*Unedited*

Chapter 12

(Rio POV)

Its been hours and I'm still driving around town with no particular destination in mind.  It hasn't been that long since I sat i the car like a lump on a log watching Bailey walk away from me.  She's hurting. No matter how hard she tried to hide them I still saw the tears filling her eyes.  It kills me to see her in this kind of pain. And what made it even worse was knowing that I was the cause of all that pain.

Seeing an all night Sheets up ahead, I pulled in. I could really use something strong about now. Causing pain was my damned curse. Everyone that I get remotely close to,  experiences some form of pain in one way or another and at the end of the day I was always the reason behind it. This is why I could never have a close relationship with Bailey. I tried to tell her several times but she was just so damned hardheaded she wouldn't listen.  I didn't know how else to explain it to her. 

Hell, I wish circumstances were different.  I want that woman with a hunger so deep that at times I felt like a starving man.  But no matter how much I wanted her, it could never be.  Everything I touch, turns to shit.  As badly as I wanted Bailey, I refused to allow my curse to touch her.  It just isn't in the cards for us, it never was.

Walking out of the Sheets, I carried my cheap cup of black coffee with both hands, blowing away the steam.  My mind was still running 60 miles per hour, reeling over everything that happened tonight.  I kept trying to tell myself that it was all for the best. That I did the right thing.  Turning Bailey away was for her own good.  But my heart wanted to war with my brain and internally I couldn't stop the unease that I was making a huge mistake.  

I should have known from the beginning that there was no way that either of us could have handled just being friends.  Not with the fireworks that go off every time we get in touching distance of each other. The attraction was crazy and the electricity buzzing between us was just too strong to deny. I had no self control when it came to this woman.

With my coffee in the drink holder I pulled back onto the street.  I still didn't have any idea where I was going.  I was so confused by everything that happened tonight.  I tired for the hundredth time to make some sort of since of the whole interaction but every time I came up empty handed. 

 What had Bailey been thinking?  Five thousand dollars.  She really spent five thousand dollars on a date with me? Who in their right mind spends that kind of money for just the opportunity to go out on a date with a guy like me.  

No one with a damn lick of sense.  That's who.  

Grunting, I realized that I'd actually just answered my own question.  Bailey Shoffner didn't have any sense at all when it came to the two of us.  She would be the only person that I know of to do something so stupid.

Stopped at a red light, I shook my head.  It was time to go home.  I was done.  There was no making sense of anything tonight. Probably not every if I'm being truthful with myself.  

Driving home, snippets of memories flash through my mind.  Bailey smiling at the car-wash, Bailey looking sexy as hell while she dancing seductively at the club, Bailey being all flirty on my doorstep when she brought me dinner and a jealous Bailey when she thought that I was partying it up with two women at the same time.  Each one was a precious memory in my mind but the one face that stuck out the most was the one where Bailey's eyes glazed over, looking all soft and wan ton after one of my kisses.  That is the Bailey that I really want to hold close and remember forever.

Walking into my apartment I toss my keys on the table.  What the hell am I doing?  Why am I doing this to myself? I'm no good for Bailey.  She's so sweet and pure and I'm everything that's not.  She doesn't deserve me. She needs a man that can love her for the beautiful woman she is, inside an out.  She needs a man that can cherish her like no other. Bailey needs , ah hell, Bailey needs somebody that is not like me.

Pulling a Budweiser out of the fridge I screwed off the cap and threw it up on the counter. With a heavy sigh I made my way over to the couch and heavily sank down into it. Taking a sip of my beer I staring at the blank television screen and thinking about the damned woman again.

I was right to let her walk away wasn't I? I mean, Bailey is a beautiful woman.  She may not see it now but eventually she'll find someone to make her happy, right? 

It all sounds good in theory but even the thought of another man touching Bailey, kissing those delicate lips make me want to punch something. In my mind those were supposed to my lips. Those pink rosy sets of sweet temptation belonged to me. 

What the hell am I supposed to do?  I can't even bear the idea of Bailey being with any other man. Much less, being with someone else.

That's when the truth hit me.  And it just hit me, it pounded into me like a ton of bricks. 

I'm in love. I'm in love with Bailey Shoffner.   How did I not see this before?  

I don't even know exactly when or how it happened but it did. There was no denying it. Not with all these feelings rolling through me.  Somewhere along the way between that first kiss on the night of her graduation and tonight I have irrevocably fallen head over heels in love with my best friends baby sister.  

I laughed out loud at the realization of the truth.  I love Bailey.  I kind of think I always have.  There was no way I could let her go now.  Bailey is my heart.  Without her, I'm not whole. It's a crying shame that it took watching her walk away from me to realize what a damn fool I was.

