“Nothing,” she snaps.
“Bullshit, you’re hiding from me. Give me something.”
“You don’t know me, we barely know each other. What do you want from me?”
“I want to be your friend. I want to know what goes on in your head. You know me better than anyone, Marley. Let me know you too.”
I see something in her eyes, I don’t know what, but I see a change in her.
“My parents are divorced. I knew it was coming, but I didn’t expect to feel this way about it.”
“What way?”
“So lost. I don’t want anything to do with my mother. She fucked us over. I can’t forgive her, but I don’t have a family anymore, and that hurts. It’s all so confusing.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“No, not now. One day, but not now.”
“Okay.”
I want to hold her. She looks so sad, I just want to let her know that she’s not alone, but I can’t. Not yet at least.
“What are we doing, Wyatt?”
I’ve asked myself the same over the past month. I never found the answer, but sitting here watching her allow herself to be vulnerable, even if it’s something small, I realize what’s important. I think I can answer her question, and mean it. Because I don’t ever want to say something I don’t mean to this girl. That’s not me. If I tell her something, I’m going to do all I can to prove to her that I mean it.
“We’re just letting it happen. You’re the only one I want around. You’re pushing me away for no reason.”
“Because I can’t get attached. I like you. I really like you. But I’m fucked-up, I can’t handle my own shit, I don’t need anyone else’s.”
“I’m not asking you to deal with my shit. I know it’s a lot to deal with. I don’t even want to deal with it.
Can we just let it happen?
I don’t want to think. When I’m with you, for whatever reason, I feel better. You make me feel something. I want to keep feeling this, whatever this is.”
“Wyatt, I don’t know. It’s a lot to ask. There’s so much I’m not ready for.”
“I know. I’m not ready either. But Marley, I think we both deserve it.”
“Just let it happen? Whatever it is?”
“Yes.”
She bites her lip, drops her eyes from mine, her hands flex on the table, and her shoulders drop. When she looks me in the eye again, I know what happens next is going to change everything.
“Okay. I’m willing to try. I can’t imagine spending my time with anyone but you.”
For the first time in years, I feel myself smile.
Marley
He has a beautiful smile. The light that shines behind his eyes takes my breath away. Wyatt was always good looking. But with his crooked smile and bright, almost colorless eyes, he’s every girl’s wet dream.
And to think, all it took was me agreeing to keep seeing him. It’s nice to see him look young and carefree for once.
I don’t know what will happen next, but if Wyatt smiles like that more often, then I know that it will be worth it.
He reaches across the table and covers my hand with his. “We’re nothing we don’t want to be. Having you here is enough.” For now. He doesn’t have to say it. I know that’s what he means.
And I don’t care. I can’t let go of my reservations, but I can’t lose this either.
***
“You didn’t have to walk me to the door,” I say, pulling my keys out of my bag.
“Yes, I did. I am a Southern gentleman after all.”
I can’t help but laugh, which causes him to wink. I’ve never had a guy wink at me before. I don’t know why, but it makes me blush.
“Thank you for the pie, and for being you.”
“You don’t have to thank me, Marley. You’re doing me a favor, more than I’m doing you one.” If you only knew.
Wyatt might think that I’m the one helping him, but he might be the one to help me.
“Are we friends?” I’m such an idiot.
“No, I don’t think they have a label for what we are.” Wyatt whispers before pulling me into his arms.
I should resist. But I can’t. He makes me feel so safe.
We share a sweet, loving kiss. There’s no other way to describe it. His lips are soft and warm. His hold on me is protective; my hold on him is possessive.
When we break away and look into each other’s eyes, I know, this is only the beginning.
Chapter 11
Marley
Whoever is ringing the fucking doorbell is going to die. It’s Sunday, which means I’m home alone, as per usual. Gran and Gramps are at the farmer’s market, and Dad is at the office.
I quickly put my contacts in, because I'm not making that mistake again, and then stomp down the stairs mentally cursing the person at the door the entire way. Apparently, no one in this town sleeps. If it’s Wyatt I’m going to strangle him.
Flinging open the door I’m ready to rip into the person standing on the other side until I see who it is.
Fuck.
I am so not prepared for this.
“Bad time?” Kala asks.
“Uh, no. I was just sleeping,” I reply.
“Can I come in?” She shifts from foot to foot.
I want to say no, I really do, but she’s been so nice, and I’ve been so shitty. Stepping back I allow her to enter before shutting the door. “What do you want?”
“I wanted to talk to you. You avoid me at school. I don’t have your number, and I can’t exactly talk to you when you’re working.”
“How do you know where I live?”
“Please,” she laughs, “you’re a Fallon. Everyone knows where the Fallons live.”
“I see.” I know I’m not going to get rid of her. “Follow me,” I say with a sigh.
Leading her into the den, I take a seat in Gramps’ recliner, and she sits on the sofa. Kala studies the room while I study her. Her blond hair still sports turquoise tips. Her purple shirt hugs her curves perfectly.
With her black skinny jeans and combat boots, I wonder how she fell in with Mikayla and her crew.
“I’m not like them. Though I’m sure you already know that. I’m not going to judge you because you hang out with Wyatt. I’m not even going to ask what you’re doing together.
