“I’m not going to take him back if that’s what you’re worried about. I can’t get over him cheating, especially with who he cheated with.”
He let out a breath. “Sometimes people deserve a second chance, and as much as I want to be selfish, I can’t keep you from something you might want.”
I leaned in and kissed his cheek. “Be selfish,” I whispered, and then I opened the door and got out of his car. It was time to confront Wes, already. I was hoping for a few days before he came barging in on me. He hadn’t called or messaged so I thought maybe he’d stay away. I guess I was wrong.
I shut the door, took a deep breath, and stormed over to where Wes was leaning against his truck. The sun was close to setting and the light on the property illuminated his features. He pushed off his truck as if he was going to come to me. I held up my hand. I didn’t want him close.
“What do you want, Wes?”
He didn’t speak for a second. I don’t know if it was because of my tone, or because of what I was wearing.
“To talk to you, baby. I—I miss you.”
I laughed. “Oh really? Did you miss me when you were fucking Alicia?” I was vulgar on purpose.
“Zoe, damn, it wasn’t like that.”
This was going to be good. “Then how was it like, Wes? Looked pretty dirty from where I saw it.”
He shook his head, and I ignored the tear sliding down his cheek. He wasn’t a crier, so I knew it wasn’t some ploy. He was upset, but dammit, so was I.
Chapter 6
“Can we talk, please? Let me explain.”
“There’s not much to explain. You and Alicia were together in ‘our’ house, Wesley. There isn’t much more to explain now, is there?”
“I freaked out.”
“About what?”
“Living together.”
My arms crossed in defense. “You asked me to move in with you. Not the other way around. If you recall, I wasn’t ready to take that step but you convinced me.”
He pushed off and grabbed my hands tightly. “I know. I’m so sorry.”
I yanked my hand back angrily. “Sorry won’t fix this, Wes.”
“What will?”
I shook my head. “Nothing.”
“There has to be something I can do. Come on, Zoe, five years can’t be over because of one mistake.”
My emotions got the better of me and I sobbed. I was hurt and upset. I’d spent all of my life with Wes, even before he became my boyfriend. It wasn’t just a small romance. We were friends first and I wasn’t even actually sure when it turned to more. One day we just were. “You destroyed me, Wes. I can’t ever forget it, and I won’t do it. I won’t sit back and worry that things won’t fall apart again. I’m not my father. You know what it was like with my mother. I watched him suffer because of his love for her. I won’t do the same.”
“Baby, this isn’t the same.”
I wiped the tear away and hugged myself. “But it is.”
He choked back a sob and my knees nearly gave out. I didn’t think it would be so hard. I’d probably always love Wes. He was my first everything, but sometimes things fell apart for a reason. I glanced back at Evan’s car. He was still there watching, but I couldn’t see him.
Wes noticed my attention and he laughed. “Really, Z? This is why you won’t give me a second chance?” I turned back toward him. “Already fucking the old man who’s had his eye on you forever? He’s a fuckin’ perv.”
I fisted my hands. “No he’s not. He cares for me, and no, he isn’t the reason I won’t give you a second chance. Do you hear yourself right now? The Wes I remember wouldn’t talk about Evan like that. And you can’t expect me to get over the fact that you AND Alicia betrayed me. How long has it been going on? Be honest now.”
He blanched and stepped back, relaxing against his truck again. I tapped my foot, waiting. “See, apparently, you’ve been messing around for longer than when I walked in on you. If I didn’t catch you it would have kept going… am I right?”
“I—” he shook his head. “I don’t know… it happened. and then…. I don’t know. It was different. She’s different, but she isn’t you.”
“Yeah of course she’s different, she certainly isn’t me. I’m nothing like her.”
“I know, that’s why—her offer was so appealing. You can’t say that sex is very enjoyable between us.”
“I could have!”
“Well, it wasn’t for me. I needed something more and she gave it to me. But she doesn’t love me, and I don’t love her.”