It takes me all of about ten seconds to realize what a douchebag I was to even put the thought of me kissing Karen into her head. She was feeling insecure about me taking Karen on what was supposed to be our date. Is it any different than if the tables were turned and she would have taken Chris on the same date? I know I’d be downright livid.
Fuck. I royally screwed up. I didn’t even think of the repercussions of taking Karen. When Bay cancelled, I simply thought of the one person I knew who would love to see that concert.
Baylor had every right to be mad at me, and I just went ahead and let that escalate into our first fight. What I should have done was take her into my arms and reassure her that she’s the only one I want to be with. That she’s the only one I’ll ever want to be with.
I don’t know how this shit works. Did we just break up? Am I supposed to send flowers? Go knock on her door, even though she told me to leave? Give her time, and if so, how much?
As I run the two miles back to my house, I try to figure out what the hell I can do to get myself out of this mess.
I sit on a bench outside Carroll Hall, where Baylor has one of her journalism classes. I’m holding a bunch of purple flowers along with other shit the florist threw in, thinking of how this is the first time I’ve ever blown off soccer practice. Ever.
Girls walk past smiling. Guys roll their eyes. I wonder if they think I’m doing that romantic crap or if they can sense I’m crawling back to my girl after being the royal dickhead that I was mere hours ago.
When Baylor emerges from the building and her eyes land on me, I think I see them soften as a wave of relief comes over her face. When her eyes find the flowers, she gasps, but almost instantly her demeanor changes, turning into a hard stare as she says something to the girls she’s with. They all nod, look over at me and then walk away.
I stand up and make my way over to her. She holds a hand out to stop me from making contact. “It’s not true, is it? You were simply pissed and said stuff you didn’t mean, right?”
I can see the pain in her eyes and I want to kick myself for putting it there. She’s probably spent the past few hours wondering if I hooked up with Karen, and rightfully so after what I said to her. I know if I were in her shoes, I’d be going crazy at the thought of another guy touching her.
“No, Bay, it’s not true,” I assure her. “I haven’t even thought about another woman since we started dating—let alone touch one.”
Her whole body visibly relaxes and I take a step closer to her. I gauge her reaction to my proximity and she seems okay with it. “It’s you . . . it’s only you . . . it’ll only ever be you, darlin’.” I reach out to touch her arm. I run my hand down to hers and pull her behind me to the side of the building for privacy. “I’m so sorry. I was pissed when I had no right to be. But you did. After I thought about it, I know what I did was wrong and I promise I’ll never hurt you like that again.”
I lean in and wipe the tear that escaped her eye and is rolling down her cheek. “I love you Baylor. I love you so fucking much.”
She throws her arms around me, crushing the flowers between us. She says into my ear, “I’ll hold you to that promise, McBride. Please don’t break my heart.”
Hearing her say those words almost breaks mine. I’m more than a little surprised to feel my throat tightening and tears threatening to prickle my eyes. I blink them away before I become a sappy lovesick puppy. I clear my throat and whisper, “You can bet your life on it.”
She pulls away and looks down at the flowers as if she’s just noticed me holding them. “Purple orchids,” she says. “How did you know?”
I try to fix the bundle of flowers that we crushed in our embrace. “Uh, I called your folks and talked to your dad. I told him that I fucked up. Well, not in those words, but I said I needed to beg for your forgiveness and I asked him what your favorite flower is.” I frown at her. “I feel like a douche not already knowing that. I’m sorry.”
“You called my dad?” She looks at me through wide eyes.
I nod. “Yeah.”
Her eyebrows furrow in confusion. “And he told you to get these? He specifically said purple orchids?”
“Yes, why, is that not okay?” I ask.
She smiles, flashing me her perfect teeth and that adorable dimple. I guess she’s okay with it then.
“Actually, we talked for fifteen minutes. Before we hung up, he said he was proud of me for admitting I was wrong and for calling him.” I shake my head, still finding it hard to believe. “Can you imagine that?”
I couldn’t quite get my head around her dad accepting my faults and then declaring his pride. It was the first time in my life that any man, other than my coaches, has ever said those words to me. After hanging up the phone, I sat and stared at it for what seemed like hours. This is the man who, if I’m lucky enough, will someday be my father-in-law and I already like him better than my own dad.
“Of course I can, Gavin,” she says. “I told you before, he’s just a big teddy bear.”
“Yeah . . . a big teddy bear that’ll put my balls on a platter if I ever hurt you again.”
She laughs. “He did not say that.”
“Well, not in so many words, but he sure as shit got the meaning across.”
“Thank you.” She smiles up at me. “For the flowers. For calling my dad. For truly being sorry.” She looks at the ground. “I’m sorry, too. I didn’t mean to tell you . . . um, I didn’t mean to say . . .”
“Don’t be sorry, Bay. I think we’re both feeling a little insecure about our summer apart. I promise you as soon as I can get there this summer, I’ll come to Maple Creek.” I take her face in my hands. “Wild horses couldn’t keep me away from you.” I kiss her forehead. “Six weeks. That’s all. It’ll go by fast and then we’ll be together.”
She looks so damn sad and I watch as her lower lip quivers. I really didn’t think it was affecting her so much. I’ll do anything to wipe that look off her face. Anything. I blow out a long breath. “I think I should cancel Brazil.”
Her glassy eyes snap to mine. “What? No! You can’t do that for me. I won’t let you. You’d resent me for it later. Plus, it’s an incredible opportunity.”
“I don’t think you understand, Bay.” I grip her waist and pull her hard against me. “I wouldn’t be doing it for you. I can’t breathe without you. I know that makes me sound like a goddamn girl, but it’s true.” With my eyes, I follow the tear that runs down her face before I kiss it, tasting the saltiness of it along with the sweet flavor of her skin. “Are we risking forever by being apart, darlin’?”
She smiles at me sweetly and runs her hand along my bicep. “Forever will be there when you return from Brazil, Gavin.”
God, I love this girl.
“What do you say we skip philosophy and go back to my place to make up properly?” I raise an eyebrow at her. “I’ve never experienced makeup sex, but I hear it’s smokin’-hot.” I wink. She blushes. We laugh.
“I’d love to, and I promise we can later, but I can’t afford to skip class. I’m behind enough as it is.” She narrows her eyes at me tentatively. “Gavin Maddox McBride, weren’t you supposed to be at practice?”
“Some things are more important,” I say.
She shakes her head. “No. I don’t want you skipping practice for me. Don’t do it again. Not ever,” she commands. The dominance in her voice makes my dick twitch.
“Bay, we’d better get to class before I take you right here against this wall.”
I spend the next hour and fifteen minutes of our philosophy lecture thinking of all the ways I’m going to make it up to her in my bed tonight.