Page 18 of Make Me Unwind

“Bullshit.” He crosses his arms and squares off. “Spill it.”

My eyes dart around us, but no one else is close enough for them to hear us. Charlotte must have taken the kids inside through the front door. The couple on the sidewalk only have eyes for each other as they smile and lean into each other. Before long, the lunch crowd will file out to hit the lunch buffet, but for now, we’re alone.

“It’s not a big deal.” Heat creeps up my cheeks.

“Who was it? And what did he do?” His body flexes as he shifts positions and stalks toward me. He stops when he’s within grabbing distance and braces his hands on his hips.

“It was no one.” My response is so fast I barely realize my mistake. Shit. I glance at him out of the corner of my eye, and it’s evident he didn’t miss my mistake.

“It was that guy that stopped by here the other day, wasn’t it?” He spins on his heel. “I’m going to find him and give him a piece of my mind. I knew he was no good.”

“Weston.” I grab his arm and hold it tightly. “Don’t. It’s not a big deal. I’m used to it.”

“Used to what?” His teeth grit together as anger flashes in his eyes.

I shrug, trying to come off as unruffled. “Having people push me away because of my body.”

“There’s nothing wrong with your body.” Venom laces his words. “I have scars. Charlotte has scars. So what if your scars are larger? It’s not a reason to dismiss a person or to treat them like shit.” He yanks his arm out of my grip. “I told Charlotte we shouldn’t have gone out last night.”

“Don’t Weston.” Anxiety churns in my gut. “He’s not worth it.”

“You are damned right he isn’t.” He steps closer and grasps my shoulders. “If he’s a prick enough to care about your scars, he’s weak and pathetic. You’re more than your injury. You lived. You survived. You ride a bicycle. You dance. You do whatever is thrown in front of you. If he can’t appreciate your strength, then fuck him.”

My gaze darts toward the ocean’s edge as if my body knows he’s nearby. The sun beats down on him like a spotlight. Or maybe it’s my brain that puts him in the spotlight. It’s stupid. I shake my head. Why do I let him or people like him put me down?

Yes, I hate the awkward glances and the whispers but that’s their problem, not mine. Am I going to spend the rest of my life hiding, crying and waiting for someone else to reject me?

Fuck that. I’m done. Weston is right. I’ve dealt with the bullying and bullshit long enough. What’s the point of meeting people, opening up, and then hoping they don’t find out the truth. Enough.

I rotate my shoulders and straighten my spine. “Do you care if I take the kids to the pool this afternoon?”

“Of course not.” His gaze darts down to the water’s edge, proving I don’t have an ounce of slickness in my bones. He takes a step toward the patio stairs. “It would give me the perfect opportunity to shove my fist in that asshole’s face.”

“Part of this is my fault. If I didn’t hide how I looked, people wouldn’t be shocked later.” Never again. If I even put myself in another intimate situation like that, I’m not getting rejected. “I’m going to tell Charlotte and get the kids ready.”

He uncurls his hands that had turned into fists as he’d clearly contemplated smashing Asher’s face in with great detail. I smile softly. “Thank you for everything.” I grab his shoulders. “You’ve always been there for me, and I appreciate it.” I blink at the bright sun and pretend it’s the harshness of the rays, making them blurry.

“I love you, Pip.”

“I know.” I stand on my tiptoes and kiss his cheek. “You’re the best big brother a girl could ask for. Let me take care of this myself.” When he nods, I smile. “Thank you.”

I stand at the water’s edge one hour later with Roe and Gavin. The kids are wearing their matching red, white, and blue swimsuits as they splash in the shallow end of the kiddie pool. Water falls from the large mushroom that delights the kids running underneath it while shoots of water randomly come up from strategic areas on the pool’s floor. The scent of chlorine and sunscreen fills my nose.

“Get in, Aunt Pip.” Roe waves her chubby hand toward me as her eyes dance with happiness. “I can’t wait to splash you.”

“Of course, you can’t.” I fake a groan, but inside, I’m laughing. It’s impossible to wallow in self-pity around my niece and nephew. Their delight in life is infectious.

“Come.” Gavin beckons me with his little fingers closing and opening against his palm. Their dark curls shine in the sun. God, they’re almost too perfect to look at. Someday, if I’m lucky enough to have my own baby, I hope I’m as blessed as Weston and Charlotte. Someday.

I toss off the white coverup to expose the top of my two-piece bikini. The one Lexie bought for me, and tossed in my suitcase. When I found it upon unpacking, I’d nearly thrown it away. Now, I’m glad I have it. I shove down the leggings I wore to the pool and step out of them. Here goes.

“Come on, Aunt Pip,” Roe says as they laugh and jump, hopping from one leg to the other as I enter the water and approach them. For a second, the scars tighten against the change in temperature from the air to the water, but I inhale and slowly exhale, letting the tension ease.

Roe and Gavin chase after each other as other children squeal and join them. There are several other adults close by that snag kids who’re going too fast and in danger of tripping and gashing their foreheads and chins, but no one pays any attention to me as the water laps at my pale, puckered skin. I need more sun if I want to go around exposing my legs to the world.

Chapter Eleven

Asher

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