29
THEA
I told Wesley I had to run errands. It’s true, but I also need time away from all of them. He didn’t argue with me. I’m sure he was eager to get inside and away from me. He probably wants to get all of this over with as soon as he can.
If tonight is going to be my last with these guys, I’m determined to make it a good one.
I sit in my truck in the store parking lot for at least thirty minutes. The tears won’t stop. Every time I think I’ve run dry, more come. I need to get this out before I get back to the house. I certainly don’t want Wesley feeling bad and changing his mind.
Checking my reflection in the visor mirror, I rub my red and puffy eyes, hoping that will make them look normal again. It doesn’t. Although, I can’t sit here for another hour waiting for that to happen.
I head into the store, keeping my head down so I can avoid eye contact with everyone.
Steaks, baked potatoes, corn on the cob, and a gluten-free chocolate pie from the frozen section—the last supper. I also grab a couple of bottles of wine, one for me while I cook and one to share with the guys.
Thankfully, I encounter no one aside from the cashier, who doesn’t pay any attention to my appearance.
The drive back to the house is mostly me focusing on breathing and pushing dreadful thoughts out of my head. God, Cassie was right. This is going to be brutal. How did I get attached so quickly? Why didn’t I take things slower? All the regrets pummel me as I park my truck and grab the bags.
Sutton and Cole’s cars aren’t in the driveway. They won’t be home for another hour, I’m guessing. So I just need to avoid Damian and Wesley. I convince myself that it’ll be easy. They’re both probably locked in their rooms.
I quietly sneak into the kitchen, closing the front door, careful not to make too much noise. Setting the pie on the counter to thaw, I find a large platter, some seasoning, foil, a wine glass, and butter, then head outside to cook.
The grill isn’t too hard to figure out. As it heats, I season the steak and wrap the potatoes and corn in foil. I pour myself a generous glass of wine and stare out over the pool, voiding my mind of any thoughts. That doesn’t work for long.
The wine must wear down my resolve because soon I’m thinking about what motel will be best for me to stay at. I think about where I’ll get my morning coffee from now that the bakery is off limits. It’s the superficial things that invade my mind first, although it’s a gateway to the heavier thoughts.
I’ll miss hearing Sutton read to me. How will I get over Cole’s way of knowing just how to hold and touch me? Who will protect me like Damian does? Wesley even found a way into my heart. No longer hearing him call me blue eyes strikes me unexpectedly. And the fucking tears start again.
This is so pathetic. My dumb emotions are getting me in over my head once again and this time, it’ll be worse. I can’t move again. I can’t abandon Cassie or our business. Telling myself I’ll just have to face it, I’ll have to hear the gossip, and I’m sure I’ll see the guys every so often. Finally, I’ll have to live with the possibility that I’m going to miss what I have with them so much that no other man will come close to measuring up to the four of them.
For a moment, I take solace in knowing that at least I didn’t fuck any of them, but God, somehow, that makes me feel worse—like I’m missing out on something. I’m bracing myself on the edge of the outdoor kitchen counter when I hear Damian’s voice—my body goes rigid.
“Well, princess, this is a sight I can get used to,” he chuckles as he says it, coming to stand next to me. I’m sure he’s expecting a barbed response. However, I’m too consumed with willing composure. “Hey…” Damian’s finger skates down my arm. When I don’t respond, he grabs it and turns me to face him.
I can’t help but look away. I don’t want him to see me like this, especially since I’m crying because of them. And I really don’t want Wesley to be blamed for all of this. It’s not his fault.
“What the fuck? What happened?” I can see his mind racing, thinking of all the possibilities. His blue eyes flash dangerously. “Fucking liar,” he growls, turning to head back inside.
He’s nearly at the front door before I can call out. “Damian! Stop!” He doesn’t listen. I run after him, racing through the dining room. He’s already downstairs. I hear wood cracking as I follow behind him. Shit. Shit. Shit.
