Page 44 of Saving You

“It’s all good. It’s his house. Don’t worry about us. We appreciate the place to stay.” Bailey smiles at me, but it’s an uncomfortable one. I know she doesn’t like being in a situation where she needs help, but I’m going to give it to her because, for some reason, I can’t walk away from these two.

“Charlie can crash in here, I’ll take the couch, and you can have my room. Tomorrow, I’ll get your room set up.”

“We can stay in here together. You’re already offering us a safe place to stay. I don’t want to put you out anymore.”

“It’s not a problem, Bailey. I’ve been meaning to get it set up for a while now.”

She sighs, too tired to fight me. “Fine, but for tonight, I’ll stay in here. You’re not sleeping on the couch for me.”

Not wanting to push her anymore, especially after what she’s gone through today, I relent. “Okay. Well, I’m going to order us pizza. Why don’t you girls get settled while I grab the rest of the bags?”

When I open the door, Finn is lying across the floor in the hallway. He sits up, and I scratch the top of his head before making my way to the truck. I grab the last couple of bags and as I’m making my way up the front steps, Olivia pulls up to the curb. She climbs out of her car and grabs a basket from the back seat, carrying it up to me. I smile as I take in just how full the basket is. I can see all the things I listed to Josh and much more. Liv has gone all out with this relaxation basket.

She stopsin front of me, offering me the basket. “I got everything you suggested. Great suggestions, by the way. Plus, I added some more things I thought she might enjoy. I also added some things for Charlie in there.”

“Thanks, Liv. This means a lot. I’m sure she’s going to love this.”

“Of course. Please let her know that if she needs anything, she can call me.” She looks around me before she continues. “Is she doing okay? I’m guessing she’s a little overwhelmed right now. I know what it’s like having to pick up and move somewhere you weren’t expecting to.”

“Yeah, I don’t think the part about leaving her place is what’s bothering her the most, though. It’s thinking they’re putting me out. That’s the last thing I want her to worry about. There is no other place on Earth I’d want them right now. It’s just going to take her some time to adjust.”

I feel Olivia’s accessing gaze. She’s scrutinizing me and my words. Finn walks up to her and nuzzles against her leg. She reaches down and scratches his head while still looking at me. My stomach tightens. I’m worried she’s going to think the girls would be better off somewhere else, maybe at her place, but then a smile spreads across her face and my stomach loosens.

“You’re falling for her,” she says wistfully.

My entire body straightens. I run a hand through my hair and grip the back of my neck, not sure what to say.

She reaches forward and grips my arm. “Caleb, you don’t have to say anything. I’m happy for you. For both of you. She deserves someone as great as you.”

“I’m not sure about that.”

“Now what in the world makes you say that?”

I sigh. “Liv, you know I love you like a sister. You’re my friend’s sister and my other friend’s wife, but there is some shit I’m just not going to share.”

She squints at me. It’s like she’s trying to will the information out of me, but I don’t budge. She squares her shoulders and stands taller before crossing her arms over her chest. She inhales a deep breath, letting it out slowly.

“When Josh and I started dating, I had just gotten out of a relationship where I walked in on my boyfriend cheating on me. He then continued to make me feel bad about myself so I’d go back to him, because in his words, ‘No other man would be able to love me because of my size.’ I carried that baggage around all throughout the beginning of my relationship with Josh, and it still affects me. Do you think Josh would be better off without me and my baggage? Do you think I should have walked away from the man I love because of it?”

Her words hit me like a sledgehammer. I had no idea she had gone through all that. I wish I hadn’t let her ex off with a warning at the summer barbeque and had just arrested him for harassment.

“Liv, first, I had no idea things with your ex were that bad. And second, I would never say Josh is better off without you. You two are perfect together. I’ve never seen Josh as happy as I have since you two got together.”

“So if you wouldn’t say that to me, then why would you say it about yourself?”

I open my mouth to respond, but before I can say anything, she begins backing away.

“Well, I need to get home to my husband. He’s cooking dinner.”

She turns and heads back to her car, and I’m left there just staring at her retreating back. I continue standing there even after her car pulls away until Finn nudges me. It pulls me out of my staring, and I head inside.

CHAPTER 16

Bailey

I’m standing on the stairs when Caleb comes inside with his arms full of our bags and what looks like a basket filled with goodies. I rush down the stairs to meet him. When I reach for my bags, he turns so they’re out of my reach.

“Come on, Caleb, let me help you. You’re going to drop something.”

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