Chapter 16 Wes
Now that we’re back on the water, I still can’t believe what happened in the woods with Rose. I think back to the way, only moments before, her hair fell around her face and the way her pink lips looked as she kissed me.
Looking over at her across the water I’m again struck by her beauty. After all we’ve been through she still looks perfect—beautiful. Her hair is a little tangled, her face still flushed, and there’s smudges of dirt along her arms. Little hints of what happened between us. I hope that the others aren’t able to pick up on them.
We continue down the river after putting ourselves back together, but haven’t seen any signs of Elle or Erick yet. I wonder if this was all part of their plan, or if they even ended up getting into the water before the storm hit. As we round the last bend, I see them leaning against Elle’s car. Looks of concern are plastered on their faces, and their kayaks are already loaded onto the car.
Rose runs her boat aground and jumps out to pull it ashore.
“Are you guys okay? That storm came in fast!” Elle runs down to the beach.
“Yeah, we’re fine. We had to get out for a while with all the lightning, but other than being a little cold, we’re okay.” Rose’s eyes flash to mine with a knowing look at the words “a little cold,” and it’s taking everything in me to not kiss her again.
Erick tosses me a dry shirt and sweatshirt. I gladly strip off my wet ones and catch Rose’s eyes on me again as well. I try to quickly get dressed, but not quickly enough. Erick glances between me and Rose and I see a flash of question in his eyes. Almost immediately he starts fidgeting with his hands, playing with his keys, shuffling about. What the hell?
“We should probably get going.” Erick grabs his bag and gives me a look that says, now . “I have some things I need to get done at the B&B this afternoon, and Wes needs to go too.”
“I don’t think I need to come.” I glance at him and shake my head covertly. What is his issue?
“No, you’ve got to come, we have that thing.” He starts to pull my arm towards the car.
“I thought we were going out for lunch?”
“Nope, we have to go. Thanks, Elle. I hope you both have a good rest of your day. Sorry about the storm and you falling in the water.” Erick waves at the women as he pushes me into the car door.
“What the hell?” I glare at him once we’re in the car. What in the world is happening?
“What happened with you two out there?”
“What are you talking about? We were kayaking and hid under some trees while it rained.” Meanwhile Erick is completely dry, which means they were never even out in the water.
“You’re a fucking bad liar, Wes. What did you do?” Erick’s eyebrows are raised so high that I think they might hit his hairline. Although he still has a slight tease to his tone, which means he isn’t quite as upset as he’s acting.
“What did I do? We kissed.” I can’t help but smile.
“And . . . ?”
“And nothing. I’m not messing around with Rose, Erick. We kissed, but we’re just friends. We both have things we’re working through. Why did Elle even invite me if she was so worried?”
“I know you’re a good guy, but you better not be messing around, otherwise you’re going to need to move again. Rose has become the darling of this town, and if you fuck this up, you’ll be on everyone’s list, man. Elle invited you as a favor to me, she thought it would be a big group and didn’t want you two to be alone. She reamed me out for staying behind with her.”
Wow, so much for low pressure.
Before I can even think of an answer, he lets out a deep chuckle and adds, “But hey, I bet you could live with my aunt if things go south. I have a few more cousins you could meet.”