“Damian,” I yell out again. He’s already in Wesley’s room by the time I get to the lower level. I can hear his harsh voice, although I don’t know what he’s saying. He sounds pissed. “Damian,” I shout as I push open Wesley’s door.
He has Wesley up against the wall, his shirt fisted in his hand, and despite the difference in height, Damian is terrifying. Wesley has his hands up and confusion pulls his brows upwards. He looks at me over Damian’s shoulder and his face shifts to something akin to anger.
“What did you do?” He pulls Wesley’s shirt forward before slamming him back against the wall. “Why is she crying?”
Wesley shakes his head. “What? I don’t know, but you need to get your hands off of me, now!” Hostility laces his voice. I need to step in, despite being wholly terrified of Damian’s wrath. The image of him splattered with Gavin’s blood flashes through my mind.
I take small steps, approaching them cautiously until I can reach out to touch Damian on the shoulder. “Wesley didn’t do anything to me. I promise.” Damian glances back at me, his face resembling a wild animal’s, sneering and uncontrolled. I have to come clean. I have to tell him I overheard their conversation.
“Gavin? Tell me it wasn’t him, I swear, princess… the things I’ll do to hi—”
“No, not Gavin,” I interrupt. Damian lets his brother go and apologizes. Wesley eyes him with fury. “I-I… I overheard you talking this morning, telling Wesley to take me on the hike. And…” Confessing this is so damn embarrassing. “I heard you tell him if he didn’t think that he could make it work, if he couldn’t bond with me, that you’d break things off.”
Looking at Wesley, I apologize. “I’m sorry. I never meant for you to see me like this. I even left so that I could get all of this stupid shit out. I wanted to cook you guys a nice dinner. A farewell dinner, one last good memory before you broke it off with me.” My cheeks are burning and tears stream freely down them.
When I stop talking, I can see that both of them are shell shocked, jaws slack as they stare at each other.
My fingers forcefully push the tears aside. I wipe my wet hands on my pants. I need to go.
“I-uh. I’m going to get my stuff and leave.” Turning, I walk to the guest room, thinking about all the things I have to grab. “Oh, and there’s a pie on the counter. It needs to thaw for an hour or two. It’s gluten-free, so I don’t know how good it’ll taste.” I add, giving a half hearted glance over my shoulder. “Thank you for everything. You don’t know how much these weeks have meant to me. Please tell Sutton and Cole goodbye for me.”
I only make it halfway to the room. “So that’s it? You’re done? You’re going to leave us?” Damian grates out.
Turning, I see them both in the doorway. “What? I thought… you said if Wesley doesn’t want this, then you’d end it. So yes, I don’t want to be an imposition. I’m going to leave.”
Wesley pushes past Damian. “Blue eyes…” God, my heart is breaking at those two words. “I don’t want you to leave.”
“Wesley, you don’t have to say that. I don’t want you to see me like this and put yourself in a bad position. I’ll be alright.” I smile weakly, unable to meet his gaze. “I promise. I’m just a crybaby. I’ll be fine,” I assure him.
He closes the distance between us. “I won’t say it again. I don’t want you to leave.” He grips my chin, forcing me to look at him. My breath catches when I see his dark eyes watering. Suddenly, Wesley crashes his mouth against mine.
His lips move with a ferocity and need like I’ve never felt before. The shock of it makes my body stiffen, but that quickly gives way and my hands slide up his chest before snaking around his neck.
The smell of pine and leather comes back to me, full force now. I sink into him. Wesley lifts me up and my legs wrap around him instinctively. My fingers slide through his messy brown hair as his arms encircle my waist.
Everything about this feels good. The way he holds me makes me feel entirely protected. And there’s something else, a sort of rawness between us, like both of our hearts have been cracked wide open. It’s painful and real and breathtaking. I want to cry and laugh all at once.
