Page 151 of Love Bleeds Red
“Shotgun!” Layne calls out, making me laugh.
“Absolutely not,” Ashley says. “Bailey gets shotgun. You can sit behind me and complain about my music.”
As we walk to the parking garage, Layne loops her arm through mine like we used to do walking to class. “So,” she whispers, “Leon is even hotter than I imagined. And that voice? Jesus. I’m still blushing.”
“You’re ridiculous,” I say, failing to hide my grin.
“I’m serious. If you hadn’t claimed him first, I would have climbed that man like a tree.”
Ashley snorts from behind us. “Layne, you literally just broke up with Clay three weeks ago. For like the fifth time.”
“And? A girl can appreciate fine British craftsmanship.”
“Oh my God, I can’t with you.” I laugh, and it feels so good. So normal. “You two haven’t changed at all.”
“Neither have you,” Layne says, but then she slows her steps and clears her throat. “I mean, you have, obviously. You’re... stronger. A complete badass. But you’re still you. Still our Bailey.”
After everything I went through today to hear her say those words softens that weight in my chest.
I squeeze her in a side hug. “So tell me about Clay.”
We pileinto Ashley’s car, which still smells like the bubblegum air freshener she’s been using since freshman year. She immediately connects her phone to the Bluetooth and starts blasting the same pop playlist she always played on repeat.
“Some things never change,” I mutter, but I’m smiling.
“Don’t even pretend you don’t love it,” she says, pulling out of the parking spot with the same aggressive driving style that used to terrify me. Now it feels like the least scary thing I’ve encountered.
Ashley turns down the volume. “So Bails, we need to know everything. I mean, not everything everything, but... are you okay? Really okay?”
I glance in the rearview mirror and see Layne’s lip quiver. “Yeah, I think I am. Finally starting to be, anyway.”
“We were so worried,” Layne says, her voice thick. “When you just... disappeared. And then when the news broke about the trafficking ring, and we realized...” She swipes at her eyes. “Sorry, I promised myself I wasn’t going to cry.”
“It’s okay,” I say softly. “I’m here now. I’m okay now.”
“That Leon guy seems pretty obsessed with you,” Ashley says, her voice raising an octave. “The way he was looking at you on those courthouse steps? Damn girl, you’re lucky.”
“He’s...” I pause, trying to find the right words. “He saved me. In more ways than one.”
“Good,” Layne says, wiping her eyes. “You deserve someone who treats you like the queen you are.”
The cafe issmall and cozy, with mismatched furniture and the smell of melted butter and fresh herbs. We push three tables together to accommodate everyone, which causes a bit of chaos as chairs are rearranged and orders are discussed.
I end up between Leon and Layne, with Ashley across from me next to Blake. It’s surreal, watching my two worlds collide like this.
“So Ashley,” Blake says, making conversation, “What are you studying?”
“I’m an education major. Same as Bailey.” Ashley glances at me. “Are you planning to go back to school?”
It’s the first time anyone’s asked me directly about my future plans. “I... I don’t know yet. Maybe. I’m still figuring things out.”
“You have all the time in the world,” Leon says quietly, wrapping his hand in mine under the table. The simple act makes heat spread up my chest and onto my cheeks. “There’s no rush.”
“Exactly,” Falin adds. “College will always be there when you’re ready. Life experience is just as valuable as classroom learning.”
Layne raises an eyebrow at that. “Speaking from experience?”
“Something like that,” Falin says with a small smile.
