Chapter Sixteen

Bailey

 

Why the fuck was this man here? He was ruining everything, not only the love making he interrupted at his arrival, but everything.

I watched Xander as he struggled to be friendly and hospitable to the man he called a brother, but it was obvious he was a little irritated too. I wondered if it were for the same reasons I had. Was he dreading me leaving as much as I was?

“Are the roads cleared then?” Xander asked.

My heart raced as I waited for the answer. I bit my bottom lip into my mouth and calmed my breathing with slow, deep breaths until Liam finished chewing his piece of squirrel.

“Some of the roads in town are okay, but closer to the mountain, they are still pretty bad,” he informed.

Relief. Sweet relief.

“I had a hellish time getting my truck through the last two miles of road to the mountainside. I left my truck in the parking lot next to Bailey’s car, which is covered in ice by the way,” he chuckled.

“It’s a long hike from that parking lot to here,” Xander blurted.

“Yeah, and I wasn’t even sure where the fuck I was going,” Liam chuckled.

Liam’s eyes moved to mine, making me uncomfortable with his glare. His hands wrapped together as he wringed them like an old washcloth.

“You don’t have any idea who’d be looking for ya?” he asked me.

I shook my head. I really didn’t.

“I still don’t have a memory,” I explained.

“Nothing? By now you should be having some memories flooding back,” Liam exulted.

“Just the lyrics to a song, and the ability to fry chicken, well, squirrel,” I smiled softly at the man.

He was just like Xander described him, short, stocky, and looked like a body builder. You could barely see his neck from the muscles rippling up from his shoulders, but he still appeared to be very soft and gentle.

I watched as he leaned back on the couch, obviously ready to make himself at home. My blood boiled at the thought of him staying, but I knew that trip up the mountainside had to be harsh, and sending him away would be more than rude; it would be dangerous.

“Looks like there’s one more storm this evening, nothing major though, and then it’s all clear,” Liam announced.

“We should be able to get you off this mountain soon,” he winked in my direction.

That wasn’t what I wanted. That wasn’t what I wanted at all.

I smiled as politely as I possibly could, but I wanted to leap across the room and strangle the man who brought nothing but bad news and interruption from the time I had with Xander. Now, he would most likely be here until I did leave, dragging me down the mountain himself if he had to. How was I going to have any time with Xander? There would be no more intimate talks, no more snuggling in the bed all day, and no more love making.

I hate Liam.

“Until everything is clear, I don’t see the point in risking getting hurt,” I interjected into Liam’s plan of rescue.

“What was the mountainside like?” Xander asked, his eyes piercing into mine with anxiousness.

“It was still rough, very slick. The wind blowing snow from the treetops was making it feel like a blizzard was surrounding me, so I got lost for a while,” Liam explained.

“You’re lucky you made it up here,” Xander sighed.

“Yeah. I figure you know the way like the back of your hand, so getting down should be a cinch,” Liam added.

“But I have to get back up,” Xander pointed out.

“What, you sayin’ you’ll have problems?” Liam chuckled.

It was obvious Liam knew his friend was more than capable of handling this weather and this mountain. Xander had told me he could get me down, even during the worst of the storm, so I knew he was stalling. I was more than a little grateful that he wasn’t eagerly packing me up to get rid of me.

“Maybe. Got attacked by a coyote the other night, so my arm’s not as strong as it was,” he patted his shoulder as he spoke to his friend.

“Well, we can just hold up here until you’re both ready,” Liam smirked, glaring at each of us before leaning back on the couch cushion.

Ugh, he’s staying.

I didn’t want to appear to be ungrateful that Liam had come all this way to offer up news, and possible rescue me, so I offered him more coffee and then disappeared into the bathroom to splash some cold water on my face.

Martin wasn’t ringing any bells as I tried to connect to the last name. My mind was blank with stress over Liam’s arrival, making it impossible to think straight. Maybe after I calmed down, it would be more familiar.

I ran the water, letting my hands slip under the stream just for a second, and then splashed my face. I grabbed the towel on the sink, dried my face, and then stared into the mirror. Who was looking for me, for Bailey Martin?

