It slips before I realize it. We loved getting those back in high school. So many damn memories with Weston. Leaving my hometown was the hardest decision of my life. Weston was the one to push me, let me go. I went through so many emotions during that time from hate to appreciation. He couldn’t go with me even though it was always the plan. He stayed home and took care of his sick mom and let me go live my dreams.
“Yeah, me too.” He winks. “Want some company?”
I shrug. “Yeah, I do.”
We walk down the sidewalk toward the lake, shoulder to shoulder but not touching. It takes restraint because it’s the only thing I want to do.
“How’s life, Weston?” I ask.
“Not bad. Momma is having a good month and working for your dad keeps me pretty damn busy.”
“That’s good,” I reply, not knowing what to say.
“How about you?” he asks.
I let out a loud breath, knowing the truth will eventually come out so I tell him now. If I’ve discovered one thing over the last few days, it’s that holding in secrets is unhealthy and a mindfuck. “I’m not going back to school. Still have to break that one to my parents.”
“Really?” He stops and turns to me.
I glance down at my Chucks and twist my fingers before looking back up into his piercing blue eyes. “You know I hurt my knee and had to sit out, right?”
He nods.
“Yeah, well, and I’m pregnant.”
He doesn’t react, not even in the slightest. Not a flinch or even an eye blink, so I continue.
“Braxton, the dad, well he’s a piece of shit, so here I am.”
He doesn’t say a word, but this time his jaw does clench and his knuckles grow white.
“So, yeah, broke the news to Dad and Mom and now I’m just trying to find my place in life.”
He scrubs a hand over his hand. “Damn, Tink, you’ve been busy.”
I shake my head at the old nickname and then find myself smiling. Weston always called me Tink because I’d work with him on the farm or projects, and he said all I did was tinker around, not getting much work accomplished. He was right. I just wanted to be by his side.
“I can’t imagine what you’re going through,” he adds.
“Yeah, it’s a pretty big shit storm I’ve caused.”
“Naw.” He shakes his head then shocks me by lacing his fingers in mine until he has me. Now, this is home. “I got you. We all got you.”
We walk the rest of the way to the lake in silence. We enjoy corn dogs, kettle corn, and fresh lemonade, catching up on the fun stuff of our lives and reliving old memories. Weston holds my hand through most of it. When my family sees us, they don’t blink or make a big deal out of it. It’s as if it’s a natural thing for us to be together. And it really is. I’m not saying we are riding off in the sunset with wedding rings and all that jazz, but our souls were meant to be.
The dance under the blanket of stars has started. Kids and couples of all ages fill the wooden dance floor. Dad requests a song and I know exactly what it is. It’s the first one he and mom ever danced to. It’s now been coined the “pirate dance.” Odd, I know, but it happened on Halloween and that was his costume.
Somebody Like You by Keith Urban begins to play. Weston doesn’t ask me to dance with words. He leads me out on the dance floor, wrapping his strong and loving arms around me. I lay my cheek on his chest, inhaling his woodsy, sweet scent. I bring a hand to his strong jawline peppered with stubble and live each second of the dance.
It’s over all too shortly. We dance to the next few songs until his phone goes off in his pocket. I take a step back letting him take the call. My dad grabs me for the next dance, and I let him swing me around the floor with a grin plastered on my face and my heart soaring.
He grabs Rose next and I go to find Weston. I watch as he nods, listening to whoever is on the other line while tucking a hand deep down in his pocket before hanging up.
“Hey, everything all right?” I ask.
He nods, leans down, and presses a sweet kiss to my forehead. “Mom’s nurse has to leave early tonight, so I gotta go.”
“Okay.” I nod, understanding the need but completely disappointed.