Chapter 31 Wesley
Wesley
I slam my boot hard into the dirt as I watch her pulling away.
It’s like we’re right back at the restaurant a year ago, me chasing after her, only to watch her jump into a taxi and leave me standing there like a fucking idiot.
“Fuck,” I bark out, not giving a shit who hears me.
A heavy palm clamps down on my shoulder.
“I don’t suppose you want to tell me what that was all about?” Declan’s voice clipped. I know he’s waiting for an answer, and I won’t be leaving until he gets one.
“That was me watching the woman I love walk away… again.” I turn to face him, he rocks back on his heels, hands shoved deep into his jean’s pockets
“Then why are you still here?” He nods, looking over my shoulder. “And not going after her?” He’s got a point, but I know full well she won’t listen, no matter how hard I beg. And in the end, it won’t change anything, she’s already lost her glamping site.
“If I said no about the glamping site, would you have got someone else to do it?” I’m really hoping he says yes, just so I can feel a little bit less guilty about it.
He glances over at Ashley, who’s chatting away to Alfie.
It’s nice to see him smile again. Tomorrow he’s at court.
I’d promised I’d be there with him since his stepdad is away with work.
“I’d do anything for her, so yes.” He levels with me.
“Is there something you’re not telling me, Wesley?
” Fuck, he’s intimidating. I feel like I’m sat in a dark, damp room, a single light swinging above my head while I sit in the only chair.
It hits me then; Declan’s not the kind of bloke you mess with.
He’s the type who messes you up, ties you to a chair and tortures you until you crack.
I wonder how many people walked away from that.
A shiver rolls through me, chilling the blood in my veins.
“You’re only going to find out anyway…” I say, trying my hardest to play it cool. I’m not a wimp, I never backed down from anything but he’s a fucking big fella, with what I can only imagine as having a huge set of bollocks.
“Find out what?” Ashley cuts in, and I’m relieved. One look from her and his face softens. She looks at Declan, and casually rolls her eyes, like she’s seen this look a million times before, then playfully thumps his arm.
“Stop that, with your eyes. We’ve discussed this.” He bends down, giving her a kiss on the side of her neck. “You’re right, darling, we did.” He blows out a breath. I sense something private between them.
“Well?” Ashley asks again, she looks at me waiting for my answer. “Shannon applied to the council for a small two pod glamping site,” I reply, though it hurts to say it out loud, flashes of her heartbroken face, and the tears she cried because of me.
Kills me a little more each time.
I never wanted to see tears in her eyes for any other reason than happiness.
“Oh, Wesley… I’m…. I’m so sorry.” She hits Declan again and he rears back. “What? What did I do?” Ashley digs her finger into his chest. “You have a big mouth, Declan Briggs.”
“I didn’t say anything.” He holds up his hands, surrendering to her.
“It’s not your fault.” Stepping in to save the peace between them. “It’s mine, I encouraged Shannon after I told her I hated the idea of sharing my space with strangers.” My hand grips the back of my neck.
“I promised I’d help her, but…” Now they’re going to find out the real reason I agreed to take this job on.
“My ex-wife is trying to get more money out of me, money I don’t have.
” Ashley clamps a hand around her mouth, stunned.
“It was either sell the home and land my parents left me, or take this job on.” Looking up at the sky, avoiding their eyes, because I’m far too embarrassed to let them see how much this shit has got me down.
It’s been years of constant battles between me and Megan.
Messy, cruel and painful.
“Obviously I took the job on as like you said, the planning passed.” I glance down at my boots, covered in dirt, filthy, like me.
The way I handled things, not being honest with her the second I found out…
I made the wrong call, too worried about myself to tell her the truth.
“Shannon didn’t get the permission because we live within the fifteen-mile radius of your land. ”
“Where is she now?” Ashley asks, a concerned look on her face. “I-I don’t know, probably looking for something to kill me with.” And I’m not even joking.
