Love Me ~ Like That Read online

  Copyright © 2015 Renee Kennedy

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

  This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author / publisher.

  [email protected]

  Editing: Flaming Pen Editing, http://www.Flamingpenediting.com

  Cover Design: Allusion Graphics, LLC/Publishing & Book Formatting, http://www.allusiongraphics.com

  Photographer: Kristy Rogers, https://www.facebook.com/KristyLouisePS

  Interior Design: Jovana Shirley, Unforeseen Editing, www.unforeseenediting.com

  Book Trailer: Back Cover Clips, http://www.backcoverklps.weebly.com/

  Love Me ~ Like That Copyright © 2015 Renee Kennedy

  Published by Wildflower Indie Ink.

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  Prologue

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  Love Me ~ Without Regret Teaser

  Chocolate Gravy

  Bailey's and Cash's Playlist

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  This is dedicated to my Granny and Papa. Without them this book would not have been possible. They really were that great. To know them was to love them. Some of the things in this book about them are true with a few little embellishments, but the story Papa tells, in the hospital, is one hundred percent true. I’ve heard it all of my life.

  I miss them both more and more each day. Life isn’t the same without them, and I wish I could pick up the phone just one more time to call my Granny to hear her say, “Why haven’t you called me?” She was my best friend and the person I turned to a lot in my life.

  To hear one of Papa’s stories again would be so welcomed. You truly don’t know what you have until it’s gone. I wish I had recorded them all. If only I could write a book filled with the little stories he told from his life. Some about his childhood were so heartbreaking, but he would laugh about them. I would give anything to be able to take him and get him one more milkshake or C.F. Penn’s Hamburgers.

  I will always hold you both in my heart ~

  Alan Eugene Stricklin: September 5, 1921 - January 16, 2011

  Addie B Stricklin: December 25, 1926 - January 26, 2010

  Married December 8, 1942 (That’s the reason I picked December 8, for my release.)

  P.S. He really did cut my hair when I was in my late twenties. I told him I paid good money for those blonde streaks.

  Someday someone will walk into your life and make you realize why it never worked out with anyone else.

  – Author Unknown

  Just when I thought I had everything figured out, Murphy’s Law reared its ugly head and smacked me right back in my place. I never expected to voluntarily give up a scholarship and a life I’ve always dreamed about. But dreams and plans are made to withstand being…altered. They aren’t broken, nope. They’ve merely been put on hold. My ultimate goals are still achievable. I know I can accomplish them, in the future because I have my hope, no one can take it away from me. This is simply a detour, not an end.

  Life was hard growing up but now that I’m away at college my future has never been brighter. I never thought I would have the opportunity to go the University of Alabama. Woohoo, Roll Tide! Go Bama! I’m still amazed I made it.

  I had a dream. I wrote my dream down. I made action plans on how to achieve that dream. Everything had been right on time and going so well. Then I get a call that unexpectedly changes my life, or at least, puts everything on hold.

  The last time I went home, my family was great. We all got together out at my grandparents’ little house, and I had a great time hanging out with everyone. I miss them, but I want something different for my life. I want to live without worrying how I’m going to pay the bills. I want to have things that I will never have if I stay in my little hometown.

  Mom called earlier to tell me about Granny and Papa. Those two people right there are my life. They’ve been there for me when no one else was. Now they need help, and I’ve decided I will be the one to help them. A decision didn’t need to be made. They need someone. I’m closest to them, and I want to be the one who takes care of them. Now, I have to tell Hendrix. He will be over in a few hours and I’ve planned an intimate sexy night for us. I do this in hopes that the news is well received.

  Last night, before the bottom fell out of my well-ordered life, I had so much fun at Omega House’s spring formal. Hendrix was the sweetest guy ever. He arranged for me to be pampered all day with spa sessions to get ready. He paid for Lizzie to go with me, even though they’re always at each other’s throats. He really went out of his way to make the day special for me. I really thought he might ask me to marry him. He hadn’t, but in hindsight the time wasn’t really right. I still have another year of school.

  We’ve been talking about our future so much that I know he has been thinking about marriage too. I can only imagine being on his arm for all the charity events he has to attend. We’ve been dating for nine months, and he has been my knight in shining armor. He took me from eating cheap microwave noodles and barely paying my rent to dining in the finest restaurants. Me. Bailey. In five star restaurants. Unbelievable, I know. This little country girl would have never thought a guy as classy as Hendrix would be interested in her. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world.

  I wished Lizzie could see what I see in him. She thinks he is changing me, but she doesn’t realize how much I want to change. That’s fine. They’ll eventually grow on each other.