Then his lips are moving over my jaw and down my throat. My eyes open, barely. I see Damian leaning against the door frame with a satisfied grin and darkened gaze watching us. It’s enough to bring me back to reality. Wesley must sense what I’m feeling because he pulls away.
The wild look in his eyes makes my heart pound, a rush of fear and arousal at his primal reaction goes straight to my core.
I bite my lip, hoping the pain will dampen the need building in me.
Brushing my thumb over his smooth jaw, I stare deeply into his eyes. “I won’t leave, I promise.” Wesley bends to press his forehead against mine, a silent acknowledgement that he believes me.
“Good. This is where you belong.”
“Oh fuck.” I push against him so that he drops me. “The food!”
WESLEY
Taking a sip of my beer, I watch as Thea chucks the axe at the target. The blade’s edge sinks into the wood right outside the last ring. She’s frustrated that she isn’t landing it closer to the bullseye.
She turns and the glare in her eyes is deadly. I chuckle. Thea’s so fucking cute when she’s mad.
I still can’t believe three days ago she was about to leave our lives forever—ready to give all of us up because she thought I didn’t want her. That’s my fault and I’ve let her know that. Opening up is hard for me, but I’m going to be better. Thea deserves it.
It’s a balancing act. I’m trying to communicate how I feel without overdoing it. She has needs and if I come on too strong, I’m not sure I’ll be able to stop her or myself.
“Wes? Hey man, I thought that was you.” The clap of a hand on my back pulls me from my thoughts. Turning, I see Taylor.
I smile widely. “Hey, how’s it going? It’s been a while. Bethany doing good?”
Taylor pulls a seat out and sits down. He’s cut his hair since I last saw him. I almost didn’t recognize him without his mess of black curls.
I catch Thea looking back at us. She doesn’t soften her scowl despite seeing Taylor sitting next to me. That axe is besting her and I’ll need to step in to help her.
“She’s great. Married life is where it’s at. What about you? She’s new,” he observes, motioning his head towards Thea. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you with anyone.”
My jaw clenches. He’s referring to Victoria. That was the last woman I cared enough about to take on a date. Now, there’s Thea. There were women after Victoria, mostly flings and nothing exceptionally satisfying.
“Yeah, it has been a long time. How’s business?”
I only half listen to him go on about furniture sales and that craftsmanship isn’t what it used to be.
“What about you? I gotta have you take me out climbing again soon.” I glance over at Taylor. His eyes crinkle from his broad grin—I match his expression.
“Of course. I’d love to get you out there. Call me anytime. We’ll set something up.” He gives me another clap on the back as he stands. “See ya soon, man,” I call out as he walks away. Only then do I let my smile falter. I hate this need to keep up appearances. But I’ve dug myself in too deep.
Everyone knows me as the happy Wolfe brother. The one whose voice carries across the room and who makes it a point to talk to anyone I meet. The one who always has a smile on his face. It’s tiring.
Thea throws another axe, too high this time. “Damn it!”
“Let me help,” I offer as I walk to her.
She looks at me over her shoulder. “Who was that?”
“Just a client.” I place my left hand on her thigh. “Now, move this leg to the throwing line.” Thea steps forward, planting her foot. My right hand moves to her other leg. “This one stays here.”
Being this close to her is unbearable. She shakes her long wavy hair back off her shoulders and I get a whiff of warm vanilla. Why does she smell this good? My grip on her thick thighs tightens. I have to force myself to relax.
“What now?” She’s too caught up in wanting to throw the weapon again that she hasn’t noticed how my body’s reacting. “Wes?” She asks impatiently. I have to force myself to focus on teaching her. It’s so hard when I’m turned on seeing her like this—eager for a little violence.
“Cup one hand over the other.” I reluctantly take my hands from her legs and show her how to hold the axe properly. “You’re going to bring it overhead, like this.” I move to the side and guide her arms backward. “Take a breath, then exhale and send it.”
