Page 69 of Every Now and Then
I shift from foot to foot as I gather my thoughts. Bailey takes pity on me and shoves a warm cookie into my hand. I chew it, barely even tasting it, but grateful for the additional time to stall. Swallowing it proves difficult, given how dry my mouth is, so I cough and sputter. Rowdy whacks me on the back, harder than necessary, and I glare at him.
“He’s in love with Annabelle, and it’s screwing with his mind,” Bailey volunteers, correctly interpreting my thoughts and speaking forme. She leans over to pinch my cheek and adds sarcastically, “My baby boy is growing up.”
Jerking my face out from under her hand, I say, “I am. I think… I love her, and I don’t know what the fuck to do about it.”
Rowdy hums the melody of Queen’s songAnother One Bites the Dustand slaps me on my back again. Reaching around me to grab another cookie, he says, “Welcome to the club, brother. It ain’t easy, but it’s worth it.”
I stand, waiting for more from my best friend, but he offers nothing else, so I shift my attention to Bailey. “Well?” I ask.
“Well, what?” She replies, nonplussed. “You want some coffee to go with your cookies? Rowdy, get Hayes a mug. Cream, no sugar, right?”
“Why the hell are we talking about how I take my coffee? I need advice because I don’t know what to do now. I’ve never done this before!” I pace the length of their kitchen. “She wants to take it slowly. Do I tell her I’m in love with her now, or do I wait? I should tell her now, right? Lock her down before I lose her.”
“I don’t think he needs any more caffeine, babe. He seems keyed up enough as it is,” Rowdy murmurs to Bailey. “I guess we could put on a pot of decaf for him, though.”
“No need for a whole pot. Just brew him a cup.”
“Can we stop discussing coffee?” I bark. “What do I do to make this work between Annabelle and me?”
Removing the oven mitt from her hand, Bailey circles the large kitchen island and tugs on my arm, forcing me to stop my frantic pacing. “Hayes, calm down. Rowdy and I make it work, and you and Annabelle can, too.”
Can I though? What if Annabelle is right? What if our two worlds are too different?
“Look at me,” Bailey commands. When I comply, she continues, “I can tell you’re panicking.”
I nod. There’s no point in denying the obvious. “What if we’re too different? How do I make this work with her?”
“The sayingopposites attractexists for a reason, Hayes,” Bailey chides.
“Brother, what matters is that you choose Annabelle. Every single fucking day.” Looking uncharacteristically serious, Rowdy’s eyes travel to Bailey before refocusing on me again. “It doesn’t matter if Annabelle likes high-class French wine and you drink your shitty-ass Lone Star beer or if she cheers for the New York Jets and you’re a Titans fan. That shit doesn’t matter, Hayes. What matters is that you love Annabelle enough to prioritize her and her children. All day, every day.”
“I do and I will.” Fuck, I’d walk away from music if that’s what I had to do to be with Annabelle.
Rowdy grins. “I know, brother. You’ve always been loyal, but you’re more loyal and protective of her than you ever were with Jane. You’re different since you've been with Annabelle.”
Ain’t that the fucking truth? This woman has turned me inside-out, rearranging the strands of my DNA and interweaving them with hers.
“Then the rest of it doesn’t matter, Hayes. It’s just details that need to be discussed and worked out.”
Rowdy’s reassuring words buoy my spirits. My nerves are still palpable, but he’s thrown me a lifeline. Given me hope. After all, he grew up in a home similar to mine. Raised by blue-collar grandparents who were too busy and too tired to offer a blueprint for healthy relationships. Yet, he and Bailey make it work.
“Don’t worry about locking her down. Annabelle’s not dating anyone else, and there’s no rulebook to follow. Take some time to get comfortable with the idea that you’re falling in love before telling her.” Bailey says, wagging her finger in my general direction. “Lord, right now you look like you’re about to vomit. You need to get that under control before you talk to her.”
“Yeah, you look like you just received a terminal diagnosis. If you wear that face while telling Annabelle you’re in love with her, she’ll be offended.
I backhand Rowdy’s chest. “Thanks, asshole. You’re a big help.”
Spotting the time on the oven clock, I say, “Ah, shit. I’ve got to head out. Thanks for listening.” I kiss Bailey on the cheek. “Can I take a few of these cookies to go?”
“Sure.” Bailey wraps several cookies in a paper towel and places them in a plastic container. “Where are you running off to?”
“I need to pick Annabelle’s girls up. They have a half-day since it’s the last day of school before their winter break starts. The cookies will make a good after-school snack. I’ve figured out that if I feed the gremlins, they’re more docile.”
I don’t miss the smirks that Rowdy and Bailey exchange.
Yep, I’m a changed man.
Celebrity Sighting: Ruston Hayes
