Page 62 of All the Promises We Break

“Then those boys weren’t doing it right.”

“I think I’ve heard you say that before,” I laugh.

“Smart phrases deserve to be repeated. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but you should probably get back to your room before everyone starts to wake up.”

“Wes, we need to have a serious discussion about how to talk to everyone about us.”

“I need you to tell me there is an us first, Merlin.”

I smile. Merlin. “I feel the same way. I guess I thought since we crossed that line in the sand, we decided together.”

“My vote is yes. Hayley, I can’t stop thinking about you. When you’re not with me, I wish you were. I’ve never had that before. You broke through a pretty high wall.”

“Don’t freak out, but I liked the days in a row I stayed with you. We were individuals together. Who knew I’d like couples’ shit?” I smirk.

Wes fills the room with his sleepy, husky laugh. “Same. Is that an acceptable answer?”

“Always.”

I roll over in his arms. “Since I don’t plan on doing the walk of shame in my dress, may I borrow your tuxedo shirt and have my panties back?”

“Hold your head up high. There’s no shame in your game.”

Dylan

A soft knock at the door wakes me early. Eli is still knocked out beside me. I slither out from under his arm to look out the peephole. I don’t see anyone. Wrapping tight in the robe lying over the chair arm, I peek out. There’s a tray of coffee, juice, pastries, and the most beautiful vase full of flowers from the reception last night.

The note reads, ‘Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Sawyer. Happy first day of the rest of your lives. With love, Gran and Pops.’ It’s so real. Mrs. Sawyer. The smell of the flowers is just as inviting as the caffeine and sugar rush laid out before me. I shove my face so far into the bouquet that I almost miss something I wish I could say I didn’t see.

Wes’s door opens and Hayley walks out with her dress over her arm, shoes dangling from her fingers, and in his tuxedo shirt. He escorts her a couple of feet across the hall to her door. He tilts her chin up and presses his lips to hers. Hayley raises to her toes and wraps her shoe-filled hand around his neck. Her other hand wraps around his arm, not only to help with the weight of the dress, but also to pull his body to pin her to the door.

My first instinct is to pull the trolley back into the room and pretend my eyes didn’t just witness what I saw. However, I also know that if this walks like a duck, and talks like a duck, Eli will go nuclear. I pocket the keycard off the credenza and quietly close the door. The hallway is now empty.

Whose door do I knock on first? Hayley? Wes?

I make my choice and lightly knock. I wind my hands around the ties of my robe until the door opens. Wes opens up with a smile on his face at first, it slowly fades to something between panic and fear. “Viper? Hey. You’re up early.”

“Clearly not as early as you. I don’t want to do this in the hallway. I’d let me in if I were you.”

“If you’re this angry first thing in the morning, I pray for Eli’s balls.”

“You might need to pray for your own.” I push him aside and walk in. After a lap in the empty space, I drop the ties of the robe. “Do I need to ask what she was doing in here, and think hard before you answer, because I swear if I even think you’re lying to me, you’ll see a side of me you won’t like very much.”

Wes quickly closes the door. “Jesus, calm down. Hayley did stay with me last night. It wasn’t my first time sleeping beside her, and if I have anything to say about it, it won’t be the last.”

“How long?”

“Think about it. You’re smart.”

I start rewinding conversations in my head. Hayley. Rick. Wes. Rick. Maverick. “Weeks. Rick is you. She’s been talking about you for weeks.”

“What you think happened did happen. Yesterday was the first time and I’m not sorry. This started the same day you told your parents about your engagement. You, of all people, should understand where we’re at and where we’re coming from.”

“You keep using we like you’re a couple.” He stands in front of me silent, with his arms crossed. I can see the tension in his jaw release. I should be surprised but I’m not. The anger I came in here with quickly fades. “Really? You’re sure?”

“I’m as sure as anyone ever is. It’s been a long time. I’m sure I’ll fuck this up somehow, but I know I want to try and so does she. We deserve a chance like you got. I’m not ready to propose. I’m not even ready to say I love you. I’m promising her me, my time, my attention, and my monogamy. It’s enough for her. It has to be enough for you.”

I mirror his posture and cross my arms. “Are you finished?”

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