Chapter 22
Elli
Ican barely sleep Friday night, I’m so excited to see Wes.
We’ve been texting pretty much all day every day since Wednesday night, sending memes, TikToks, Reels, and he sends voice memos of songs he’s working on.
At night, he’ll call me to ask me about my day.
When we hang up, I literally kick my feet and giggle in pure delight.
Not to mention, my vibrator has gotten a lot of use lately.
That kiss Wednesday seemed to flip a switch in my brain from “horny sometimes” to “horny all the time” because I have to use it every time we hang up the phone. After the first time using my vibrator, it’s been easier to reach an orgasm with the toy. Much better than my fingers, for sure.
Saturday morning, I get up and Izzy calls me while I’m getting ready.
“Good morning sister dearest.” I sing-song.
“Um. Hi? Why are you so chipper at eight on a Saturday morning?” Izzy asks, sleep still in her voice.
“I have a date. Why are you up so early? It’s seven in Utah.” I ask.
“A date?! I thought you and Matt were just staying friends.”
“We are, I uhh, I’m going on a date with Wes, actually.”
“WHAT?!” Izzy screeches. “Why is this the first I'm hearing about it? Where is he taking you? What changed?”
“Well, I don’t know where he’s taking me. He’s surprising me. Nothing’s changed other than the fact that we finally realized we liked each other. He wrote me a song and performed it on Wednesday and then-”
“He wrote you a song?” Izzy coos, “Luke’s never written me a song. What the heck?”
“Luke isn’t a writer, Iz. He’s a performer. But I’m sure if you asked, he’d write you one.” I’m sure he would, and he would make a big show of performing it, too.
“Yeah. You’re right. Anyway, I just wanted to call you and let you know that Spencer got his mission call, he’s going to Sao Paulo, Brazil. He leaves August seventeenth. Mom and dad expect you to be here for his farewell. I just thought I’d call you before Mom does so you can be warned.”
Part of me feels a pang of sadness that my family didn’t even think to call me for his mission call opening. I’m sure it was a big, flashy party and not a single person let me know.
Another part of me rolls my eyes. Ooo Brazil. How original. I swear everyone from my graduating class went to Brazil or Germany on their mission. “Thanks for the heads up. I can probably swing coming to Utah. Do you think I could bring Wes?”
There’s a long pause before Izzy responds. “Is that… I mean, is it serious already? Do you think that’s a good idea?”
“I think it will be serious by then. That’s just over a month. I know he doesn’t look like the typical guys I’ve dated, but he’s special, Iz. I’d feel more comfortable coming back with him.”
“You know I support you Els. But just know that Mom and Dad won’t be happy, and they for sure won’t let him stay at the house.”
“That’s fine. We’d probably get a hotel room anyway.
Or see if Hannah has a spare room.” I haven’t chatted with Hannah in a while, but we were always close as kids.
She got married pretty much right out of high school and started her master’s around the same time, so we occasionally got lunch when classes allowed.
“You didn’t hear?”
“Didn’t hear what?”
“Hannah and Liam are getting a divorce.”
“WHAT? When? Do you know why?” Why didn’t Hannah tell me? I mean, I guess we aren’t super close anymore, not like we were when we were kids, but still. How did I have no idea she was divorcing her husband?
“All I know is she moved in with Aunt Shelly two weeks ago and the divorce is still being finalized. No one’s said why.”
“That’s so weird. Well, I guess I won’t ask her for a place to stay. I’ve got to get dressed, Wes will be here soon.”
“Yeah, I have to get to the school to start painting sets anyway. Mandatory stagecraft hours or no credit for the musical this term. Love you bunches Els. Have fun on your daaaate.” She says.
“Love you too Izzy bee. I intend to.”
“I want to know all the deets later! How good of a kisser he is, and if he’s good with his hands since he plays the guitar.”
“Izzy!” I chastise.
“You know you were thinking it too! Love you, bye!” And then the line goes dead, the little butthead.
I double check my subtle make up in the mirror, and make sure my ponytail is secure.
Deciding it looks good, I head back to my room and try to decide if I want to put on the new pink lacy thong and matching balconette bra I got.
I don’t know what Wes has planned, or if he even wants to have sex yet, but…
it can’t hurt to wear something sexy, right?
Slipping those on, I opt for some light blue linen shorts and a white, flowy tank top with little beads on the high neckline.
I’m just lacing up my black converse when the doorbell rings.
Butterflies erupt in my belly when I open the door to find Wes, looking more casual than I’ve ever seen him.
He’s wearing black chino shorts, which show off the ink on his legs, a tight white t-shirt that enhances the ink on his arms, and his hair is pulled back in a low bun.
“Good morning, beautiful.” He says, leaning in to give me a kiss on the cheek. “Ready to go?”
“Hi handsome. Let me grab my purse, then I’m all yours.” I step to the kitchen to grab my purse off of the counter, then walk out the door.
As I’m putting the key in to lock the door, Wes steps up behind me and whispers in my ear, “I like the thought of you being mine, Elliana.”
My breath hitches, and when I turn around there’s a heat in his eyes that makes me want to squirm.
