Say You’ll Stay

Chapter 9 – Vasey

Chapter Nine

VASEY

I bite the inside of my cheek so that I won’t smile. I can’t smile because I’m pissed off, but nonetheless, my mouth tries to form one. This is a very Weston move. He always had a knack for pushing his way through obstacles. If he had a goal, nothing would stop him from achieving it. He was relentless. Obviously, time hasn’t changed that aspect of him.

I suppose part of my hurt stems from the fact that it took him so long to find me. Scratch that; he clearly always knew where I was. He just hadn’t attempted to contact me. I think that’s what I’m struggling with. In fact, it was I who ultimately reached out to him.

That’s how it had been when he made the decision to go to the Army. He didn’t even take my opinion into account. I begged him not to go, but still he went. He left, but I’d been the one to end things.

I told him if he left me, I’d leave too. I was young and stupid. Hurt, really. I had become accustomed to people abandoning me or leaving me behind. I wasn't the best at handling things either. Still, those wounds ache inside of me.

"You can't be serious." Of course, he is. West starts crossing the street.

"I won't stop.”

"And I won't leave her.”

“I know." His words make me relax a little. “All I want to do is help. Isn’t that why you came to me?”

“Yes,” I said, dropping my eyes. It’s difficult to stare into his. It brings back so many emotions. “I don’t know,” I mutter. I can’t think straight around him.

“You don’t know?” West puts a finger under my chin, making me meet his gaze again.

“If I’m honest, I think a part of me just wanted to see you.” His brows lift, and a smile pulls at his lips. I can still feel the warmth of his kiss on my lips. “I’m still mad at you.” There's not as much fire in my tone now. It’s ridiculous that he moved in across the street, but another part of me is filled with relief that he will be so close.

“I know, but you’re talking to me, so I’ll take it.” His thumb brushes along my cheek.

“I can’t believe I’m going to ask this.” I shift on my feet. “Never mind.” I wave my hand, needing to get out of here before I say things I shouldn’t. West grabs me by the wrist, preventing me from leaving.

“Say it,” he orders. I don’t break his stare; my challenge is clear. He has no right to make demands of me. “Please.” He quickly changes his approach. This time, I can’t fight the smile. Weston Evers, always so strong-willed, I was the one that could always talk him down. They often sent me to do just that when we were growing up.

“I’m not saying anything is happening between us.”

“It is.”

I ignore him and keep going. “But I want you to tell me now that you’re staying. That you won’t up and leave.” I’m not sure that I would be able to handle him leaving again.

“I’m never leaving.” West steps closer to me. “I promise.” He sinks his hand into my hair. I can’t stop myself from leaning into his touch. It’s been years since I last talked to him, but there is no one in the world who knows me better.

In college, I kept my head down, working and studying. Then I got this position with the Wares. There was never an opportunity to pursue a social life. Having him back brings a sense of comfort that I haven’t had since he left.

With him so close now, I see how much I’ve missed it. I long to have that connection back. I don’t think I would survive if it were ripped from me again. Even if I tell myself there isn’t going to be a Weston and me again, I still want him within reach. I feel less alone.

I tense when I catch sight of Roberta’s car coming down the road, recalling our encounter from this morning. She can be vindictive in her cruelty. Where Gideon does things to just be a dick, Roberta is more self-serving with hers. They have purpose; Gideon is chaos. I take a few quick steps back from West. He follows my gaze, tensing.

“It’s Roberta, not Ware,” I tell him. “His wife.” Where he came up with this idea that Ware and I were a thing, I have no freaking clue, but West was always territorial when it came to me.

“I know who she is.” That has me narrowing my eyes on him. Not because I think there is something going on between them, but I sense he knows her beyond passing names. He had mentioned he knew a lot of wealthy people because of the school.

“It was her,” West says, his entire body tensing up.

“What?” I look around, unsure of what the heck he is talking about.

“I can see it on you. It was her that fucking hit you.” Oh crap. I may not know this grown-up version of Weston too well, but I know without a doubt how protective he’s always been when it comes to me. Believe me when I tell you, there is no good coming out of him knowing that Roberta is the one that left a mark on me.

“West, don’t, please,” I beg him, pretty much confirming his suspicions. “Not now, please.” He grits his jaw but nods.

Roberta’s car rolls to a stop. The back window rolls down. “And who do we have here?” Her eyes eat Weston up. I can tell she just came from the spa. She is all dolled up. How can someone so pretty be so vile?

“New neighbor,” I rush to say.

“Oh, my.” A come-hither smile spreads across her face. “You should come in. We’ll be having dinner soon.” I glare at West silently, telling him not to accept. He knows what I’m saying. He reads me like a damn book.

“I’d love to.” He smiles back at her. Roberta’s eyes light up, reading West all wrong. I know that smile. West has his sights locked on Roberta now.

And not in the way that she hopes.