Chapter Thirty-Five

Xander

 

The sun blasted through the window. My eyes squinted at the brightness glaring in through the glass as Bailey rolled over in my arms. Her smile woke me up, bringing energy to my otherwise exhausted body. It felt good to sleep with her in my arms again. No more nightmares, only dreams of her and I.

“Good morning,” she whispered, stretching her neck to reach my lips with hers.

She tasted sweet, even first thing in the morning with chocolate syrup still lingering on her lips from the ice cream the night before.

“You’re cold,” I observed, pulling her tightly into my chest.

“Someone slept like a baby last night and let the fire die down,” she teased.

“Well, I’ve been exhausted without you in my arms at night, tossing and turning,” I chuckled.

Her eyes widened and filled with concern.

“Have you been having nightmares again?” she asked.

“I was, at first, but then I had a beautiful dream where you saved me,” I sighed, rolling to my back.

She rolled towards me with her head lying on my chest. I looked down at her eyes, eagerly waiting for me to elaborate, and for some reason, I didn’t feel the need to hold back. I told her all about the dream, every detail, and also about how I used it to fall asleep with each night.

“I’m glad I was here to help, even if I wasn’t really here,” she whispered.

I reached up, taking her hand and pulling it to my chest. I spread her palm across my heart, letting her feel it pound against my flesh.

“You’ve always been here,” I smiled.

“Hey,” Liam’s voice burst through the front door with him, cheery and loaded down with more supplies right behind it.

“Holy shit, he’s alive,” I jumped out of bed, sliding into my pants before greeting him at the door.

He looked over my shoulder, a wild grin growing on his face.

“I thought that was your car at the bottom of the mountain,” he commented to Bailey, who now was hidden mostly under the blankets.

“Hey, Liam,” she called back with bright red cheeks.

We hadn’t bothered getting dressed after our shower, and her clothes were still in the floor near the shower. I rushed in, grabbed them, and placed them on the bed beside her.

“Sorry, babe,” I whispered, leaning down to give her a quick kiss on the nose.

She giggled as she slid the clothes under the blankets and wiggled to get them on without Liam catching a glimpse of her perfect, nude body.

I moved to the fire, tossing on a log, and poking it quickly to get some heat generating into the cabin.

“Let me help you,” I offered, grabbing one of Liam’s large packs that was so full I nearly dropped it.

“Damn, what did you fuckin’ buy this time?” I questioned.

“Just damn near everything,” he chuckled.

Bailey was up and dressed and standing at the kitchen counter as I helped Liam unpack his bags.

“I brought something for ya,” she smirked, moving quickly to the pot of chowder she’d shoved in the small fridge.

“Is that clam chowder?” he gasped.

“It is,” Bailey grinned.

“Thank you,” Liam reached towards her, pulling her into his arms.

She shivered and squealed when she snuggled into his cold coat. Liam laughed.

“You make that trip last night?” he questioned Bailey.

She nodded.

“Holy shit, you’re a beast,” he teased.

“Where did you stay?” I asked.

“I stayed at the little motel in town. I mean, it wasn’t as nice as this place, but it had cable and heat,” he joked.

“I was glad you didn’t try to make it up here in that storm,” I admitted.

“Only someone nuts would try and do that,” Liam winked in Bailey’s direction.

“Hey!” she exclaimed, slapping him playfully on the shoulder.

He laughed as he slid out of his coat and boots,and tossed his gloves on the counter.

“I’m gonna heat up that chowder. Anyone else want some?” he asked.

We both declined as he carried the pot to the fire. I watched him poke at the log to get a bigger flame as he hooked the pot into place. I wondered what was going through his mind finding Bailey there with me.

“I’m gonna make some real breakfast,” I announced, pulling the eggs and bacon from the fridge. “We’re running out of room for all this stuff you keep bringing up here.” I informed Liam, who appeared to care less.

He was busy stirring the pot of chowder, dipping his spoon in for quick tastes just as Bailey had done.

“I’ll take an egg or two, maybe some bacon, potatoes if you’re makin’ em,” he finally said, turning to wink in my direction.

“Anything else?” I laughed.

“Nah, that should hold me over,” he smirked.

“Hold you over, til when, next Christmas?” I teased.

“Until I have to make that last trip down the mountain,” he stated.

“Last trip?” I asked curiously.

“Yeah. While I was in town, I made a few phone calls, and I have a job lined up,” he stated.

