Page 14 of Wild Hearts

“I’m fine. Why?” Light and chipper. That’s what I’m going to be. He doesn’t need to know the sad state of my mind right now.

“You look like you’re about to cry. Are you here with someone? Did he do something?” The intensity in Wes’s features is bewildering. Why does he care so much? I’ve done nothing but lob insults or push him away because my attraction to him makes me nervous.

“No one did anything to me.” At that moment, Susie and the other women come into view. Panicking because I don’t want them to see me, I scramble closer to Wes, using his large body as a shield.

His hands eclipse my wrists. “Then what the hell is going on?”

Sighing, my chin drops to my chest to avoid his gaze. “I’m avoiding Kayla and her gang. I asked Susie to hang out, she said she couldn’t, now she’s here with them. End of story.” Once the women disappear, I try slipping away from him, but his grip remains firm. Gentle, but unyielding.

“You shouldn’t hide from those bitches. You need to show them they can’t fuck with you.”

A bubble of slightly unhinged laughter bursts free. I’ve never been one to incite confrontation or get revenge. Too messy for an anxious little mouse like me. “And how exactly do I do that?”

“Come on.” His hold shifts to encapsulate my hand then he tugs me in the direction of the group.

“I don’t think…”

“Don’t think—do.” With that nugget of wisdom, we walk until we reach the end of a food line, mere feet behind Kayla.

“This won’t help my cause.”

“Why not? You’re out here, doing fine without them.”

“Yeah, but I’m with you,” I blurt out. Crap! There I go again, lobbing freaking insults. What is wrong with me? “Sorry… It’s just that they really don’t like you.”

“The feeling is mutual. But I’m more concerned with your feelings. Do you want me to leave?” His dark eyes bore into mine.

“Aren’t your friends wondering where you are?”

“I do what I want,” he says simply. “Answer the question. Do you want me to leave?”

I don’t know how I feel about Wes ditching his friends so cavalierly, but the tingle in my belly confirms that I’m glad he’s with me. “You can stay.”

I can’t bring myself to meet his eyes. It’s embarrassing enough admitting that I don’t want to be alone, especially when I’m trying to avoid sounding needy or desperate.

But there’s no denying I’m hungry for more of Wes’s attention—no matter what type of woman that makes me.

CHAPTER SIX

WES

Satisfaction, warm and triumphant, settles in my gut. Grace wants me to stay despite the judgment of her so-called friends.

It’s not surprising they left her out—they’re selfish bitches. And while I don’t like that Grace is hurt, I can’t help but appreciate getting to spend time together, since our paths haven’t crossed in a week.

Refusing to waste more of the night talking about Kayla and her posse, I ask, “How’s your head?”

“Good, thanks. I had a small headache later that night, but nothing too terrible.”

That’s a relief.

I’d never admit this aloud, but my phone remained on the highest volume setting all week in case Grace needed help. The damn ringtone was a constant nuisance as it blasted through Dusty’s with each and every call that wasn’t from the woman I waited for.

Max would have a field day if he knew. He’d be pretty smug if he could see me now, too. Thankfully, he’s too busy helping Kendra run the Miss Patty’s Orchard booth, since Kendra is their marketing guru, and this carnival is their biggest event of the year.

That’s why I’m here—they needed extra hands hauling in crates of apples. Once we finished, I was about to leave when I spotted Grace.

“I’m glad to hear your stubborn refusal to see a doctor didn’t turn out badly.”

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