Chapter 39 Rose
Wes has had a few lazy days in bed and while I know the Sprouts Fest is coming up, I’m nervous about him going. It’s a lot of people, and a lot of walking around which is hard for him right now. The doctors said that he should be completely resting this week and I’ve tried hard to make sure he does just that. I can’t help but think this might be overdoing it, though.
“Wes, I don’t think we should go to the Sprouts Fest. It will be too much and you need your rest.” I look down at him nervously. He’s feeling cooped up, and while it’s wonderful to have this time together, I can tell he’s ready to get moving and see people again.
“But you’ve been working hard on it. It will be weird if we don’t go.” He gives me a confused look.
“You’ve been doing so well and I don’t want you to have a set-back because we overdid it at this festival. It will happen again next year, it’s not a one-and-done type thing.”
“Rose, does this have anything to do with us being more public about being together? I’m sure Mabel has already told everyone, and come on, no one will be surprised.” He lifts his hands up in protest, winces, and puts them back down slowly, trying to hide that he’s in pain.
“I saw that!” I point at him. “Your arms are hurting. And no, all our friends and my mom already know and they’re the ones that matter the most.”
“Okay, okay, guilty. But I still think we should go. As much as I love your apartment and being in your bed, it would be good for us to get out.” I know he’s right, I do, but there’s a part of me that’s feeling worried about us going. Is this about him, or about me? I’m not entirely sure.
“We can go, but you need to sit in a wheelchair the whole time—no using your crutches. I see how they tire you out even just around the apartment.
“That seems reasonable. Where will we get one?”
“We can borrow one from the hospital, I already called and they rent them out as needed. I can go pick it up this morning.”
“Perfect . . .” Wes smiles, but I don’t feel like he’s happy about the situation he just agreed to. At least it means we can go though, so hopefully that’s some consolation for him and I’ll feel better knowing he’s off his feet at the festival.
“Almost time to go, are you all dressed?” I lean my head into the bedroom to see how Wes is doing getting ready. He assured me he was fine to do it himself, but I’m having a hard time not rushing in to help him.
“Doing fine,” he grunts, but I hear a slight crash and doubt that’s true. Soon enough though he’s out of the bedroom and looking as handsome as ever in a pair of shorts and a tee with a short-sleeve button-up over it.
“Wow, you look great.” I smile, giving him another up and down. “Oh! You smell good too.” I lean closer and take a good whiff of his cologne. “I didn’t know you wore cologne.”
“Yes. I grew up, Rose, and started doing adult things. No more Axe for me.” He laughs.
“Oh god, the Axe. That was the worst.” I can’t help but laugh too, remembering younger Wes and his blue-scented Axe body spray. “The scent was so strong, my parents would ask me about it when I came home and didn’t believe me for a long time that I wasn’t spraying it on myself.” I can’t help but laugh some more and then smile as I remember my dad. Wes vows to ask my mom about that when we get to the festival, and I love that Wes was able to know my dad.
“Anything else we need? Or are we all ready?”
“I can think of one thing I need.” Wes’ eyes are filled with a sudden heat that I can’t look away from.
Running my tongue across my lip, I chime in, “Oh yeah? Is it related to the Sprouts Fest, or getting to the festival?”
He concedes with a shake of his head, but not before grabbing me around my waist and bringing me down to his lap. “Wes!” I shriek. “Your leg!”
“You’re on my lap, not my leg. It’s fine. Truly.”
“Well if it’s fine . . .” I say as I casually drape my leg over him and give him the most intense kiss I can conjure. “Maybe we can take care of that thing you need after we get home from the festival?”
“That would be nice,” he whispers back.
Yes, yes it would indeed.