Page 24 of Bodied

“No, you’re right.” Lauren could feel her face turning bright red. She wanted to scream at her mom for ruining everything, for meddling in her life. “I shouldn’t start.” She collected her purse and coat. “Because I’m done already, Mom. I’m done with you.” And she walked out without another word.

CHAPTER11

WESLEY

Wesley sat on the couch next to his roommate, who was watching football while Wesley played games on his phone. Occasionally, he glanced up to check the score, but the truth was, he only watched the football so that Jon would have someone to cheer with. As soon as Lauren’s singular text alarm went off, he closed his game and read her message.

Are you back on the clock yet?she asked.

He answered,In about an hour. Why?

I’m walking home. Can you come pick me up when you’re back on the clock?

Where are you? I’m coming to get you now.Wesley was off the couch and collecting his weapon, his coat, and his wallet before he even received a response.

It’s okay,Lauren wrote back.I can walk until you’re available. Please, don’t ruin your day off for my sake.

Wesley grumbled at her under his breath and typed.Where are you? You are not walking home alone, princess. Your location. Now.

By the time she sent him her location, he was already in his work car, starting the engine. He drove too fast and may have run a stop sign or two, but there was no chance he was going to just let her walk home alone. When he found her, she was crossing the road. He pulled his car over on the side of the street she was heading for, opened the door, and waited.

When she reached him he just said, “Get in,” and gave her the hardest look he could manage until she was safe in his car and the door closed behind her. “Seatbelt,” he added.

She clicked it into place and slouched in her seat. Wesley took a turn back toward her apartment. He wanted to chide her for being careless, for getting herself in a situation where she was taking a very long walk back to her place alone when she needed protection. But when he glanced over at her, he couldn’t think of a single harsh word to say. She appeared to be punishing herself already — far worse than he ever would. Her eyes were puffy and bloodshot, and her cheeks were flushed. She’d clearly been crying while walking alone.

“What happened?” Wesley asked in a soft and quiet voice.

“Nothing.” She leaned away from him and held herself tightly.

He didn’t believe her at all, but he didn’t want to pry too much. His job was to get her home safely, and that’s what he would do. He gave it just one last attempt. “You know you can talk to me if you need to, right? I won’t judge. Unless someone hurt you. Then I’m going to judge them so hard they won’t ever dare to touch you again.” He gave her a quick smile, but she didn’t even look over to see it. She really was a mess.

“It’s nothing,” she repeated, though she couldn’t have thought she was at all convincing. “It’s just my mom. We don’t have such a great relationship, so… bad morning with her is all.”

There was no chance that was all it was. Even though Wesley had only known Lauren for a few weeks, he felt like he could read her better than he read most of his friends and coworkers, especially now that he knew her acting techniques. She wasn’t acting now, but she was withholding something from him.

He took her up to her apartment and swept it for her. She’d been gone most of the day, and enough people might have noticed her absence, especially if she was walking down the street by herself for however long. After he’d determined her apartment was completely clear, he joined her in her living room. She was half balled up on her couch, looking completely broken.

“Is there someone you can call so you won’t be alone?” he asked.

She held a pillow over her face and screamed. Then she dropped it onto her lap. “Not really. My only friend lives out of state. I used to… have friends. But they turned out to be—” she sniffed and her voice broke — “bad for the brand.” Then she finally broke down and cried.

Wesley grabbed a box of tissues that were sitting on the breakfast bar and brought it to her. He sat down next to her and waited while she blew her nose. “Well, your apartment is safe. I’m comfortable taking my position outside and leaving you alone in here. But is that what you want?”

Lauren shook her head, and he was immediately relieved. As much as he wanted to respect her wishes, the last thing he wanted to do right now was leave her alone.

“Please don’t go,” she said.

“Do you want to talk?” Wesley asked.

Again, she shook her head. “Not right now.” She tucked her feet up on the couch and hugged herself. “Maybe later.”

“No worries.” He wanted so badly to do something for her, but he couldn’t think of what she might need. “Are you hungry?”

She hugged the pillow to her chest. “Not really.”

“Want to watch a movie?”

“Not right now.”

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