A Light in the Dark_Survival of the Fittest Read online

  “Finally.” Jessica climbed to her feet and danced around in circles, the small space not allowing for more. “Finally, finally, finally. And, you said you’d never find someone again.” She stopped and pointed a finger at Brie, “And, not only did you find someone. It’s freaking Bailey Honeycutt. My friend’s dating a rock star.” She spun around and this time punctuated her turn by playing air guitar.

  Brie laughed. “Yeah well, I’m not sure what I found, but whatever it was, it was pretty amazing.” Brie flipped her loofah into the bathwater, then sat up and hugged her knees to her chest. “There was one thing though.”

  Jess stopped dancing and crouched back down. “What?”

  “There was a moment. It was really brief, like a heartbeat, but I saw it. I saw this scar that he has and so I asked him about it, not thinking really, and he made it a point to change the subject. I don’t know. It’s probably nothing.”

  Jessica touched Brie’s wet shoulder. “Don’t overthink this. Whatever’s happening here is a good thing.”

  “I know.”

  Jessica left her alone to go in search of coffee and Brie leaned back against the tub. Jessica was right, whatever was happening with Bailey was a good thing. No, a great thing, but in that moment she’d seen him slide back behind the wall he used when taking pictures with fans or addressing questions in interviews. She’d watched enough of them online to notice.

  She rubbed her hands over her face and through her hair. She wanted to trust him. Needed to trust him and that whatever it was he wasn’t saying he would reveal to her over time.

  ~ ~ ~

  “Hey, ugly, over here.” Bailey stood on a chair located in the private plane section of the airport and waved at the familiar group of faces. Lexie was behind his brother carrying a floral bag draped over her shoulder and David was hiding under one of his many L.A. Dodgers hats while Leo brought up the back, his arm around the waist, of who Bailey assumed was, the flight attendant from their plane.

  “Hey, man.” Oliver consumed him in one of his familiar bear hugs equally bone crushing and welcoming.

  “Lexie.” Bailey shifted to his sister-in-law and squeezed. “How was the flight?”

  She tried to hide the fact that she was wiping away a tear and smiled. “It was great, naturally. I can’t believe you guys always travel that way. I may never get used to it.”

  “Well, you better little wife.” Oliver hooked an arm around her shoulders and kissed the side of her head. “You deserve the best of everything and I know just the man to give it to you.”

  Bailey shook his head. It had been four years and his brother was as in love with Lexie as the day he met her. He transferred his attention to David. “Hey, man. How’s it going?” They shook hands and patted each other on the back in a half-man hug. “Your girl didn’t come with you?”

  David pushed his hat back on his head revealing a slight tan line on his forehead, “Nah, she had to work and then she’s visiting her sister.” He didn’t elaborate and Bailey didn’t push, but he didn’t miss the absence of warmth in his buddy’s voice.

  Bailey let it drop and called out to their party’s straggler. “Leo? Are you too busy to say hello?”

  Leo kissed the hand of the redheaded lady beside him and waved a farewell to her before joining their little group. “I’ve always appreciated London and all it has to offer.” He grinned. “Bailey, what’s up brother?”

  “Some people never change.” He slapped Leo on the back. “So, are you guys ready to move this party to Oxford?” Bailey led the way out of the airport and to the waiting limousine. As the driver maneuvered them out of London, they caught up and cracked jokes as though they hadn’t been apart for the last four and half months. He looked around at the faces of the people he cared for above all others, but he couldn’t shake the feeling someone was missing.

  Brie.

  He shifted in his seat as the new sensation swept over him. She stayed in his thoughts on a constant rotation, but he never expected her absence to nag at him the way it was while he was surrounded by his people. As he sat back and listened to their usual banter, he was surprised by how much he wanted her beside him and much he wanted her to know his family—wanted them to know her.

