Page 24 of Saving You

She nuzzles deeper into my chest.

“Little Bear, can you wrap your arms around my neck?”

Her eyes open slightly, and I get a view of the beautiful blue that matches her mother’s. She wraps her arms around my neck, and I stand. I make my way over to the guys giving them each a handshake before adjusting Charlie and grabbing my hockey bag. Bailey takes my sticks, and we make our way to her car.

“Thank you for carrying her.”

I face her and smile. “It’s no problem, Bailey. If I didn’t want to, I wouldn’t. I’m not really known for doing things I don’t want to.”

Her eyes bounce around my face, and she seems to read my sincerity, a small smile spreading across her face. When we get to her car, she unlocks it and I get Charlie settled in the back.

Bailey fiddles with her phone, and I grab it, swiping up and turning it to read her face, unlocking it. Opening her contacts, I add myself then give her it back.

“Text me when you get home,” I say, opening the driver’s door for her.

“Yeah. Thank you for everything today. I guess, I should also apologize and thank you for Saturday,” she says, a blush spreading across her cheeks and down her neck. Her eyes dart everywhere but my face.

I grip her chin, forcing her to look at me as I say, “Bailey, there is nothing to apologize for. If you ever need anything, please call me.”

She nods, her eyes remaining on mine. Her eyes are the shade of the sky on a bright summer day, and I could stare into them for the rest of my life. I clear my throat and take a step back, dropping my hand.

“Please remember to text me when you get home. I want to make sure you’re safe.”

“I will. Thank you,” she says as she climbs into her car and drives away.

My eyes track her car until I can no longer see her taillights, and only then do I make my way to my car and head home. During my walk with Finn and when we get back home, I constantly check my phone, waiting for it to ding with a text notification. After twenty minutes of checking it every minute, it dings.

Bailey: Home safe and sound. Charlie is curled up in bed with Vanilla. She’s definitely out for the night. Thank you for tonight.??

Caleb: Anytime. Sleep well, Bailey.

Bailey: You too.

I plug my phone in beside my bed and climb in. My mind goes over the events of today, how much I enjoyed having Charlie there, cheering for me. How something as small as giving her the puck from the game-winning goal made her shine with happiness.

Mom’s pressuring me to settle down starts to go through my head. I remember how I felt when Liv said Charlie would only have fallen asleep in my lap if she felt safe. That is probably the most satisfying feeling I’ve ever experienced. Knowing that Charlie, who has seen her father get violent with her mom and would have every right not to feel safe around men, feels safe with me.

I’m drawn to Bailey. I want to know everything that’s going on in her head. Why does she have a mixture of sadness in her eyes when she looks at Charlie, but especially when she looks at Charlie and me together? Questions bounce around my head as I try to fall asleep, but when I do finally crash, I dream of Bailey and Charlie and it’s the first night in forever I don’t wake up from a nightmare.

Ispend Sunday with Finn around the house doing chores, at the dog park, and watching a couple of hockey games on TV. Monday morning, I make my way to work and when I get there, my staff sergeant calls me into his office.

“Sutton, I need you to help the group of doctors and nurses coming in today offering flu shots. They’ll be setting up in conference room A.”

I nod. As always, Staff Sergeant Bell is straight to the point. “Is there anything specific you need done?”

“Just make sure they have everything they need. They need a liaison while in the station.”

“Sounds good.” I pat my thighs before pushing out of my seat and heading to the reception desk. I tell the officer managing walk-ins to let me know when the people doing the flu shots are here and return to my desk to follow up on some of the recent reports.

Half an hour later, my desk phone rings. I answer and am told they’re here, so I make my way to reception. I stop short when I see blonde hair pulled back into a high ponytail, a light-blue blouse, and a black pencil skirt that hugs hips and an ass I’d recognize anywhere.

Bailey.

I walk up behind her and lean over her shoulder until my lips are right beside her ear.

“Hello, Bailey,” I whisper, and she jumps, clutching her chest as she spins and stares at me. I throw my head back and let out a laugh, one I feel in my stomach and chest. Her hand reaches out as she playfully slaps my arm.

“What the hell, Caleb? You almost gave me a heart attack.”

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