12. Chapter 12
Chapter 12
BECKY
I heard a knock on the door and pulled the covers further over my head. I didn’t have the emotional energy to deal with Debtsure, or Weston for that matter. The lingering sentiments of yesterday’s painful conversation with him were still too fresh, too raw.
Weston’s cold words kept replaying in my mind, slicing through me every time I thought of them. We’re not friends. And as if to punctuate his lack of desire for a friendship, he hadn’t even bothered to slow his pace for me during the run.
Now, I was suffering the consequences. These aggressive period cramps were my punishment for pushing myself too hard yesterday. And I didn’t even have any painkillers .
Another knock sounded on the door. I tried to ignore it, sinking deeper into my makeshift fabric sanctuary.
Was this how people really saw me? Was I just an inconvenience to be dealt with, a burden to be tolerated? If someone as impressive as Weston couldn’t stand me, then who else would? The sudden doubts about people’s opinions of me started to creep in, casting a heavy shadow over my already aching heart.
“Rebecca, please open up.” I heard Weston say through the closed door.
Pain seared my lower back, and I didn’t think I’d make it to the door. I’d just stay in the fetal position on my bed until it subsided.
“I understand you are angry with me, but please open the door,” he said. “Please, Becky.”
Did he just call me Becky? Holding back a groan as the pain coursed through me, I slid off the bed with my comforter and blankets wrapped around me and hobbled across the room.
I opened the door to Weston smelling fresh as ever and looking irresistibly handsome. Argh! I used my duvet to mostly cover my face because I had zero makeup on. “What?” I said, not trying too hard to keep the bitterness out of my voice .
“What’s wrong?” Weston asked, clearly shocked by the mountain of blankets twisted around my body.
“What do you want, Weston?” I said, not in the mood to quarrel with him.
“Why are you covering your face?”
“Because I have no makeup on,” I said, too sore to come up with another excuse. “Just say what you came for so I can go back to bed.”
“Um, I came to apologize. I’m sorry for yesterday... Becky, what’s wrong? You don’t look very good. Do I need to call a doctor?” he said, his voice full of concern.
“Wow, Weston, you know just what to say to a girl,” I said, sarcasm dancing on my tongue.
He just kept staring at me like I had three heads. I sighed, not wanting to blow things out of proportion.
“I don’t need a doctor. It’s just period pain.”
As the last word slipped out, an unexpected wave of discomfort rippled through me. It started at the sides of my abdomen, as if I were being squeezed by an invisible corset, the laces pulled mercilessly tight. The pain gnawed its way towards my back, as though it had a mind of its own, intent on marking its territory. With it came the onset of a nagging headache. I folded in half, cradling my aching abdomen .
“Whoa, Becky, you’re scaring me now. Please let me help you.”
“I don’t need help. Just let me ride it out. We aren’t friends, so you don’t need to worry yourself,” I said, and stood to shut the door. Weston stepped forward and stopped me from closing it.
“Have you got pain meds? Or a heating pad? That always helped my sister.”
“I don’t, but it does sound heavenly,” I said, my need for relief stronger than my desire to teach him a lesson.
“Come to the main house and you can watch a movie to take your mind off it, too,” he said, his voice hopeful and encouraging.
Shocked, I forgot to cover my face and instead gazed up at Weston and scrutinized his demeanor. Did I hear him right? “Who is this, and what have you done with Weston?”
A low chuckle rumbled from his chest, filling the quiet morning. “I’m not an ogre. I am capable of being friendly.”
A warm glow spread through me, a feeling as novel as it was delicate. Could it be that I’d chipped away at the enigmatic armor of Weston? I flashed him a small grin, trying to ignore the lingering shadows of doubt. “Okay, Westy,” I said, a coy smirk playing on my lips as I tested his newfound friendliness.
“Don’t push your luck. Weston is just fine. The offer on the table is a heating pad and a movie. Take it or leave it.” His firm voice betrayed no malice, only a hint of affectionate tolerance.
“I’ll take it,” I agreed, my voice faltering as pain shuddered through me, making my knees buckle. A comforting arm enveloped me instantly, as if he had been waiting for the signal.
“Come, let me help you to the house.” His voice soothed me. As we strolled up the path together, I blinked in surprise. I hadn’t had the privilege of seeing this tender side of Weston yet.
“There’s another distraction in the house that I think might help,” he said.
“What is it?”
“You’ll just have to wait and see.”
We hadn’t even made it to the front door when the most adorable bundle of black fur I’d ever seen came tumbling down the steps like a tiny, clumsy shadow.
“Oh my goodness, you kept him?” I twisted within his hold and faced him.
He shrugged. “Nope. My sister, Darcy, decided he was family. I’m just the Saturday sitter. ”
I couldn’t resist; letting go of Weston, I crouched down to lavish the small dog with attention. “Hey there, cutie. What’s your name?” I cooed, scratching behind his ears.
“Um… It’s not important. I’ve been calling him Pooch,” Weston said.
I laughed, shaking my head. “Names are very important.” I inspected the little guy’s collar and twisted it to reveal the tag. My eyes widened. “Eeyore? You named him Eeyore?” I couldn’t hide my amusement. “That’s what I called you at the wedding!”
Weston folded his arms, looking anywhere but at me. “I didn’t ‘name’ him. I called him that once out of sheer annoyance, and Darcy thought it was brilliant. But as I’ve mentioned, to me, he’s just Pooch.”
“So, what you’re saying is, my apology gift turned out to be a hit?” I stood up, a triumphant smile plastered on my face despite my aching body.
He rolled his eyes, a reluctant almost-grin breaking through. “No. It was a terrible idea. You just got lucky.”
I smiled.
“You can stop your gloating already. Come, let’s get you two inside,” he said, placing his arm around me again. Being so near to him made me nervous. Behave, heart. Don’t get any ideas. Weston only just tolerates you .
Ten minutes after Weston appeared at my door, I was on the sofa in the main house with cushions all around me and not one, but two heating pads. Eeyore was snuggled on my lap; a little pompom with a wet nose and the sweetest doggy breath. Why didn’t doctors prescribe movies, heating pads, and fluffy dogs for period pain?
My discomfort seemed to fade to the background, as we scrolled through movie options. The meds Weston had given me working their magic. No guy had ever treated me like such a queen when I had my period. I was so intrigued by this side of him. I didn’t think it was possible for him to be more attractive, but I was wrong. Stop it. He probably thinks of you as a kid sister . Why wasn’t there a ‘Weston’ in Atlanta who didn’t hate my guts?
“What do you want to watch?” he asked.
“Anything Disney, but I’ll also watch something with more action if you want.”
“You can choose. Consider it my apology for yesterday,” he said softly.