Page 96 of I'll Keep Her Safe

I just have to relax, I tell myself, and everything will be okay.

It has to be.

33

Poppy

It’s weird being back in Bailey’s room after spending every night with Wyatt. I’m lonely in the little inflatable bed without him, something I never once felt after leaving Kurt. No, once I was away from Kurt, I celebrated being alone, even after many years together.

But after only one month with Wyatt, being away from him feels like I’m missing a limb.

“Thanks for letting me have your bed,” Bailey murmurs in the dark.

“Yourbed,” I remind her. It’s felt less and less like my bed since I’ve stopped using it.

“Have you thought any more about finding your own place?”

I stiffen. Thisismy place, I want to tell her. And why is she asking me that, anyway?

“Just, I mean, if Dad is seeing this new woman, he might want a little more privacy,” Bailey adds quickly. “He’d never say that, so I probably should.” She sits up in bed, and I can see the outline of her silhouette from the streetlight sneaking in under the blinds. “No rush, of course, but this was always supposed to be temporary, right? Until you found somewhere safe?”

I screw my eyes shut in the dark.Thisis where I feel safe. With Wyatt. She doesn’t realize it, but she drove me into his arms. It washeridea for me to move in here,herconcern about me going somewhere Kurt wouldn’t bother me.

And now she’s pestering me to leave?

Irritation prickles along my skin. She kicked me out with only three days’ notice, insisting I move in with her dad. She abandoned the business we’d agreed to build together, to pursue her new job. Then she shows up here, unannounced, expecting Wyatt to be free, asking me to think about moving out of the one place that’s felt like home since I’ve lived in the city.

Yes, but you’re the one secretly sleeping with her dad.

Shit.

I quickly check myself, sucking in a deep breath. It’s not fair to get mad at Bailey, she’s only looking out for Wyatt. And it’s especially not fair given I’m keeping such a huge secret from her.

“Uh, yeah,” I mumble, smoothing my hands over the covers. “I’ll… look into it.”

“Dad seems happy.” Bailey yawns, settling into bed. “That’s nice.”

I smile to myself. He does seem happy, doesn’t he? All because of me. My heart swells at the thought.

I don’t have to answer because a few moments later Bailey’s soft snores drift across the room. Even with the time difference she’s fast asleep, and it makes concern nip at me. I hope she’s not working too hard.

I roll over on the mattress, trying to get comfortable, but I’m too wired to sleep. My mind drifts back to what Bailey said about sending me a message this afternoon, and I pull my phone out, wondering why it never came through. But when I scroll through my messages, it’s right there.

Bailey: Surprise! I’m in New York and I’m coming to see you. Don’t tell Dad!

It’s marked asReadat 4.16 p.m. When I was on the back of Wyatt’s bike, riding home. IknowI didn’t read it.

If I didn’t, who did?

Bailey rolls onto her back, her snoring stopping briefly, and I shove my phone away, hoping the light didn’t wake her. When her snores start again, louder this time, I know I won’t fall asleep. I rise from the mattress and pad from the room, shutting the door quietly behind me. Then I press my ear to the wood, making sure I can still hear Bailey’s snores on the other side, before tiptoeing down the hall to her dad’s room.

I give a soft knock, then crack the door open. Wyatt is sitting up in bed, the blue glow of the TV flickering over him. He glances at the door when I enter, motioning for me to come inside quickly and close it.

“Couldn’t sleep?” he asks, muting the TV. “Me neither.”

“I miss being in your bed,” I murmur, crossing the room and climbing under the covers as he holds them open for me.

“It’sourbed, baby.” He reaches for me. “Bailey asleep?”

---