Chapter 49
Wes
Before we leave Utah the next morning, Elli asks to make a stop at her parents’ house so she can tell them her decision.
I’m nervous for her, but I support her one hundred percent.
We pull up in front of Elli’s childhood home at seven in the morning so she can talk to both of her parents before her dad leaves for work. We make our way up the steps and Elli rings the doorbell, my hand firmly in her grasp.
Louise answers the door, the fake smile on her face falling as soon as she sees who it is. “What are you doing here? Have you come to apologize?”
“I came here to talk to you and dad.” Elli’s voice doesn’t waver, even in the presence of her mom, and I give her hand a gentle squeeze to remind her I’m here with her.
Louise steps aside and motions for us to come in. “Kent! Elliana is here and wants to speak to us.” She shouts down the hall that leads to Kent’s office.
Kent appears moments later and stands behind Louise with his arms crossed expectantly.
Elli straightens her spine before she starts.
“I came to tell you that I’m not breaking up with Wes.
I’m not going to let you manipulate my life anymore, and I’m not going to let you push me around like a puppet.
You said I wouldn’t be allowed to be part of this family anymore if I stayed with Wes, so I guess you’ve lost a daughter.
I know you’ve never been proud of me, and you’ve never loved me the way a mother should love her child.
I came to say goodbye, and to say that if you ever treat Izzy the way you’ve treated me, you can expect to lose your other daughter, too. ”
“You ungrateful brat. I gave you everything you ever needed or wanted as a child, and this is how you repay me? What will the ward think? What will your aunts and uncles think?” Louise hisses at Elli.
“You never gave Elli love. And that’s what she needed the most. Your ward, your family?
They’ll think whatever you choose to tell them, and I’m sure you’ll paint yourself as the victim.
You should be proud of the woman Elli is.
” I say, wanting to prove to not only them, but myself, that I’m worthy of Elli’s love.
She deserves someone who will stand up for her.
“She’ll come crawling back when the novelty of you wears off. Or you leave her for a skinner, prettier version.” Louise looks at me with so much hate, you’d think I murdered her entire family.
“Don’t talk to him like that.” Elli snaps. Then she turns to me. “I’ve said what I want to say. Let’s go. We have a long journey home.” She emphasizes the word home, and that warms my heart.
With that, we walk out the front door. Louise sputters about us regretting this and how Elli is ungrateful, but Elli tunes them out as we make our way to the car. I open the door for her, but before she gets in, she grabs me by the back of my neck and kisses me passionately.
I don’t even hesitate to meet her passion, making a show of grabbing her voluptuous ass. I know she’s just proving a point to her parents, but damn it, I’m hard for her already.
When we break apart, Louise and Kent are standing on the porch with red faces. Louise’s from anger, Kent’s from embarrassment, probably.
“Goodbye, Louise.” Elli says, getting in the car.
I wave to them, earning a death glare from Louise, but she can’t bring my mood down right now.
I’ve got my dream girl, my dream job, and the only thing missing is being home and not in the car.
The rest of our two-day journey is filled with plans for the tour.
Since my lease is up in October, I’m going to sell most of my furniture and move the rest of my stuff into Elli’s apartment. Elli’s going to ask Luke if she can pay him to come check on the apartment every once in a while.
Elli’s job will still be full-time, but since the concerts are mostly at night, she’s going to work away at her computer during the day and be backstage or front row for me every night.
The thought of spending every single day with her makes me want to move in right now, but I think it’ll be good to wait another month and a half.
Probably.
Elli’s already got plans for t-shirts with “I’m with Wes” and “I’m with Elli” printed on them so people know we’re together.
I’m considering buying a ring. So when she’s not wearing the shirt, people know she’s mine.
That’s crazy though… right? Wanting to get engaged so soon? We haven’t really talked about marriage yet. She only said she didn’t want kids, not that she didn’t want to get married.
Visions of a small, intimate ceremony with just our closest friends and family pop into my mind. Elli, walking down a flower lined path in a stunning white dress- or whatever color she wants- she could walk down the aisle in white overalls for all I fucking care.
