Chapter Eighteen #2
eyes.
“That’s good. He sounds like an amazing
partner. I wish you all the best on your new collaboration.” Ethan
smiled knowingly as Wes’s face continued to burn. Ethan’s phone
vibrated suddenly. “Excuse me for a moment.”
Wes sat there pondering their conversation
while Ethan checked his phone and typed away.
“This was really nice, Wes, but I gotta get
back to work. My agent is after me about another public appearance
opportunity, and I’ve got a forty-eight hour deadline for my next
draft.”
Ethan made to pull out his wallet, but Wes
intervened. “Nope, I’ve got it. My pleasure.”
“Thanks, Wes. Hey, here are my contact
details.” Ethan handed over a plain black business card. “Stay in
touch, okay? Who knows, maybe we can work together on a book in the
future.”
Wes shook Ethan’s hand. “I’d like that. Take
care.”
Wes ordered another drink and sat quietly
looking out over the harbor, taking in the sunset and enjoying the
happy, frenetic atmosphere of the bar. He wondered what Ryker would
think of this place, this view. He’d probably grumble about too
many tourists. Then they’d sit closely together, and talk about
anything and everything, and sip wine and stare at each other like
no one else existed. Jesus, I guess I’m ready to write those
love scenes now. Maybe Ethan was right. Wes’s previous
experience at a relationship soured him for years, but it was based
on lies. Was he ready to try again? Maybe there was something to
the idea of having a partner, someone to hold hands with while
watching the sunset.
Half an hour later, Wes was walking back to
his hotel when his phone rang. The call display said Unknown
Number.
Wes answered. “Hello?”
“Hello, Wesley,” a smooth voice murmured.
“It’s been a long time.”
Kieran. Fuck my life.
“Did you get my e-mail, Wesley? I’ve been
trying to reach you for ages, but your annoying little assistant
keeps blocking my attempts,” Kieran complained.
“If you’re referring to Luca, he is anything
but annoying or little. And why the fuck are you calling me now
after three years? What do you want?” Wes demanded.
Kieran sighed. “I just want to see how
you’re doing, my love. I’ve missed you terribly. And I see from the
news that you’ve been busy fucking everything that moves, but
there’s no evidence of any relationships. I guess you’ve never
gotten over me, have you?”
Kieran’s smugness ratcheted Wes’s temper up
ten notches. “There was nothing to get over. We had fun, you lied
and betrayed me, I kicked you out on your sorry ass, end of story,”
Wes barked. “And there’s no fucking sequel or part two. But let me
guess, you’re flat broke again and need money, right?” Wes heard
Kieran’s faint gasp on the other end of the line. “Well, tough
shit. Now, I don’t know how you got hold of this number, but you’d
better erase it from your phone and never, ever contact me again.
Got it?”
“This isn’t over, Wesley. See you around,”
Kieran replied with a monotone voice, then hung up.
Wes dialed Luca but got his voicemail. “Hey,
it’s me. Kieran just called my cell. I don’t know how the fuck he
got my number, and his showed up as unknown, so I can’t block it.
Let me know if he’s contacted you or Grey. Oh, and I need to make a
change in my itinerary, so call me back ASAP. Thanks.”
Then he texted Ryker.
Wes: How are you? Long time no
text.
Ryker: Busy. Sent you back your chapter
with notes. I’ve also added another chapter for you to review. It’s
very good. I think we have something here. Being on the road must
be good for your writing. Your block is ebbing away.
Wes: Not how’s work. How are you?
Ryker: I’m okay. Still tired. Work and
fur babies keeping me busy. Oh, and I have to call my sister in
Australia. I need to set aside at least two hours for that.
Wes: She likes to talk?
Ryker: She’s a linguistics professor so
the answer is yes.
Wes: Interesting. Speaking of talking, I
chatted with a former FBI investigator today. Very cool
guy.
Ryker: Ethan Blackwell? Saw him on the
list for your event, lucky you.
Wes: He’s awesome but sadly into women.
Besides, he isn’t a grumpy New Yorker.
Ryker: Are you saying you like
me?
Wes paused, his earlier promise to himself
to focus on their writing partnership slowly dissolving. Instead,
he blurted out exactly how he felt.
Wes: Yes. I admit it. I can’t stop
thinking about you.
Ryker: I know the feeling. Is it okay to
say I miss you?
Wes was lightheaded. Was this really
happening? Was he going to reach for something more?
Wes: I miss you too.
Ryker: We’re sappy. Jesus, don’t show
anyone these texts!
Wes: No way. Sappy is our secret.
Ryker: I gotta go. Spock and Isaac are
hissing and growling at each other and WW3 is about to erupt in my
living room.
Wes: Give them all a scratch for me. Oh,
and BTW, my writing is better now because I have a stimulating
partner to work with
Ryker: So that means I can take all the
credit when our book is a success? Cool.
Wes: Haha.
Ryker: Talk soon, safe travels.
Wes: C u soon.
Luca called back and Wes had him rearrange
his travel. Fuck it. He had two days before he was due to arrive in
Portland, and in the meantime, there was only one place he wanted
to be.