Her chest rises. Thea takes a moment to steady herself. Good. She exhales—the axe flies down the lane. Her whole body is tense. I don’t watch to see if it lands. Instead, I keep my eyes on her.
Thea’s shoulders drop and my heart follows. “Yes!” She screams and smiles widely as she jumps up and down. I can’t breathe for a moment. She turns to me. Jesus. Sutton was right. Her fucking eyes are sparkling under those inky lashes and it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
She throws her arms around me. Well, she tries, she’s too short. I bend down and let her wrap around my neck before I pick her up and swing her around. Hugging her to my body, I have the sudden thought I don’t ever want to let her go.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” she repeats.
“It’s nothing,” I tell her as I set her down.
Thea gazes up at me, her hands resting on my chest. “It isn’t nothing. I’ll take the little wins these days.” Her eyes drop. I know what she means. Her life’s been unraveling. While landing an axe on a target seems minuscule in the grand scheme of things, it’s important to her.
Lifting her chin, I force her to look at me. I want to tell her it will get better soon, but I don’t know that. I can be here for her. I can listen to her when she needs it. But I won’t lie to her, just like she didn’t lie to me when I told her I was scared that she would ruin me.
I like that about us. We don’t sugarcoat shit.
Instead, I lean down and kiss her. I keep it gentle for as long as I can, yet this woman does something to me that turns me into an animal.
Thea’s tongue pushes into my mouth. She tastes like tequila and lime. It takes all of my self control to not throw her against the wall. I want her nails digging into me. I want to sink my teeth into her skin. This is why I have to hold back. The feral things I want to do could break her. She hasn’t shown me she can handle my very specific desires.
I swear she’s in my head. As soon as I think she can’t handle me, she pulls my bottom lip between her teeth, biting me. Groaning, I arch into her. I expect Thea to release me, but she grabs me by the belt loops and pulls me closer, biting down harder. Fuck, maybe she can handle me. Maybe I’m the one who can’t handle her.
I almost laugh at the thought.
Thankfully, we’re the only ones here. It’s a Tuesday afternoon and most people are at work. Thea’s been slammed with Cassie’s clients. This is the one day she had free when I asked her out.
Aside from us, only the two employees talking to each other behind the counter are here. I could easily drag her into the bathroom and fuck her brains out. No, Wes.
I pull back from our kiss, feeling her disappointment as I do. “Everything okay?” she asks. No, it’s not. I want you, but I have to wait for my turn.
Pushing my hair out of my face, I force a smile. “Yeah, although our time on the lane is up. We should head back home.” She nods, throws back the rest of her drink, and slings her satchel over her shoulder. Fuck, she’s upset. Damian’s rules are bullshit, and Cole needs to hurry the hell up. This is torture for all of us.
We have the windows down and Thea’s dark hair is whipping around her as she stares out at the passing trees. She has a lot on her mind. I want to ask her what she’s thinking about, but she speaks first.
“Why do you listen to music like this? There’s a lot of screaming.” At first, I think she’s being critical, like most people are, until I turn to look at her. Her soft expression tells me she’s genuinely curious.
I smirk. “It quiets the noise in my head.” Reaching over, I rest my hand on her thigh. She puts her hand on top of mine.
“This song is nice,” she comments.
I laugh a little and she scowls at me. “Sorry. This one’s about a failed relationship. Listen…” The words settle over us. After a minute, I explain, “He’s saying that they keep doing the same thing over again and he can’t take it anymore. She needs to let him go, she needs to bury him and let the relationship die.”
Thea doesn’t say anything for a while. When she does, her request shocks me a little. “Can you send me that song when we get home?”
“Yeah, I can do that.” Her hand squeezes mine and I smile. Looking over at her, I admire how this woman keeps surprising me. “I can send some others you might like, too.”
She nods. “Thank you.”
I may not be able to fix all the problems going on in her life, but there is something I can do. I can quiet the noise in her head.