Chapter 29
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Weston
“Pull over and park here,” I said to Ben. “I need to grab a coffee before heading back to the office.”
Ben pulled up to the curb and placed the car in park. Climbing out, I walked a few feet down to the coffee shop. The same one when I first laid eyes on Sam. Stepping through the door, I was shocked that there wasn’t a line.
“What can I get started for you?” the barista behind the counter asked.
“A large Americano, please.”
“One Americano coming up.”
I paid the barista and stepped to the side, waiting for my coffee. After retrieving it, I turned around to leave just as Sam walked through the door. My heart nearly escaped my chest when I saw her. Our eyes locked, and she quickly turned around and left. I went after her. Why? I didn’t know.
“Sam, wait.”
She stopped and turned to me. Her hair was pulled back into a loose bun with a few strands of waves around her face. She looked as beautiful as ever, except for one thing. She looked very tired and thinner.
“What do you want, Wes?”
“How are you?”
“Seriously?” She shoved her hands into her coat pocket.
“I just want to know how you’re doing,” I said.
“And why is that?” She cocked her head.
“Because believe it or not, I do care about you, and I want to make sure you’re okay.”
“That’s interesting.”
“Sam—”
“No, really.” She removed one hand from her pocket and gripped her purse strap. “Because in my experience, people who care about you don’t end things through text messages.”
I deserved that.
“I know I didn’t handle it the right way, and I’m sorry. I never wanted to hurt you.”
“But you did. And you know what? I’m okay. The great Cold Castile didn’t damage me the way he thought he did.”
“You look tired and thinner.”
“I was sick.”
“With?” My brows furrowed.
“Flu and sinus infection.”
“Are you better now?”
“Almost,” she said as the city traffic rushed by us.
“We should talk,” I cautiously said.
“About what? There’s nothing left to say, Wes. At least, I don’t have anything to say.”
She was right. What could I possibly say? Sorry I let my fears destroy us. Sorry that I miss you every single fucking day. Sorry that I still reach for my phone every morning to text you. None of it felt like enough.
“That’s what I thought. How’s work?” she asked.
“What?” I frowned.
“You know. The thing you chose over me.”
“Sam, that’s not—”
“How are the meetings? The deals? The endless emails and phone calls?” She tilted her head. “Everything going according to your plans?”
I lowered my head and stared at the ground because there wasn’t an answer I could give her that didn’t make me sound like an idiot.
“I miss you.” The words fell out of my mouth before I could stop them.
“Good for you, but that’s not my problem anymore.” She began to walk away and then stopped. “You don’t get to check on me, Wes. You gave up that right via text message. I’m going into that coffee shop and grabbing a coffee. Do not follow me.”
I stood there with my hands tucked into my pants pockets and watched the woman I fell in love with leave me standing on the sidewalk. I deserved every word she said to me, and I hated myself for it.
Ben slowly pulled up to where I stood. Climbing in the back, I slammed the door shut.
“Are you okay, Wes?” He glanced at me through the rearview mirror.
“No, Ben. I’m not.”
“Did you read over the speech I gave you?” Kylie asked as Ben drove us to Manhattan Heights High School.
“Yes, I read it over.”
“Are you sure, Wes? Or are you just saying that so I don’t freak out?”
“I skimmed it.” I glanced up from my phone.
“You skimmed it?!” Her voice rose.
“Relax, Kylie. It’s a football game.”
“A football game?” She slammed shut her leather portfolio sitting on her lap. “It’s a community high-profile engagement event, Wes. Parents, students, alumni, and reporters will be there. You can’t just wing it. You have to say exactly what we prepared for you.”
I glanced at her and noticed her left eye was twitching. “What is wrong with your eye?”
She brought her finger up to her eye. “This is what happens when I’m scared you’re going to go off the rails and screw things up!”
“You should really get that checked,” I said.
“It wouldn’t be happening if you just didn’t tell me you skimmed the speech I spent over three hours preparing.”
“What happens if I go off script?” I asked.
The horrified look on her face almost scared me.
“Why would you even put that kind of energy out into the universe?” she asked.
I chuckled.
“It’s not funny, Wes. I’ve prepared backup statements just in case you decide to mention something that will most likely offend people."
"Oh, come on.” I laughed.
“Another thing. You are not to mention Samantha. If one of the reporters asks you about her, you keep your mouth shut. Got it?”
I felt an ache in my chest. I stared out the window and didn’t say a word.
“Hey, are you okay?” Kylie’s voice softened.
“I’m fine,” I sighed.
“You know what I loved about her?” Kylie asked. “How, after one date, she got you to eat at a greasy diner. How she made you laugh. And how she put you in some of the best moods I’d ever seen you in.”
“Don’t sit there and analyze me,” I said.
“I don’t need to analyze you, Wes. I’ve worked for you long enough to know when you’re miserable.”
“We’re not discussing this, Kylie.”
“Fine. Just stick to the speech, Wes.”