“Nothing,” Asher says with a shrug. “Just want some clarification.”
“Man, I wish Aiden were here,” Shelli adds, and I swear I might cry.
“Here is your clarification,” I sneer. “I’m tired and upset. No, Aiden doesn’t know, but it’s not my place to tell him since Wes wants to tell him. Yes, I’m with Wes. Yes, we are happy. No, I didn’t sleep with him at the wedding. And I don’t give a shit what any of you think.”
When Asher laughs, I glare at him, almost throwing him and Ally under the bus, but then the house phone starts to ring. Mom reaches for it, but before she answers, she looks at me and says, “You need a nap.”
“Thank you. I know,” I throw at her as she answers.
“Good evening, Mr. Robinson. Sorry? What do you mean there is an idiot blasting music in my yard?”
All of us are confused, and like a herd of cows, we move to the window. I slap my hand across my mouth when I see Wes standing in the cab of his truck with a handful of roses and music blasting from the stereo speakers.
“Oh my God,” I mutter.
“I need to record this,” Boon laughs. “He is so sprung.”
“Me too,” Asher agrees, both of them pulling out their phones as I rush out of the kitchen to the front door.
I throw it open, and the music slams into me as my gaze falls on Wes. When he sees me, he stands up straighter. I have no clue how many roses he has in his arms, but it’s a lot. I shut the door behind me, heading toward him, and God, he looks so nervous. The music blasts from his truck, a song I’ve never heard, as he jumps out of the vehicle.
Before I can even reach him, Emery’s voice hits us. “You know she has tons of guys wanting her, Wes McMillan. Step up your game, or get left behind!”
His eyes meet mine, and they’re so dark and sad. I stop before him, and he looks down at me. “She’s ruthless.”
“That she is,” I say softly, holding his gaze. “What song is this?” I ask, and he seems surprised. I don’t think he was expecting me to ask that. He probably thought I’d yell at him the way Emery just did.
“‘Trouble’ by Never Shout Never. I used to be a big fan back in the day, and I remembered this song when I was thinking of you.”
I nod slowly. “So, you can think about me but not text me?”
“I deserve that,” he says, nodding. “But truth be told, I thought of you every day from the moment you walked away from me at the wedding and I never called you.”
“Oh, so that makes how you ignored me all day okay?”
“Not at all,” he explains. “I should have texted you back.”
“You should have.”
“Not that it’s an excuse, but I’ve been a mess since last night. I’m sorry.”
“Okay,” I say, holding his gaze. “So, you think showing up with flowers and a sweet song is going to make me less mad?”
“I was hoping so,” he admits, a little grin pulling at his mouth. “Or at least make it so you’d speak to me.”
My eyes narrow as he holds out the roses to me, and I take them. I take in a deep whiff of the flowers, and of course, they smell so refreshing and sweet, and then I discard them on the ground. When I glance back up at him, he looks confused, but I wrap my arms around him, pulling him in close. Thankfully, he comes willingly. He nuzzles his nose in my neck as he hugs me back just as tightly. He holds me so close, my toes hardly touch the ground as we hug.
With my lips by his ear, I ask, “Are you okay?”
“I am now.”
“You can’t shut me out like that. I was distraught all day.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I was just so embarrassed and disgusted at myself.”
“I wasn’t even upset,” I promise, kissing his lobe. “I was only worried about you.”
“I’m sorry. I’m not used to having anyone in my corner.”
I pull back then, cupping his face. “Wes, I’m in your corner.”
His lips press together as he nods. “But I’m not used to that. I’m used to being alone, dealing with shit alone. I’ve never had people to open up to and know they have my back.”
I rub my thumb along his cheekbone. “Well, get used to it. You got me.”
“That’s what your brother said.”
“Aiden?”
“Yeah.”
“You told him about us?”
“I did. He didn’t kill me.”
“I’m surprised.”
“Me too. But again, I’m used to pain, not support.”
Oh, that breaks my heart. “You have the best support system, Wes. We all care so much for you.”
“I know. I’m learning,” he admits, leaning his forehead into mine. I love his eyes, his blond lashes, and the deep blue his eyes are right now. He swallows hard, his eyes searching mine. “We need to talk.”