And that's when I made my decision.  First thing in the morning I would get up, drive over to her house, get on my knees  and beg and plead for her forgiveness. Maybe, just maybe if I'm lucky enough she will give us a second chance.  

A smile curled at the corner of my lips.  The mere idea of holding a lush and soft Bailey all cuddled up in my arms filled me with all kinds of warm and fuzzies that I had no intention of examining in any kind of detail. 

Yeah, that was exactly what I was planning to do. I was going to get my Bailey back.

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I stop pacing in the middle of the kitchen and glance over at the clock on the stove.  It's only eight o'clock in the morning.  I haven't slept at all and right now all I want to do is go and see Bailey.  The only problem is I don't want to go too early and wake her up. From what I can remember she isn't at all a morning person and I needed her to be good awake so she would listen me.  

Clasping my hands behind my back I resumed the steady pacing.  You could already see the well worn path that I had created between the couch at the entrance to the kitchen.   I've had way too much coffee and there was nothing I could until time hurried the hell up.

It seems like hours have passed when I glance at my watch again.  I groan, loudly.  It is now only ten after eight.  Turning around I look over at the table where my keys were calling out to me.  If I didn't go now, I was going to go stir crazy sitting in this apartment.  

Yes, Bailey wasn't a morning person but I need to talk to her.  I need her to understand that I know I fucked up last night.  I know that fighting the idea of us is futile because I lover her and deep down, I'm pretty sure she loves me back.  

"All to hell with it," I mumble. I needed to see her now. I need to convince my Bailey that I love her and if Lady Luck is on my side then hopefully she will love me back, faults and all.

The drive to Bailey's house doesn't take long.  It's a drive that I've made a million times to see Charlie. My fingers tapped against the steering wheel in nervous anticipation.God, I hope I'm making the right decision.

Pulling up into the drive I stop behind Charlie's car and turn off the truck.  I wasn't quite ready to get out of the truck yet so I stare up at her house for a minute.  My life could change right here, in the next few minutes depending on whether or not Bailey accepts my apology. Taking a deep breath and after sending up a quick prayer for a extra little divine assistance I got out of the car and went to the door. My palms were sweating and my heart was thumping faster than a jack rabbit.  I lifted my hand and rang the door bell, then waited.

After several long moments the door swung open.  Instead of the woman I wanted to see it was a very tired looking Charlie.  Now wasn't the time to shoot the shit with my best friend.  I'd come here to make things right with his sister.  Charlie may not be happy about me wanting to be with Bailey and that was too bad.  He'd just have to get used to it.  "Hey man, Is Bailey-" And that was all that managed to say before a fist came flying out of nowhere and connecting spot on with my left jaw.

Staggering backwards I felt the jarring pain from the bottom of my jaw all the way to the top of my cheek bone. Damn it!  That hurt.  Throwing my shoulders back, I straightened my stance and glared at Charlie.  "What the hell was that for?" I asked him, rubbing at my sore jaw.  My boy has one hell of a right hook. 

Charlie didn't look so tired anymore.  "Don't bullshit a bullshitter.  You know good and damn well what that was for," he sneered. Charlie's large body filled the door frame and then he crossed his arms over his chest.  He wasn't going to make this easy and can't say that I blame him.  If it was my sister I would be pretty pissed too. 

"Bailey?" I whisper.

"Bulls-eye.  But hey, guess what.  The last person on this earth that you need to worry about is my sister.  You don't call her.  You don't text her.  You don't email her.  Hell, you don't even need to think about her, Rio. I may have fucked up the other day, but man, you tore her heart out. Listen to me and listed good.  Bailey is not and never was any concern to you so leave her the hell alone." 

Dropping my head, I stared down at the ground. The man was right on so many points.  I hurt Bailey but dammit, I came here to rectify that. I wanted to apologize to her.  I wanted to see her smile.  I wanted... us to just be together.  Raising my head I looked up at Charlie.  I needed him to understand.  "Can I please see her? Five minutes tops, that's all I'm asking for.  If she still wants me gone after that then I'll walk out this door and leave her alone."

He snorted. "Not happening."

"What do you mean not happening? I just need five minutes.  That's nothing dude. Please." I begged. I was getting desperate and I didn't want to hear him telling me no any more.  I needed to see Bailey.

"I said no," Charlie repeated.

I was getting ready to just push my way in when something about what he said a second ago stood out to me. "What do you mean when you said you fucked up the other day?" I asked him.

In a split second Charlie's whole demeanor changed from intimidating to standoffish.  That right there told me everything I needed to know.

"It was you. You are the fucker that hit her." I stated angrily.  I could tell that I was getting ready to lose it.  When he didn't answer right away I did lose it. "You bastard," I said and at the same time my fist came up and caught Charlie on the right side of his chin. There was no thinking to it.  I just cocked, locked and loaded.  

