Friend or not, Derek should have stood up to Morrison about Bailey a long time ago. More than that. Derek should have pummeled Morrison.

Ward was like a brother to me, but had they somehow dated, I would have never let him treat my sister like garbage.

“I don’t disagree,” she said. “But between classes, the paper, and you, I’ll be so busy that I won’t have time to worry about Derek anyway.”

“That’s right. You must be happy about getting the sports section all to yourself.” I grinned.

“I am…Except it means more Bulldogs games.” Bailey drew in a breath. “Maybe that’s what I need to go incognito for.”

My smile faded, my tone dropping. “Anyone gives you trouble, they answer to me.”

It pissed me off that she was uncomfortable with the idea of being around these people, even in public. Especially when she’d never done anything to warrant their dislike. The way they treated her was fucking brutal. A bunch of spineless sheep.

“I think Jillian and Amelia already answered to Shiv.”

“I heard she gave them a nice little verbal smackdown,” I said. “But I meant the guys.”

“Yeah.” Her voice flattened, posture stiffening. “Speaking of that, I’m really dreading this interview with Paul.”

My second least favorite person. Well, tied with Amelia and Jillian. They were all so terrible that it was hard to even rank them at this point.

“I can tag along if you want. Sit there and glare at his sorry ass to keep him in line.”

I was 100 percent not kidding. I would enjoy nothing more than playing bodyguard around that idiot.

She paused with her hand in midair, reaching for a slider. “Probably not necessary, but I appreciate the thought.”

“Are you sure?”

“I think I’ll be okay,” Bailey said, biting back a smile. “Your caveman act is cute as always, though.”

And it was cute that she thought it was an act. This was how I was wired.

36. doing nothing

CHAPTER 36

DOING NOTHING

Bailey

After dinner, I twisted Chase’s arm to get hot chocolates to go from the Uncommon Coffee Co. Not that it took much twisting.

We made our way back to his truck, drinks in hand. The fall days were still reasonably pleasant, but once the sun set, the evenings turned bitingly chilly.

“How’s packing coming?” he asked, taking my free hand in his.

I sipped my white hot chocolate. “I’ve got lots of the small stuff taken care of already. It’s probably premature, but I’m excited to get the heck out of there.”

“Me too. The new living arrangement will be way better for you.” He paused, forehead creasing. “Though I don’t love the idea of you on the train at night.”

“It’s a five-minute ride,” I said. “Three stops.”