Headlines (Prime Time #3) - Ella Frank Page 0,47

looked between Sean and me and nodded. “Hey.”

Well, that was better than nothing.

“Boudreaux,” Sean said, and then, shocker of all shockers, held his hand out toward Henri. Whether it was a conscious move or not, the peacemaking gesture wasn’t lost on his brother. Bailey was looking at Sean like he’d grown a second head.

“Hey, man.” Henri took Sean’s hand and gave him a nod.

“Glad you two made it.”

“It’s Xander’s birthday,” Bailey said, his eyes moving between the two of us, and then finally landing on me. “I wouldn’t have missed it.”

Those words meant the world to me after everything that had happened, and I couldn’t help but smile. “I’m so happy you’re here.”

Bailey returned the smile, and while it might’ve looked genuine to those around us, I knew better. Oh, the mechanics were all there, but the expression didn’t quite reach his eyes, and that just wouldn’t do.

“Why don’t you come with me?” I suggested. “Let me make you a drink.”

I knew it was unfair to put him on the spot like that—who would say no to the birthday boy?—but too bad. I’d waited too long to have a chance to talk with him, and I wasn’t about to let my best chance pass me by.

Bailey looked to Henri—to see if he was okay hanging with Sean, or maybe to gauge his reaction to my request—and when Henri nodded and released Bailey’s hand, I could’ve kissed him.

We weaved our way through the clusters of people gathered around the room, and as we headed into the kitchen, I glanced at Bailey. Quiet and contemplative, he was careful not to get too close, but instead kept a calculated distance, something we’d never needed as long as we’d known each other.

Trying to focus on the fact he was here above all else, I stopped at the counter that housed every alcohol and mixer known to man and gestured to the vast array of choices.

“What’s your poison tonight?” I said, trying to lighten the mood. “Something mixed? Or are you looking for something straighter?”

“A vodka cranberry, thanks. Straight’s never really been my thing.”

The dig made me pause.

“What? It’s the truth.”

It was, but it didn’t take a genius to know exactly what he’d been getting at, and it had zero to do with drinks. But deciding to take the high road, I ignored my impulse to confront things head-on and went about making his drink.

A little later, I handed over the glass with a lime wedge inside and grabbed myself another scotch on the rocks. Bailey moved to stand at the kitchen island and look at the people chatting amongst themselves. I came up beside him, closed my eyes, and took in the moment.

For years Bailey and I had been such an essential part of each other’s lives that not having any communication lately had felt as though I’d lost a part of myself. I wondered if he felt that way too.

“I really meant what I said back there, Bay. I’m so glad you came tonight. It means a lot to me.”

Bailey nodded, but didn’t look at me, just continued to stare out at everyone talking amongst themselves. So I took a step closer and turned toward him, wanting to finally say the one thing I had yet to have the opportunity to tell him.

“I’m so sorry for everything that happened.” The second the words left my mouth, Bailey visibly stiffened. But I continued, determined to convey how horrible I felt about the entire situation. “I never meant to hurt you so badly. To—”

“Xander?” Bailey said, his jaw set, his eyes glassy. “I don’t want to talk about that tonight.”

I bit back my response and nodded. “Okay.”

“I came here because it’s your birthday, and we don’t miss birthdays.”

I tightened my fingers around my tumbler and looked away, automatically searching out Sean where he was still talking to Henri. I held out hope that if those two could be cordial with one another, anything could happen. “Well, thank you. It really means a lot to me.”

Bailey nodded, picked up his drink, and took a sip. “Me too.” Then he headed off and made his way toward Henri and Sean.

As I watched him go, I told myself to be satisfied with what I’d just been given. But deep down I knew I wouldn’t be happy until things were back to normal between us.

I downed the rest of my drink and kept my eyes on the three across the room. When Bailey finally reached them, Sean looked at