  He accepted the offered glass of whiskey from Leo and took a sip as he wrestled with what his new realization meant. Sure, he liked her, hell, he wasn’t in middle school, he more than liked her, but that didn’t explain what he was feeling—the churning gut, the void beside him, the distraction at her absence. There had never been another woman he’d wanted to be a part of their group, but Brie . . .

  It wasn’t like he loved her though. He fought the urge to snort as he took another swig from his glass and let the liquid warm him from the inside. He didn’t love anyone. Their night together swam into focus, her dark hair and eyes filling his vision, the sweet taste of her skin, her passion. His mind switched gears faster than he could keep up. Her face as she looked up at him during their first meeting in the park, her determination as she led class, her gentle touch as she listened to him outside the museum.

  Falling in love with someone had never been his plan. He was simply trying to get his life back on track, but . . . Could it really happen that fast?

  Lexie laughed at something Leo said pulling Bailey’s attention her way. There was his brother, his hand resting over Lexie’s as though he wasn’t able not to touch her. Bailey flexed his fingers in understanding. Now that he’d had Brie and felt her body, touched her skin, tasted her mouth, he didn’t want to be anywhere else—didn’t want to be with anyone else.

  Christ, he did love her.

  “Hey, Bailey. Are we boring you already, brother?” Oliver kicked his shoe.

  “Nope.” He grinned. “All good here.”

  Oliver exchanged and a look with Lexie and then glanced back his way. “I was asking you about dinner tonight, are we still on?”

  Lexie leaned in. “Simone said she’d be there.”

  “Excellent. Let’s do it.” Bailey leaned back against the dark leather and smiled while the familiar laughter of his friends carried him home. Tonight would be the perfect opportunity for Brie to meet his family, and so what if he was moving a little fast? Life was short. He downed the rest of his drink and smiled. All he needed now was to ask her.

  Chapter 19

  Brie removed her arm from where it was covering her face long enough to watch Jessica haul her suitcase down the last three steps. “Do you need a hand?”

  Jessica tossed her long braids over her shoulder and panted. “No, all good here. Don’t let me interrupt your nap. I have a feeling you need it.” She shot her a cheeky grin which Brie chose to ignore though she tended to agree.

  “I thought you were only going to your mum and dad’s for a few days? Based on the thud coming from that bag it sounds as though you’ve packed to move out permanently.”

  “Ha. Not bloody likely.” Jessica rolled her bag to the door and turned back to gather the rest of her things. “Mum and I would murder each other after a week.”

  “Ah, yes, now that you’ve had a taste of freedom you can’t go home again.”

  Brie’s phone buzzed on the table. She slid her gaze over to where it was, too tired to care who was calling, but when Bailey’s name appeared on the screen she sat up so fast her head spun. “He-hello?”

  Jessica smirked at her from the kitchen.

  “Yes, okay.” She couldn’t contain her own grin when he invited her to dinner. “What do I need to wear?” Her face heated and she giggled when he answered, the reaction not lost on her flatmate who moved closer to the sofa to eavesdrop. “Okay, then. I’ll see you.”

  She returned her phone to the table as a sudden case of nerves sparked to life. “He invited me to dinner tonight.”

  “That’s fun. And, what exactly did
he tell you to wear?” Jessica tucked her tongue into her cheek. “Let me guess, nothing?”

  Brie stood. “Well, yes, but then he said to be myself and that it didn’t matter.”

  “Like hell it doesn’t. Come on.” Jessica grabbed her hand and dragged her up the stairs.

  “Ow.” With the staircase as narrow as it was, Brie tripped over her feet and banged her elbow into the wall more than a few times until she managed to yank her hand out of Jessica’s grasp. “I really think you’re making too big a deal out of this. It’s just dinner and he’s seen me naked already.”

  A blouse flew out of her closet and over her head followed by a skirt. Brie stepped out of the way of the flying wardrobe and sat on the edge of the bed rubbing her sore fingers while Jessica continued to attack her closet.

