“Will do,” Aiden says as I start to get out. “Are you going to dinner tomorrow at my mom’s?”
“Yeah. I think Stella is going to tell them about the career change.”
His eyes widen. “Man, I hope so. I hate secrets, and Asher’s is enough.”
“I bet,” I say with a laugh as I grab my bags. “See you tomorrow.”
“See ya,” he calls as I shut the car door and gather my crap to head to my front door. When I realize I can’t carry everything, I set my suitcase and laptop bag down on the stairs before tucking my phone into my pocket and holding my slushie in the crook of my arm. “You got it?”
I look over at Aiden, who has stopped in front of my house, watching me struggle. “Yeah, asshole. Get out of here.”
He laughs as he waves before driving off. Jackass. I reach for my laptop bag, and just as I reach for my suitcase, I hear my name.
“Wesley.”
I go cold everywhere, and my heart jumps into my throat. Ice freezes in my veins as I look up to find my father at the end of my driveway.
He immediately holds up his palms, his gaze pleading with mine. “I only want to talk.”
Talk? I haven’t seen or spoken to this dude in years, and I’ll be damned if today is the day I start. “Get off my lawn.”
“I’m on the sidewalk, and I’ll stay here. I only want to talk to you, son.”
“I’m not your son.”
“Wesley, come on,” he pleads, his blue eyes burning into mine. He’s older, way older, and fatter than I remember. Time hasn’t treated him well, and I’m oddly satisfied by that. I’m glad that I’m thriving and it appears he isn’t. “I only need to tell you something.”
“I don’t want to hear it,” I say simply. “I don’t give a shit what you have to say.”
He doesn’t seem affected by my statement at all. Not that I’m surprised. He’s a selfish fuck for sure. “I understand that, and I know you owe me nothing—”
“How did you even find my place?”
He holds my gaze. “I followed your girlfriend here from her job, after seeing her on your social media.”
I make a face. “How did you know I had a girlfriend? And how did you get on my socials?” Before he can answer, I realize I don’t give a shit. “Never mind. I don’t fucking care. Fuck off.”
“I hired someone to get information on you. You approved them, and they got me the info I needed because I really have to talk to you.”
“What a fucking stalker. Go away,” I say as I start for the door. I guess I need to move out now.
“Wes, please.”
I ignore him, unlocking my door.
“I’ve been going to therapy for the last couple years, and I realize I did you wrong.”
I look over my shoulder, rage shaking me to my core. “Oh, really?” I ask sarcastically. “Do you realize that now? How awesome. So glad it took you this long to figure that out, and you did so great protecting me. Answer me this. Are you still married to her?”
He just looks at me, his eyes full of regret and pain. “Yes.”
“Then we have nothing to say to each other.”
“We both want to apologize. It was wrong what she did, and she’s been in therapy too. We want a relationship with you.”
I surprise myself when I actually laugh out loud. “Cold day in hell. I am good. Really good.”
As I throw my stuff inside, I wonder if Stella will want to get a place together. Before I can shut the door, though, I hear another voice.
“We’re sorry, Wesley. Please accept that.”
If I thought hearing my dad’s voice made my blood run ice-cold, that’s nothing compared to hearing her voice. My skin crawls, and instantly, I feel like that broken boy that she broke even more. I turn, unable to breathe or even think as my gaze settles on her. I never thought she was a good-looking woman, nothing like my mom, and I didn’t understand why my father loved her. Even before what happened. But now, I truly don’t understand. Not only did she molest me, but she has let herself go. It must not matter, though, because they’re standing hand in hand. A united front against someone they broke.
Had broken.
I’m not that boy anymore.
I am a man.
A man who is loved by an incredible woman.
I throw my keys down and place my slushie on the railing before stalking toward them. I can see the fear on their faces. I’m not in any position to be taken advantage of or hurt by them. I’m not scared of them; I’m disgusted by them. With the confidence that shines from within Stella, I hold my head up, maintaining eye contact. “I forgive you. But not for you,” I sneer, looking between them. “For me. You will always have to live with what you did to me, but you’ll never have that power over me ever again. I am successful, I am strong, and I am incredible. I am loved by a damn good woman. I have friends who are the family you two never were. I have everything I could ever want or need, and that’s because I worked for it.” When neither of them can muster up any words to say to me, I smack my hand into my chest. “I did it. Despite the pain, the abuse, and the mental fuckup you two caused me. I don’t need you. I never did. I am who I need.”