Page 98 of One Little Mistake
“Lexi?” he attempts to yell, not realizing we’re sitting right here, but it comes out with a painful rasp instead.
I jump to my feet, somehow knowing something’s wrong.
“Is East okay?” I ask before he can attempt to speak again.
Ashton’s eyes soften for a split second as he takes in my appearance. I’m sure I look like shit after the emotional dumpage that just happened.
“Yes. Easton is fine. I need your help. I-I can’t go into town with strangers,” he croaks.
It hasn’t gone unnoticed that he hides himself away now. The insecurities about his appearance are suffocating him, and none of us have been able to help him.
When I place a hand on his forearm, he flinches, and my heart hurts for him. Instead of backing away, though, I lunge at him and wrap him in a hug. He may need it even more than I do.
Ashton freezes in place, then eventually pats my back awkwardly. It’s nothing like the Westbrook squeeze these men are known for. “I need your help, Lexi,” he repeats.
I pull away. “Anything, Ash. What do you need?”
* * *
For the first time in my life, I feel like a traitor. I try to call East for the twentieth time and get his voice mail. Again. The one freaking time he’s not around, and I need him. I need Easton in my life, and I have to tell him what I’m about to do.
If I didn’t love Ashton like a brother, I would have told him to go fuck himself. But that’s not the Westbrook way.Holy shit, I’m a Westbrook now. My thumb absently rubs the ring finger of my left hand, and I suddenly wish I had agreed to wear his ring sooner.
With an irritated sigh, I try Easton one more time.
“You’ve reached Easton Westbrook. Please leave a message. In the event of an emergency, please contact my assistant, Lexi Heart, at 802.555.2524.”
Beep.
“Beast? It-It’s me. I need you. I-I have to talk to you, it’s important. Please call me back as soon as you get this. I …” The words I love you are on the tip of my tongue, but I can’t bring myself to do it over voice mail. “I’ll talk to you soon.”
Ending the call, I peer out over the steering wheel of GG’s truck. I haven’t been here since high school, yet the old, yellow Victorian looks the same.
I’ll give Easton five more minutes to call, then I’ll be forced to go in and pray that he’ll understand.
Well, five more minutes couldn’t hurt, right? I sit watching the clock, and when he doesn’t call back after ten minutes, I take a deep breath and exit the truck.
I walk up the stone path to the town memorial library and push the door open. As soon as I enter, I’m assaulted by the scent of old books and lemon Pledge. An antique desk that I know Easton would admire sits in the crook of the stairs, in the foyer of the old home.
Turning left, I make my way through the sitting room. I admire the books lined up on every wall. As a kid, I never appreciated the work that went into turning this old home into a library, but entering now, I have a newfound respect.
Sitting at one of the workspaces I used as a teenager is Dillon Henry. Crossing the room, I take the three steps up to the old parlor and see him up close. His hands are clasped in front of him, and his head is bowed. He hasn’t seen me yet. If I didn’t already know he was despicable, I’d think he was a man in pain.
With my hands on my hips, I rock back and forth from leg to leg. I’m antsy, and I don’t want to be here. Dillon must catch sight of my movements because he raises his head, and our eyes lock.
Jesus. Staring at him, he appears lost. My judgment of character is seriously flawed. This is just more proof that I can’t trust myself in these decisions.
“Ms. Heart? Thank you for meeting me. I-I know this is probably the last place you want to be, so I appreciate it. Ashton was supposed to meet me, but … well, I’m sure he told you.”
“Before you give me whatever information Ash needs, I want to tell you what a piece of shit you are.”
A sad smile twists the corners of his lips. “I’m glad East has found a guardian. He was always the best man I knew.”
“So good that you married his girlfriend? So good that you let her die without ever giving him the chance to say good-bye? God, you’re worse than the worst kind of human.”
“Things are not always what they seem, Ms. Heart. Please, have a seat.”
I glance from him to the tables that are set up for learning. The chairs sit side by side, and I hate that I’m about to get that close to this asshole.