We’d stand before an officiant, someone not religious, and make promises to love each other forever, before she’d slip a band on my finger, and I’d slip one onto hers.
Then we’d have a fucking party. We’d have drinks and dancing, and I’d definitely write a song for the occasion about how much I love her. Jess would cry, Izzy would probably be the maid of honor and give a ridiculous speech.
It would be the best day ever.
“Hey, where’d you go just now?” Elli pokes my shoulder, bringing me out of my daydream.
“Just thinking about the future.” I say, bringing our intertwined hands to my mouth and placing a gentle kiss on her ring finger.
“Hmmm. Must’ve been a good thought.” She teases.
“The best.” I say with a beaming smile.
She rolls her eyes, then launches back into planning mode, writing down questions for me to ask Misha on her phone, like what the laundry situation is. Will food be provided for us, or do we need to plan our own meals?
She wants to know if I’ll be paid up front, or if it will be a monthly thing.
I’m extra glad she’s coming with me now because I never would have thought to ask things like this. Not that I need her to help me run my life, obviously, but she’s much more detail oriented than I am.
After a full day of driving, we’ve finally made it back to San Marcos. As soon as we pull up in front of Elli’s apartment building, Robin gets out of her car and angrily stomps over to us.
“What the hell is happening with you two? One minute I’m talking to Wes about what an idiot he’d be to let you go, then you take the phone from me, and then it’s radio silence!” She turns to me, “Do I need to kick your ass for breaking up with her or not?”
Elli and I start laughing, which only frustrates Robin more.
“Don’t worry, Robs. We’re not broken up.” Elli says, wrapping her arms around my waist and looking up at me.
I’m sure I look like a lovesick idiot staring back at my girl, but I can’t help it. The last two days have been such a rollercoaster, and I’m just glad I didn’t lose her for good.
“Good.” Robin sniffs. “I’d hate to have to choose Elli over you.”
My jaw drops in mock offense, “You’d choose a girl you just met over your best friend of seven years?”
Robs shrugs, “Of course. Hoes before bros. Chicks before dicks. All that feminist stuff.”
I look at Elli with a can you believe this? expression and she just laughs.
“You always pick chicks before dicks, Robs. So I don’t know if it’s a feminist thing or a gay thing.” Elli teases.
“Probably a little bit of both. Anyway, I’ve been sitting here for two hours waiting for you to get back and I have a hot date with the hottie from the gallery.” Robin gives Elli a hug, and then me.
When she hugs me she whispers, “I’m proud of you.” and it makes me want to tear up. I haven’t heard that a lot in my life.
“Thanks Robs.” I say back.
“Have fun on your date.” Elli says, wiggling her eyebrows.
Robin blushes as she gets into her car.
We wave her off, then get Elli’s luggage from the trunk, and I walk her into her apartment.
Elli sighs, like being here is a weight lifted from her shoulders, and I can relate to the feeling.
Utah has beautiful scenery, but if all Mormons are like Elli’s family, I don’t think I could be surrounded by them twenty-four-seven.
My heart aches a little every time I think about how strained the relationship between Elli and her parents now, but I just have to keep reminding myself that she’s an adult.
She makes her own choices. If she doesn’t want to have a relationship with her parents, that’s something I’m going to have to be okay with and help her through.
“Well I’d better get going, I’m beat.” I say through a yawn.
Elli pushes her bottom lip out in an adorable little pout. “Noooo.” She whines. “It’s late, why don’t you stay? Then we can both go over to your place tomorrow to unpack.”
“Baby, aren’t you sick of being around me? We’ve been together non-stop for almost a week.” I tuck an errant piece of strand behind her ear.
“I’m never going to be sick of being around you.” She says sweetly. “Besides, we’re going to be together nonstop for eight months. Are you sick of me?”
I pull her body flush with mine, “Never. I’ll never get tired of you.”
Her answering smile could light up an entire city.
“Good! So it’s settled. You’re staying here. Let’s go shower.” She chirps, dragging me into the bathroom.
“Yes ma’am.”