“Hey.” I blink rapidly, trying not to think about that part yet. Being alone in Florida won’t be easy, but peace of mind is worth the hardship that comes with it. “There’s no crying on vacation.”
She sniffles, then pushes me away, and swipes the back of her fingers beneath her eyes. “Bitch, vacation didn’t start yet. You promised me a month, that’s thirty days to the minute, and it doesn’t start until we step off the plane, so stop trying to cut my time short.” She bends down, lifting Bailey’s car seat in her hands. “Now grab your purse, put the key on the counter, and let’s go.”
I do what she says and climb inside her car.
She pulls out of the parking lot, but as we get to the end of the alleyway that faces the front of the school, she hesitates, glancing to me. “The team leaves today. Last game before they get the chance to take it all.”
My chest pinches, a mix of pain and pride swelling within me. “They’ll take it all,” I breathe, looking at my best friend. “Turn the car, B. Vacation awaits.”
Tears spring in her eyes, but she nods and curves the car left. “Damn straight it does.”
Just like that, I leave Avix University, as well as all that it holds, behind.
Including a large part of myself.
q
My heart leaps into my throat and I scurry onto my knees, ever so slowly scooting along the warm sand in order to get closer to Bailey, who has yet to realize she’s let go of the upside-down sand bucket that she’s pulled herself up on.
She’s tapping on the hard plastic top, looking out at the water no more than thirty feet in front of us. After every few slaps of her palms, her elbows bend and she holds her open hands up near her chest, nothing but the strength of her legs and support of her back keeping her standing.
You got this, baby girl.
“Holy shit!” Bianca muffles, a bag of chips hanging from her mouth, daiquiris in each hand.
Bailey jolts, falling to her bottom, and I drop onto mine with a huff.
“Damn you!” I smile, clapping for Bay when she looks my way. “Did Auntie B scare you?” I pick her up, kissing her chubby little cheeks. “What are you doing standing all by yourself, huh? Stop growing so fast.”
Bianca bends over, letting the chips fall onto the lounge chair and I stand with Bailey, dusting her feet and bottom off before setting her into the playpen beside us.
Instantly, she forces her body to fall forward, and she uses the netting on the side to help herself stand. Her fingers wrap around the edge and then she’s peeking at us over the edge.
We laugh, and I accept the drink Bianca offers.
“I can’t believe it’s been three weeks already.” She sighs. “You sure we can’t push it out another month? It’s not like you have to go back for work.”
“I know, but I want to get settled, get Bailey acclimated and meet with the child development center there. You should just come home with me. It’s not Hawaii, but I mean it is Florida. Close enough, right?” I tease.
“Wrong!” she shouts, being overly dramatic. “So wrong, but you’re insane if you think I’m not coming to help you get unpacked.”
We cheers, taking slow, satisfied drinks from our glasses.
Bailey starts to cry then, and my eyes glide her way, but she’s not looking at me.
Instantly, she drops herself onto her butt, her little lip poking out in a pout.
“Bay, what’s wrong?”
I take a step toward her, but then the hairs on the back of my neck stand to attention, freezing me in place.
Bailey’s hands lift, her palms opening and closing as she reaches out, waiting to be picked up. But not by me.
My baby girl doesn’t have to wait long, because in the next second a shadow falls over me, shifts beside me, and then there he is.
In shorts and a T-shirt, a black hat turned backward on his head, he pays me no mind, passing right by, and stopping directly in front of my little girl.
Bailey kicks her feet, and his soft chuckle sends chills down my spine.
My throat runs dry as he bends, lifting my daughter into his arms. He pulls her close to his chest, one arm wrapped around her, the other gripping her tiny hand.
Only after he breathes her in does the man turn to face me.
I’m pretty sure my mouth is hanging open, but nothing’s coming out, and then he gives me something he hasn’t in far too long.
His infamous smirk. “Hi, Tutor Girl.”
A mix between a laugh and a cry escapes, and then he’s in front of me.
My pulse is beating so wildly I’m sure you can see it through my skin and I tip my head back a little, not wanting to miss any part of him.