Knox
I can't believe it when I see Bailey's car I am stunned. Someone really did a number on it, my girl is sobbing so hard her whole body is shaking. Pulling her into my arms I try to calm her down but it's not working Fuck this is messed up. I know we have three hidden cameras on all the doors; Max gets Bailey a drink I nod toward the tree at the back of the bar where the camera is hidden. Max nods in understanding then goes inside to get the tape started.
We are in the office rewinding the tape; it is taking a while because the system is old. I need to get a digital system going in here instead of fucking old ass tapes. Bailey appears behind us, I am so pissed that I almost turn to punch who ever is behind me when I see her. My heart breaks for her, after all the shit she has been through over the last few months now some fucker wrecks her car. I tell Max to watch her while I call her dad; I have never even met the guy so this ought to be fun.
I find his name "Dad" pressing call I wait while the phone rings. He answers after about four rings "Sweetheart, how come you are calling so early?" I cough "Hello, Mr. Mortenson, My name is Knox Porter I am a friend of Bailey's" I say. I can hear him moving around "Is she ok, what happened?" he asks me I can hear the worry in his voice. "She is fine, I think. She is not hurt or anything but someone vandalized her car pretty bad tonight. I called the police already" I tell him. I can hear him letting out a breath "How bad is it? Where did it happen?"
"It's bad, it happened at the side of Georges bar on the strip. The whole car is keyed with some nasty words, the tires are slashed and the front window is smashed" He sighs, "Is Bailey ok now, did she see who did it?" "No sir we are checking the security tapes now, Bailey is upset but my brother and I are here and Paige and her friend Roger is here"
"Roger miler?" Her dad asks surprised "I guess, they grew up together, he just got into town tonight" I tell him. "I appreciate all your help Knox. Can I speak with Roger please?" "Yeah Sure" I say walking into the kitchen handing the phone to him "Bailey's dad"
He takes the phone; I walk out hearing him "Hey Dad, what's up?" I go back over to Bailey and Max in the office hoping we can find the fucking asshole that did this.
Bailey
Max and I are watching the tapes; He has him arm around my shoulders letting me cry on him. "We will find it Bailey," he tells me. Knox comes back in and rubs my hair, looking at the screen "Anything yet?" he asks Max "Na bro, I am up to 11pm". Knox is playing with my ponytail while Max still has his arm around me.
Max stands up, "Hey I'll take your bike home and bring back the truck so you guys can get home" he tells Knox. They do that one-handed hug thing that guy's do "Thanks bro" Knox tells him. He leaves the small office so Knox sits down beside me "You didn't mind Max having his arm around me?" I ask trying to make a joke but it fell flat, Knox chuckles "Na babe, keeping it in the family right" he looks over at me, making me smile. "Funny" I say.
He pulls me into a hug kissing my temple "Now, better?" I nod putting my head down so he won't see my tears again "Hey, Come on darlin, We will find who did this I promise" he says lifting my chin, I nod again trying to be positive, Knox gives me a kiss "Lets find this asshole" he says playing the tapes. Roger and Paige come to stand behind us at the door, both looking as worried as I feel; we all watch the tape in silence waiting for a miracle. At 11.45 pm on the tape we see someone throw a rock at my windshield, I bolt forward in my seat, both Paige and I shout "Bitch" at the same time.
Knox looks at us "You know who this is?" Paige and I are open mouthed in shock; I recover fast looking at him, getting angry now "You mean you don't recognize her. Her tits were all up in your face the other day, how the fuck can you not know who she is?" He looks at the screen, she is wearing a jacket with the hood pulled over her head and her back is to the camera as she keys the passenger side of my car. "Babe how do you know it's her?" Paige and I answer again at the same time "Her Boots" "She was wearing them tonight" offers Paige. Knox rubs his face; we hear a pounding on the door "Police". Knox leaves the office to open the door, letting the two officers inside, they take my statement and a copy of the security tape one of them photographs my car before the tow truck arrives. I just want this night to be over and go to bed.
Max arrives back just as the police are leaving, both officers do a double take as they walk out. "Here bro" Max hands Knox the keys to the truck the offers to walk Paige home. Paige gives me a hug "See you tomorrow, if you need a ride call me and I will come get you ok" I nod "Thanks Paige, that chick is nuts" "I know, be safe ok" we hug again then Max takes her home. About fifteen minutes later the tow truck arrives, Knox gives him the name of a garage to take my car to. "Ok Darlin let's go," he says. Roger and I climb into a pick up truck, Roger takes the back seat "You ok Bails?" I smile "Yeah I just want to go to bed". "Hey listen, your dad said for you and me to stay in a hotel tonight" he says before Knox climbs into the truck.
