fuck off,” Bailey says. “Don’t act like you have to work for your meal ticket and then judge her for taking a really fucking great job.”
He turns. “I don’t think I was talking to you.”
Bailey leans against the side of the house and rolls her head from side to side. “When you’re out here trying to shame my girl? You might as well be talking to me.”
“Bailey, it’s okay.” I turn to Sebastian. “There’s nothing going on between me and Arrow, but please don’t tell my dad I’m working here. He would freak.”
“And yet here you are,” Sebastian says.
“Somebody’s gotta pay the bills.”
I expect more argument—that there are other jobs in town, that this isn’t the only choice I have—but I don’t get any. Sebastian nods slowly. “I get that.”
“Crap,” Bailey says. She wipes the back of her hand across her sweaty forehead. “Mrs. Woodison is in the kitchen. I bet she’s looking for us.”
“I’ve got it.” I start in that direction, but Bailey grabs my arm and shakes her head.
“No. You and Mr. Muscles here go ahead and finish whatever it is you need to talk about. I’ll take care of Trophy Wife.”
“Bailey,” I say, warning in my tone.
She holds up both hands. “Gwen, I know. Gwen. I’ll behave. I promise.”
She disappears inside the house, and I give my attention back to Sebastian. He watches me, his head tilted to the side, his eyes narrowed slightly.
“What?” I ask.
“Is it true you’re waiting for Brogan?” he asks. “That’s the rumor, you know. That you were already committed to him so you’re his until he dies.”
I look longingly toward the pool. It’s so hot out here. I can’t wait for everyone to leave so I can dive under the water and swim so hard and long there’s no more room for thoughts in my head. No room for wondering how Arrow feels about me. No room for the guilt and regret and constant second-guessing of every decision I made that night.
I swallow hard. “That’s the rumor?” I hate the idea of people talking about me, but I suppose what they’re saying could be worse.
“Seems a little dramatic. You’re so young. I know you love him, but . . .”
I was trying to break up with him that night. That’s why we were arguing. That’s why he wouldn’t let me out of the car. That’s why I had to get my brother to come save me. That’s why they were in the street . . .
Sebastian studies me, and I wish I could turn off my thoughts rather than risk him seeing them on my face. “There’s also a rumor that you were pregnant with his baby and that’s why you haven’t left his side.” His gaze drifts to my stomach and then back up. “But I imagine that would be noticeable by now if it were true.”
I release a dry laugh. “No truth to that one, I’m afraid.”
“You see,” he says, “I look at you and I see a gorgeous young woman who has her whole life ahead of her.” He takes a step back and tucks his hands into his pockets. “I see someone I’d like to get to know, someone I’d like to make smile when she’s ready to smile again. But I can’t decide if your little research project is going to help you move on or if it’s going to trap you in the past even longer.”
I stare at the patio, not sure what to say and too tired to try.
“Yeah, so that’s where I am,” he says. “If you were wondering. That’s why you don’t have your list yet. Because I like you, and I don’t want to do anything that’s going to make you hurt longer than you already have.”
I close my eyes and hear him walk away. His steps across the patio, the click of the French doors opening and then closing.
Alone, I look up into the night sky. By warning me off this search, Sebastian’s trying to protect me from some faceless demon. He doesn’t understand the demon already has me in its claws.
Arrow
“Is Mia going to join us?” Sebastian looks over his shoulder to the light coming from the kitchen window.
“I told her to come out here,” Bailey says with a huff. “Miss Antisocial doesn’t even have the baby as an excuse tonight.”
Since Katie is with Gwen’s mom, Coach Wright insisted on taking Dad and Gwen out for a drink, and after Dad gave me a long, hard stare that told me