Page 96 of Restless
“What do you intend to do about your son?”
“Not a thing, Bailey.Myson is almost seventeen years old. Harley’s too young and immature for him. They are at different stages in their lives.”
“I’ll forget you said that. My daughter is a very intelligent, mature young lady.”
“Don’t bother forgetting,” Meggie retorted, fed up and in pain. “I want you to remember since I intend to tell CJ to stay away from your daughter.”
“Don’t you dare!” Bailey fumed. “That would crush Harley.”
“Your daughter, your concern. CJ is my son, who you unfairly pin blame on for something that’s your fault. You should never have allowed Harley to speak to her—”
“Stop right there, Meggie, before our friendship is damaged because you malign my baby girl.”
“You’re right, Bailey,” Meggie agreed. They had been friends for years. “I urge you to remember that sentiment before you open your mouth and say anything about CJ.”
“He promised he’d be there for Harley. He’d wait until she was ready to go steady. Hepromised, Meggie. She’s a young girl with stars in her eyes and CJ has crushed her soul. No one understands that. I tried talking to Lucas before he left. He refused to hear what I was saying. It broke my heart, too. Now, he hasn’t come home.”
“He went to the poker game at the Night Flyers,” Meggie said, attempting to ease Bailey’s fear.
When Bunny called earlier, she’d told Meggie both Mort and Digger went. Christopher had also planned to go. She wished he had to take a break from his fear and worry. “Those games go well into the morning.”
“I don’t care anymore. He took your son’s side and walked out, leaving me in tears. CJ visited Harley and left her in tears. They don’t deserve us.”
“Why’d you call me again?” They were getting nowhere. “You must be mad if you think I’ll allow you to malign my son. The best thing you, me, Mortician, and Christopher can do is back off and let CJ and Harley work this out. We shouldn’t allow their childish drama to affect our friendships or our marriages.”
“I’m the psychologist, Meggie, not you.”
“Then act like you have a psychology degree, Bailey.”
“Ido.Iunderstand how important it is to not only believe my daughter but protect and defend her. She is a minor and still developing.”
“What happened to her maturity?” Meggie asked peevishly.
Bailey ignored her. “Iunderstand the importance of a father’s support. Lucas’s behavior will have a lasting effect on Harley’s self-esteem. He has chosen to side with CJ—”
“From what you told me, neither of you gave Mortician the chance to take anyone’s side before Harley called him a stupid butt kisser.”
“She would never! I resent you putting such ugly words in my daughter’s mouth, Meggie.”
“I don’t care what you resent, Bailey. Hang up and go over the conversation, thenyoudecide what your daughter said to your husband. As for the rest of it, I will talk to CJ—”
“Don’t you dare bar him from seeing Harley.”
“I dare anything I please withmyson. The only reason I won’t is because of CJ. Not you and certainly not Harley. Take her side, Bailey. You’re her mother. I expect no less. But what you won’t do is blame my son for the state of your marriage. Look in the mirror to find the person at fault. Now, anything else?”
“I don’t even know why I tried with you.” Tears thickened Bailey’s voice. “You’re raising a spoiled, arrogant cheater. I never thought I’d see the day when CJ has so thoroughly disappointed me and hurt Harley. He’s hurt me too by driving a wedge between Lucas and me.”
“Are you through?”
“What else can I say? You refuse to help me.”
“You’d need to remove your blinders for my help to work. First? CJ is also a minor and still developing. No matter what Christopher and I were going through, I’d never pin the failings of my marriage on him. I’m warning you for the last time back off my son.”
“Or what?”
Meggie wasn’t sure. Bailey had been an integral part of the club for so long. Until recently, she was a close friend. Not only that, but she was also the wife of Christopher’s best friend and Roxy’s daughter. It was such a complicated situation.
If Harley calmed down a little, Meggie was certain Bailey would settle. She’d see the problems in her own marriage and save it before it was too late.Ifshe still wanted to be married, that was. Meggie found it telling that Bailey wasn’t expressing worry about Mortician’s safety or concern that he might have fallen into the arms of another woman.
