Chapter 40
FORTY
THREE MONTHS LATER
I pace back and forth across my room, my footsteps quick with anticipation. It’s been two weeks since I’ve seen Wes, but despite our nightly phone conversations—hushed whispers and quiet laughter shared into the early hours of the morning—it feels like longer.
We managed to see each other nearly every weekend for the first two months of summer. Wes passed the TEAS exam with flying colors, of course, and soared through his class with ease. He “graduated” a week ago and is now working on securing an EMT position.
As for me, I took another of my required history classes over the break to make up for the credit I lost when I dropped Public Speaking. Now, I can go into sophomore year with a fresh start, caught up with my curriculum and fully focused on making good grades.
Noah’s graduation was a week after Wes’s, but the celebration turned sour the moment my brother broke the news that he was taking a (potentially indefinite) gap year and moving to the beach.
Voices were raised, dinner was canceled, and my parents told him they weren’t going to pay for him to go off frolicking around with his college friends.
What they didn’t expect was that Noah didn’t need their money.
He had transportation lined up. He had a job lined up.
He had housing lined up. He didn’t need Mom and Dad for anything, and they weren’t sure what to do with that information.
They’re still trying to wrap their minds around it, even though it’s been months with Noah gone.
It’s strange. For the first time in my life, I feel like I’m on an even playing field with my siblings, and that’s a pretty big change to our usual family dynamic.
I hope that one day we can all talk through our issues, but Noah has to do some soul searching first, and my parents have to learn to accept his choices the way they’re learning to accept mine.
Thoughts of my family disappear the moment my phone buzzes in my pocket. I practically yank it free, smiling at the message on the screen.
Wes: Less than 5 away!
Me: See you soon!
Scrambling now, I pack up the rest of my suitcase, double checking that I haven’t forgotten anything important.
When the doorbell rings, I dash into the bathroom to run a brush through my hair, and by the time I come down the stairs, Dad’s already at the door, chatting with Wes about his EMT training.
I’ve never seen my dad take to anyone as quickly as he did Wes, which is a testament to how likeable Wes is as a person, I guess.
Mom’s still warming up, but I do see the effort she’s putting forth.
It’s not perfect, and sometimes she slips up, but at least it’s there, whereas before it was nonexistent.
As I reach the bottom of the stairs, I can’t hold back my smile. Wes can’t either, and his eyes immediately light up as they lock with mine. He still manages to maintain a conversation with my dad, who’s oblivious as always, but if he wasn’t here, I’d launch myself at my boyfriend.
“Hi,” I cut in, saving Wes from further discussion.
As always, I’m struck by him. By his imposing height and his broad strength.
By his deep-set dimples and his dark, twinkly eyes.
His radiant energy is contagious, and don’t get me started on his sparkling smile, which beams down at me, making my world ten times brighter.
“Hi, Ives,” he says.
Dad looks between us, clearing his throat. “I’ll leave you both to it, then,” he says. “Have a nice time, Ivy. Good to see you, Wes.”
“You as well, Mr. Combs.”
The two shake hands, and my dad shuffles off, disappearing upstairs.
It’s only when I hear the office door shut that I leap at Wes, throwing my arms around him and burying my face in his neck.
He lifts me straight off the ground in a giant bear hug, and I mumble, “I missed you so much,” against his skin.
His arms flex around me, tightening almost to the point of discomfort, but I don’t want him to let me go. Clearly, he doesn’t either. He presses a kiss to my temple and says close to my ear, “I missed you, too, baby. You have no idea. Two weeks is too fucking long.”
“Endless,” I agree, pressing a kiss on his jaw. When his arms finally release, I slide down his body, landing on my feet. He kisses my mouth, a chaste peck that leaves me wanting more, before glancing cautiously around the entryway. “What’s wrong?”
“Where’s your mom?” he whispers.
I smirk at him, raising my eyebrows. “Don’t tell me you’re afraid of Angela Combs. I thought you could, what was it you said? ‘Win her over in an hour?’”
He rolls his eyes. “Okay, I’ll admit it. Your mom’s kind of scary. And I’m fearless, so that’s saying something.”
I snort. “Uh huh.”
“She’s a tough nut to crack.”
I laugh. “I told you.”
“That doesn’t mean I’m giving up, though,” he assures. “Just means I need to try harder.”
“Well, you don’t need to try anymore today. She’s out running errands and won’t be home until later. You’re safe for now.”
