2. Salvage

GIANNA

~•~

Brandon and I barely had time to spend together, but now, it was ruined by his bratty little sister and their supposed family friend, aka, Brandon’s best friend, who was always a little too touchy with him.

I had hoped we could leave the house but now, I was forced to stay in and have a pool day.

I looked flattering in the one piece I was wearing, but Bailey’s two piece totally stole my shine. I knew I sounded bitter and jealous but I had every reason to when I was sitting alone on the sun bed and Bailey was speaking with Brandon across from me.

Bernice was having fun by herself in the pool. It was obvious she didn’t come to hang out with her brother. She just wanted to bring Bailey near him.

I didn’t know what kind of expression was on my face, but Brandon locked gazes with me and his eyes went wide. Eventually, he dismissed Bailey and walked toward me, but the pest trailed behind him.

“Oh, I almost forgot,” Bailey said when they were within earshot. “The only reason I came today was because you forgot your wallet at my place two nights ago.”

I blinked and Brandon halted, turning around immediately to face her.

She didn’t let him speak though. “It’s in my purse. I’ll go get it.”

As she disappeared from our sight, Brandon turned around slowly, assessing my face. I was seething but I kept my emotions in check. Two nights ago was the night of my birthday party. He had gotten a call and he’d left and didn’t come back that night. I didn’t think much of it but I didn’t think he would be with Bailey.

Then again, maybe there was a good reason for it. Maybe, he merely visited and didn’t spend the night at her place. Maybe I was still insecure about their friendship.

“You’re not going to ask me what she means by that?” He asked carefully.

“You’re going to tell me anyway. I trust you.” It was true. I trusted him. I just didn’t trust his best friend. As a woman, I could tell she had feelings for him. I didn’t know if he couldn’t tell but he wasn’t dumb.

He closed his eyes briefly, looking pained. He opened his mouth to speak, but Allison arrived with a tray, containing a jar of orange juice. Brandon usually preferred wine on our pool days, but he quickly switched to orange juice when he realized I had a fear of drowning after getting drunk.

“Thanks.” I took the tray from her and placed it on the side table. “You may leave.”

She looked between the two of us, knowing damn well that something was wrong, but kept her mouth shut and left as told.

I sat up and poured the juice into a glass, taking a sip, still as calm as ever.

“Gianna…” he pinched the bridge of his nose. “Let’s talk later, okay? When they’re gone, I’ll tell you what happens, I promise.”

A gasp was heard behind us and I realized the bitch was back. “Are you two fighting? I’m sorry. I thought he already told you about the night we spent together.”

“Bailey!” Brandon scolded and she widened her eyes, trying to act innocent.

I knew that she did it on purpose but it still did the job of hurting me. “Spent the night together?” I asked. I had tried to lie to myself that it was a mere visit. They were friends after all, but apparently not. “As in slept together?”

“You didn’t tell her?”

“Bailey.” He gritted out. “Shut the fuck up. One more word and I’ll throw you out.”

One more word? He couldn’t even throw her out now? After all she had said, he was still tolerating her? Did he even feel bad about it? The thought of them having sex together left a bitter taste in my mouth and I felt like throwing up.

I closed my eyes briefly, took a deep breath, and stood up. “Excuse me.”

“Gianna.” Brandon held my arm, stopping me from walking away. “Let’s talk about this later, please.”

“We’ll talk about it later. Excuse me for now.”

Bailey rolled her eyes as though I was being dramatic and I had the strongest urge to pluck them out. She was acting as though she didn’t just tell me she slept with my husband; as though it wasn’t a big deal for my husband to cheat on me with her.

“Please, G, calm down.”

“I’m calm. Let go of me while I still am.”

He released my arm slowly and I started to walk away, but his sister’s voice stopped me. “What’s going on? Did she find out about you and Brandon?” Great. So everyone but me knew my husband cheated on me.

“You told Bernice?” Brandon sounded incredulous.

“What? Am I not supposed to know?”

“Stay out of this, Bernice. I’m not joking.”

Bernice scoffed, disregarding the words of the brother she idolized. “You guys are so dramatic. Why are you acting like it’s the first time?”

I whipped around immediately. “It has happened before?”

“I can explain, G. It’s not what you think, please.”

I shook my head. I couldn’t stay in that place any longer. I would actually throw up then. I heard Brandon calling my name as I walked away, but I pretended not to hear. I couldn’t even look at him.

He said he could explain. How the hell could he salvage this?