  “He ambushed you last night and while I’m,” Jessica’s voice muffled as she bent over to get something tucked in the corner, “all for a little surprise sexy time, it doesn’t exactly allow you to prepare.”

  Brie sighed. “Prepare?”

  “Yes, prepare. You need to keep his interest. Make him want you again and again.” A dress soared over Jessica’s head followed by one high-heeled shoe that missed Brie by about three inches.

  “Think about who you’re dealing with.” Jessica turned around with the matching heel in one of her hands and placed the other on her hip. “Bailey’s a man who’s traveled to the far corners of the Earth. He’s been a member of one of the biggest bands in the world for more than a decade. Do you know how many women have crossed his path? Flashed their tits? Gotten on their knees?”

  Brie fought back the surge of nausea at the picture Jessica was painting.

  “You have to be smart about this, Brie. Sure, Bailey’s asking you out now, but it’s new. To keep him coming round, you’ve got to put forth a little effort, keep it exciting.” She tossed the remaining high heel for Brie to catch. “Now, put that dress on and let me see how you look.”

  Brie stood, her previous excitement draining away as Jessica’s words swam around her head. She was right of course. Bailey had been on the music scene for years and he was gorgeous. It wasn’t like girls wouldn’t be lined up to get into bed with him.

  She tugged on the little black dress Jessica had chosen and let her help with the zipper. What if he didn’t know the first thing about fidelity? He’d never mentioned dating anyone long term, but then again maybe that wasn’t his intention.

  “Turn around.” Jessica surveyed her with catlike eyes, missing nothing. “Your bum looks good, but you need to switch bras. Go a little more tits out.”

  Brie stomped her foot and forced her spinning head to come to a halt. She had faith in Bailey. In what they might have, did have. They’d waited months to be together and she’d be damned if she was going to let what might’ve been in his past upset what they might have in the future. Bailey wasn’t Theo. He wouldn’t hurt her.

  “Jess, while I appreciate your help, you’ve got to calm down. Bailey and I are going to be fine.” She caught sight of herself in the mirror and turned from side to side. “Okay, you’re right about the bra though.”

  Jessica grinned. “Yeah, I am.” She took Brie’s spot on the bed and waited while she switched undergarments. “And, just for the record, I think you’re right about Bailey.”

  She crossed over to where Brie was standing in front of the mirror and wrapped her arms around her waist and put her chin on her shoulder until they were staring at their joint reflection. “He’s a good man. I’m so happy for you I got a bit caught up. You deserve this.”

  ~ ~ ~

  Later that night when Brie climbed out of the taxi, she tugged at her skirt as she glanced at the address typed into her phone. The building before her wasn’t a restaurant, but a house. It looked like a cottage out of a fairytale with its storybook windows and ivy climbing the brick. She craned her neck to try to see in the windows, but she couldn’t make out anything beyond the heavy shrubs except a faint shimmering of lights.

  She debated ringing Bailey to double check she was in the right place before knocking, but before she could, he opened the door. At the sight of him, her stomach flipped over and her cheeks heated. Unlike herself, he wasn’t dressed up any more than usual. His jeans were relaxed, his gray shirt-sleeves pushed up to the elbows showing off the many tattoos wrapped around his defined forearm.

  When his eyes ran over her exposed flesh where her jacket hung open, she fought the urge to cover up. “I wasn’t exactly sure what to wear.”

  “You look perfect.”

  Laughter echoed through the open door alerting her they weren’t alone. “Who else is here? And, where is here exactly?” She searched the outside of the house for a plaque of sorts, but came up blank.

  “Oh, it’s a place we rented for the holidays.” He stepped to the side, “Sorry, come in. It’s cold out here.”

  “Who’s we?” she asked as Bailey helped her out of her coat.

  “Hi,” a woman she’d never seen before appeared from around a corner and grabbed her arms. “You must be Brie.”

  “Y-yes.”

  Bailey laughed at her startled expression. “Brie, this is my sister-in-law Lexie.”

