Page 12 of Say You'll Stay
Ware is a fucking impediment. I wonder if Vasey has feelings for him that she’s not admitting. I fist my hands. “You’re putting Ware between us, and that’s going to be a problem.”
“He’s not between us.” She puts her hand on the door and then turns to give me a bitter smile. “Because there’s no us.”
She scoots out the door and runs over to a small girl wearing long shorts and an oversized white T-shirt declaring her love for Wonder Woman. The girl beams at her and starts chattering immediately. Vasey gazes down on the girl with serious affection. It’s like a punch to the gut. That should be our kid.
Going over there will upset her, though, and I don’t want that. I watch as the two climb into the waiting car, and then I follow them back to the Ware mansion. The black gates open and swallow them up. I look around and see a driveway behind me. I press the buzzer.
“Who is it?”
“Weston Evers. I want to buy your home.”
Two hours and an obscene amount of money later, I am the new owner of the mansion across the street from Ware. There’s an unfurnished carriage house with a bedroom and a bathroom at the front of the property that’s unused, and to the confusion of the former owner who said that they couldn’t vacate the property for a week, I start ordering shit. Bed. Dresser. Portable stovetop. As everything is delivered, I stand at the side of the road to monitor the situation. And by monitor, I mean I sit in a lawn chair and stare at Ware’s drive. Soon enough, the black gates open, and Vasey appears on the other side of the road.
“What is going on?”
“I’m your new neighbor, sweetness.”
Chapter Nine
VASEY
Ibite the inside of my cheek so that I won’t smile. I can’t smile because I’m pissed off, but nonetheless, my mouth tries to form one. This is averyWeston move. He always had a knack for pushing his way through obstacles. If he had a goal, nothing would stop him from achieving it. He was relentless. Obviously, time hasn’t changed that aspect of him.
I suppose part of my hurt stems from the fact that it took him so long to find me. Scratch that; he clearly always knew where I was. He just hadn’t attempted to contact me. I think that’s what I’m struggling with. In fact, it was I who ultimately reached out to him.
That’s how it had been when he made the decision to go to the Army. He didn’t even take my opinion into account. I begged him not to go, but still he went. He left, but I’d been the one to end things.
I told him if he left me, I’d leave too. I was young and stupid. Hurt, really. I had become accustomed to people abandoning me or leaving me behind. I wasn't the best at handling things either. Still, those wounds ache inside of me.
"You can't be serious." Of course, he is. West starts crossing the street.
"I won't stop.”
"And I won't leave her.”
“I know." His words make me relax a little. “All I want to do is help. Isn’t that why you came to me?”
“Yes,” I said, dropping my eyes. It’s difficult to stare into his. It brings back so many emotions. “I don’t know,” I mutter. I can’t think straight around him.
“You don’t know?” West puts a finger under my chin, making me meet his gaze again.
“If I’m honest, I think a part of me just wanted to see you.” His brows lift, and a smile pulls at his lips. I can still feel the warmth of his kiss on my lips. “I’m still mad at you.” There's not as much fire in my tone now. It’s ridiculous that he moved in across the street, but another part of me is filled with relief that he will be so close.
“I know, but you’re talking to me, so I’ll take it.” His thumb brushes along my cheek.
“I can’t believe I’m going to ask this.” I shift on my feet. “Never mind.” I wave my hand, needing to get out of here before I say things I shouldn’t. West grabs me by the wrist, preventing me from leaving.
“Say it,” he orders. I don’t break his stare; my challenge is clear. He has no right to make demands of me. “Please.” He quickly changes his approach. This time, I can’t fight the smile. Weston Evers, always so strong-willed, I was the one that could always talk him down. They often sent me to do just that when we were growing up.
“I’m not saying anything is happening between us.”
“It is.”
I ignore him and keep going. “But I want you to tell me now that you’re staying. That you won’t up and leave.” I’m not sure that I would be able to handle him leaving again.
“I’m never leaving.” West steps closer to me. “I promise.” He sinks his hand into my hair. I can’t stop myself from leaning into his touch. It’s been years since I last talked to him, but there is no one in the world who knows me better.
In college, I kept my head down, working and studying. Then I got this position with the Wares. There was never an opportunity to pursue a social life. Having him back brings a sense of comfort that I haven’t had since he left.