Page 41 of Saving You

As I open my mouth to respond, my phone rings. I pull it out and smile when I see Bailey’s picture and name on the screen.

“Hey, Bails.”

“Caleb.” Her voice shakes with fear, and my entire body stiffens on alert.

“Bailey, what’s wrong?”

“He left a note on my door,” she whispers and takes a deep breath. “He said he’s going to come back.”

I immediately drop my bag and sticks and begin running towards the door.

“Bailey, get in your car, lock the doors, and drive somewhere public.”

I yank the dressing room door open and run at a full sprint through the rink and out to my truck. When I get in, I tear out of the parking lot, not caring about the speed limit. I need to make it to Bailey. She stays on the line with me as she drives to the strip mall a few blocks from her place.

A few minutes later, I pull in right beside her car and jump out, jogging right up to her door. She unlocks it, and I pull it open. She undoes her seatbelt and wraps her arms around my neck. The contact allows me to finally release the breath I’ve been holding. I peek in the back and see Charlie peacefully asleep.

I hold her tightly as her tears hit my shoulder. We stay like that; me crouched there holding her close for a few minutes. When she seems to gather herself, she pulls away and I wipe my thumbs over her cheeks, taking the stray tears with them.

“Thank you,” she whispers.

“You don’t have to thank me, Bails.” I lean forward and place a kiss on her forehead. “Are you okay?”

She takes a deep breath before nodding. “Yeah, the note just scared the shit out of me.”

“Okay, why don’t we go grab some of your stuff? I’ll go with you and I’ll call the guys to meet us there, just in case. Then we can head to my place.”

“I can call Lily and see if we can stay with her.”

I force her to meet my eyes so she knows just how serious I am when I say, “Bailey, I’m not letting you and Charlie stay anywhere other than my place. I’m not going to change my mind about this. I need to know you guys are safe and the best way to do that is to have you guys with me. Okay?”

Another tear falls down her cheek, and I wipe it away. She smiles a sad smile and nods.

“Okay. Let me talk to the guys and then we’ll head over to your place.”

I grab my phone and move to the back of my car.

Caleb: I need you guys to meet me at Bailey’s.

Caleb: shared contact: Bailey

Grayson: On my way.

Matt: Be there in 10.

Josh: ????

“Okay, they’re on their way. You okay to drive? I’ll be right behind you.”

“Yeah, I’ll be okay.”

I tap the top of her car before she closes the door. I head to my truck and follow her back to her place. When we get there, I open Bailey’s door for her and place my hand out, palm up.

“Give me your house keys. I’m going to check the house before you two come in.” She places the keys in my hand. “Lock the car, only open it for me or one of the guys, okay?”

When she nods, I jog up the front steps and unlock the door. I cautiously make my way through each room. Confirming it’s empty, I go back and join Bailey. Just as I’m opening her door, Grayson and Matt pull up. I open the back door, unbuckle Charlie, and help her out of the car.

I crouch down in front of her. “Little Bear, can you go and pack a bag? You and Mommy are going to come do a sleepover for a bit at my place. I’ll be inside in a minute.”

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