  Hendrix arrives on time, and he looks as handsome as ever. He’s always so polished even when he is dressed in jeans and a polo shirt. Peeking through the blinds, I see he has a small gift bag in his hand. My sweet guy is always surprising me with thoughtful gifts. I open the door to the apartment I share with Lizzie.

  “Well, hello beautiful. You’re looking mighty fine tonight,” Hendrix says.

  “Hello yourself, lover boy! Have I got plans for us tonight,” I tell him, sinking into his arms. His strong arms wrap around me, holding me tightly, providing the security I need right now.

  “I like the sound of that. Maybe I have plans of my own for us too
.” He kisses me softly. “What is all this about, Babe? Don’t get me wrong, I love when you plan nights like these. They’re just very rare. How did you get rid of your pest?”

  “Hendrix, be nice.” I take his hand and lead him into the kitchen. I have lit candles everywhere, casting a romantic ambience around us and dinner for two on the table.

  “Awe, Babe, you outdid yourself.” Hendrix leans over placing a kiss against my sensitive lips. Then he reaches over and retrieves the bag he brought. “I have a little something for you, Sweetheart.” He pulls out a box and opens it showing me a beautiful diamond studded watch.

  “Hendrix! What is this for? I love it!” I jump out of my seat, going to him, throwing my arms around him.

  “This is to remind you how much I enjoy our time together.” He picks up my arm and places the watch on my wrist. He lifts my hand to his mouth and kisses it.

  I stare at the watch for a few seconds. What did I do to deserve this great guy? “I don’t know how to thank you. This is so thoughtful, you’re the best.”

  He flashes me his gorgeous smile. I need to let him know of my new plans for school. I dread doing this, he graduates next month. I really think he’s going to be upset. He likes to have me all to himself. “I got some news from home today that wasn’t so good.” My gaze focuses on my lap as I collect my thoughts.

  “What is it, Bailey? Is everything alright?” He pulls me to my feet and wraps me in his arms.

  “No, everything isn’t okay. Remember me telling you about my grandfather having dementia? Well, he is getting to be too much for my granny to handle on her own. She gets out of breath just doing their laundry.” Tears fill my eyes.

  “That’s horrible, Bailey. What can I do to help? Do you want me to take you to go visit?” He kisses my temple.

  “That’s what I want to talk to you about. I want to go take care of them, Hendrix, because they mean the world to me. They’ve done more for me than my own parents.”

  “What are you saying, Bay? Are you doing this for summer break?” He pulls back a little, with his eyebrows pinched together.

  “I’m going to stay until I’m no longer needed, I’ll put college on hold for a while.” My smile is weak. I know he doesn’t understand. No one understands our family dynamics. My family is extremely close knit, but the bond’s really more than that. My Granny always tells us your family is all you have. That your family will be there for you when no one else will be.

  “Why do you have to be the one who takes care of them, Bailey? You have plenty of family that can help out with them.”

  “Because I’m the one who they count on. I’m their favorite. I’m the one who they kept from the time I was born until I left for college. It’s my place to take care of them. Besides, everyone else is either too young or works.”

  “What about a nursing home? There are plenty of great—”

  “NO! They will not be placed in a home. I’ve heard horror stories about the treatment of the elderly in those places. As long as I’m able, I will do everything in my power to keep them in their own home. They gave me and the rest of the family so much when I was growing up. They sacrificed and went without to provide for me.”

  “That’s what they are supposed to do, Bailey, that’s kind of the law,” he says, laughing a little.

  I lift my chin up so I can look into his eyes again. “That’s what your parents are required to do, not your grandparents. They didn’t have to practically raise me, to provide for me like they did, Hendrix.”

  He drops my arms and turns away, “What about our plans, Bailey? Do we just forget about them? I wanted to take you to the beach after graduation.” He turns back to face me and rubs my arm. “I wanted to sit on the beach with you and watch the waves roll in, stay up making love to you all night until the sun rises. It was going to be just the two of us.”

  “I know and I’m sorry, but we can still do things like that every once in a while. Taking care of my grandparents won’t be forever, Babe.”

  “So when are you leaving? When will this all take place? How much time do we still have together?”

  “Hendrix, we’ll still be together. I’ll actually be closer to you there than I’d be here at school. I’m going to finish out this semester so I’ll be here through your graduation then I’ll move in with them.”

  “I say we make the most out of the time you have left here at school. What do you say?”

  “I say that sounds like a wonderful idea. Why don’t we start that right now?” I pull him toward my bedroom.

  “I like the way you think.” He pulls up his shirt before we even get to the door.

