The Right Kind of Love(49)

“I already told you no. Will you just hold me? I’m completely shredded after today.”

I would let this go. But it would be in the forefront of my mind. It was important to me to find out exactly what I was dealing with. The only conclusion I could draw was that he was an ex-boyfriend. “For now.”

We didn’t stay the night at the hotel like we’d planned to. We ended up taking a red eye out that night. Once we were back in Vegas, Sydney finally relaxed.

It had been one hell of a day. I vowed to myself that I would never let him near her again.





Sydney

I looked at the clock as I was getting ready for The Fade’s Friday night show at the Rum Runner. Seven o’clock. It was almost time to see them and excitement buzzed under my skin. It seemed like every week when I saw them, I became an even bigger fan. The only problem was my black-eye, but after several applications of make-up, it was concealed.

Thankfully, my step-father was out of critical care and was doing much better. I’d been talking to him every day. He told me that he was set to go home the following week. I wouldn’t be going back to take care of him or visit him. He had other people who could handle that.

I could tell that Damien was still really curious about Wes, but he never said anything. He had been my savior when I needed it, and I knew I could never repay him for what he’d done for me. He made me feel safe. I never expected to feel safe with a man again, but Damien had proven that he wasn’t going to hurt me.

My phone chirped alerting me I had a text message, so I grabbed it off the nightstand, unlocked it, and opened it up.

My stomach sank, my throat got tight, and I felt the hairs stand up on my arm. It was a text from Wes. He had been sending nasty texts since we had seen him at the hospital. They weren’t the nice ones like before.

Wes: You fucking bitch. Where are you, you little cock tease? I hope you know you can’t escape me.

I threw my phone down on the bed and ran to the bathroom to empty the contents of my stomach. My body was trembling, and I felt a light sheen of sweat covering it. God forbid he would find me. I truly wish I had put a restraining order against him. But then I remembered how much drama that would have started and how upsetting it would be for my step-father and retracted that thought. I just didn’t understand how he could go from sending me apologetic texts and then turn into a devil dressed in ordinary clothes. He needed a pitch fork to complete his ensemble.

Going to the sink, I tried putting myself together again. Turning on the water, I splashed my face and gathered my wits. You are strong, Sydney. You are not going to let him get to you. There are several hundred miles between you and he can’t hurt you. Pull yourself together.

I looked in the mirror. “You are strong.” But I really didn’t feel strong. I felt damaged and a bit broken. I would never have thought this could have happened to me, especially since it was Wes.

Time to text my bestie.

Me: Hey, girl. What’s up?

Bee: Just missing you. It’s Friday night, and I really wish we could be hitting the bars together.

Me: I know. I couldn’t agree more. You need to come out here and visit me.

Bee: Well, I was going to surprise you, but since you asked, I’ll tell you. I plan to come out next month.

Me: Squee I can’t wait!!! I’m so excited. You are going to love it here. I can’t wait to for you to meet everyone. Damien is really great. Wait until you meet him. Oh, and he has some brothers that are just as hot.

Bee: You’re starting to fall for him, aren’t you?

Why would she ask that? I had to think about it. Yes, I liked him as a friend, and he had started chilling out with his whoring around. He was nice and attentive to me. We got along great. He had been my savior when I needed him most. And hell, any guy who would paint my toes and fingernails was a good guy. Was I starting to like him as more than a friend? I think my heart was beginning to soften toward him. Hell, yeah, it was. Way more than softened. But I couldn’t tell Bee that.

Me: No, we’re just friends.

Bee: Yeah, I bet.

Me: No, seriously.

Bee: Whatever you say, Syd.

Time for a serious subject change.

Me: So I need to make sure you haven’t told anyone where I’ve gone?

Bee: Nope, I told everyone you moved to Texas.

Me: Good. That is what I told my step-father, too. I felt bad for lying to him, but I just couldn’t risk anyone finding out.

Bee: You eventually need to tell him, babe.

Me: Yes, I know. I just can’t risk Wes finding out.

Bee: What is it about Wes finding out that you are scared of?

Me: Nothing in particular.

Bee: I think there is more to the story than you are letting on.

Me: Hey, I need to get ready to go watch Damien’s band play tonight. TTYL