Charlie stumbled.  Holding his chin he glared at me. "I guess I deserved that," he admitted.

"Your damn right you did.  You deserve more than that but I don't have time to deal with you," I told him.  "I'm only going to ask you nicely one more time.  Please let me see Bailey. I've got some things I need to say to her and it can't wait."

He pressed his fingers to his temple with one hand and waved me inside with the house with the other. "Come on in.  You  know you deserved the punch I delivered too."

Charlie reminding of me the punch he welcomed me with had me rubbed at my now sore jaw. There was really only one cure for my pain right now and that would be Bailey forgiving me.

"Look, I really need to see Bailey.  Can you please just call her down for five minutes. I want to apologize to her and..." I hesitated but something told me that what I was about to admit out loud to Charlie would be the only way I could get him on my side.  "I need to tell her that I'm in love with her."

Charlie stopped mid step in the hall and froze.  He didn't bother turning around.  "Come again?"

This time I didn't hesitate.  "I love her, Charlie. I'm in love with your sister and after everything that happened last night, I need to tell her that too. I need her to know how much she means to me."

Charlie turned around and shook his head. "Rio, why couldn't you have told her this last night."  He dropped down on the bottom step and put his face in his hands.  "I wasn't lying when I told you 'no can do' man. Bailey isn't here. She's gone man."

"Okay." I said slowly. This was a disappointment but nothing I couldn't work with.  "No problem.  I can wait. Do you know when she will be back?"

He gave me a sympathetic look. "Rio, it's not that easy.  Bailey, we she's not coming back. At least not any time soon.  She left at seven this morning to catch a plane for New York.  She's gone man."

His words, she's gone echoed in my head like a bad dream. 

"She can't be," I argued.  

"Sorry man, she is.  I don't know what else to you."

Mentally I calculated in my head how much time had passed since seven.  Almost two hours.  It's been two hours and I didn't have any idea what time her plane took off.  With waiting time and delays there was a tiny possibility that I could still get to the airport before she boarded the plane.  It was a long shot but I'd take any shot at this point.

Without saying another word I tore out of the house and ran for my car. It was eight fifty and if I had any luck left them just maybe her plane would be delayed. It was unlikely but I had to see. I had to try. I wasn't ready to give up on us yet.

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I drove like a bat out of hell through the down town streets, cursing every other driver that dared to get in front of me and every stop light that turned red when I approached.  Damn it!  See what I mean.  Another red light stopped me again.  Don't these people realize that my life is teetering on the brink of destruction here?  

Taking the curve into the main entrance of the airport just a little two fast, the car drifted to the left narrowly missing a tall man in a business suit crossing the street.  Any other time I would have stopped to apologize.  But not today.  Not when I am trying my damndest to fix the mistake of the century.  

Glancing up in the rear view mirror I smirk when the man in the suit gives me the middle finger while screaming obscenities.  Guess he's having a bad day.  Join the club buddy, aren't we all. The difference between us is I'm just trying to do something about my bad day and he was the poor fortunate soul in my way.  At least he'll live.  Seeing the entrance ahead, I slam on brakes, stopping in front of the loading zone.  Cutting the ignition, I jumped out, leaving the car door standing wide open.

"Hey, you can't leave the car there!" A uniformed employee standing by the door hollers out at me. Turning I toss him the keys. "Have it towed," I hollered back at him.  The guy stuttered like he was going to say something but I took off inside of the airport.  I didn't have time to argue with the man.  If I had to pay impound fees, so be it.  Right now, I only have one thing on my mind and that is getting to Bailey before it was  too late.  I just had to get to her in time. Please let me get to her in time, I silently prayed running through the airport.  

Finding the status boards, I screech to a halt and put my hands on my knees, trying to catch my breath.  Keeping my eyes on the screen I watch as it scrolls through the listed flights and their departure times.  Charlie had said she was heading to New York.  I saw Las Angeles, San Antonio, Oakland, Miami.  Where the hell is New York?   

"Please be delayed," I mumbled more to myself.  Nashville, New Orleans, Columbus.  "Come on, come on. Please. Please."

Flight destination-New York City- Departed on time at 8:30 AM

Andthat was it.  I feel like all the air has just been drop kicked out of my lungs. Taking a step backwards, I feel a hard wall at my back and drop my head.  She was gone.  I missed my chance. Bailey was really gone.  I just made the biggest fuck up of all fucks up. Feeling utterly defeated I sink to the ground and cover my face with my both of my hands. Why? Why did I have to be so stubborn? Why did I let the best thing that ever happened to me just walk away?