I just want you to know that I want to be your friend. I’m sick of Mikayla she thinks she can control other people. She thinks just because people are scared of her that she rules.”
“So why are you friends with her?”
“Chad. He’s Teagan’s best friend, and somehow they thought that Mikayla would just accept me. But I’m not like her; I’m not like Marcy either. Marcy goes along with Mikayla because she’s a follower. I’m not. At least I don’t want to be.
You’re so different, Marley. You’re beautiful, you’re smart, you don’t give a shit what people think of you. You just are.
When Wyatt began taking notice of you, Mikayla saw you as a threat. Even though she’s with Nick, she’s always wanted Wyatt. Every girl wants Wyatt. Every girl except me, I’ve always wanted Chad.”
“Why are you telling me this? I couldn’t care less about your drama.”
She shrugs. “I don’t know. Maybe because I have no one else to talk to. I know you don’t have any friends outside of whatever you and Wyatt have.
I’m not here to beg you to be my friend. I’m just here to let you know that you’re not alone.”
If only she knew how wrong she is.
That’s all I am. Alone.
***
“So let her hang out with us once in a while. What’s the harm?” Wyatt shrugs.
“Because she’s Mikayla’s minion.”
“Not from what you’ve told me. It sounds like she doesn’t want to be a part of that. Not that I can blame her.”
“I don’t know. I’m not used to having friends. I don’t know how to be one.”
“You seem to be doing a g
ood job to me.”
“We’re not friends.”
“Ouch.” He places a hand over his heart. “You wound me.”
“Shut up.” I slap his arm.
“Dinner,” Gran calls from the kitchen.
Wyatt stands and holds his hand out for me. We’ve been sitting on the back porch talking. Somehow Gran convinced me to invite Wyatt and the girls over for dinner tonight, and for some reason, he agreed.
When we step into the house, hands still connected, I take a deep breath. The smell of Gran’s homemade lasagna invades my senses.
We sit at the dining room table, which Ava and Adele helped set. Gramps sits at the head of the table, with Gran on his right and Adele on his left. The little girl found her way into his heart, surprisingly. Gramps is a softie, and Adele could charm the devil. Ava sits next to her, with Wyatt across and I sit next to him. His hand is on my thigh, much like it was when we met with Mr. Peters.
We’re halfway through dinner, having a good time. Gramps and Adele are entertaining us with their ridiculous stories and Ava only rolls her eyes four times.
“Hello?” a voice calls out, causing everyone to freeze.
My body locks up, and Wyatt must sense it because he grabs my hand under the table. “Well, this is surprising,” my dad says when he appears in the archway between the kitchen and dining room.
“Albert, so good of you to join us, grab a plate and come get some food,” Gran says, there’s a smile on her face, and her tone is cheery, but I can tell it’s forced.
Dad flicks his gaze over everyone at the table before nodding and going to do what Gran said.
We all sit still. Each of us watching Dad’s every movement. He has to lean over me slightly to get to the salad. He smells like his normal self-Irish Spring soap and aftershave. It makes me long for better times.
I squeeze the hell out of Wyatt’s hand as Dad takes a seat at the other end of the table. “Dad, this is my friend, Wyatt, and those are his sisters, Ava and Adele.”
“Your friend?”
“Yes, we go to school together and also work together at the club.”
“I see.” he says as he cuts into his lasagna. His eyes never leave mine. “It’s nice to meet you, Wyatt.”
“You too, Mr. Fallon. Marley’s told me a lot about you.”
“I doubt that,” Dad says, before taking a bite of his food.
“Albert, Wyatt and Marley are friends. He’s done so much for her. The poor girl has been so lonely. If you’re going to be an ass, then you can leave,” Gran says in a stern voice.
“I’m sorry, Mother. It’s just been a long day.”
“Well, if you didn’t work so much you wouldn’t be such an ass.” Gran rises from the table. “And since you’re finally here during dinner time, it’s your turn to clean up.” With that, she storms out of the room.
Not good. Gran rarely gets worked up, and when she does, it’s best to steer clear of her. Especially if you’re the one who pissed her off.
Wyatt
“Well, that could have gone better.” Marley sighs, resting her head on the back of the sofa.
The rest of dinner passed by quietly and awkwardly. Surprisingly, both of the girls kept quiet and were good. Albert didn’t look at his daughter again after Jodie left.
“First meetings are always hard. It’s over now, so we can rest easy.” I throw my arm around her, pulling her close.
“Ugh, he’s such a fucking jerk.”
“Yeah, he kind of is.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.”
“You didn’t deserve that.”
“Maybe not, but neither did you.”
“He doesn’t normally talk to me that way. I don’t know what his issue was.”
“Maybe it’s finally hit him that he’s a single dad, and he’s resenting you for it.”
“Maybe. But it’s not like he has to parent me. And since when did you get so philosophical?” She teases.
“Since I grew up with an alcoholic mother,” I reply.
“Wyatt,” she sighs.
“It’s fine, I’m over it. But that reminds me, I have to get the girls home, they need to shower still.”
