I had some help

Thirty-eight

Alex and Morgan were sitting in the living room talking when Bailey walked in, his hair still tousled from sleep. He grabbed a mug and poured himself a cup of coffee, the aroma filling the air.

"Mornin', what's going on?" Bailey asked, taking a sip and looking at the two of them with curiosity.

Morgan quickly changed the subject, not wanting to create any tension. "Just catching up on some stuff. How'd you sleep?"

Bailey's eyes narrowed slightly as he glanced between Alex and Morgan. "Pretty good, actually. What were you guys talking about?" His tone was casual, but there was an underlying edge to it.

Alex sensed Bailey's discomfort and quickly interjected. "We were just talking about the plans for today. I thought we could explore a bit, maybe check out some local spots."

Bailey's gaze lingered on Morgan for a moment before he turned to Alex, forcing a smile. "That sounds great. I could use a little adventure."

Morgan nodded in agreement, though his eyes flickered with something unreadable. "Count me in. It'll be nice to take a break and just relax for a bit."

Bailey's smile faded slightly, and he took another sip of his coffee. "Sure, sounds good." He said, but his tone was more subdued.

The atmosphere grew a bit tense as they discussed their plans for the day, the earlier conversation lingering in the background. Alex noticed Bailey's mood and reached out, placing a hand on his arm.

"Hey, it'll be fun. We can explore and just enjoy the day together." Alex whispered into his ear.

Bailey glanced at her and then at Morgan, his expression softening slightly. "Yeah, I know. It's just... sometimes it feels like you two have this history that I can't compete with."

Morgan immediately spoke up, his voice sincere but tinged with his own feelings. "Bailey, it's not about competition. Alex and I have a history, but it's in the past. She's with you now, and that's what matters."

Bailey sighed, nodding slowly. "I know, it's just hard sometimes."

Alex squeezed his arm gently. "I love you, Bailey. You're the one for me."

Morgan looked away, trying to hide the pang of jealousy that Alex's words brought. He knew he had no right to feel that way, but it was hard to ignore the connection they still shared.

As they set out to explore the local spots, both Morgan and Bailey felt a mix of jealousy and uncertainty.

Throughout the day, subtle glances and unspoken words hinted at the complicated dynamics between them. Morgan couldn't help but feel a sense of longing when he saw how happy Alex and Bailey were together, while Bailey struggled with his own insecurities about Alex's past with Morgan.

Despite the underlying tension, they managed to enjoy their day, each of them trying to push aside their jealousies and focus on the present. By the end of the day, the bond between Alex and Bailey grew stronger, and Morgan slowly began to accept that his place in Alex's life had changed.

Alex's heart pounded with nerves as Bailey's truck pulled into the driveway of his family's home. Bailey had spoken often about his family, sharing stories about their close-knit bond and their love for each other. She was excited but also a bit anxious about meeting them for the first time.

Bailey noticed her unease and reached over to squeeze her hand. "Hey, it's going to be fine. They're going to love you." He said with a reassuring smile.

Alex nodded, taking a deep breath. "I hope so."

As they stepped out of the truck, the front door opened, and a woman with warm eyes and a kind smile hurried out to greet them. "Bailey!" She exclaimed, enveloping him in a tight hug. "It's so good to have you home!"