The Good Boy's Troublemaker ✓

Chapter 24 - "Why didn't you tell me?"

I must've fallen asleep because I was drenched in water when I open my eyes.

"Finally!" Bailey breathes out. "Hi, sleeping beauty." She said waving her hand in front of my face.

"Hey," I mumbled, rubbing my eyes before looking around. "Where-"

"On a farm." I gaped. How long have I been asleep, seeing that it is day? How far are we away from home? "Come on," Bailey said, waving for me to follow her.

I took my bag, a young lady was working in the garden while a few kids were playing with a dog. The woman stopped working and looked up, she looked familiar but I couldn't put my finger on it. But once she saw Bailey her face lit up.

The children immediately went running her way and all you could hear was, "Bailey! Bailey! Bailey!" The kids attacked her with hugs.

"Hey, guys!" She said picking one up and carrying her. I just stood there staring at them.

The little girl noticed me, "Who's that?" She asks pointing at me.

"Oh, that's James, my... friend." I wave at them. They all hugged me. Bailey greeted the woman.

"That's enough kids, be nice." She smiled at me. "Well hello."

"Hi, I'm James. It's so nice to meet you." I said holding out my hand. She engulfed me with a hug.

"Likewise, I'm Janica, Bailey's aunt. But I might as well be her sister." I nodded. She doesn't look that old- wait did she say Janica? Remembered I said that Lisa only has a daughter, but she's in college?

"Janica, o yes. My nanny." She smiled.

"You remember me? Aw." She pulled me in for another hug.

"What are you doing here?" She shrugged.

"I teach." She said motioning to all the kids. "What happened to the J-Jamie I knew? Are you out of your shell?" I know she didn't say it to mock me. So I just nodded. "I'm so proud of you!"

Just then Bailey's stomach growled. We all chuckled, "You guys must be so hungry. Guys help carry our guests' bags. Luckily I made enough lunch." The children ignored her. "That's it, no ice cream tonight!" They all scrambled to get our luggage and hurrying into the house.

• • •

"How's your dad?" Janica asked Bailey. She lets out a breath. "Oh honey, what did my brother do again?" Bailey coughed and then stuffed her mouth with some ice cream, earning a glare from Janica.

"It didn't go well, I guess that's why we're here," I answered for her.

"Yeah, he's a pain in the ass and he never lets me do what I wanna do. He never asks me what I want. He always does things what he thinks is best for me, but it's actually for himself. He's a selfish bugger and he's falling apart every day. I just- ugh! I hate him!" She said standing up from the couch and storming into a room.

"Did she run away again?" Janica asks me. I nod. I didn't know that this wasn't the first time. She sighed. "She's been through a lot."

"Like what?" I ask politely since I didn't know a thing.

"Well for instance her little brother died in front of her." I almost gasped out loud. "Then about two years ago her mother also passed away. It's been so hard for Sam and even worse for Bailey. But she believes that her mother is still alive, her body was never found."

"I-I didn't know." Janica placed a hand on my thigh.

"She always visits me here in Nashville, but this is the first time she has brought someone with her. You must mean a lot to her James. Now that you know more about her, can you please support her?" She pleaded and I nod. "Thanks, James." She kissed my forehead taking a few kids to bed.

I knocked on Bailey's door and then opened it. I sat down on the tip of her bed, "Why didn't you tell me?" I whispered.

"I-I didn't know how, and I didn't want to sound weak." She sat up straight. "I wanted to, but it's hard James." I nod.

"I'm sorry B." I gave her a hug, and she didn't let go. "You're one of the strongest people I've ever met. I know you want to be independent and believe me, sometimes you must let it out. Maybe you are a little vulnerable, but not weak." I patted her back.

"Thanks," she let go of our hug. "So are you and Carter a thing?" She asks me.

"Well- uh I don't know. We're friends, but- I... well-"

"Yes or no?" I shook my head.

We really weren't 'a thing', I don't even know what we are. "Well, that's why we are going on a date, to find out."

"Parker asked me out yesterday." I smiled, trying to look happy for her. "I told him I'll date when the time is right, but I don't like him anymore. In fact, I don't know what I want. I thought I liked him." I nod.

"You're just confused, believe me, you'll know." She nods.

We decided to watch a movie and Bailey was in the mood for Mamma Mia, so I just agreed since I've never watched it before.

Then we got hungry and raided the fridge looking for midnight snacks. It was so nice just talking and having fun with her. I hate it when we fight.

"How did your brother die?" I ask. Ever since Janica told me about it, it was something I couldn't get off my mind, and needed to ask her that.

"I- why don't you tell me about yourself?" Ah, changing the topic, I see.

"I have nothing to tell you."

"What about your parents?" She said quirking an eyebrow.

"They're better, they used to fight about everything." She nods. "And your mother?" She looked down.

"I'm still searching for her." I liked that part of her. The one that never gives up. Hope. "When the world tells me to give up, something whisperers- try one more time."

"See, you're not weak." She chuckled.

"James, you lied to me when I first met you. I know you did." I couldn't even remember what I lied about.

"I can't remember, sorry."

"Then you'll just have to remember." We sat there talking until I felt my eyes getting droopy. I almost fell asleep, that was until she asked me a question. But not any question. That question.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Tell you what?"

"That you wanted to end your life?"

***

Chapter dedication >> dashingglam Please have a look at her first book! She's a new author and needs all the support. Thanks, guys ❤️

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