“Oh, right.” She almost sounds sad, like she doesn’t want me to leave.
“Mary will have them tomorrow. Maybe we can hang out after school?”
“Sure.”
Placing my hand under her chin, I tilt her face up to mine. “Don’t sound so put out,” I whisper, a breath away from her lips.
“Sorry. I’m just tired, and irritated, and I don’t even fucking know why.”
“It’s okay. I understand.” And I do.
She kisses me once softly. “You should go.”
“I should.” I kiss her again.
“You need to go.”
“I do.” Another kiss.
“Wyatt.” She pushes slightly away.
“Fine.” I kiss her once more on the lips, then I kiss her forehead.
“Text me when you get home.”
“Of course.” I stand and stretch.
She stays sitting on the sofa. I don’t want to go downstairs. We’ve been up in Frank’s office, talking, sitting, and just being ourselves. I know once I leave her the calm that’s settled in me will disappear. I’m not ready for that.
***
My mother is passed out on the couch when we get home. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” I mutter, too low for the girls to hear.
“Ava, take Adele and get her in the shower, I’ll be up in a little while.”
“Why do I have to do everything?” she whines.
“Because I fucking asked you to. Now go,” I snap. This earns me a frustrated scream and stomping feet, but she does as I say.
I lift my mother in my arms and carry her up the stairs to her room. Ava slams doors and stomps her feet the entire time she gets Adele ready for bed. My mother never stirs.
I dump her on her bed, making sure she’s lying on her side, the last thing I need is for her to choke on her own vomit.
“Do you love me?” Adele asks as I tuck her into bed.
“Of course I love you. I will always love you.”
“Do you love Ava?”
“I love her just as much as I love you.”
“Do you love Mommy?”
“No.” There’s no point in lying to the kid. She may be four, but she’s seen enough.
“Do you love Mary?”
“She’s my best friend. You’re supposed to love your best friend.”
“Do you love Marley?”
“She’s my new friend. I don’t love her yet.” But I could.
“I love you, Wyatt.”
“I love you too.”
In my room, I mull over Adele’s question. She’s just a child, but she is very insightful. I don’t love Marley now, but I can see myself loving her, someday.
One day I hope I can say I love her.
May
Chapter 12
Marley
I toss an apple at Wyatt, and it almost hits him in the chest before he catches it. “What’s this?” he asks, turning it in his hands.
I roll my eyes. “It’s reindeer shit. What the fuck does it look like? You need to eat more.”
“I eat,” he says, setting the apple on the table in front of him.
“Sure, and I’m the fucking tooth fairy.”
“I do eat, Marley. I just don’t like to eat often or a lot.”
“Right, which is why you ate like you were starved for years last night.”
“What can I say,” he shrugs, “Jodie’s cooking is the best.”
“Damn right it is, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t eat the rest of the day.”
“Whatever.” He picks up the apple and takes a bite, “Happy?” he asks around a mouthful of fruit.
“No.” I shoot him a smug smile. This time, it’s he who does the eye rolling.
“You’re a pain in the ass.”
&nbs
p; “True. But I’m your pain in the ass.”
“Fair enough.”
“Can I sit here?” Kala’s timid voice asks from right next to me, causing me to jump.
Wyatt looks at her, a surprised look on his face. He didn’t see her come up to us either. We were so wrapped up in each other.
“Um.” I look at Wyatt, and he shrugs.
“Sure,” he says, gesturing to the seat next to me.
Kala sets her tray on the table, before throwing her bag next to it. I don’t know what to say to her. Sure, we came to an understanding yesterday, but I didn’t think that meant she would start acting like an actual friend.
“I’m Kala,” she says, reaching her hand out to Wyatt.
“Nice to meet you. Officially,” he says, giving her hand a quick squeeze. I’m jealous of her hand. I want his touch on me.
“So why aren’t you sitting with them?” I ask, taking a bite of my salad. It’s the only thing worth eating.
“I wanted a change. I don’t want to sit in Mikayla’s shadow anymore.”
“What about Chad?”
“If he really cares about me then he’ll accept it.” I can see the truth shining in her eyes. She loves Chad, as much as a sixteen-year-old can love another person. I know she’ll be devastated if he chooses being ‘cool’ over her.
“Okay. Well, I hope you’re serious because things are going to get interesting,” Wyatt says.
Looking up at him, I see his attention is elsewhere. I glance over my shoulder and catch Mikayla shooting a death glare at me. I smile as sweetly as I can, aiming to piss her off.
“We’re playing with fire,” Wyatt says, lowly.
“I’d like to see her try,” I say back, turning around to face him.
“You don’t know Mikayla, she doesn’t play fair,” Kala inputs. Neither do I.
***
We’re the only ones home, a rare occurrence for a Monday. Gran must be out with her socialite friends.
“Let’s go swimming,” Wyatt says.
“Seriously?”
“Why not? It’s nice outside, there’s a pool, let’s go.”
“And what do you plan on swimming in?” I ask, looking him up and down. He’s dressed in a pair of dark wash jeans. He’s wearing the same dark blue dress shirt that he wore my first day of school. I love that shirt on him.
Forever (Destroyed by Love #1) Page 7