There’s a crease in his forehead. “Because, sweetheart, money buys happiness.”
“That’s funny because you seem pretty miserable,” I say, and my father pulls me back.
“That’s enough, Stacey.”
Mr. Knight’s brows rise. “No, it’s okay. I want to hear this. What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Your son played an amazing game today, and all you can comment on is how he got you out with a legal play.”
He smirks. “You’re defending him all too nicely. Are you two dating or something? Trust me when I tell you, my son needs to get his priorities in check.”
“Your son is an amazing man. One who happens to value family and friendship. The kind who rides his bike ten miles to see his grandmother in a nursing home and moves her closer to him in college. Why would he do that when he has parents who should be caring for her? Maybe you’re the one who is useless.”
I want to say more, but there’s a halting energy, something that keeps me from uttering a sound.
Wes is standing in front of me. I don’t know how long he was listening, but from the look on his face, he’s been here a while.
I sheepishly look down. I’m not embarrassed by what I said. I meant every word. What I am is annoyed that he heard me say them. I don’t owe Wesley Knight any favors.
Dad pulls me away and over to where Mom, Chad, and Nicole are now standing by home plate, talking to some of the other players and parents.
I swiftly walk with him and apologetically look at my dad. “I’m sorry if I was out of line. I hope I didn’t mortify you.”
“Mortify? Are you kidding? I couldn’t be prouder. I’m the nonconfrontational type. You are so much braver than me.”
“Really?”
He kisses the top of my head. “Yes. Just don’t say anything to your mom. She’s hated that man for years, but we all know how she feels about a scene.”
I grin and hug him while we walk.
Because I’m a glutton for punishment, I chance a glance behind me and see Wes watching me. His father walks away in the other direction, yet his stare is burning in my direction, and I have a feeling I just made things between us a thousand times worse.
Chapter Fourteen
After the game, we all go to dinner. Matt and Adam have their parents come out while Nathan’s go back home.
Wes is a no-show.
The guys tell a ton of off-color jokes, and the parents tell embarrassing stories about the guys. Nicole and my mom are so deep in conversation that I’m afraid to dive in, and Amanda is playing footsie with Adam under the table.
“I didn’t know there was something going on between the two of you?” I ask her quietly.
She grins. “There’s not. But it’s so much fun to turn a guy on when he’s sitting right next to his mother. The guy’s getting a stiffy from my toe on his thigh. Watch this.” She looks over at Adam. “Do you mind getting me a drink from the bar? The waitress is taking forever.”
Adam glances down at his crotch and then up at her with wide eyes. “You’re kidding me, right?”
“Adam, don’t be so rude. The girl asked you for a drink. Be the gentleman I raised and fetch her one,” his mother says and then goes back to talking with Matt’s mom.
“You weren’t lying when you said you loved the drama,” I jokingly scold her as I get up. “Stay seated, Adam. I’ll get it for her.”
He gives me a thankful grin as I get up and walk over to the bar. I’m getting her gin and tonic when my phone buzzes. I take it out and see I have a text from Wes.
Meet me down the street.
Why?
Because I’d like to talk to you. Please.
No.
There is nothing for us to talk about.
I’ve wasted so much time on Wesley Knight, and I’m not only talking about the past few months. The man has been destroying my life since I was twelve years old when he kissed me in a closet while playing Spin the Bottle. Only a guy like Wesley Knight would kiss a girl, find out it was her first, and then make her promise not to tell anyone, or he’d tell the school she still played with Barbie dolls.
I got used to him and Chad being the kind of guys who ruined my days. Mom said they were protective, and while I believed that about Chad, I never fully understood Wes’s intentions. He’s just plain old ornery.
Until he’s not. He has this uncanny way of luring you back in. Sometimes, he lets me feel like I am part of his crowd, only to push me away by denying me for being too young, annoying … Squid.
One day, we’d be in my kitchen, laughing over bowls of Frosted Flakes, and the next, he’d be walking by me in the halls, pretending I didn’t exist while making sure every other guy treated me the same way.
Parties, jokes, and tickets to summer concerts were what made Wes the life of the party. He was the star ball player who everyone wanted. Sometimes, we’d talk outside on my porch when everyone was asleep. The next day, he’d pretend it never happened.
And then he kissed me. On the eve of his departure for Cal Berkeley, Wesley Knight kissed me with a searing passion that knocked me off my feet. I nearly fainted from how good of a kiss it was, and when I opened my eyes, it was to him cursing at himself for being so dumb, mad at how he couldn’t control his liquor and made out with the girl who was practically his little sister.
He acted like I was gross and unworthy. I swore he’d never know how he broke my heart that night.
I knew not to get involved with Wes, but I did it anyway. Like a fool, I lured him in, and once again, he hurt me.
The worst part is, he doesn’t even know the depth of his actions.
I bring Amanda’s glass to the table and join everyone. When dinner is over, Mom and Dad go back to the hotel, and Chad and Nicole go back to her place. Knowing Wes is going to be home, I drive around for a few hours, hoping he’ll fall asleep and not still want to talk.
I know we have a living arrangement to uphold and will have to make peace of some sort while I’m still living there. I’ve already taken action to search for a new place, but nothing is as cheap as Chad’s third bedroom. I want to save money, but I also need to save my soul.
My 4Runner shows signs of starting to overheat, so I head home and park in the lot next door. The apartment is dark, which means either Wes is asleep or he’s out.
I grab my grandmother’s quilt and lock the car. In the building, I climb the stairs and unlock our apartment door, turning on the hallway light. That’s when I spot Wes sitting in the darkened living room.
His legs are spread wide with his elbows resting on his knees. The throw pillow I added to the couch is sitting on his lap. His head is down, but when I step in, he lifts it and seems relieved to see me standing there.
“Why are you sitting in the dark?” I ask as I place the quilt on the back of the couch.
“Thinking.” Sensing I’m still waiting for an answer, he adds, “Why did you defend me to my dad today?”
“Because he’s an ass. You are, too, but no one deserves to be treated like that by their parent.”
My words seem to be hard for him to hear.
He swallows and nods his head lightly. “You brought up my grandmother.”