Chapter 10
Winnie
IwatchJamiedisappeardown the hallway and turn my angry glare on Wheeler.
“What is wrong with you?”I stand from the table and gather my trash.I just want them to leave so I can go talk to Jamie.I need to apologize to him.I didn’t think Wheeler would yell like that, not in front of everyone.
“Him!Why are you trying to make a little family with Schmidt?”Wheeler follows my lead and tosses his trash in the can.Then he comes toe to toe with me, not backing down for a second.
This is why we’ll never work out.We have plenty of calm and loving moments, but we definitely don’t know how to back down from each other.We’re like oil and water sometimes.I don’t want that.I don’t want a man I'll fight with constantly.
“I'm not!I work for him.My job is to take care of Tali and help him.Excuse me for taking my job seriously!”
“That doesn’t mean you need to live here!You could live with me.You could come here every morning and come home at night.You don’t need to sleep here.”
“Why would I live with you?”I fold my arms over my chest and glare at him.
“Because I love you!Because I’ve been asking you to live with me for years!”
“You don’t love me like that, Wheeler.We both know it.You like the idea of me.You like the physical relationship we used to have, but we were never great together.”
“What are you talking about?We were good together.”He takes my face in his hands, forcing me to meet his gaze.“We belong together, baby.”
“We were good, not great.Not perfect.I want more than good, Wheeler!”
“Winnie,” he breathes as he erases the distance between us, tugging my body against his.“C’mon, sweetheart.You know we were meant to be together.”
I squeeze my eyes shut, wishing he would listen to me.He never wants to hear what I'm saying.He argues his point and listens just enough to respond, but never really hears me.
“I think you should go home,” I whisper.
“What the heck, Winnie?”He takes a step back and meets my gaze.There’s hurt and anger swimming in his eyes, breaking my heart the smallest amount.
“This isn't my house, Wheeler.You can't come here and explode.That would be like me running out in the middle of the field and arguing with you during a game.It’s not fair to Jamie or Tali.If you want to have a mature conversation about us, I’ll come to your house.But you won't raise your voice to me or slam your hand on the table.You’ll stay calm or I’ll leave your house.”
“I was just angry.You know I’d never do anything to hurt you.”His eyes soften and they water with unshed tears.
“I know you’d never hurt me, Chase,” I whisper as I place my hand over his heart.“But you need to stay in control of your emotions if you want to talk.For now, I need you to leave so I can talk to Jamie and try to smooth things over.”
“I’ll talk to him.”He goes to move, but I stop him.
“No.You’re acting extremely possessive tonight and I don’t think any good will come from you talking to him right now.Go home.You can talk to him at work when he isn't trying to soothe his crying daughter.”
I glance over my shoulder at Smithy, silently asking him to deal with Wheeler.He nods his head, understanding what I need.He stands with Liliana and holds Wheeler’s gaze.
“C’mon, man.Give her some space and let her fix things.This is her first week here.Do you really want to ruin this job for her?It’s kinda perfect.When you’re home and free, so is Schmidt.”
“What does that matter?”Wheeler growls.
“If he’s home, he won't need a nanny.”Smithy rolls his eyes, more than done with dealing with this.
That was a good connection he made though.Smithy will be able to get him to leave if he thinks he isn't losing me to Schmidt.
“Fine.”He stares down at me as Smithy and Liliana deal with their dishes.“I'm not letting you go,” he whispers.“You’re mine, Winnie.He can't have you.”
“He doesn’t want me, Wheeler.He wants someone to take care of his daughter.”
As soon as everyone is gone, I tiptoe down the hallway.I don’t hear Tali anymore and if Jamie got her to sleep, I don’t want to wake her up.