"No that's ok, I want to go home. Knox is staying anyway" I say to Roger, "Ah, I see" he smirks at me "While the cat's away huh Bails" I turn around smiling at him "Of course, he is a great guy Y'know" Roger nods to me as Knox gets into the driver seat, rubbing my leg "Ready" he says looking at me from the corner of his eye. Knox drives slow up the hill "Who owns this truck?" I ask him "Max and I, we got it for our sixteenth birthday" he doesn't elaborate so I look out of the window remembering my car. We pull into the driveway about five minutes later, climbing out in silence, this sucks, I think to myself. I silence the alarm as we enter through the front door "Do you want me to make a hot chocolate darlin?" Knox asks, I take his hand "No I am tired, just sleep" he nods, ok lets get you to bed.
"Hey Roger you can use the guest bathroom, and this bedroom" I say pointing. "Thanks Bails" he says hugging me, I go into my own room to Knox. I flop down on the bed covering my face with my arm, Knox starts opening my boots and pulling them off, he opens my jeans removing them. I move my arm a bit so I can watch him; he is not being sexual just caring. Lifting me up he takes off my shirt "Now I don't know the first thing about makeup removal but I will learn" he says looking into my eyes with concern in his. "No that's ok, I can do it but you can come stay with me" I stand up letting out a breath, holding his hand.
I wash what's left of my makeup off, trying to brush my hair takes way too much energy so I give up, Knox is behind me taking my brush before I can put it down. He slowly starts brushing my hair singing, "Your body is a wonderland" to me. Watching him in the mirror I can't help the tears that slip down my face, he is so attentive and caring it makes me emotional. He finally looks up after I sniff "darlin don't cry" he whispers into my ear while looking at us in the mirror. "Come on beautiful, time to sleep" we walk back to the bed together, his arms securely around my waist. In one swift move my bra pops open; I just let it fall to the floor not caring. Knox opens the covers allowing me to slip under. I watch him as he takes off his clothes except his boxers "Thought you slept naked" I ask him "Usually I do but I don't want you to think I am horny teenager" I giggle a little "I don't mind I like feeling your skin against mine"
He smooth's my hair looking at me then he gets naked, I smile at him "Thank you for everything you did tonight" "No problem darlin" snuggling into him I can't help but feel it's always me who needs rescuing. I tell him "It seems you are always coming to my rescue but I don't get to repay you" he kisses my temple "Of course you do babe, I just take payment in kind" I smile against his chest closing my eyes, I think I hear him say "I love you Bailey".
I don't sleep very well, most of the night I am watching Knox. Memorizing his face, watching his eyelashes touch his cheek. Listening to him breath, He is perfect I don't understand why he wants me with my messed up life. By six am I can't lay there anymore, slipping out of the bed quietly I grab my running gear getting dressed in my TV area. I creep over to the door hoping he wont wake up until I am back as I open the door it creeks Typical, waiting a few seconds I slip out and down the stairs to find Roger sitting in the kitchen. "Mornin" I whisper.
"Some things never change" he smiles at me already in his running gear, It was part of the make over Summer and I gave him, he had to exercise with us everyday but over time we all used it as an escape. I leave Knox a note on the kitchen table just incase he does wake up, Roger and I head out to the lake and start stretching. "So you really like this guy huh?" I smile and nod "Yeah, I do" we start on the trail at a good pace we are talking so I don't need music. Roger fills me in on all of his college activity, about his crazy roommate Jeremy, who sounds like a lot of fun. "Have you been home yet?" I ask Roger.
