Chapter 31
Chapter Thirty-One
Samantha
“You have to admit, what Wes did last night was pretty cool,” Greta said, sitting at the table across from, gripping her coffee cup.
“Really? It’s all for show. He couldn’t care less about the school and the students.”
“I don’t know about that, Sam. Finn told me that he had no idea Wes was going to do that.”
“I don’t care. And I don’t want to talk about him anymore.”
“You heard what he said. I do believe that was directed toward you.” She smiled.
“No. That was him talking out of his ass to make himself look good.”
“I don’t know, Sam. Finn said he’s been a miserable prick the last couple of weeks.”
“Good.” I smiled and got up to pour another cup of coffee.
Zoey emerged from her room. “Hey, Mom. I’m going to hang out with Maya and a few of the girls. I’ll be home later.”
“Okay. Be safe.”
“I will.”
Weston
I was sitting in my study, doing some work, when I heard a knock at the door. Getting up, I walked over, opened it, and froze when I saw Zoey standing there.
“We need to talk.” She pushed past me. Apparently, it was a Hollis family trait. “Wow. Look at this place.” Her eyes scanned the space.
“Zoey, does your mom know you’re here?” I asked, closing the door.
“Nope.” She stared at me.
“Let’s go into the living room.” I gestured. “You know, that’s my line.”
“What is?”
“The whole ‘we need to talk’ thing.”
“Well, you lost your talking privileges when you ended things with my mom over text.”
She got straight to the point, just like her mother. This was going to be interesting.
“Zoey,” I sighed.
“No.” She held up her hand. “No speeches, Wes. You looked directly at my mom when you said success didn’t matter if you had no one to share it with. Which, by the way, was totally annoying, yet romantic.”
I ran my hand down my face. “Zoey—”
“And then you just walked away. Do you have any idea how sad she’s been? She’s trying really hard to act like she’s okay, but she isn’t.”
And neither was I. I stood there and listened as she continued her rant.
“You know, I used to think adults had everything figured out.”
I breathed out a laugh. “We definitely don’t.”
“Yeah, I’ve noticed,” she said. “And by the way. You look terrible.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” She sat on the couch like she owned the place. “You know what I think?”
“I have no doubt you’re going to tell me.”
“I think you’re being dumb. Hear me out. You love my mom, and don’t stand there and try to deny it. I’ve seen the way you look at her. She told me you used her to clean up your reputation. But I don’t believe that. Just like you don’t believe it either.”
I opened my mouth, but the words wouldn’t come out.
“See. The fact that you have no words proves my point.”
“Zoey, it’s complicated.”
“No, it isn’t, Wes.” She leaned back on the couch cushions. “My mom teaches English Lit. She’s made me read the books. So, I know a lot about stupid men ruining perfectly good relationships.”
“Are you comparing me to Mr. Darcy?”
“You bet I am. You’re being Mr. Darcy before he gets his act together.”
“You’re very insightful for a sixteen-year-old.” I smiled.
“I try.” She shrugged. “This is all my fault.”
“Why do you think that?” I furrowed my brows and sat down next to her.
“I’m the one who signed her up for the auction.
After the Chris and Gym Girl Brittany debacle, she wasn’t the same.
Her heart was broken. She felt bad about herself.
And she kept replaying scenes in her head, trying to figure out what she did wrong.
She did nothing wrong, Wes. Chris was an insecure little fitness freak who couldn’t keep his dick in his pants. ”
“Zoey!”
“It’s the truth. Then you won a date with her, and her life imploded once again. If I hadn’t signed her up, none of—”
“Stop. None of this is your fault or your mother’s. I’m to blame for everything. Me.” I jammed my finger into my chest.
“Listen, I know you're scared or whatever.”
“Whatever?” My brow arched.
“Adult trauma. Fear of commitment. Rich people’s issues. Who the hell knows. But here’s the thing. You don’t get to decide what’s best for my mom, and you don’t get to decide for me either.”
“What do you mean, Zoey?”
“I want you in our lives. Even though you tore my mom’s heart to pieces, I know you didn’t mean to. Don’t ask me how. I just know. But if you broke my mom’s heart because you’re scared, that’s your choice. But if you did because you think you’re protecting us from you, that’s just arrogant.”
I sat there speechless at this girl who’d become important to me without me even realizing it.
“You’re right, Zoey.”
“I know I am. I’m always right. It’s a teenager thing.” She smiled.
She stood from the couch and slung her purse strap over her shoulder.
“You’re leaving?” I asked.
“Yes. I have friends to hang out with. Anyway, that’s my unsolicited advice.” She headed toward the foyer and stopped. “Oh, and for the record, girls love grand gestures.”
“Do they, now?” I raised my brow.
“The right girl does.” She smiled. “I believe everyone deserves a second chance.” She walked out the door, leaving me standing there with the one thing I’d always tried to avoid—hope.