Page 66 of Wasted Memories
“Later, guys.” I hung up the call and put the phone back on the coffee table.
“My mom could have been looking for him this whole time. Hell, if she had just told me and Ross that he was missing, we both would have been looking for him. What if we had found him before he died, Wes? She kept it from us, and that very well could be the reason he’s dead,” her voice broke on the last word, her eyes taking on a slight sheen.
I stood up and pulled her to me, wrapping my arms around her. She laid her forehead against my chest, her delicate fingers fisting in the front of my shirt. “I know you feel guilty. I hear you. But please don’t blame yourself. None of this was your fault.”
I brushed my fingers through her hair, my cheek pressed against the top of her head. “I’m not doing enough for him.”
“You are, Emerson. He chose not to be in your life and yet you still loved him. You’re probably the only one questioning the answers you were given and I’m sure he’s looking down on you right now, wishing his determined little girl would let him rest. Fighting for answers that may not exist won’t bring him back into your life, Em. He’s just a different version of gone now.”
She let out a silent sob and pressed her head deeper into my chest. When my dad passed away, I was able to say goodbye to a man that I knew. A man that raised me and I had hundreds of memories with. I couldn't imagine what it was like for Emerson to say goodbye to a man she never really got to say hello to.
Chapter Thirty Eight
Emerson
Istoodatthebar with my elbow propped against it, watching the rain drops slide down the glass windows of the restaurant. Winter was officially here and making a grand entrance. We’d already had hail twice today, and the empty tables proved that no one wanted to go outside, not even for a quick bite to eat. Tourist season was officially over. People loved our small Washington town until it got too rainy, and while it was cold a majority of the year, once the rain started coming down for more than half the month, people stopped coming through. Instead, they stuck to the bigger cities where it was easier to get taxis or run from store to store.
“Something got you down?” Logan asked from behind the bar.
I kept my eyes on the window as I spoke. “Nope, just missed the pouring rain.”
Logan chuckled, wiping the bar down with a towel. “I think you’re the only one.”
I turned to him, retying the knot at the back of my apron. “I’m pretty sure no one would live in Washington if they all hated the rain.”
Behind me, Elijah shouted, “Emerson. Table three.”
I rolled my eyes as Logan glared over at Elijah. “As if the man can’t hold a pen and paper.”
Logan laughed. “Girl, you know he can’t lift a finger, let alone a whole notepad.”
I smiled and made my way over to table three.
“What can I get started for you today?” The man was sitting alone, wearing a white shirt under a black leather coat with dark jeans. His hair was closely shaven, to the point he was almost bald.
“I won’t be eating today.”
It wasn’t unusual for people to come in here for a hot coffee or cocktail, especially on a rainy day. “Anything to drink, then?”
He ignored my question, his eyes slicing into me. “I heard from a little birdie that you’ve been running your mouth, saying my son doesn’t treat you right.”
I froze, the words stunning me. Did he mean Jett? “I’m sorry?”
“You heard me.”
I inhaled deeply, trying to keep my breath steady. “You must have the wrong girl.”
The man chuckled, the sound deep, vibrating my bones. “Oh, that I most definitely don’t. I’d know the skanky smokeshow my son was sleeping with anywhere.” His eyes raked over my body, distaste coating his features.
I opened my mouth, then closed it again. No words came out. This wasn’t just some passerby in here for a hot drink on a cold day.
It was Jett’s dad. Felix. And the way he was looking at me made bile threaten to rise in my throat.
“That’s alright, I’ll do the talking. That mouth is meant for better things, anyway.” He folded his fingers together on the table, his posture casual. “I’d strongly suggest you go back to Jett.”
I fisted my hands at my sides, trying to calm the tremor that started. “Over my dead body.”
He clicked his tongue three times. “Don’t ask for such things if you don’t want them, little lady.” He paused, looking me up and down again. I hated the way his gaze skated over my body. It made my skin crawl. “Let me make this clear. You go back to Jett and keep your mouth shut about what he does for a living.”