  Isn’t life really about creating yourself? Sometimes you have to do what is best for yourself and not worry about everyone else. I’m Bailey Reynolds and I’m shallow. At least that is how I’ve been feeling lately. Really, the only person who is being deceived is myself. I’m the only one who can be hurt by pretending to be something I’m not. If I’m the only one who gets hurt, it’s not so bad, right?

  How am I shallow, you might ask? I have let someone change me into his idea of perfect. I love most of the changes. I’ve dropped old habits for newer higher standards. Seriously, how many girls would balk at the spoiling Hendrix has lavished upon me? He facilitates those services that keep me impeccably polished, from spa treatments, to keeping my hair, nails and toes perfect. You name it and he pampers me with it. It’s the life I want, or at least I think it is.

  The truth is I want out of this small, one-horse town.

  I’m not cynical or a pessimist. I’m not desperate for a relationship. I simply want a better life. That’s it. Doesn’t everyone want a better life? I have dreams of being able to make ends meet without struggling.

  But I’m feeling very confused about this choice I’ve made. I think I really do love Hendrix and he loves me, but sometimes I feel like I need to move on from him.

  Hendrix has changed since I left college to take care of my grandparents. He isn’t as sweet and things are strained between us. I have two forces pulling me in opposite directions. One is my head and the other is my heart. My heart tells me, dating Hendrix is okay because I love him. My head has a hard time grasping the way he has been treating me. Haven’t you ever been confused about love? I need help figuring all of this out before I make a mistake I can’t easily change.

  Journal Entry: Here I sit, waiting on Hendrix to let me know when he’s coming to pick me up. I’m keeping one eye on the window, in case he just shows up, and the other on my phone.

  I’ve been ready for a couple of hours because he can’t stand for me to delay him. Lately, we’ve been just hooking up at his apartment. He seems to only be up for a little fun. I’m up for anything, as long as we are together. I’m a better person with Hendrix, I’m Bailey 2.0! He makes me want more from my life. Lizzie says this makes me shallow. So what! She can stay in Mt. Hope, Alabama forever, but not me. Audios muchachos!

  Hendrix’s not keen on coming here to my grandparents’ house because the drive is a twenty-minute “never ending journey.” He wanted me to move in with him when he graduated a couple of weeks ago, but I have to be here to take care of Granny and Papa. I will always put their needs before my own. I am who I am because of them.

  Because my mom got pregnant with me when she was about to graduate from high school, she didn’t go to college. Instead, she got married and went to work. She has always worked long, hard hours, still does. That’s why she can’t take care of Granny and Papa. She also has my little brother to take care of and my dad travels a lot with his job. The rest of my family is in similar situations. Besides Papa has dementia and doesn’t do well with change, so the ideal arrangement is for them to stay in their own home.

  My grandparents did everything for me that parents would do for their children. Papa not only taught me to drive but also cosigned on a loan so I could get my beloved Jeep. He paid the down payment and insurance until I started making enough money to pay for it myself. If not
for Papa, I would have had to rely on Lizzie to teach me, and she’s a crazy driver. She likes to give me flack over my “flawless” parking skills, but when I’m tired of hearing her complain about them, I remind her that Papa taught me to drive. This effectively shuts her up because Granny and Papa have helped her as much as they’ve helped me. They are this way with our entire family. They might not have two nickels to rub together, but if someone needed those nickels, they would gladly hand them over. I’m thankful to be raised by them and staying here taking care of them is minuscule compared to the multitude of things they’ve sacrificed for me.

  While I’ve told Hendrix all these things, he still can’t grasp why I feel like I’m the one who should take care of them. I want to do this. I’m not being forced to do it. His lack of gratitude for all that they have done for me irritates me. I guess, when you’re born with a silver spoon in your mouth, you have a hard time understanding the working class.

  We’ve never been what you call dirt poor, but that is about all you can say about our financial state. Dad didn’t go to college until much later so he and mom both had entry-level jobs, most of my life. Dad finally got his degree in business management five years ago. Most of the time Papa worked two jobs at once while Granny took care of me. Papa did this so we could have a few extras, like everyone else. They both wanted to help their kids when they needed it.

  They consider all of us their kids. This comprises the honorary kids too. The honorary kids are the ones we bring home, our friends who seem to stay at our house more than they do at their own. Granny never minded us bringing one more mouth to feed, and Papa was always at work. If one of those kids had a problem, Granny or Papa would take it upon themselves to help them out as best they could. That’s why everybody loves them and calls them Granny and Papa. Everybody but Hendrix. He says it is undignified.

  The low rumbling of an engine, followed by a honk, alerts me of Hendrix’s arrival. I slip my journal into my purse as I glance at my phone. No, I didn’t miss a text.