Chapter 29 Wesley
Wesley
I bite the bullet and head over to Shannon’s parents’ house.
The moment I pull up, the sound of music drifts from the back garden, and guilt hits me like a wrecking ball, destroying everything in its path.
Climbing out of the truck, I make my way around the side of the house, straight into an impressively huge striped garden, immaculately kept, shaped flower beds blooming with every colour you could imagine.
I spot Shannon’s dad, flipping burgers over a BBQ with a can of lager in one hand.
He’s wearing an apron that reads “Prick with a fork.” Complete with a cartoon sausage stabbed in the middle of a fork.
It's exactly the kind of thing I’d usually laugh at.
“Come in, come in,” Shannon’s mum coos, all smiles just like my girl, coming out from what I presume is the kitchen, through the wide-open French doors.
The smoky BBQ scent fills the air, drifting my way.
It hits me head on, mixing with the smell of fried onions and those peppery, meaty burgers, charred and mouthwatering.
He must be using a smoke coal, it smells like applewood, the kind of aroma you get from a traditional one.
His BBQ looks like an old oil drum cut in half.
I wasn’t hungry before but now I’m here, I know I’ve got to push down any anxiety and worries I have… at least while I’m here.
“Grab a beer, Wesley.” Her dad gestures towards the cooler.
“Shan’s next door, won’t be long.” He rolls his eyes.
I want to agree with him, I can’t stand the little fucker.
Her dad must clock the look on my face, though.
He grabs a can from the cooler. Wiping the can with a tea towel, before passing it to me.
“Cheers,” I say, raising the can, he leans in slightly. “She won’t be long. Barney’s not exactly her favourite person.” His words make me smile. I’ve no idea how much Shannon’s told them about Barney and it’s probably best I keep my mouth shut.
“Wesley, come sit down, love,” her mum calls over. “He’s got it covered.” Taking a seat, stretching out my legs. I take a long pull of my beer, her dad sets a tray piled high with burgers and sausages in the centre of the table, then announces, “That’s me done… for another month.”
“My BBQ skills are not a patch on Derek’s,” Sue says, patting her husband’s hand. “I’ll admit, cooking isn’t my strong suit,” I add, downing the rest of my beer. I’m starting to feel more relaxed. Maybe, just for a while, I can forget what a mess today has been. I want her family to like me.
“It’s lovely to finally meet you, Wesley,” Sue says, reaching across the little table to give my hand a gentle rub.
“I’m really happy she’s found someone like you.” Guilt spreads through me like poison, leaving a dull ache in my chest.
“I’m glad I met her too,” I reply, though part of me wonders if they knew Shannon and I have history.
“Bloody hell, Sue, give the poor bloke a break!” Derek says with a grin, leaning in to kiss her cheek.
You can tell they’ve been together forever, neither of them looks much older than me.
“What did you make of the rugby? Shan said you’re a Leopards fan?” Derek fixes me with a warning stare. Clearly joking, still his wife nudges him.
“I’m safe then? Leopards through and through.
” Derek pats me on the shoulder. “I already knew I’d like you, Wesley,” he says, then slaps his hand down on the table making the glasses and condiments rattle.
“Did you catch Franco Davis?” I remember the game well as I’d watched it at home the other night.
“I did, even Craig Burton’s tackle didn’t shake him,” I say, taking a swig of my beer. It’s going down nicely, and I’m starting to feel a bit more like myself, even though I’d nearly made some excuse up of why I wouldn’t be able to make it. I’m glad I didn’t though.
“My fucking heart was hammering when he dropped the ball and booted it between the posts.” We both stare off into the distance for a second, reminiscing the perfect goal.
We smash our cans together, beer fizzes out the top as we both shout in unison.
“Fucking 30-29!” All three of us burst out laughing.
“Oh my God Dad, he’s only been here ten minutes.
” Shannon’s voice rings out from around the corner, and my grin stretches wide without even trying.