I knew he’d said he wanted a break, and that he wasn’t sure how long he’d stay. I was confused why he suddenly was ready to go back to work, unless it was because of Bailey.

“Don’t leave on account of me. I have to get back to work myself in a couple weeks, so I won’t cramp your style too much longer,” Bailey chimed in.

“Oh hell, it’s not because of you sweetheart,” Liam promised.

“Well, what brought this on?” I pushed.

“I’d put in my resume for a position with the NFL. I got the call back, they want me on the team as the personal trainer to the players,” he boasted.

“Holy Shit, Mr. Big Time,” I roared, rushing to my friend for a celebratory embrace.

Bailey congratulated Liam, making him promise that he wasn’t leaving because of her. He assured her she had nothing to do with his decision.

“I’ve been here driving Xander crazy long enough,” he winked in my direction.

He knew he hadn’t driven me crazy, well, at least not the last week or so. I was growing accustomed to having him around, and truth be told, I was going to miss him.

“So, who made this chowder?” Liam asked, taking his first bite.

It was easy to see by the expression on his face, that he was impressed.

“Lila, my best friend from school, and my neighbor,” she boasted.

“Tell Lila she is amazing,” Liam smirked.

Bailey had already opened the bacon and started peeling potatoes, dicing them up into small squares for the cast iron skillet. I jumped in, dicing an onion, heating the oil, and then slapping the bacon on the griddle.

It was nice having my stove back, but I didn’t really mind cooking over the flame of the fire. Bailey helped me clean up as we practically danced in the small kitchen area, synchronized perfectly with our movements.

Liam sat on the couch, eating the chowder and making sounds of pleasure with each bite. Bailey giggled at his reaction, leaning in to whisper that she really needed Lila’s recipe. I didn’t say anything, figuring if she did learn to make the chowder, I’d eat it every night of my life if it made her happy, even though I didn’t really like it.

“You about done with your appetizer?” I teased, breaking the eggs carefully over the hot griddle surface.

Liam grunted, brought the empty pan over to the sink, and then filled it up with water.

“That was incredible,” he patted his belly.

He looked over my shoulder as I peppered the eggs, growling as if he were starving.

“Over easy?” I questioned.

“Yup,” he smiled and then grabbed three plates.

Bailey scooped out potatoes onto each plate, and then placed three strips of bacon on each. I slapped two eggs on mine and hers, and then four onto Liam’s.

“Wow,” he gasped at the amount of food he’d been served.

“Really? I’ve seen you eat that for a snack,” I joked.

“Let’s eat outside,” Liam suggested.

The sun was out, and it was starting to warm up, but Bailey grabbed a large throw to keep over her shoulders anyways.

Sitting at the table, under the sun, it was pretty comfortable for me and obviously Liam who wore only a t-shirt.

The food was delicious, and the company amazing. I couldn’t have asked for a better morning.

“I’m gonna miss this place,” Liam admitted.

“I’m gonna miss you, brother,” I frowned.

“Ahhh, you’ll be fine. You got Bailey here to keep you warm at night,” he smiled.

“Until she has to leave again,” I winked in her direction.

“You can always come off this mountain and stay with me if you get cold or lonely,” she smirked.

That was a topic still up for debate. I wasn’t certain I would fare well in the town below my secluded mountain, but for Bailey, I might try.

We all sat and enjoyed the scenery while we ate, Liam telling us stories about his job offer. I was glad to see him happy and doing something other than training aging housewives.

Bailey got up, announcing she was cold, and grabbed our emptied plates from the table. When I tried to get up and help her, she pushed her eyebrows down, motioning towards Liam, insisting I stay and talk with my friend.

“So, this job offer, it is real?” I questioned once we were alone.

Liam laughed, his eyes squinting into the sun as he looked in my direction.

“Of course,” he sighed.

“Okay. I just thought maybe it was Bailey, and you didn’t want to say anything before,” I explained.

“Look, I saw her car last night. I was going to make the trip up the mountain once the storm calmed down, but I figured you might want some time alone,” he smiled.

“So you are leaving because of Bailey?” I pushed.

“No. Relax. I got the call, that is all true, and it’s my dream job,” he insisted. “If it weren’t for Bailey being here, I may have turned it down,” he finally admitted.

I was thankful he hadn’t. It sounded like an amazing opportunity.

“I think you’ll be okay,” Liam slapped me on the back.

“I think so too,” I smiled.