Page 43 of Diluted Truths
“Left New York? For college?” I asked.
“Yep, it’s been about sixteen years, I think,” Will responded. It took him a moment but he continued, “This is my first time back since.”
Shocked, I turned to face him.
“Why haven’t you been back?”
Will sighed and leaned against the wall. “It was easier to have the distance. Safer, even. At first it was to avoid my father. I think it eventuallybecame to avoid the memories that I knew would come with visiting here. I love my mom and sister and it never had anything to do with not seeing them, but avoiding any mention, memories, or possibilities of seeing my father. I didn’t want that, so I never came back.”
I nodded in understanding and sat next to him. I hadn’t been back home since I left either. “Why did you come now?”
“Honest answer?” he asked.
“Always,” I responded.
“For you,” he stated. The words shocked me to my core. “Sarah called saying you needed to be here and for some reason wherever you are right now is where I need to be. I know it makes no sense, I don’t understand it either.”
His words hung heavy in the air. I was suddenly very aware of him. His heat next to me burned through my clothes and scorched me. I had never noticed his lips before, but they were suddenly all I could look at. I couldn’t explain it either, but I felt the same way. Where he was, I needed to be.
I took his hand in mine in response. For the first time in my life, I had no words. We stood there side by side for what felt life seconds but also a lifetime just staring at one another when Bec suddenly burst through the room. We quickly separated.
Bec stopped in her tracks, her eyes bouncing between the two of us. “Am I interrupting something?”
Will coughed and cleared his throat. “Nope, nothing. What’s up, Bec?”
She smiled at her brother for a moment before continuing, “So, I don’t think mom mentioned that since she assumed you are together that you are both staying in here… together?”
“What?” I asked. I couldn’t sleep in the same room as Will. I could barely be in the same room with him right now. The attraction I felt forhim was only multiplying with each minute. At this rate I was going to jump him by the end of the week. It would be nice to finally know how his face felt between my thighs….
Nope.
Can’t go there. I was trying to get control of my feelings for him, not feed them.
“So yeah, this is the only available room. I’m bunking with Sarah tonight, so you two are stuck here. The other rooms are being renovated.” Her smile morphed into a somewhat mischievous smirk. “This is what you get for last minute travel.”
Will hung his head in defeat before looking at me with apologetic eyes. “Are you okay with that? The bed is big enough for the both of us.”
I sighed, resigned that I would be spending the night trying to keep my hands off of Will. “It’s okay, I promise.”
“Great!” Bec stated as she clasped her hands together in excitement. “Dinner is ready downstairs. Let’s eat!”
Will and I made our way downstairs to the kitchen. He explained that when company wasn’t over, they ate at the table in the kitchen instead of the dining room. The five of us sat and ate a delicious meal of meatloaf for dinner.
The Bly’s may have been billionaires, but they were some of the most down to earth people I had ever met. Sarah also seemed to know them as well as her own family. She was at home here in New York. I was also able to hear some very embarrassing stories of young Will and his very awkward teenage years.
I felt at home at this table, a rare feeling for me. Slowly the night winded down after drinks for Winnie, Bec and Sarah. Will and I stuck with waters.
“Well, I’m beat. I’m gonna head to bed,” I stated as I stood and made my way towards the stairs. “Thank you for an incredible dinner, Winnie, and for letting me stay here.”
“Anytime, sweetheart,” Winnie responded as she rose and came and gave me a hug. “You’re family now.” I smiled, unable to respond to such kind words.
I got ready for bed at record speed, hoping to be in bed and maybe even asleep by the time Will got here. I even chose my most conservative pajamas, hoping that would help squash any potential moments from happening between the two of us.
It was concerning how little control I had around him. Nothing had changed. Fai would still entirely disapprove, I don’t think Sarah would allow anything, and I also knew I just couldn’t be with him. I had never been in a long term relationship. It would require opening myself up in ways that felt impossible. I held so much guilt and sadness about how I grew up and how I lost Nate. I was also not completely recovered from my alcoholism and I refused to allow a relapse. I couldn’t do anything that would threaten my well being and my sobriety.
Truth be told, I also knew that I was scared that if I let him in, I would be rejected. I was already rejected by my own parents. The people that were supposed to love me unconditionally just… well, they just didn’t.
After Nate had gotten us out of the house, we spent a year nervous they or the cops would come get us. Theo and I were minors and Nate technically kidnapped us. But they never came. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad they didn’t. However, it did show just how little they cared about us.
