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“Any regrets so far?”
“I think that depends on you.”
“Now I feel the pressure.”
Bailey laughed.
By the time he arrived home, he told her goodnight. An unexpected release of all tension left his body. Bailey listened. She asked questions as if she wanted to know him. Scratching the back of his head, he walked over to his keyboard. The new song needed his attention. He’d think about her later.
He sat, tapped one key, and hummed along to the tune. They had another performance soon with the band. Jackson couldn't miss a note during the show. He couldn't disappoint.
He had to make Anthony proud. The flashbacks started again, playing like previews before a movie in his mind. The shattered glass fell to the floor as he had stirred in the passenger seat. He smelled the blood from his upper lip.
Intense fear had filled his chest. “Tony!”
He tried to move. The pain only increased in his head.
“Jack,” his brother had whispered.
The last time he had heard his brother's voice. For years Jackson had mentally berated himself. He should have fought through the pain. He could have saved his older brother.
Chapter 4
Bailey shook out her hands in the break room. “He wants to meet.”
“And... that's a bad thing?” Noelle raised an eyebrow. Her chair squeaked as she scooted closer to the dated table.
Two weeks passed since Bailey met Jackson online. Since they exchanged numbers, he called her every night. If she missed it, she called back. She looked forward to their conversations before bed. They talked about family, friends, personal dreams of the future, and their interest in music. He was a musician. What were the chances of that?
It had been a long time since she felt comfortable talking to someone. Was intimacy building between them? Without a touch of his hand, she felt his heart as he shared about his upbringing. While he hesitated a few times, as if to keep something from her, Bailey figured he’d tell her in time. Was it too quick to give someone her trust? Was it true when others said “when you know, you know?”
Bailey's stomach rolled. “I don't know.”
“From what you know so far, do you like him?” Noelle asked.
She shrugged, ignoring the burnt coffee smell in the air. “He seems nice.”
“Bailey?”
“I guess. I think so.”
“Then suggest you meet up somewhere. Take your car so you can leave if he's not who he appears to be,” Noelle said.
Bailey rubbed at her fluttering stomach. “It's been a long time since I've had a... date.”
“I'm happy for you. He sounds like a good one.”
“Let's hope he's the same in person.” Bailey hoped with all her might.
“It'll be fine. If you need me to, text me, and I'll call you with an emergency.”
“What emergency?”
Noelle shrugged. “Doesn't matter.”
Bailey giggled. “Thank you for that.”
“So... what are you wearing?” Her eyes widened. “Wear your sweater dress and heeled boots.”
