Weston (Broken Falls #6)

Chapter Five

CHAPTER FIVE

Weston

" S he just showed up? Out of nowhere?" Nolan asks as we stand in one of the big box store parking lots, getting ready to plow it.

"Yeah," I answer, pulling my gloves tighter. "I haven't seen her since three days after we got married. I'd given up on finding her. At one point, I'd even gotten a PI, just so I could see about getting a divorce."

He whistles, rocking back on his heels, tucking his hands in his jeans. "Damn. Are you okay? You were totally in love with her."

That's the understatement of the century. My world revolved around Melanie Whitworth. Meeting in middle school, and dating since we were thirteen, it was the type of relationship everyone warned us about. All our friends said we needed to have worldly experiences before we decided to be with each other for the rest of our lives. But I knew I didn't need it. She was mine, and she would be forever. At least that's what I'd thought. Crazy how wrong I was. "Yeah, she was my entire life."

He takes his hat off and wipes at his forehead. "Did she tell you where she's been the last eight years?"

"Haven't asked her." I play it off as if it doesn't really mean anything, when it means everything.

Nolan glances at me, his mouth hanging open. "What the fuck is going on with you? I was here when she left. You weren't okay with it. If anything, it fucking destroyed you, and we weren't sure we'd get you back as our friend again. Do you think pretending like it didn't affect you is going to protect you?"

I don't know what I'm thinking, to be perfectly honest. All I know is she's the one who put me in this situation, and I'm reacting to it the best way I know how. I understand what he's saying. "There has to be a way I can. If anyone has the power to hurt me, Nolan, it's her. She broke me before, and if I'm not careful, she'll destroy me. So yeah, if pretending like it didn't affect me is going to save my sanity, then I'll do whatever it takes." None of them understand the lonely nights I spent, the days I wasted trying to figure out what I'd done to make her leave me. Drinking had been an issue, and Nolan had been the person to save me from myself.

"You forget I'm the person who saw how bad it was before." He levels his gaze at me as if he's run me over with the plow we're using.

"I didn't forget, I know. Why do you think I'm trying to protect myself? I can't go down that path again. There might not be any coming back from it for me. I'm not sure I could survive it again." Admitting that hurts more than I thought it would be after such a long time.

"Well, hopefully you won't have to deal with it." Even though he says it, it doesn't sound as if he means it.

"Hopefully not. I'm still not exactly sure why she's here, but she'll tell me in her own time." What I don't say is that I'm suspicious of everything now. The fact she hasn't been completely honest with me, even though I've asked her to be, doesn't help the matter. "Either way, let's get going on these parking lots. I'm here to help you, but not all day. Today and tomorrow are the last days I have off while we're in this cold snap, so I'd like to spend it playing some video games."

He grumbles. "Wish all I had to do was play video games, but some of us have a family to support."

Nolan is kidding and giving me a hard time, but I thought I'd be where he is right now. When I married Melanie, it was because I loved her and wanted to start that family with her. Divorce wasn't in my vocabulary. I was in love with her, and had my whole life planned out, never did I expect her to flip the script on me. I thought we were both on the same page. Even though his words hurt, I hide it as best I can. "Yeah, let's get you going so you can support that cutie daughter of yours."

He looks over at me before reaching and gripping my shoulder in his gloved hand. "Hey, I appreciate you. You're one of my best friends. You've been here since the beginning with Ashlynn. When I was a brand new single dad, mourning the loss of my marriage and unsure of everything, you were there with me."

I laugh as I think back to some of those times. "Can't say I miss figuring out how to take her temperature, and get her to swallow that medicine."

Nolan smiles sheepishly. "Yeah, or that night you found me in the nursery sobbing because I just couldn't take it anymore. Someone else would've called me out on that. They would've said something about all of it being my responsibility because Ashlynn was my daughter. You didn't do that. There was no I told you so, there was just understanding, and the desire to try and help me. I'm never going to forget that, West. Which is why, even though I hate Melanie, I'm going to be here if you need me." He sighs heavily. "I might not like her, but you're my friend, and I'm not going to let you go through any of this by yourself."

These are the type of friends I have. They stay when they don't have to. "Thank you, Nolan."

"Don't thank me yet. We've got six parking lots to do."

I give him a grin. "Let's get started then, jawing isn't going to get us done any faster."

He nods toward the truck I'm using. "I've got the three you're doing in the GPS of the truck. When you're done, drop it off at the house."

"What are you going to be doing?" This isn't normally how this works with him, so I'm immediately worried, and trying to figure out what he's hiding. "Typically, we go get a late breakfast after. What do you have going on?"

He rocks back on his heels. "There's a lot going on, and I haven't explained it to the friend group yet, but know that when I can, I will."

It's unusual for one of us to keep a secret from everyone. We're so far in each other's business that it's fucking annoying. So if there's a reason he's not saying what this is, there's a definite reason. "I'm going to trust you, but know that if you need something everyone will be there for you. We always have been, always will be. You know you don't have to deal with whatever this is alone."

"I do know that, and I appreciate you reminding me. Sometimes I get too deep into my own shit, and I need to be reminded. You're a good friend, West."

"So are you."

I've always enjoyed working with Nolan, especially when it comes to plowing parking lots. It's solitary, but sometimes it's exactly what I need. That peace and quiet, and the solitude to just be with myself. I've gone through times in my life where I wanted nothing more than to be surrounded by friends and family, along with times where I wanted to be with no one but myself. I'm in a between time situation now.

There's not a clear-cut answer for me. Whether I want people to be around me constantly, or if I want to be alone. All I know is being in this truck with the radio playing softly is exactly what I need right now to calm down the thoughts in my head. They're so loud it's as if I can't escape them.

My phone dings, and I pick it up, checking the message.

M: I'm sure you're wondering where I got your number, but it's amazing what you can find around your house. It's Melanie. I have a request if it isn't too much trouble.

It's weird to see her texting me. I haven't seen anything from her in years. It used to be our favorite thing to do, text before bed, and stay up as late as we could. That way we'd only have to sleep a few hours before we could see each other again.

W: Hey, what do you need?

M: There are certain things I need to eat, and I have a prescription I need to pick up. Could you come get me and take me to the drug store, and swing by the grocery? I know I'm asking a lot, Weston. Please know I'm aware, I'm putting you in a bind, but there are things I need.

Now my interest is piqued.

W: Is something going on with you?

M: I'll tell you later, but right now I can't talk about it West, please.

West. It's what she used to call me when we were dating and right after we got married. It hits me right in the chest. To this day, even after not seeing me for years, she can still get to me.

W: As soon as I'm done with plowing for Nolan, I'll be there to pick you up.

M: Thank you!

W: No problem.

Even though I'm desperately trying to figure out what the hell is happening here.