Page 149 of Control Freak
Holden chuckled. “Good. We’d like to see her.”
Bailey swept a glance over the yard. “I should probably head out soon.”
“Go say goodbye to everyone, and we’ll get you loaded up.”
“Okay.”
“You can start with me.” I swooped forward to hug Bailey tight. “I’m going to miss you around here. Make sure you visit.”
“I will. All the time.”
“Not too much,” Holden said. “You’ll need to study.”
I drew back with a grin. “And party and meet cute boys.”
Bailey’s gaze shifted past me, and I followed it straight to Flynn. Oh, boy.
“Cute boys your own age,” Holden grumbled. “Collegeboys.”
“Yeah, I got it,” Bailey said. “I’m not really looking for a boyfriend.”
Axel had just come over to grab a fresh beer from the cooler at Holden’s feet. “Who says they have to be a boyfriend?” He grinned. “Have some fun.”
Bailey laughed. “Right. Yeah.”
“C’mere,” Axel said, pulling him into a big hug and slapping his back hard enough to make me wince. “Be good. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
“Not possible,” Bailey mumbled into his shoulder.
“Text us every week, asshole. Don’t go disappearing. I’m not losing you.”
Bailey drew back, meeting Axel’s eyes. “I’ll stay in touch. You’re not ever gonna lose me. Bro Code, right?”
“Damn right.”
I headed over to the table with my plate, dishing up a few side items, and dug in. Jose patted my shoulder.
“So good to see you again,” he said. “Holden sure seems happy.”
“Yeah? I’m happy with him too.”
He nodded. “It makes my old heart warm to see the love around here. These boys have come a long way.”
Bailey made his way over to say goodbye to Dalton and Jose.
“You make me so damn proud,” Jose said. “A college man.” He shook his head in amazement. “I helped raise this one, you know?”
“You did a good job,” I said.
“It’s all Bailey.”
Dalton clapped Bailey on the arm. “Don’t be a stranger.”
“I won’t. Take care of Axel, okay? He doesn’t handle people leaving well.”
Dalton’s expression turned serious. “I will. Don’t worry about your brother. He’s got everyone here to remind him that you’re not leaving him, okay?”
“Thanks.” Bailey turned away quickly to go say goodbye to everyone else. But I suspected he wanted to hide the damp eyes I’d glimpsed.
