Page 24 of Memphis

“Wes.”

“Just go, Antonia.”

“No. I’m not going anywhere.” She walked over and sat down in the chair next to my bed, crossing her legs with a defiant huff. “Not until you’re up and walking again.”

“The hell you say.”

“I’m not kidding, Wes. I’m here to stay. So, deal with it.”

Antonia

~Twenty-four hours earlier

“Now it makes sense.”

“Excuse me?”

I looked up from my desk, and my breath caught with surprise when I found an ominous biker standing in my doorway. He was attractive, with beautiful blue eyes that seemed oddly familiar. His face was weathered, and his hair was gray, but his age didn’t make him any less intimidating. He was tall and muscular, covered in tattoos, and he gave off an aura of strength, making it clear he wasn’t a man to be trifled with.

If it wasn’t for the glimmer of kindness in his eyes, I might’ve called out for help. His lips curled into a smile as he replied, “You’re a beaut and smart to boot. I can see why he’s so taken with you.”

“I’m sorry. I’m not sure I understand.”

“I’m Preacher, Weston’s father.”

“Oh.” My throat tightened. “I see.”

“I hate to barge in here unannounced, but I need a minute of your time.”

“Okay.”

He stepped into my office and closed the door behind him, and I was too stunned to speak. I could only sit there and watch as this force of a man walked over and sat down in the chair between Mark’s desk and mine. I had no idea why he’d come to see me. It could’ve been for a legal matter, but I had a feeling it was more than that.

“What can I do for you?”

“It’s not what you can do for me.” Concern marked his face as he continued, “It’s what you can do for Wes.”

“Is something wrong?” Before he could answer, I added, “I’ve been keeping in touch with Kay, and when we last spoke, she said his doctors thought he was making good progress and would be going home any day now. Is that wrong? Is he not improving?”

“He was.”

“Was?” My voice filled with panic. “Did something happen?”

“Yes and no.” I could hear the frustration in his voice as he said, “This whole thing is taking a lot of time and energy, and Weston’s patience is running thin.”

“I can imagine.”

“No, I don’t think you can.” His eyes were filled with emotion as he continued, “He’s in a dark place, and I’m afraid if he doesn’t pull out of it soon, it will cost him his chance to walk again.”

Weston had always been so full of life and seemed so tough and strong, obstinately so, and to hear that he’d found himself in a dark place made my heart sink. I was still trying to process everything when Preacher announced, “You know, he told me about the night you met and everything that happened.”

“Oh.”

“He seemed to think there was something between you two. Even went so far as to say you were the one. He’s never said that about anyone.” He held up his hand, preventing me from interrupting his thought, and added, “I know all the bullshit about your dad and his mom. I don’t care about any of that. All I want to know is if you felt the same about him and if you still do.”

“It’s not that easy.”

“You don’t gotta make this thing hard. Just answer. Either you did, or you didn’t. Either you do, or you don’t.”

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