Page 50 of Salvation

Both Elain and I pause, sharing confused glances. “I…I was thinking that I need to go away for a little while.” She looks at me. “Your mother stopped by to see me before I came here. Gave me some information on the center she went to. She helped get it all arranged.”

A knot forms in my throat. Of course, she did. A part of me wants to fall to my knees and never get up at the fact that women even have to go through this sort of pain; another part of me wants to squeeze my mom until she pops for being so brave and lending a hand to another who needs it.

“And…and if it was okay with you, I want Elain to stay with you. Just…just until I get myself together.”

She looks between us two, nervously rubbing her hands against her jean-clad thighs. I look at Elain, and tears are pooling in her eyes, but she doesn’t seem mad. She looks like she understands. Like, she’s happy. Like, she may have even expected this. “She’s always welcome in my home.” I say. “I’ll give you guys a minute.”

They both nod, and I busy myself with cleaning up the kitchen. I don’t attempt to listen in. They need their moment, and quite frankly, it’s none of my business. But before her mother leaves,she comes to me in the kitchen, leaving Elain leaning by the door. “Thank you.” She says to me, “Thank you for doing what I should have.”

I smile at her but don’t say anything. She hugs me too. So, I mutter in her ear, “She won’t forget this. I know. I know it’s hard. It will never be easy. But it’s the right choice. And I’m proud of you for making it.”

She pulls back, sniffling, and gives me a broken smile. She stops and crouches before Elain on her way out. “Remember. You can come and visit or call me whenever. I love you, and I am so proud of you, baby. Never forget that.” She gives us both a watery smile and Elain and I watch as she hops into her car and drives away.

“So, did you take MMA classes? You never answered.” Elain’s wobbly voice cuts through the sorrow-filled air. I tip my head back and laugh. Slinging an arm over her shoulder, I pull her close and steer her toward the kitchen.

“Come on, kid, let’s figure out what to make for dinner.”

Chapter 50

Wesley

I’ve heard of mothers being able to lift cars when their children are in danger. A spike of adrenaline so strong, they can defy the laws of physics. The same theory must have applied to Blake with Elain. I’ve known her my entire life, and I’ve never seen someone so small pummel a grown ass man like that. If I hadn’t been so pissed at her for putting herself in harm’s way, I think I would have kissed her until we were both breathless. I stand before her door now, having spent the past half hour pacing the inside of my house, thinking about things to say. I was going to wait until tomorrow, since it’s late and she’s had enough bullshit for one day, but I wouldn’t have been able to sleep.

Thankfully, Blake’s the type who loves going out and partying. But when it really comes down to it, she’d much rather curl up on the couch with a book or binge reruns of Gilmore Girls. After a day like today, she is definitely lounging on the couch and stuffing her face with popcorn.

I knock once on the door, as quietly as I can, so as to not wake anyone who may be sleeping. The door swings open before I even pull my hand away.

“What do you want?” Blake doesn’t even glare at me as she looks up. She sounds tired and drained. Her hair is thrown up in a messy bun, and she’s wearing a nightgown that I’m positive should belong to her grandmother. Yet, somehow, she still looks just as alluring.

“Please,” I say, bringing my hand back down to my side. “I just want to talk.”

She doesn’t say anything, just opens the door wider. But she’s the one who steps out. “Elain’s asleep inside.” She says as she closes the door softly. I watch as she brushes past me and walks along the porch. She leans against the railing, refusing to face me. I stop a few feet behind her.

“I am sorry that you felt like you couldn’t come to me, Blake. I’m sorry that I was ever angry at you for leaving.” I swallow. “I will live with that regret for the rest of my life.”

“Don’t.” She whispers. “You have nothing to apologize for. We were just friends.” She shrugs as she picks at the railing’s wood chips. “I am just the girl you grew up with.”

I take another step closer. “You aren’t just the girl I grew up with. You never have been.”

She turns toward me at my tone. “Wesley, I left…” She animatedly throws her hands in the air. “It’s...It’s been years. So, don’t say that. Not if you don’t mean it.”

“I was a damn fool for letting you go six years ago, Blake.”

Another step.

“I won’t make the same mistake twice.”

“Wesley.” She whimpers as she closes her eyes. “I’m a mess. I don’t know what the hell I’m doing half the time. You deserve someone who can give you everything that I’m not sure I can-”

“I came to New York for you.” I cut her off, running a hand through my hair. “Three years ago. I came looking for you. I had to see you. Just once. And when I saw how content you were, how happy, I couldn’t ask you to leave that behind. So, I turned back around and made myself forget everything when it came to you. I tried drowning myself in whiskey. I tried to date. I tried to throw myself into work. But none of it mattered becauseyou weren’t here.I’d have to be dead to forget about you, Blake, and even in death, you’d still haunt my thoughts; you’d still be the one I’d crawl through hell to get back to.”

“Don’t you understand?” I ask. “I don’t want to start over. Not with you. I don’t want to see other people. I don’t want to seeyouwith other people.”

A few tears have slipped down her round cheeks, so I close the last two steps to her and press my brow to hers. “I want everything. The good, the bad. I want it all, Blake. I wantyou.”

All control snaps between us as that last word echoes in the air. She lunges, crashing her lips against mine.

Chapter 51

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