“Well, that’s a relief,” he jokes, then glances down at my empty hands. “Do you have your bag packed?”
I nod and gesture up the stairs. “I just need to grab it from my room. I panicked when I heard you talking to my dad.”
He grins that shit-eating grin. “Why? Robert and I are best buds.”
I give him a dry look. “That’s exactly why I was panicked.”
He’s still smirking as I run to grab my bag, and before I know it, we’re settled inside his car and on our way to Kaden’s family’s beach house a few hours away.
When Kaden invited all of us (Ben included), we happily accepted, agreeing that this little trip will be the perfect way to close out the summer.
Throughout the drive, we laugh, talk, and listen to music, soaking up each other’s company.
Even though it was only two weeks apart, there’s no doubt in my mind that Wes missed me as much as I missed him.
He constantly reaches over to touch me, taking my hand or squeezing my thigh.
I do the same, rubbing his neck or grazing my fingertips across his arm.
I can’t get enough of him. I don’t think I ever will.
“So, I have an interview on Monday,” he tells me out of the blue, and I look at him sharply. “Vincent Regional Hospital, the one near campus.”
My jaw drops. I sit up straight. This is big news. “Are you serious?”
“Dead serious.”
I stare at him in disbelief. “And you waited until now to tell me? Why didn’t you say anything sooner?”
He reaches over and squeezes my hand, glancing at me out of the corner of his eye. “I was waiting to tell you in person, Ives.”
My stomach flutters with a mix of excitement and nerves. If he gets this job, we won’t have to separate. We can see each other all the time. “I really hope you get it.”
“Me, too, baby. It would be so freaking perfect. So, I hope you don’t mind if I spend some time this weekend prepping. I’m gonna nail this thing.”
“Of course, Wes. Do whatever you need to do.”
He pulls my hand up to his mouth, kissing the inside of my wrist, and I relax back into my seat. My body buzzes in response to his good news for the remainder of the drive, and it’s not long before we’re passing over the bridge into the cozy seaside town.
“This is it,” Wes says, pulling into a beach pebble driveway next to the black truck I recognize from their old house. The air smells briny as we step out of the car, and I tilt my face toward the clear sky, reveling in the coastal breeze.
Hearing the crunch of our feet on the driveway, Kaden comes out of the house, greeting us with a smile and a wave. “Hey, guys! Find the place okay?”
“We did, thanks, K,” says Wes, hugging his friend. “Ben not here?”
“Nah, he’s coming tonight. Hey, Ivy.” I hug Kaden next, a broad smile on my face. I’m thrilled to get a redo of my beach weekend with Wes. Spring break was a nightmare, but this time, Wes assured me there would be no unexpected visitors or surprises from the past.
This time, I can actually breathe.
Kaden ushers us inside to give us a tour of the house, and while it’s half the size of the mansion in Cape Haven, it’s still beautiful, updated with all new appliances, fixtures, and flooring. He guides us to our room on the second floor, and Wes sets our bags by the bed.
“Thanks for inviting us, man,” says Wes. “This place is really great.”
Kaden nods. “I’m glad you could come. There’s a bonfire on the beach later, if you guys are up for it. Just some local people.”
Wes glances to me for confirmation, and when I nod, he beams at Kaden. “Count us in.”
Hungry from the drive, we pick up sandwiches and eat them on the deck overlooking the street below. It’s crowded, but not with cars. Vacationers walk and bike, run and skate. There’s a constant flow of foot traffic, which makes for incredible people watching.
When we’ve finished the meal, the three of us play a game of cards until the sun begins to set, and then we follow Kaden up the street and onto the beach.
The moment my toes sink into the sand, I smile and look at Wes.
He’s grinning ear to ear, and he takes my hand in his as we trek in the direction of the bonfire.
Sitting on a bench around the dancing flames with a beer in my hand and my boyfriend by my side, I feel…
happy. I don’t think about school starting in a few weeks, or how disappointed I’ll be if Wes can’t get the job.
I push away all the worries and focus on the now.
On the moment. On simply being with Wes.
At some point, Ben arrives on the beach, and the three friends chat about their post-grad plans.
Content and slightly buzzed, I zone out, watching the light from the bonfire flicker across Wes’s handsome face.
His dark curls blow over his forehead in the evening ocean breeze, and I smile softly as he wraps a strong arm around my shoulders, absently kissing the top of my head.