Liam’s assessment of my lack of memory had me rattled as well. I had remembered my mother, and I believe my father’s voice, but that wasn’t hardly enough to make sense of my life, whatever life it was before I got here.

I’d kept the secret of my brief memories from Xander, so I surely didn’t feel the need to share them with Liam. When I knew more, I would divulge.

Liam was leaning into Xander as I walked out of the bathroom. He appeared to have been whispering something to him and quickly pulled away when I appeared. A warning, I was certain of that, telling Xander that he shouldn’t be getting too close to me, to this strange woman with no memory.

I picked up the empty skillet from the table, smiling at Liam warmly as I did, and then took it to the sink.

Xander’s eyes followed me. I could feel them on my back. I wished I could read his mind, to know what he was thinking, feeling.

I wiped the skillet out with a damp towel, and then seasoned it with oil before hanging it back up where it belonged. Heat pushed into my back, and then Xander’s strong hands rested on my hips.

“Are you okay?” he whispered in my ear.

“Yes. Are you?” I retorted.

“I am,” he said softly, and then quickly moved from his position behind me.

I turned, watching Xander grab the bottle of whiskey from under the sink. Great, now they were going to have a drink, hang out like old pals, and where did that leave me?

“Would you like a drink?” Xander asked, holding up the bottle with a grin.

“Sure,” I agreed, realizing that it would be a long night if I kept myself excluded.

He smiled sweetly and grabbed three glasses from the counter.

I followed him to the couch, taking the seat beside him instead of the one alone in the chair. Liam noticed, his eyes lingering on mine as I scooted in close to Xander and rested my hand on his leg.

“Oh yes, you know how to treat a guest,” Liam chanted, grabbing his glass and holding it out for Xander.

I waited until he’d poured theirs, and then lifted mine for him to fill. Xander’s eyes looked apologetic as they skimmed mine quickly, but I couldn’t tell for sure. From what I could tell, he seemed very uncomfortable with my hand on his leg. His muscles were tensing and flexing, and he shifted in his seat several times before I finally moved it.

The guys toasted, including me just for good manners, and then started roaring about their times as SEALS.

“You wouldn’t believe how wild and crazy this guy was,” Liam said, his eyes directed on me.

“I probably would,” I chuckled, sipping on the whiskey Xander poured for me.

“One night, we all had a three day pass, and this guy decides to commandeer a tank,” Liam laughed hard from the belly as he paused.

“And wrecked it into the fence, fled the scene, and then was called on scene to investigate?” I finished his story.

Liam’s eyes widened.

“Wow, you’ve really opened up to this one,” Liam gasped.

He had no idea. We’d talked so much, that I felt as though I’d known Xander forever. I, literally, knew more about him than I did myself.

They continued to tell stories, some I’d heard, some I hadn’t. It was nice watching Xander smile and laugh and witness the closeness he had with his brothers. I knew that he wasn’t one to develop relationships with anyone other than his brothers, so I felt honored that he’d become so close to me. I only wished it could continue and that I didn’t have to leave.

“I’m getting tired,” I interjected into their endless reminiscing.

Xander looked as if he were struggling with what to do or say. He stood from the couch, extended his hand to mine, and smiled. I wanted to lean in to kiss him, to have him lean in to kiss me, but he just stood there. We both just stood there.

“Do you need anything?” he asked sweetly.

I shook my head. I needed him.

“We won’t keep you up, will we?” Liam asked.

“No. I’m just going to lay down for a little bit. I probably won’t sleep anyway,” I responded.

It was still early, but I couldn’t sit there so close to Xander without touching him any longer.

Xander smiled, released my hand, and let me head over to the bed without his assistance. I’d hoped he would at least come over and tuck me in with a kiss away from Liam’s sight, but it was obvious he was being cautious around his friend.

I curled up in the bed, snuggled in the blankets that still carried Xander’s scent, and closed my eyes.

I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep, but it felt good to rest. I guess I’d need all the rest I could get. If Liam had his way, I’d be making that long trip down the mountain side real soon.