Page 88 of Memphis

I held her close, and it wasn’t long before her exhaustion began to claim her once again. I stayed awake, watching over her, and in time, the knot in my stomach started to fade. I never knew I could care for a person like I cared for her. The feeling was all-consuming and completely terrifying, but I couldn’t imagine wanting anything more.

Antonia

“You got everything?”

“There are still a couple of bags in the bedroom, but that should be the last of it.”

“I’ll get it.”

Wes had already carried over half of my apartment out to the truck and never complained once. I worried that he was overdoing it, especially since he’d refused to use his cane, but he kept at it. Thankfully, none of it was all that heavy. Most of the furniture came with the apartment, so it was just a few bags of clothes, some toiletries, a few photographs, and special mementos.

I was making sure I hadn’t forgotten anything when Wes appeared with the last of my things. “We good?”

“Yeah, we’re good.”

“Alright then. Let’s get this show on the road.”

On our way out, I locked up and dropped my keys off at the front desk of the apartment complex. I’d lived there for over a year, and I’d had some great times there. But I felt no hesitation about leaving. I was moving in with Wes, and I truly believed it was the right thing—the last few days certainly proved that. I hadno idea how we would tell Kay that we were together, but it just didn’t seem as important as it once did.

Either she’d get it, or she wouldn’t.

We threw the last of my things in the back of the truck, and in no time, we were on our way to Little Rock. I wasn’t sure how it would all play out, especially with my job, but I knew it would all work out. I could feel it in my bones, and I continued to feel it as we pulled up to his house and started unloading my things.

Once we had everything in the house, Wes came over to me and grimaced. “I’ve gotta run to the clubhouse for a bit.”

“Right now?”

“Yeah, I know the timing sucks, and I’m really sorry about that. But it’s something I gotta do.”

“It sounds kind of serious. Is everything okay?”

“No, but it’s nothing for you to worry about.”

“And what about all this?” I motioned my hand over to the pile of bags. “Where do you want me to put it all?”

“Wherever you want to. It’s your house now, so do whatever you want.”

“Okay, if you say so.”

“I do.” Emotion filled his eyes as he asked, “You gonna be okay for a bit?”

“I’ll be fine.” I knew Wes well enough to know that he wouldn’t be leaving unless he had to, especially after everything that happened, so I stepped over to him and smiled. “Go do what you gotta do, and I’ll be here waiting when you get back.”

He gave me a nod, then turned and walked out the door.

As much as I hated to see him go, it was kind of nice to have the place to myself while I unpacked and figured out the best place for my things—without completely taking over the house. I placed my books on the shelves, mingling them in with his, and hung up my clothes on my side of the closet. Then, I went around the house and found the perfect spots for my favorite trinketsand photographs, and it wasn’t long before I’d turned his place into our place.

By the time I had everything done, it was late, and I was in dire need of a hot bath. I soaked for a bit, and once the tips of my fingers had shriveled into prunes, I got out and made myself a bite to eat. Wes still wasn’t home, so I nestled up in the living room and watched a movie, hoping he would get back soon.

He didn’t.

One hour rolled into the next, and he never showed. Eventually, I gave it up and went to bed. It had been a long day, so it didn’t take long for me to drift off to sleep. Several hours later, I felt Wes crawl into bed next to me. He reached over and pulled me close. I curled up next to him as I whispered, “You’re home late.”

“Yeah, but it couldn’t be helped.”

“Everything okay?”

“No, but it will be.” He kissed me on the temple, then settled back on his pillow. “It’s late. Go back to sleep.”

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