She walks straight up to me, completely at ease, and plants a firm kiss on my lips.
It catches me off guard, not being used to affection in front of someone’s parents. Fuck, she’s beautiful.
“Hey,” she whispers breathlessly. I’m left wondering what her and fuck face were talking about.
“What did sad sack have to say?” her dad asks, and I almost choke on my beer.
“Really? Dad?” She shoots him with a harsh look.
“Now now, Derek, we’ve talked about this,” her mum chimes in, trying to sound stern but failing miserably, trying to hide a laugh in her voice.
Shannon takes the seat next to me, leaning in close enough to kiss the sensitive skin below her ear, I whisper, “Well? What did he say?” I slide my hand over her thigh, giving it a quick squeeze.
“I’ll tell you later. He goes back to America tomorrow.
” I’ve never been more relieved to hear those words.
The rest of the evening goes by smoothly, her parents share stories about Shannon and Talia getting into all sorts of trouble when they were younger.
It doesn’t surprise me, by the sounds of it they were inseparable.
No one mentioned the glamping site, but even if it had come up, this wasn’t the time or the place for the conversation.
We’re on our way home. Her dad was trying to get us to call a taxi so I could have more than the two beers I nursed all night, until it was too warm to drink.
“You and my dad hit it off.” Quickly I glance over at her. “I like him and your mum,” I say, turning back to concentrate on the road.
“You do realise that he’s going to be all over you about watching the game with him.
” I figured that out myself after he invited me to the next one.
I wasn’t about to turn him down, he’s only got to be, what ten years older than me.
“Your parents are young,” I say, turning into the lane.
“They had me in their twenties.” She leans over as if she’s got a big secret to share.
“Dad doesn’t mix with old farts around here.
” Her comment pulls a laugh from me. “I’ll take that as a compliment then sweetheart. ” I flash her with a cheeky wink.
We pull into the driveway of my house, switching off the engine.
“What did fuck face have to say for himself?” Shannon scoffs.
“Fuck face is leaving tomorrow morning. I told him he needs to meet someone and we’ll only ever be friends.
” I know she’s told him this on a number of occasions.
I just hope this time he owns his word and doesn’t start sniffing around her, as for him remaining friends with her, I’m not sure I like the idea of that.
I can feel my face pinch at the thought.
“Wesley, he’s going back to America, there’s no need to worry.” I slide out the truck and walk around to her side pulling the door open. My arms pin her in place as she faces me.
“Where you’re concerned, I’ll always worry.” I plant a kiss on her lips then help her out. “I wanted to tell you this earlier, but not over the phone or in front of my mum and dad,” she says, as I help her out the truck and walk her to my front door, unlocking it and leading us both inside.
“What’s that then?” I ask, kicking off my boots and Shannon slides off her flip flops.
“I met your ex-wife. I mean, I know what she looks like but from…” She brushes off the old memory of Megan turning up to the restaurant. I’m instantly pissed, hoping she didn’t say or do anything to upset Shannon. I know she’s a manipulative bitch, my defences are on alert.
“What the fuck did she say to you?” I growl, already wound up like a coil over this. Shannon waves her hands between us. “No, no. It was nothing like that. She didn’t remember me.” But I know my ex-wife, and she’d have soon clocked on to who Shannon was.
“What did she say?” I ask. “She just posted a letter then said not to tell you she was here.” I’m going to say it; Megan is a fucking bitch. I don’t feel wrong for saying it in my head.
Now, more than ever, I know if I don’t get Megan the money, she’ll tear her way through everything, dragging her claws into the only thing good in my life. She won’t stop until she’s taken everything she wants from me.
Paying her off is the only chance I have of finally being rid of her… for good.
There are times when hurting someone is the only way to protect them, even if it feels wrong. But the idea of Shannon getting hurt, of watching her dreams fall apart… it sits heavy on my chest like a boulder. If I don’t take the job, someone else will.
It’s going to happen either way, maybe Declan will change his mind if I talk to him.