Page 95 of Payoff Pitch
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
TANNER
Fallon arrived this afternoon following a morning filled with the cold-shoulder treatment from Bailey. I tried to apologize multiple times, but she found a way to ensure she was never alone with me. Now that Fallon is here, I won’t get Bailey to myself until tomorrow when we leave.
She and I are supposed to fly home tomorrow morning. She offered to stay longer to help Fallon, and probably to avoid me, but Fallon insisted that Bailey go home and enjoy her New Year’s Eve with her friends.
I’m taking them all to dinner at a restaurant where you pick your own steaks and then you get to cook them yourself on the lava rock grills. We come here every year. It’s Harper’s favorite restaurant out here and she wanted to wait for Fallon to come so we could all enjoy it together.
As we grill our steaks, Fallon asks Bailey, “Any big New Year’s Eve plans?”
She shrugs. “I’m not sure. I’ve never spent one without my sister before. Some girls on the team mentionedclubbing. It’s not really my scene, but maybe I’ll make an exception.”
I had asked her to spend it with me. This is her way of telling me she’s not. I wish it didn’t hurt as much as it does.
Fallon appears surprised by the fact that Bailey doesn’t enjoy clubbing. “I would think you guys would be out drinking and dancing all the time. How do you meet men?”
I can’t help but flinch at the question. Fallon immediately notices. For someone who prides himself on being a good poker player, my real-life poker face needs a lot of work.
Fallon closely watches me while Bailey answers, “Here and there.”
About twenty minutes later, we’re at the table enjoying the fruits of our labor. Fallon is staring daggers at me when Bailey’s phone rings. She rejects the call without looking to see who it’s from and gives us a sheepish smile. “Sorry. I didn’t realize the ringer was on.”
Just then, it starts ringing again. I nod toward it. “Someone needs to get in touch with you. Answer it.”
She looks down and her eyebrows pinch together. “It’s my dad. That’s strange. He knows I’m here with you guys. It must be important.” She stands. “I’ll be right back.” She walks out the front door of the restaurant.
Fallon asks Harper, “Did you and Dylan use the outdoor hot tub? I can’t wait for that. I love watching the snow fall from the confines of a warm tub. I bet it’s beautiful.”
Harper nods. “Yes, we went in every day when we got back from skiing. Daddy and Bailey used it every night after we went to bed."
I do my best not to choke on my food. I didn’t realize she knew that. “Umm…yep. My old bones needed it after a day on the slopes.”
Fallon gives me a forced smile, “I’ll bet your bone needed it.”
She glares at me. I know a big talk is in my future, and I have no idea what I’m going to say.
I’m fumbling for the right words when Bailey returns with tears streaming down her cheeks. I immediately stand. “What’s wrong?”
She visibly swallows and fairly calmly says, “My mother passed today.”
Uncaring where we are or who we’re with, I wrap her in my arms as she begins silently sobbing into my chest.
Fallon looks at me. “Get the car and bring her back to the cabin to pack. Take care of whatever logistics she needs. I’ll finish up here and we’ll Uber back.”
“Are you sure?”
She nods. “Of course. Bailey, I’m so sorry for your loss.”
Bailey nods and croaks out, “Thank you.”
I help her out the door with my arm around her. I don’t care if Fallon has a problem with it. Bailey needs comfort right now.
The drive back to the cabin is done in silence. I hold her hand while she stoically stares out the window.
Eventually breaking the silence, she admits, “He said a year. I thought I had more time. I never gave up hope that we’d all make amends. I wanted it, but Kamneededit. I’m worried for my sister.”
I pull her hand to my lips and kiss it. “I’m sorry, baby. I know it’s hard, and I know you worry about her, but right now, it’s okay to think about yourself and your feelings on this.”