“Let’s get this show on the road, baby. I have big plans for us today and we need to fuel up.” He grabs my hand and leads me to his car. He opens the door for me, but before I get in he grabs me by the waist and plants a dizzying kiss on my lips.
“I was going to wait to do that until after but I’ve been thinking about your lips non-stop for three days. I needed a fix.” He says with a wink before helping me into the car, buckling my seat belt for me, and closing the door.
Once again, I’m speechless. How does he keep doing that?
Wes has the radio playing on a low volume as we drive through San Marcos, his hand on my thigh the whole time. We make casual conversation during the ten minute drive, and when we stop, I see we’re parked in front of a quaint little diner type restaurant called Ernie’s.
“This place looks so cute and cozy!” I say as Wes opens the car door for me.
He places a hand on the small of my back as he guides me to the front door, “This is a hidden gem in San Marcos. It’s housed many late night study sessions for me and Robs, and it’s the best place to have breakfast after a long night out.”
Wes opens the door for me and motions for me to go ahead of him, and I gasp as I take in the retro-eclectic atmosphere of the place.
The diner’s walls are painted a light pink, the turquoise booth seats look worn and well used, but extremely comfortable, and the checkered floor is scuffed from so many feet on it, but it’s clean and well kept.
All along the walls are a hodgepodge of different celebrities.
Major league baseball players, football stars, singers, actors, and actresses.
I notice a photo of a familiar dark haired man with a guitar, standing in the middle of two older people.
Wes sees it catch my eye and he blushes.
“That’s from my first paid gig. Claudia wanted to make sure she had a signed picture for when I got famous.” He explains. He motions to an empty booth, “Let’s have some breakfast, yeah?”
I nod, following his lead. I take one side of the booth, and instead of him taking the other side like I thought, he joins me on one side. I glance over the menu, and am about to ask what I should order when the woman from the photograph comes over with a carafe of coffee.
“Well, look who it is! This isn’t your usual breakfast date. Where’s Red?” Claudia asks.
“Claudia, this is Elli. Elli, this is Claudia. Ernie’s wife, and the maker of the best coffee on this side of Texas.” Wes stands to give Claudia a hug, and I offer her a hand.
“Nice to meet you Claudia. I’ve heard excellent things about this place. Everything looks so good on the menu I can’t decide what I want to order.”
Claudia’s hands are wrinkly and calloused as she grips mine in both of hers. Damn, she’s strong for an older lady. “Well, Elli. It’s nice to meet you. Wes doesn’t bring very many people around here, so you must be one special lady.”
Wes tosses an arm behind me and looks at me with a smile so bright it rivals the sun. “She’s the most special.”
Wes and Claudia catch up on what Wes has been up to, and he tells her about his newfound inspiration, the new songs he’s written, and she makes him promise to send her the audio files when they’re done so she can “give her stamp of approval.”
“Alright kids. Wes, I’m assuming you want the usual?” She asks, and Wes nods. “What about you Miss Elli?”
Wes leans in, “Can I order for you?”
“I trust you.” I say, handing over my menu.
Wes gives me a devastating smile, then turns back to whisper something to Claudia. Claudia hums in approval, and then leaves to go put our order in.
“She’s super sweet, Wes. I can see why you like coming here.” I say once Claudia is behind the counter and out of earshot.
“She’s the best. My grandma used to bring me here every Sunday morning, since her and Claudia were such good friends.
When I needed a babysitter, Claudia would step up when Jess couldn’t watch me.
She put me to work wrapping silverware when I was about ten and when I was thirteen, she promoted me to busboy.
I worked here every weekend I could to save up for a guitar.
It’s because of them I was able to afford one and start writing my own songs.
” Wes says as he doctors up our coffees.
“That’s amazing, Wes. I’m glad you had someone like that in your life.” I say, laying my hand on his forearm.
“Me too. Probably would have turned into a big troublemaker if I didn’t have Claudia and Ernie threatening my behind on a weekly basis.” He says with a chuckle. “I don’t know if I added enough sugar. Sorry there’s no white chocolate here.” He slides a white mug my way.
I take a sip of the steaming liquid. It’s a bit bitter, so I grab another sugar packet and stir it in. I take another sip, “Ah. That’s better. Not bad. I’ll have to work on expanding my tastebuds.”
He takes a large gulp of his and I watch his Adam’s apple bob with the swallow.
Wow, I didn't know swallowing could be sexy.
Oblivious to my blooming arousal, Wes says “Claudia’s is good. It’s some of the only kind I can drink black. They import their beans from Guatemala.”
I scrunch my nose, wondering how anyone could drink it without a cup of sugar, and Wes laughs at my face.
“Have I ever told you how cute your nose is?” Wes asks, tracing the appendage lightly with his finger.
“I don’t think anyone has.” I answer honestly.
“Well, baby, I think your nose is fucking adorable.”
“Thank you.” I say, my cheeks heating at the compliment.
Wes boops it gently and then plants a gentle kiss on the tip. “I’ll compliment you all day every day. Any chance I get.”