Page 17 of The One I Want
“Like I said, I should be going.”
I start walking down the stairs of the porch and turn toward my house.
“Betsy.”
I turn to look over at Wes, and I don’t know if it’s how the porch light is shining on him, or because I can still feel the lingering of his touch, but at this moment, he might be the most handsome man I have ever seen in real life.
“Yeah?”
“Thanks again.”
I can’t help but smile, because I can feel how much those two little words really mean right now.
“Anytime. See you around?”
He nods as he slowly slides his hands into the pockets of his joggers. Gray joggers. Gray, very fitting, very not hiding anything, joggers. Those things should be illegal.
“Yeah. See you around.”
I turn and quickly make my way back to my house and slam the door shut. It takes me a second to catch my breath, even though I wasn’t running. I feel like it, though. Between his touch, his words, and those criminal sweatpants, I feel like I’m breathless.
Which is a very, very, bad thing.
I can’t be having these thoughts about Wes. Well, I can, but I shouldn't. Or can I? I’m single. He’s about to be single. I overheard Peggy the other day saying that the lawyers have started doing their thing. So between that and the light stalking sessions I’ve done, it’s safe to say they are just waiting for a judge to sign off.
Shit. No. I can’t let myself think like this. I’m just going to pour myself another glass of wine, get into the bathtub, and push away all thoughts of Wes Taylor.
And those damn gray sweatpants.
Chapter7
Wes
“First round’s on Taylor!”
I shoot a look over to Shane as we walk into The Joint. “The fuck, man? I bought a house today. Don’t you think someone else can pick up the tab?”
“Oh come on, you can afford it Mr. Ten Million a Year,” Oliver says. “I bet we could even splurge and get some jalapeño poppers.”
He and Shane laugh as we head to our normal table. At least, I think it’s our normal table. It’s where I’ve always sat when I’ve been here with the guys. Yes, Nashville is only an hour away, but I didn’t make it down here as much as I should have. When I did make it to Rolling Hills, it was for a visit with my parents. If I could see the guys, I would. But Cara always made sure the visits were few and far between, and when we were there, she didn’t want me leaving her alone with my parents.
But those days are behind me. And today made that a little more official.
“Here you guys go,” Porter, my cousin and the owner of The Joint says as he brings us over our three beers. What I wasn’t expecting was a tray with four shots. “Congratulations, Wes. Welcome back.”
The four of us grab a shot glass and give them a clink before we throw them back. I pull my wallet out of my pocket but notice Porter waving me off.
“You sure, man?” I ask.
He nods. “My favorite cousin is moving back to town. Now I can quit pretending it’s Luke.”
That makes everyone laugh. “I appreciate it.”
Porter gives me a slap on the back as he picks back up the tray. “I mean it, it’s good to see you back here. Back where you’re supposed to be.”
I don’t say anything for a second as Porter’s words sink in.
I’ve loved every minute of my twelve years in Nashville. I played my entire career there. It’s where I got married and started a family.
