Bait: The Wake Series, Book One(95)

The nurses had attached all sorts of gadgets to her and had monitors gauging all kinds of things. After she was checked and they told her that she was already dilated to five centimeters and something else—something about a face—another doctor came in and gave her an epidural.

They said that she still had a little time to go and that she should try to relax. That epidural thing was magic. Almost instantly she looked better.

I thought about how glad I was that Cory didn’t have to see her the other way. It wasn't that great.

“So, now will you call Blake?” she asked. I couldn't distract her and her contractions were at bay, so I was kind of f*cked.

“Really, Micah. I'll do anything for you right now. Just, please, don't ask me to call her. You can use my phone.” I handed it to her, but she didn't reach for it.

“Nope, I need you to call her. Tell her I'm here and that I'm fine. Tell her that the baby is coming and that she needs to get her ass on a plane.” Then the bitch smiled. “Please.”

I shook my head at her, knowing what she was up to. “You're evil. Seriously though, I don't think she wants to hear from me.”

“I think she does.” Micah said.

“What the hell? On New Year’s you basically said to leave her alone. Now, I'm leaving her alone and you’re telling me to call her. I don't get it,” I confessed.

“I don't know. She hasn't been the same lately. Maybe we were wrong,” she said as she situated herself a little better on the bed pushing her body up with her arms, her legs no longer cooperative.

She added, “I guess I thought that you two were just having a fling. But now you’re both so…so meh. You know. I saw how happy you were and I could hear it in her voice, too. Maybe I should have told you to fight for her.”

I looked at her eyes, and they were focused on mine. Her short pixy hair was still in disarray, but since she wasn't in as much agony, she sort of looked cute. Big belly, silly gown. I'd really grown to love this girl and I was happy she was the one my brother had found. She was perfect for him.

That's what a relationship was supposed to look like. Not like what Blake and I were.

“She's still getting married, Mic. I don't think I can change that.”

“Try,” she said.

Try.

I looked at the face of my cell phone, knowing I hadn't deleted her number. It was right there in my hand. Every time I picked up the phone to give in and apologize, but mostly to hear her voice again, I'd remember it was there and I'd have to fight myself not to call.

I looked back up into earnest blue eyes and she said, “Call her.”

It sounded so simple. I pressed the button the on the side of my phone and it lit up. I tapped in the passcode that I still couldn't stand to change.

2-2-4-8.

B-A-I-T.

I found Honeybee's number, which was arbitrary, because I knew it like the back of my dick.

I gave Micah one last look. She rubbed her belly and looked hopefully at me.

“Here goes nothing,” I said.

As soon as I hit the green button, excitement exploded inside me, but I had to be cool. I was all f*cking lit up inside with the thought of hearing her voice. Even if I didn't know if she’d be as happy to hear mine.

I'd missed her so much more than I realized.





Sunday, April 26, 2009


I REALIZED THAT I missed him more when I was completely alone. When I was with other people, I could almost pretend like it never happened. Until something that he would like popped up. Sometimes it was a song, or a joke, or a beer I had with dinner in some city I wish we were in together.

In that moment, alone in the shower washing the conditioner from my hair, my thoughts went back to him.

They were vaporized when I heard Grant knock on the door. I heard it open and he said into the steamy bathroom, “Hey, Blake, some Casey keeps calling your phone. Do you want me to answer it? It seems important, she's called three times.”

Time froze. I didn't say anything. Then Grant repeated, “Blake!”

“Yeah, I mean no. Don't answer it. Can you bring it to me? I'm getting out.”

Obediently, he went to retrieve my cell.

Casey was calling me. During the middle of the day. This was unprecedented. Maybe he wanted me. Maybe he wanted more than just a fling.

We hadn't spoken since Aspen and it had been over two months. I'd totally let go of the hope that he'd really wanted more than what we were.