Page 42 of Flint

“Someone was shooting at you?” The horror in her voice makes me want to give her a hug and let her know it’s all going to be okay.

“No, honey, I shot the car that was aiming to run down your friend.” I don’t hide the smirk on my lips as I watch Gator try to calm my friend, especially when she turns her worry for me to anger at him.

“What? Why the hell are you carrying a gun? Are you even old enough to buy one? And why is someone trying to run her down?”

This might be the only time I’m happy to have my face toward the ground. Doubt Gator would approve of my mirth at Bailey’s reaction to him. She doesn’t get along with him. No matter what he does, she ain’t interested, and it’s obvious he is. Not sure if the age thing is a real deal breaker for her or if she also notices how he hates that she keeps reminding him that he’s younger than her. I’m assuming not by much. I mean, he was in the Army, the only bit of his history I was able to get out of him. Nothing more than that, mind you. No details about what he did or if he fought in any wars—after I learned that wars are in fact happening in the Middle East.

Hey… sand’s in the Middle East, right? Is that where Flint was? Was he in one of those places?

There are like half a dozen brothers in my house, plus Bailey, so I doubt I’ll get anything but “club business” as the answer. I need to get him alone. He might answer me if he’s not surrounded by his club. Maybe. And if not, we’d be alone, right? We could just, I don’t know, see what happens. Talk about what pops up or something. Of course, if anything is sticking up, I’m pretty sure talking is not going to be what I want to do.

“Relax, Bailey. We got this covered.” Gator just isn’t getting it. Or he’s stubborn. And I kind of like that he isn’t giving up on my friend. It’s cute, even if it annoys her.

“Relax? You want me to relax? Let me tell you something, mister. I have been that girl’s friend since the beginning of time for all practical purposes. I have seen people use her more times than not, and she literally would rather die than ask for help. Want to know how I got her to agree to use my kidney? I totally tricked her. She never would have asked, even when I offered once I found out, which is a completely different story about me sneaking into doctors’ offices. That isn’t her. She is the best of any person and has never made me feel like I was less, unlike every other person who isn’t related to me. She is genuine, kind, and selfless. I make one mistake by not tracking her phone when she runs and bam, she winds up with you lot. The lot that apparently has guns, shoots at people, and has been the only thing I can see that connects her to always getting hurt. So don’t tell me to relax when I don’t see a damn good thing you’ve done for her since you came into her life.”

I feel General take a step back and chance lifting my head fully to see Bailey in the middle of my living room. General and Flint are with me in the kitchen, Domino, Jumper, and Bass have taken up spots on my couches, and Gator is still standing in the hallway. He looks fucking pissed, but I don’t know why. The others are at a loss on how to respond to her rant.

I slide off the stool. An arm snakes out to steady me but doesn’t hold too tight, letting me move close to her. “It’s not your fault, Bailey. You know that, right? I fell off the cliff, not because you weren’t there. It’s on me, not you.”

She shakes her head, and I see the tears gather. Oh fuck, this just got real.

“Just like it wasn’t your fault that my parents were starving me. You were a kid and did what you could.”

“But it took so long. I could have given you my food.” The tears break through the dam and spill over, but she wipes them away aggressively. I don’t know how I know this stuff, but it just keeps coming out. I feel like I’m so close to unlocking my memories, just a doorknob out of reach.

“No, you couldn’t have. You needed it. You were sick, just like me. We had to get stronger. We had to become us. You did nothing wrong then, and you did nothing wrong now. I lost my memory, but you didn’t lose me, Bailey. You could never lose me. I’m your ride-or-die bitch.”

I wrap my arms around her and squeeze tight, whispering words only for her. “I love you, sister from another mister. Don’t go getting crazy emotional on me. I don’t know if I can handle it, and I know they can’t.”

I feel her chuckle before I hear it and release her from my arms. She nods and wipes her tears away once more. “Right, enough of that shit. You trust them?”

She says it aloud, and I feel like the entire room just went to DEFCON one, if that’s a real thing or not. Is it weird that I can feel the intensity coming off these guys?

I scan the group once, then focus back on Flint. He ain’t smiling, but there’s no frown on his lips either. He’s just waiting, like everyone else.

“Yeah, I trust them.” I give them a soft smile before I turn back to Bailey. “And I’m pretty sure you have to be a certain age to carry a gun or you’ll get arrested. Since no one is picking up Gator from the pen, I think we’re in the clear.”

“Fucking hell. I’m not that young,” Gator groans.

“Your mom probably went to high school with me, sweetie. You're young.” And just like that, Bailey is back, not the emotional sap taking the weight of all the guilt in the room on her shoulders.

“I think he’s in his late twenties, maybe thirties. His mom would have graduated before us.”

She shrugs off my half whisper that I know most of the group can hear if they’re listening. Which most are.

“So, General, I get the all clear, or you want to do your favorite pastime some more?”

“Nah, I’m done. And besides, I’ve heard your scream. It doesn’t do it for me. Need to keep looking for that special someone, it seems.”

His eyes travel to Bailey, and I watch hers widen. A soft growl echoes through the room, mostly behind Bailey, but she refuses to turn. Instead, her cheeks turn a nice soft shade of pink, and General winks at her before he leaves. Followed by Gator fast on his heels. Wonder if he just wants to walk the good doctor to his car? Yep, and telling him to keep his thoughts about Bailey to himself will never cross his lips. I’m sure. Not.

“Great. Go get dressed,” Bailey says with a wave of her hand to my bedroom.

“Dressed?” Don’t I look okay? A bit banged up, but the outfit is still cute.

“Yup. The gang’s finally able to have everyone off at the same time so we can meet up. If we leave in forty minutes, we can make it for half-price appetizers.”

“But I was kind of thinking….” I let my words trail off as I look at Flint and bite my lip. Yeah, he’s someone I definitely want to make plans with tonight. And that wicked smile spreading across his face? Pretty sure that’s the sign he’s into what I’m thinking as well.

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