And for the first time since I was a kid I felt an unfamiliar wetness slip down my cheek. Crying.  Here I am, a hardened full grown man and I was shamelessly crying.  Tears for a woman that has tried so many times to get my attention.  Tears for my stupidity at brushing her off.  Tears because she is the only woman that has ever carried my heart.  And like a dumb ass I just let the best thing that could have ever happened to me slip right through my fingers.

"Rio?"  

Quickly pushing myself up into an upright position, I stand in the middle of the corridor and rubbed furiously at of my eyes.  Am I dreaming? Please let me not be dreaming.  Half scared that my imagination was playing a cruel trick on me I take another step forward, squeeze my eyes closed and let out a ragged breath.

"Rio?" This time when she said my name, my eyes snap open.  I couldn't believe it.  Bailey was standing in front of me and she looked as beautiful as ever in her cutoff jeans shorts and Carolina tee shirt.  She had her hair up in what I've heard some women call a messy bun and her face void of all make up.  She was so gorgeous that she took my breath away.

Rooted to my spot I dumbly whispered.  "Bailey?  Is that really you?"

She wrapped her arms around herself and nodded.

"But I thought you'd left." 

"I couldn't do it," she spoke softly. "I wanted to so badly.  I wanted to leave.  I even told myself that I need to leave but I couldn't.  I couldn't make myself leave you."

She couldn't leave me.  Unable to handle the distance between us any longer, I cross over so that I was standing in front of her, toe to toe.  Letting my instincts guide me, I stare deep into her  eyes.  All morning I've been rehearsing in my head a million things I wanted to tell her but now that she was here, close enough for me to touch, I was speechless.  

Instead of speaking, I let my actions do the talking. Gently, I cradle her face with my hands and then all so slowly I begin to lean in giving her every opportunity to pull away from me if she didn't want this.  But she doesn't pull away.  

Brushing my lips against hers, I feel the familiar burn slowly spread through my veins. Again, I softly brush my lips against hers a second time, adding a tentative lick along her bottom lip. She opened to me without a bit of hesitation and from there I poured every bit of my soul that I could into that kiss. Not only tasting her, but devouring Bailey.  Our tongues danced the dance as old as time and needing to be closer to her, I pull her body flush against mine. I let my hands roam the length of her back and for once just really enjoyed being here with Bailey are warm and pliant in my arms.  

Second or hell maybe minutes pass when I finally struggle to pull back and catch a breath.  I press our foreheads together.  I'm unwilling to remove my arms, needing to keep her right here with me and unable to leave. Licking my bottom lip I stare into her beautiful eyes and tell her what I've been wanting to tell her since I realized the truth of it myself.  "I love you Bailey." I told her.

For the barest minimal of seconds her eyes dilate.  But then  she smiles back at me, making my heart trip a beat.  "That's good Rio because guess what?"

"What?" I ask.

"I love you too." She said.  "I've loved you for a long time now." 

Those were the exact words that I needed to hear. Bailey Shoffner loved me.  Gently grabbing her chin and unable to stop myself I stole another sweet kiss.  

"Bailey, I know I pushed you away but last night and I'm sorry.  I'm really, really sorry.  But when I was alone in my apartment I suddenly realized that I've been doing this all wrong.  I've been trying so hard to keep you away from me that I couldn't see the truth.  The truth is I'm falling head over heels for you woman.  At night, all I can think about is you.  During the day, your in my every thought.  I think that I wanted you so badly that it scared the living hell out of me.  What I do know now though is that you are the one woman who holds my heart in her hands.  So please be gentle with it. Because only you who have the power to crush it."

She wraps her arms around my neck and presses  a hard kiss against my lips. "I will cherish it for as long as you'll let me," she replies.  

I sigh in relief.  "So you'll give me a second chance?" I ask her, hoping to God that it was she is telling me.

"Yes, you dummy." She laughs.  "I'll give us a second chance as long as you promise not to push me away again."

I pick her up and she wraps her legs around my waist.  "I promise." I tell her.  "I will do whatever it takes to make it up to you.  I want us to give this thing between us a real chance.  I want you with me."

She smiles again, so wide that it brightens up her whole face.  "Then prove it, she whispered.  "Kiss me."

She doesn't have to tell me twice.  I don't care who is around. Bailey was giving me a second chance and I wasn't about to blow it this time.  Pulling her face back to mine I proceed to kiss her with everything that I have in me and them some. 

Now that I finally have my woman in my arms I know that I've finally found my reason for being.  

Love. It's such a simple word but it's a mighty power emotion.  Our love may have started with an innocent kiss but it steadily bloomed into so much more.  A true love that somehow by the grace of God saved me, healing a broken man and making me whole again.

The End!