Page 62 of Wasted Memories
Easton came up beside us, his gaze landing on me like he was checking to make sure I wasn’t hurt. “The guy doesn’t know how to leave you all alone, does he?”
Jessica walked back up to us after throwing away her wet napkins. “He’s always been a creep.”
Easton’s eyes raked over her, likely checking for any injuries as well. At least I hoped that was what he was doing, being a cop and all.
Jessica seemed stuck under his gaze, her cheeks heating.
"I'm not on duty, but I'm ready to go arrest his ass. This isn't the first time he's cornered one of you," Easton said.
My gaze snapped to him. "Stella wouldn't want to bring attention to it, but I don't blame you. I'm getting tired of looking over my shoulder everywhere we go."
Wesley tensed beside me, and I knew the thought of Luke coming after me lit a fire in his blood.
“I’m going to take Stella home,” Brendt interrupted as he strode up to us.
“We can all go. I think I’m done for the night.” Wesley put his hand on the small of my back, his thumb rubbing small circles. “As long as you guys want to go, too.” I looked at Easton and Jessica.
She cleared her throat. “Yeah, we can head out.”
Brendt made his way back to Stella. They walked side by side, their arms brushing against each other. She had his flannel wrapped around her, both to cover herself up and keep out the cold that was probably penetrating the wet fabric of her shirt.
Wesley slid his hand from my back into my hand, our fingers intertwining. I felt safe when he held my hand, like I had someone to hold me together if things went south. The thought warmed my cheeks because when things did go south, he was there. He’d be there to hold me when I needed it. I was realizing I needed that in my life more than I thought I did.
We needed to figure out what would make Luke back off. He was unhinged and no longer only taking it out on me. Something else must have happened for him to be targeting us like this. Ending things with Jett couldn’t have caused this kind of reaction from him. At this point, it felt like Jett was taking things better than Luke was, unless there was some other reason for his behavior, aside from trying to get revenge for his friend.
Chapter Thirty Six
Emerson
Wesleywasinthebackyard starting a fire in the firepit while Easton and I prepped snacks and drinks inside. We had dropped Jessica off at home since she had to work the morning shift tomorrow. Brendt swung by Stella’s house with her so she could change, then they were heading over to Wesley’s place to hang out with us for a bit.
“Bit strong of a drink there,” Easton observed as he coughed through the burn of the alcohol in his throat.
“Sorry. I guess I’m just used to making them strong.”
“You don’t have to explain, Em. I know.”
I busied my hands breaking up bars of chocolate to make s’mores with everyone.
“Wesley told you.” It came out more as a statement than a question.
Easton grabbed a plate from the cabinet. “He mentioned a few things.” I nodded as I continued breaking off squares of chocolate. “Just so I was in the loop in case anything came up.”
I set down the last of the chocolate, grabbing the plate he was holding out for me. “I’m not mad he told you.” I began setting the chocolate and marshmallows out in rows while Easton opened a package of graham crackers.
“He cares about you.”
I sighed. “I know.”
“I know I wasn’t there after our dad passed and it kills me every time I look at him. He cares with his entire being, not just small snippets of himself. When he throws himself into something, he’s giving his all. I just don’t want whatever is going on here to consume him to the point he gets reckless to protect you.”
I stopped arranging the sweets on the plate and swiveled my head to look at him. “I wouldn’t let him ruin himself over anything going on here. I promise you that.”
Easton pressed his lips into a thin line, his body still facing the counter but his eyes locked on mine. “Let him love you, Em. But don’t let it destroy him.”
I wasn’t going to be the one to tell Easton it was too soon for Wesley to love me, so instead I nodded and turned my attention back to the plate in front of me.
Was it too soon, though? There were moments with Wesley where I felt like love was the only word I could use to explain my feelings. Was there ever a “too soon” for love? That was the thing about love; it chose to consume you whenever it pleased. You didn’t get to control your emotions that way.