“Good. I’ll help, because I’m about to kill this bastard.” She holds out her hand. “Car keys.” He doesn’t hesitate handing them over, he looks at her like a lost puppy.
“How was I supposed to know his Mrs was planning a glamping site?” He sighs, throwing his hands up.
“That’s just it, Declan, you don’t know because you steamroll your way into everything.
You never give anyone the chance to tell you no.
” I get the impression she’s speaking from experience, and I can see why.
He never shuts up about her.
His wife this, his wife that, and they’re not even married yet.
But he’s already said she’ll marry me.
“What’s her address?” she asks. As much as I’m grateful, it’s going to look like a cowardly move if Ashley pulls up to her house without me.
“Listen, I appreciate your help, but I need to do this alone.” I clear my throat. “I’m the one who hurt her. I’m the one who needs to fix my mess.” Ashley runs a hand across my arm Declan quickly pulls it away.
“No touching other men,” he deadpans, while he’s deadly serious, but Ashley finds it amusing.
“Okay, we’re staying here for a couple of days in the house. I’m sure she’ll come around.” Before she can say anything else.
Declan pulls her in close to his side and gives me a quick salute before the two of them walk off towards their new home together. It's days away from being finished, apart from the driveway and a few things on the snag list that we missed.
I need to tell Shannon everything, because I can’t lose her.
I won’t lose her.
“Shannon?” I walk around the back of her house, calling out for her, but she’s nowhere to be seen. The lights are off, and my heart starts to race. Where the hell is she?
Pulling out my phone, calling her again for what must be the tenth time.
“Fuck.” I hang up, climbing back into my truck.
I think of the only other place she could be.
Sure enough, when I pull up outside her parent’s house, her car is there.
They’re going to hate me for hurting her, but right now all I’m bothered about is getting her to listen.
The front door opens on my first knock, her dad eyes the box in my hand with the single strawberry cupcake inside, then he looks straight at me.
“You’ll need more than a cupcake to fix this Wesley.
” He grunts, but I can’t tell if he’s just pissed off with me or waiting to knock my block off.
A quick glance at this man’s hands, shovels spring to mind, a little like Declan’s too big for the purpose of handshakes.
“I know,” I reply, though my voice comes out weak.
Whatever he sees on my face, it’s enough for him to step aside, and gesture for me to come inside.
“Wait here.” He walks off, leaving me awkwardly standing in the hallway, clutching my sorry excuse for an apology. I didn’t know what else to bring. I was in a rush to get here. He stops at the foot of the stairs, one hand braced on the banister, looking up.
“Shan, someone here to see you,” he yells. Her reply is instant and just what I expected. “No.” The one-word answer clenches at my heart and not in a good way. Derek looks over to me and shrugs, like he’ll never fight against his daughter’s decision, and good for him, I’d be the same.
“Sorry, Wesley.” He blows out a breath. I’m turning to walk away when a soft hand grips my elbow.
“Wesley, love, why don’t you come in the living room.” Her mum pulls me from the door leading me into the sitting room. She sits down and pats the spot at the side of her. “Sit down,” she offers gently.
“Now, why don’t you start from the beginning and I can speak to Shannon later when she’s calmed down.
” I can’t stop the sting building behind my eyes.
My mum used to do the same, she’d use her calming voice to cool down my temper.
Fuck I miss her… I miss my dad too. Looking down and away from her mum, because I’m a grown arse man, I don’t want to come across like I’m weak.
Her dad reaches for the cupcake box gripped in my hand to the point of being crushed
“I’ll pop this in the fridge.” I’m oddly relieved when he leaves me with his wife.
I can tell that talking like this makes him uncomfortable.
It makes me uncomfortable too, I’m not used to opening up to strangers, but right now I'd do anything to get Shannon back even if that means dragging up the past.
So I don’t hold back, I tell her everything. From my ex-wife to mine and Shannon’s first date.
With every word, the heavy boulder on my chest feels lighter.
Christ, I’d give anything for one of Shannon’s hugs right now.