Page 31 of Wasted Memories
I sat down next to her on the cold slab of concrete and grabbed one of her hands so she would stop the nervous tick.
“I believe you.” That must have surprised her because she turned her attention to me. “But that doesn’t mean you have to stick around now that he’s shown this side of himself.”
“You don’t have to worry about that,” she said quietly.
It dawned on me what she meant. I squeezed her hand. “You’re brave for leaving, Em.” Her gaze shifted to focus down at her knees.
After a few minutes of silence, she pulled her hand out of mine and wrapped her arms around herself. “I’m staying at Stella’s until I can figure things out.” I remembered dropping Stella off at her home, how far it was from Emerson’s house.
“Isn’t her house further from the restaurant than yours?” She didn’t have a car. People didn’t just willingly choose to walk home in the cold rain after every shift if they had other options.
“Not really much I can do about that. I’ll save up and get a car eventually. I just need to change where my checks are going first.”
I stood, offering my hand to help her up. “Let me drive you to Stella’s.” Once she was standing, she let go of me and shoved her hands in her coat pockets.
“I’m only saying yes because I really don’t have the energy to fight you on it right now.”
Jett’s murder could wait one more day. Emerson was my only priority at the moment. A big part of me wished that she was my priority every day, but I would take what I could get.
***
As soon as she closed her door and buckled in, her scent filled the cab.
She was quiet as we drove to Stella’s. I wondered if she realized she was playing with her fingers again as she stared out the window. She was sitting in the passenger seat, but it felt like she was a million miles away, stuck in her thoughts.
We were at the stop sign, about to turn onto Stella’s street, when Emerson ducked down. “Shit. Go straight. Don’t turn.”
I wasn’t sure why she said that until I saw Jett’s truck sitting a few houses down. Cursing under my breath, I turned my blinker off and went straight like she asked.
“He must’ve figured I would be staying at Stella’s. How the fuck am I supposed to get in there?”
She asked the question more to herself, but I figured I’d answer anyway. “You’re not.”
She was still in the fetal position when she let out an emotionless laugh. “I don’t have money for a hotel.”
“Rent’s covered.”
“Where the hell am I going to go that’s…” Her voice trailed off as the realization hit her. “No.”
I was already heading in the direction of my house. “Do you have any better ideas?”
“Give me time to think of an idea. Drive around or something.” She was quiet for a few seconds before she sat up and turned to face me. “Do you know how pissed he’d be if he found out I was staying with a guy?” I didn’t usually jump to conclusions but it sounded like she was considering it. Well, considering it or not, I wasn’t giving her an option.
“I get the feeling he’s already pretty pissed in general, and I can’t take another night of no sleep worrying about you.” I saw her expression change and quickly wished I hadn't said that.
“Wesley..” She started, her ocean eyes staring up at me. I felt my blood run south. Now wasnotthe time to get hard.
“Don’t flatter yourself, darlin’. I’m only saying it’s a good idea so you can get space from him. I’m the last person he’d think you’d come running to.”
I could tell she was pondering over the idea. After several minutes, she sighed, assumingly accepting defeat. “One night.” She emphasized each word.
“One night,” I agreed.
Chapter Sixteen
Emerson
Imadealotof dumb decisions in my life, but this topped them all by a long shot. I was about to walk into Wesley’s house not even twenty four hours after ending things with Jett. To be fair, I wasn’t here to sleep with the man. I just needed a roof over my head for one night, but believe me, if I had a car to sleep in, I would’ve chosen that option.
