sister and her boyfriend are in on it as wel as my friend, Cal, and his girlfriend.” He picked up his cheeseburger and bit off a huge chunk.

“Where is this meeting of the minds going to take place?” I asked.

He held up a finger as he chewed furiously. “At Cuppa’s. It’s a coffee shop not too far from the Tail Feather.”

“Bril iant,” I said admirably.

“Thanks,” he blushed. “But my sister came up with the place.” He shoved a bunch of fries in his mouth and tilted his head. “I’l cal you as we leave the coffee shop and let you know we’re on our way. Now, what’s your plan?”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“I’m more than wil ing to help you get a nice girl away from a perverted asshole but I’m not too crazy about you being al alone with him in some room upstairs.” I was touched – honestly. “Don’t worry about me – I’ve handled worse.”

“What about your boyfriend,” he asked, his eyes boring into mine. “What does he say about al this?” I shrugged. “He hates it.”

“Is he going to be around to protect you?”

I laughed as I narrowed my eyes at him. “I don’t need some white knight coming to my rescue and saving the day – I’m hardly a damsel in distress. I wil be fine.” He nodded slowly. “That’s al fine and good, Bailey, but don’t think that me and my friends won’t be watching this idiot closely and don’t think that we’l stand by and do nothing if we think you’re in trouble.”

I cracked a grin. “That’s nice to know. Now, finish your food – I need to get home and prepare.” He nodded again but didn’t smile back as he picked up the remains of his cheeseburger and ate it in one gulp.

After I left the diner and drove home, al the things that could possibly go wrong with this plan rol ed through my head. I shivered but did not change my mind. I would do this for Morgan even if she hated me for the rest of her life.

I owed it to her.

Chapter Nineteen

I was a total nervous wreck when I parked my car in front of the Tail Feather Club. I had to take long, deep breaths before I could even open the car door. I gathered my bearings, adjusted my top, and swept my hair over my shoulders as I stepped onto the gravel and made my way to the entrance.

I dressed for the part, too. I wore a black leather mini, black stockings, and black heels. To add a little spice, I chose a blood red halter that didn’t leave much to the imagination. Yeah, I looked pretty trashy but Owen wouldn’t be able to resist.

Scooter recognized me immediately and placed a beer in front of me before I could ask. I smiled at him but he shook his head, anger clouding his face.

“Bailey, I don’t know why you bother with him,” he said. “He has a different girl on his arm every night.”

“More reason to do this,” I said. “Maybe my best friend wil see what a slime bal he is and leave him alone.”

“Oh, no, not another one,” Scooter groaned, arousing my curiosity. “He didn’t get her pregnant, too, did he?”

“No,” I said slowly. “Does he have a knocked up girlfriend somewhere?” He lifted a shoulder. “I don’t know what he’s got and where he’s got it. I don’t even try to keep track. But I know a few months ago some girl was always in here crying and cal ing and I thought I overheard her say she was pregnant.” I wondered briefly if that girl was Tori. I shuddered as I imagined Morgan in that position.

“Scooter, please, let me handle this, okay? I’m not naïve and I’m certainly not total y stupid. I intend to make sure my friend stays away from him.”

“Don’t take things too far, Bailey,” Scooter warned. “He may seem harmless but he has a quick temper that is getting more and more out of control.”

“So do I,” I grinned. I lifted the bottle to my lips and scanned the room. Owen was occupying his usual spot at the corner of the bar and hadn’t noticed me yet. I wouldn’t approach him – I’d wait for him to approach me.

Sure enough, just as I was finishing my beer, he sauntered over to me. He placed a tentative hand on my shoulder and brushed my hair back so he could lean over and whisper in my ear.

“Somebody’s looking like they want to get laid tonight,” he said.

I knocked his hand away and turned to face him ful y. “Wel , if that were true, then I could find far better than you,” I snorted. “There’s a homeless guy out back digging in your dumpster.”

Chuckling, he lightly touched the smal of my back. “You weren’t saying that last weekend.”

“Things change,” I said as I motioned to Scooter for another drink. He hurriedly fetched a fresh bottle, opened it, and set it before me. “Owen’s paying for this one, Scooter, thanks,” I said with a smile. “In fact, he said I’m drinking on the house al night so keep them coming.” Scooter winked and rushed off to help his other customers.

Owen grinned and pressed into me, his lips close to my ear. “What’s with the cold shoulder tonight? Are you angry because I was with your friend last night?” I straightened the col ar of his silk shirt and unbuttoned one of the buttons. “Let’s just say that I don’t like to be played with, okay? If you prefer Morgan over me then that’s your choice. But I’m not playing against her.”

“Oh,” he said, eyes brightening. He real y was a handsome man. “So, if I ditch Morgan I can have Bailey. Interesting.”

“Who knows,” I said as I slid my nail from his throat down his chest. “Guess we never wil .”

“Why is that?” he asked as he wrapped an arm around my waist.

“Because who would ever dump sweet little Morgan for the likes of me,” I said coyly.

He kissed me softly – surprising me. “Only a man of taste.” It wouldn’t take much at al to get him upstairs now but unfortunately, it was way too early. I glanced at the clock over his shoulder and figured that, if al was going wel , Craig was just now getting Morgan out of the coffee shop. He hadn’t cal ed yet so I was going to have to stal some more.

“And what happens if this man of taste decides he’d rather have me but shows up at another bar next weekend with Morgan?” He yanked me closer so that our bodies were flush. “Then that man of taste should be strung up by the bal s.”

“Interesting concept,” I said with an al uring smile to hide the pleasure I found in the image of Owen actual y being strung up that way. “Let’s dance.”

“Dance?” he asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.

I kissed his cheek and dragged my lips to his ear. “It turns me on – gets me al hot.” Owen took my hand and nearly pul ed me out of my shoes in his effort to get me to the dance floor. The music was loud and the reverberating beat rattled my teeth but I quickly found a groove and danced as provocatively as possible. When my phone final y vibrated in my hip pocket, I breathed a silent sigh of relief. I waited until it went to voice mail then pul ed it out and flipped it open. I held up a finger to Owen and slipped down the hal near the bathrooms. Craig had told me that in order to avoid suspicion from Morgan, when they were on the way he would cal my phone, let it go to voice mail, and just hang up without a word. If things weren’t going right, he’d leave me a detailed message.