Page 22 of Fight For Us
“Sure, he’s in his room. My friend Kendahl is in there with him.” We watched her march straight back to Alex’s room like she owned the place.
I took a second to look Wes over. For an unknown reason, my stomach fluttered. Maybe it was seeing him in a fitted black T-shirt that hugged his corded arms and thick chest. It was rare that I saw him in anything but his chef’s coat. His tattoos were on full display. Swirls of gray and black that looked like waves crashing interweaved with a name I couldn’t make out. I spotted skulls and flowers, too.
“How’s it going?” he asked. I realized we were still standing there awkwardly while I ogled him. I brought my gaze back to his smirking face.
“It’s fine,” I lied for the second time that day. “I was actually about to go for a walk.”
Wes cleared his throat and lifted the tray he was holding. I’d only just noticed it in his hands. “I won’t keep you. I came to drop this off. It’s my homemade mac and cheese.”
“Thanks, that’s so nice of you. Let’s put it in the fridge.” I left the door open for Wes to come inside.
“How’s Alex doing?” He peeked around my small place, taking in the few personal touches I’d added recently. A framed photo of Alex and me on an end table, a vase filled with shells we’ve been collecting. Nothing much, but it was better than the mostly empty rooms. His large frame filled the space almost comically.
“He’s hanging in there. He can head back to school next week with crutches.” I stacked the foil tray of food on top of the other three trays. “Although every time we talk about school he shuts down. I’m still not one hundred percent sure how he broke his leg, and he won’t tell me much.”
Shutting the fridge, I turned to face him, noticing his expression was pinched. Kendahl walked into the room, sizing Wes up. “I thought I heard a deep voice out here. Wesley, right?”
“That’s me.” He shook Kendahl’s hand.
She bounced her gaze between us as she stepped toward the door. “I—uh—left something in the car. Be right back.”
“I should go, too. Don’t want to bother you guys,” Wes said.
“You’re not. I haven’t gotten to say how much I appreciate the time off. I bet Kelly wants to pull her hair out by now.”
“She’s getting by.” He chuckled.
“And you? Any disasters since I’ve been gone?” I fiddled with my water bottle to keep my hands busy.
“Ah you know, just the occasional lost ticket or knocked over plate. Nothing I can’t handle.” He flashed me a grin that had the butterflies in my stomach zipping around wildly. Where was this coming from? They needed a serious chill pill.
His cell phone started ringing from his pocket and he cursed under his breath. I knew how much he hated the things. He pulled it out and scowled. “Sorry. I’ve gotta take this.”
I waved him off and made myself busy at the sink while he stepped outside. So much for my walk on the beach. I would have invited him to join me but I was still unsure about his limitations. I’d seen him walk on the beach for short spurts when he’d pick up Lilly from me those first few weeks but that was different from walking along the softer sand on the shore. Knowing Wes, he’d be happy to answer my questions once I figured out how to ask them without being awkward.
Kendahl came back inside with Mia in tow. Mia held a paper bag stuffed to the brim. I spotted a bag of her favorite cheddar sour cream chips peeking out the top.
“Sissy, I brought sandwiches.” She set the bag on the table and came to envelop me in a hug. I squeezed her back feeling my chest lighten. “Is Wes okay? He was staring out at the beach with a look that could kill. I said hi and he didn’t respond.”
She started to unpack the food and Kendahl added, “Yeah the vibe was different than five minutes ago when the two of you were making googly eyes at each other.”
I huffed. “We were not making googly eyes. We were just catching up.”
Mia passed me a wrapped sandwich and I took it, suddenly starving. “That snack of a man definitely likes you, sister. I can tell.”
“Oh my God, can we please not do this? He’s my boss and our kids are friends. That’s all.” I unwrapped my sandwich at the kitchen counter and practically drooled from the smell of the fresh ciabatta roll.
“Right,” Kendahl said, drawing out the word. “I’ll go give Alex his food while you sit here in denial.”
Thank the universe Wes chose that moment to come back inside. They were right, he looked upset.
“You hungry?” Mia asked. “I have an extra Italian combo here with your name on it.”
“Nah, I’ve gotta get going. Thank you though.” Maybe it was just me but he sounded as tired as I felt. His shoulders sagged as he took a few steps toward the bedrooms to call for Lilly. She dragged her feet on the weathered floors before Wes narrowed his brows in her direction.
“I’ll see you in a few days,” he said to me. “If you need anything give me a call. Lilly, say bye.”
“Can Alex go to the beach again soon?” she asked.