  Brie blinked twice. “It’s lovely to meet you.”

  “You guys follow me back to the kitchen. Everyone is dying to meet you.”

  Brie’s gaze found Bailey’s as they found their way to the kitchen. “Everyone?”

  “Oh, yeah, my family’s in town. Did I forget to mention that?”

  Her lips pressed together in a firm line and she hoped he could read the look on her face she was trying to portray. Something along the lines of, ‘You’re dead when we get out of here’ and ‘Why would you not tell me.’

  “It may’ve slipped your mind.”

  He laughed and hooked an arm around her waist. “Come on. They’ll love you.”

  She elbowed him in the side. “You could’ve given me at least a little warn—” But, she didn’t get to finish scolding him.

  The kitchen opened up before them, on one side shiny appliances blended with original woodwork and on the other an extra-long table sat filled with unfamiliar faces. All except one. Simone was there nestled between two guys she vaguely recognized from her internet research.

  “OhmyGod,” she whispered under her breath.

  Lexie must’ve heard her because she turned and offered her a warm smile. “It’s a little overwhelming the first time, but you get used to them.”

  “Yo, Brie,” a blond guy, whom she believed was Leo, called to her, “you can sit over here.”

  “No way,” Bailey shot back. “She’s not going to have you pawing at her all night.” He bent down near her ear and mock whispered. “Never trust a drummer.”

  “Hey, now. I heard that.”

  They approached the table and Bailey started with Simone, “It’s nice to see you again,” and worked his way around introducing her to everyone else. “And, finally, this jackass is my brother, Oliver.”

  Oliver stood and held out a hand, his arms tattooed like his brother’s, but he was twice the size. Where Bailey was trim with wiry muscles, Oliver looked like a weight-lifter, thick from the shoulders and tapering into a narrow waist. He also had a head of thick hair pulled back at the base of his neck. While she normally wasn’t one to appreciate a man-bun, Oliver could pull it off.

  “What he means to say, is that I’m Oliver, his older more attractive brother.”

  Brie shook his hand. “Well, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”

  “Oooh, burn,” Leo said from the opposite side of the table.

  Everyone snickered and instead of getting angry at her jab, Oliver let out a booming laugh. “Oh, I like her.”

  Brie relaxed and could almost feel her legs again when Bailey grin
ned and held out a chair for her. When she caught his eye, he winked and settled into the chair beside her. The entire event was like an out of body experience, but as the plates full of pasta were passed around the table and easy chatter amongst friends resumed, Brie found herself laughing alongside Bailey’s family and friends.

  The same way Bailey had surprised her, the rest of the group did as well. David was quiet, but kind. Simone was animated and gorgeous, which Brie didn’t mind admitting now that she knew they weren’t lusting after the same man. Leo was crazy, but hysterical. More than once, she had to catch her breath or try not to shoot her drink out of her nose. And, then there were Lexie and Oliver, even she could see how in love they were. Oliver’s fingers brushed his wife’s hand or rubbed her back regularly.

  “How long have you guys been in town?” she asked when there was a lull in the conversation.

  “We got in this morning. Bailey, here, came and picked us up.” Oliver slapped his brother on the shoulder.

  “How did you set all of this up so quickly?” The house looked as though they’d lived in it forever and the meal. The carbonara they’d just eaten complete with kale salad and garlic bread on the side would’ve taken her a week to prepare.

  “We had some help.” Lexie winked at her.

  She stared dumbfounded at the table with its fancy runner and red candles. “Even so. You guys are brilliant.”

  Bailey leaned her way. “We hired a caterer.”

  “Oh,” heat rushed into her cheeks, “right. That makes sense.”

  “So, Brie.” Lexie slid her plate to the side and leaned her elbow on the table and rested her chin in her hand. “Tell us about school. What are you studying?”

  “Right, yes. I’m working on the DPhil, which is like your Doctorate in America, in art theory and history. My thesis on the human form and how it’s representation has changed in art over time.”