Just Breathe

Chapter Nineteen Bailey

Shit! Shit! Shit!

I told you, you had the perfect… Oh shut up! Please! I do not have the patience to deal with you yapping in my head!

Okay Bailey, you just need to take a damn breath and think. It’s going to be fine. You’ll figure this out.

I open my apartment door and Zeus comes to meet me, ready for some loving. I wish he could hide me. I bend down on my knees and hug him tight. He seems to understand my turmoil as he lays his furry head on my shoulder.

“Mom! You’re back!” Logan comes racing from his room and tackles me to the ground. He laughs as Zeus begins to bark at his excitement. This is why I’ve been so secretive about my past. For this little boy to be able to laugh, run, and be free to be the child he’s meant to be.

“Well, isn’t this a sight for sore eyes!” I look up to find Ash at the opening between the kitchen and the living room and Hunter coming out of the bathroom, topless. I raise my eyebrow in Ash’s direction and she just shrugs her shoulders. Oh, today’s conversation is definitely going to be fun. I’m going to need more caffeine to carry on with the rest of this day. And it’s only nine in the morning! My inner voice really needs to take a freaking vacation.

“How was everything here last night?” I get up from the floor, make my way into the living room, and have a seat on the couch for just a few minutes.

“It was great! Ash brought ribs from Momma B’s and then we made chocolate chip cookies. I’m sorry we didn’t save any, but Hunter eats a lot.” Logan explains a mile a minute.

“Hey, now bud, you’re not supposed to throw me under the bus like that!” Hunter says while throwing on a black t-shirt that he’s paired with stonewashed jeans. I can definitely see why Ash has the hots for him. He falls a bit short in comparison to Gavin, but he is attractive with his dirty blond hair and dark blue eyes and tattoos adorning his arms.

“Sorry. Then we watched a movie Ash brought over. What was it called again?” He looks over at Ash.

“A Goofy Movie, bub.” She replies while putting stuff away in the kitchen.

“Yeah! It was really funny and Ash said I can keep it so you, me, and Gavin can watch it together.” Logan finally finishes with his updates and goes back to sitting next to Zeus.

“Sounds like you guys had a great night.”

“Yeah! The bestest! What are we doing today? Can Zeus stay with us?” Logan jumps from question to question.

“Actually, how do you feel about hanging out with Gavin and Zeus for a little bit, while Ash and I ran some errands?” I watch as his eyes grow larger and larger by the second. I do everything not to burst out laughing.

“That would be awesome! When is Gavin coming over?”

“Actually, you’re going over to his place once I get changed. We’re also going out together once I get back, so make sure you bring your backpack and pack an extra t-shirt, a sweater, and your hat. Maybe even one of your word search books, Gavin said we’ll be driving for a bit.”

“Awesome! This is gonna be the bestest day ever!” Logan jumps up and rushes to his room with Zeus hot on his tail.

“Two dates in a row, last night must have been fire.” Ash grins from ear to ear.

“Thanks for watching him last night you guys, it means a lot, and Logan seems to have had the bestest night.” I tease.

“No problem, baby girl. Anytime. Gavin still at his place?” Hunter asks.

“Yeah, should be.”

“I’m gonna go bug him for a bit before heading into the shop. Some of us have to make money.” He comes close and gives me a hug before stepping into Ash’s space, placing a kiss on her forehead. Oh. My. God! She practically melts right there at his feet.

“Catcha later, bud!” Hunter calls out to Logan as he reaches the front door. Logan comes rushing to the living room with his backpack over his shoulder bursting open with who knows what inside, and Zeus following behind.

“Hunter, are you going to Gavin’s?” He asks out of breath.

“Yeah, bud. You ready to go?”

“Yes!” Logan shouts and runs past me toward Hunter. I’m stunned as I watch my little guy go right by me without as much as a glance back. Look at that, he’s already trading me in. When did he grow up so fast?

“Hey Logan, aren’t you forgetting something?” Hunter points in mine and Ash’s direction.

“Mom! Sorry!” Logan drops his bag and runs back to me and wraps his little arms around my waist.

“Is it okay if I go to Gavin’s now? Please!” Oh, man.

“Did you have breakfast yet?” I ask as I look up at Ash and Hunter. They both nod their heads in agreement while Logan shouts yes!

“Did you brush your teeth?” I look down at him.

“Oh, I forgot. But I’ll go right now, and then can I go to Gavin’s?”

“Go brush your teeth, and once you’re done, you go and say thank you to Ash for watching you last night with Hunter. Then you can go to Gavin’s.” I ruffle up his hair.

“Woohoo!”

“That kid is something else. But too darn cute.” Ash says while grabbing her bag.

“Yeah, he’s something, alright. He definitely keeps me on my toes.” I shake my head, smiling while I rub Zeus’s head. He leans against me as we wait for Logan. Within a couple of minutes, he’s running back to us and goes straight to Ash, gives her a tight hug and says thank you for watching him last night. I walk him to the front door to meet Hunter and do a quick bag check. He has more stuff in there than he will use, but at least he packed his hat, extra t-shirt, and the sweater.

“Alright, bubba. You listen to Gavin, don’t forget to say please and thank you, and don’t forget to ask to use the bathroom, if you need to go. I’ll see you back here a bit after one o’clock.” I press a quick kiss to his head as he waves me off and rushes out the door.

“Alright momma. You have ten minutes to get ready and meet me down by the trucks. I only have about fifteen minutes of self-control left in my system before I pounce on you. I want every single detail about last night, and no edits! Get moving!” Ash swats my butt and walks out the door, leaving me in my living room still in last night’s clothes. Better get a move on, besides, Ash genuinely cares about me and Logan. Telling her about my past might be good and maybe she could even guide me in how to tell Gavin.

With that, I make my way to my room to grab new clothes and take the quickest shower ever.

It’s going to be fine. It has to be.