Page 96 of Fight For Us
Wes was about to be reminded of why he nicknamed me Tiger. Being here at the restaurant instead of home where the kids could eavesdrop was for the best. I could speak my mind and let out my frustrations.
I walked toward the front door and peeked in the window, surprised to see the dining area lit up. Then my gaze slowly fell on Wes sitting in a far booth with his back toward me. He wasn’t alone. A gorgeous woman with chestnut brown hair hanging inwaves at her shoulders sat across from him. Her hand covered his as they talked over mugs of what I guessed had to be coffee.
I quickly moved away from the window and into the shadows so I could collect my thoughts. Peeking around the corner again, I saw her shoot Wes a beaming grin. My heart sunk right to my toes. Whoever she was, I wasn’t important enough in Wes’s life for him to clue me in. To see him laughing and smiling with another woman when he’d been absolutely miserable with me was the cherry on top of my shit sundae.
“Screw this,” I huffed. This was why I didn’t let people in. I’d only set myself up to be hurt. Holding back tears, I got in my car and drove home.
I was done.
The lights were off and the kids and Val were watching a Marvel movie in the living room when I came through the door. Seeing them like that, happy and content, had an ache settle in my chest. I didn’t know what to do. All I knew was I didn’t want to see Wes. Not at all.
Val peeked her head up and smiled at me from the couch. I mustered a half smile in return before turning my back to put my bag away. I couldn’t look at her, she was too sweet all the time and I knew myself. I’d break down in front of her at a single nice gesture.
She placed a palm on my back and I felt myself shudder. “How was your class?”
“Fine,” I said. I made myself busy at the counter, anything to avoid looking at her.
“I thought Wesley would be home before you, but I guess he needed more time.”
At that, I turned to face her. “More time for what?”
She studied my expression and her face fell. “He didn’t tell you?” She shook her head and sighed. “I’m sorry, I know my son is hardheaded but I thought he’d opened up with you.”
I couldn’t take much more of this, not while my pulse already raced and I was two seconds away from crying. “Val, what’s going on? Why did Wes leave?”And who was that woman?
She gave my arm a gentle squeeze. “This is a conversation for him to have with you. But today is the anniversary of his accident. It’s a h-hard day for us all. You should talk to him when he gets back.”Emotion clouded her eyes and she sniffed. “I need to get going, early morning at the church tomorrow.” She gave me a quick hug and left without another word.
I stood there staring at the spot she’d just left. Everything made sense now. Wes retreating into himself, his moods. But who was that woman and why couldn’t he tell me what was going on? As much as this wasn’t about me, we’re a team and being left out of important details in his life felt like crap.
With the kids still occupied by the movie, I went into the bedroom and paced, holding my phone. I was right in assuming he’d left his phone home. It was sitting on his end table turned off. But I could call the restaurant… Maybe he’d answer there? What would I say?Oh hey, your mom told me it’s the anniversary of the worst day of your life, want to talk about it? Oh yeah, who’s the womanyou’re with?
No. This was a face to face conversation. I’d opened up to him about my past, much more than I’d ever opened up to another person and it hurt that he didn’t trust me enough to clue me in.
I took my time in the shower, letting the hot water beat against my tired muscles. He still wasn’t home when I got out. At least I knew he was at Sunshine, or hoped that’s where he still was.
I had the kids get ready for bed, telling them Wes was working late when they asked why he wasn’t home yet. My stomach clenched from lying, but it was the best excuse I could come up with.
Laying in bed, I watched the time tick by on my phone, while trying to keep my mind busy scrolling social media. It was after eleven and he still hadn’t come home. I’d bitten my lip so much that it bled while every negative possibility ran through my head. Abandoning my phone, I went out to the living room and turned on a cheesy reality show, curling up in a throw blanket. If he wasn’t back by the time the episode ended, I’d call Mia to come stay with the kids. Hopefully, it wouldn’t come down to that, but I couldn’t just sit around while he was hurting, even with how upset I was.
As the credits rolled, I heard his keys turn the lock. I gave myself an internal talk to stay calm and let him explain. He walked inside and turned toward the sound of the television.
“You’re still up?” He came to sit on the opposite couch as I nodded. I took in his slumped posture in the dim light. His eyes looked bloodshot and his hair was messy.
“Yeah, couldn’t sleep.” I waited a moment to see if he’d speak first, if he’d offer up any kind of information, but he didn’t. He stared at the screen as the next episode started playing. “Wes,” I said softly. “Talk to me. Where were you?”
I sat up straight, fighting the urge to go to him and offer comfort. “Sunshine. I had a lot on my mind. Sorry I didn’t tell you I was leaving.”
“What’s on your mind? You can talk to me. I want to help.”
He rested his head back against the pillows and scrubbed his palm over his face. “I’m not in a good headspace right now. I’m sorry. You deserve so much better than what I can give you.”
He could say whatever he wanted but that didn’t mean I’d stop caring. “Your mom told me what today is. I can’t even imagine how you’re feeling.”
He met my gaze. “What did she tell you?” His tone lowered, taking me by surprise. I bit my lip again, silently cursing as I tasted blood.
“Not much, just that it’s the anniversary of your accident. That it’s a hard day. She said it was up to you to have the conversation with me.”
“She should have kept her mouth shut,” he said.