"No I told my parents I was staying in Florida for the break, didn't want to be there, too many ghosts" I nod in understanding "It was bad enough I had to go back for nan's funeral a couple of weeks ago" we are both thinking of the past, both saying nothing as we run. We manage to do four laps when Roger starts complaining "Dude you are so lazy, Summer would totally kick your ass for dropping below six miles" "Yeah I wish she was here to do it," he says. "Me too" As we reach the property line we slow to a walk, Roger takes off his shirt to wipe his face. I stop, pulling him by the arm "What the hell is that?" pointing to his chest, I see a tattoo of a rose with Summer below it then Roger spelled using the "R" from Summer and Bailey using the "E" from Roger, it looks like a crossword puzzle. Roger smiles "Yeah, I was lonely without my girls in Florida. It really sucks not having you guys around" he sits on one of the wooden chairs by the lake staring at the water. "I know how you feel" I tell him sitting beside him. We rest our heads together "This time last year we were getting ready for the Halloween bash over a Curtis's house, Remember?" he asks me "Yeah Summer dragged me to five different costume places looking for that stupid wig"
"We had some really good times, Bailey. I miss it," he says as I feel his tears touch my cheek, turning around I hug him tight "I miss us too, it is so hard Roger. Sometimes I swear I can hear her laughing" we hold onto each other crying for a long time. "How long does this pain last Bailey?" he asks shaking his head. "I don't know" I whisper "The only nights I don't cry is when Knox is here. I can actually get some sleep" I say wiping my eyes "Yeah sleep, that's what you do when he is here" Roger wipes his eyes in his shirt then passes it to me "And he's back ladies and gentlemen" we start towards the house.
Opening the door I smell food, someone is up. I smile seeing Knox in his jeans, shirtless and shoeless making eggs, toast and coffee "Hi babe" I say kissing him. "You thought you could sneak out on me?" he asks smiling "I didn't want to wake you" I tell him running my hand over his back. "I woke up when I heard the door, but I figured you needed a few minutes to yourself". Hugging him around the waist I kiss his back "You're the best boyfriend ever" I tease. "Yeah, yeah you're only saying that because I cook" "Awe Busted" I say slapping his ass.
We sit down to eat; Knox and Roger are talking motorcycles and tattoos, when my dad rings. "Hello dad" I answer, "Hi how are you?" I sigh rubbing my face "I'm ok just worn out from all the crap" I go sit at the window seat so Knox and Roger can continue talking. "I spoke with the police and the insurance company, you should have your car back in about two weeks but mean time you will get a loaner. It should be delivered by noon today" I smile at him even though he can't see it, he is so efficient "Thanks dad, You just don't want me to take the Porsche for a spin" dad laughs "You got that right, don't even think about it Bailey" I laugh at him "I won't I promise. Thanks again dad, I miss you old man" "Yeah I miss you to sweetheart, hopefully I will be home in three weeks, so we can have a girlie movie night" I smile at that "I will hold you to it and I may even let you choose the chick flick" "Will do, text me when the car gets there, I don't know what model it will be but at least you wont be stranded" "Ok dad, bye" I hang up the phone, closing my eyes I rest my head on the window.
This has been a weird few days on top of a shit summer; surely things can only get better. "You going to finish your food?" Roger asks, opening my eyes I look over at them "No savage, take it" I wave at him "Damn Bails, your man cooks and you give it away, shit Knox I'll date you myself" Knox laughs making another coffee for me "One chick in my life is enough" he replies. I laugh at them, at least they are getting along it could have been a whole lot worse. Knox brings me my coffee and sits down putting my legs across his, "How was your run?" I smile "Good babe but I am tired, I didn't sleep at all" he looks over to me while running his hands up and down my legs "Do you want me to run you a bath, than you can go asleep, Roger and I will be here. So you can relax" "Ok sounds good" he kisses me then goes up the back stairs to my room.
I see Roger watching me "He really likes you Bails, I mean really" I smile over at him "I know, I really like him too" "I am happy for you, Bails. You picked a winner with him" I can't help the grin that spreads across my face "Damn, look at that smile. Haven't seen that one in years!" Roger exclaimed. "You're a twit," I say heading for the stairs. Climbing the stairs takes effort yawning all the way up I finally reach the top. I can smell my candles burning from the hallway. Knox has the bath full of bubbles, some music playing and the candles "Wow babe, if this is what you do on a regular Saturday then I am in for a treat on Valentines day" Knox smiles at me "You never know darlin" he says holding out his arms to me.
I gladly go to him wrapping my arms around his waist, smoothing my hair he kisses my temple "Let's get you into your bath" I lift my arms up allowing him to remove my tank top, he kisses my nose, lips and that sweet spot just below my ear. "Maybe you should join me," I say to him. "Now what would poor Roger do, if we left him alone?" I smile "Eat" Knox laughs at me "You guys know each other pretty well huh?" I nod my head while removing the rest of my clothes. Knox lifts me into his arms then lowers me into the bath.