Page 61 of Victorious: Part I

Holding on for just a moment longer, a slow smile crosses my lips. “I’m so fucking lucky to have you as my sister,” I whisper, then pull back.

Her eyes flood with tears, her bottom lip trembling as I take a step back toward the truck.I love you, Wes,she mouths.

Nodding, I weakly smile, opening the driver’s side door.Love you too,I mouth back before Maverick moves to her, instantly pulling her into his arms. She turns, clinging to him, taking her eyes from me, and then she begins sobbing into his chest.

My heart splinters into a million pieces as Maverick holds her, his eyes glistening too. I peer inside the truck to see Clover already in the passenger side. Her feet are up on the seat as she cradles them to herself, clearly needing comfort.

We need to go.

Prolonging this isn’t good for any of us.

Clearing my throat, I dip my chin. “Keep the rubber side down,” I say, then turn for the truck. Sadie’s sobs increase with every second, the sound tearing at my soul. Drawing in a deep breath before I slide in, I turn back, taking one last look. “And get her some fucking bubble wrap, will you?” I tease, making them all break out into laughter.

Even Sadie manages to gather herself and spin to look at me one last time before I slide into the truck. I wink at her, and as she wipes her tear-soaked cheeks, she gives me a half-smile.

And it’s enough.

You have to let her go now, Wes.

Using every ounce of strength I have, I turn, slide into the truck, and close the door. My fingers grip the wheel so tight my knuckles instantly turn white as the silence in the cab is deafening, except for the hushed breathing coming from Clover and me.

After taking a moment to gather myself, I look over to see her still cradling herself in the seat. She’s gnawing so hard on her bottom lip that if she’s not careful, she’ll bite right through it at any minute.

She’s clearly stressed.

We all are.

We need to get on the damn road.

“You ready to do this?” I ask.

Clover sniffles, her eyes beginning to water, her lip gnawing becoming worse, but she subtly nods. “Mm-hmm,” she mumbles, but it’s far from convincing.

Swallowing hard, I tilt my head and turn the key in the ignition.

Now or never.

Putting the truck in reverse, I pull back, then straighten it up, and move for the clubhouse gates, the crowd following us as we go. I don’t miss Clover’s foot on the seat, tapping anxiously as I drive. As we reach the clubhouse gates, the rest of the club stands behind us while Sadie, Mav, Haven, and Alpha are right there at the gate, waving, cheering, and crying.

So much crying as I go to pull away.

With my heart racing like a fucking jackhammer, I drive out the gates, shoving my hand out the window, waving goodbye and notice Clover’s head is down on her knees like she’s completely zoning out.

My eyes shift to the rearview mirror, and I see the entire club race out onto the street, waving and watching us drive away. My stomach feels like it’s up in my throat as I turn to Clover, who is still in the same position. “They’re all out on the street waving if you wanna say goodbye.”

She sniffs a few times, and then suddenly, she begins crying.

Uncontrollable, gut-wrenching, sobbing.

Oh fuck!

I slam my foot on the brake and reach out for her, but she snaps her head up, snot bubbles and all, and shakes her head. “D-don’t s-stop. Just g-go!”

Furrowing my brows, I glance in the rearview mirror again, seeing Maverick and the others starting to rush toward us, and I clench and unclench my fingers on the steering wheel. Then nod and slowly take off again. My eyes slip back to see Maverick stop, then stand in the middle of the street, watching us leave.

As I make it out onto the freeway, the tension in the cab has me wondering if I should say something or just let Clover feel what she needs to feel.

Her body is wracking with her sobs as I drive farther and farther from the clubhouse. Her breathing is almost struggling with the intensity of her tears. But sitting beside her, hearing her falling apart like this, and not doing anything to try to ease her pain is making me feel like a fucking asshole.

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