Wes stands around six foot six, with biceps the size of my head. Anyone who doesn’t know him would be intimidated. But to me, he’s just annoying and has been since I found out he’s my neighbor.
Unfortunately, I found outafterwe had already slept together. It was supposed to be one of my usual hookups. My first night in town with a hot guy I found at a bar. Too bad it’s been years since that night and I can still remember the way it felt when he touched me.
We’ve never talked about that night, and I’m not even sure if he remembers it. But then there’s times like this when he chooses to fuck with me and I’m sure he does. Because he still doesn’t move to help me, but he does crowd in behind my back, his face close enough I can feel his breath on my skin, causing a shiver I try to suppress.
“You don’t make the rules, Angel.”
My knees buckle at the nickname because that’s the same thing he called me that night, and I’m suddenly glad there’s a chair to brace myself on. I turn to glare at him, but he’s already walking past me.
Blowing my hair out of my eyes, I mentally prepare to get through this. Hopefully without completely losing it.
CHAPTER 2
Wes
I don’t likebig group settings. Especially when I don’t know very many people. Though, this isn’t exactly abiggroup, I still feel uncomfortable only knowing Jameson. He’s cool, nice even. I kind of know his fiancé, Sutton, but I tend to try not to go out of my way to talk to very many people. I prefer keeping to myself.
Then there’s Bailey.
My neighbor, who I fucked years ago and have yet to forget about. It would’ve been nice to keep that up, but I knew it would be a bad idea. Feelings could get involved and then it’s awkward. I don’t do commitments, so instead I just pretended like it never happened.
And made her hate me.
To be fair, that wasn’t exactly my intention, I was just going to pretend like I didn’t know her to avoid the awkwardness. But ever since then, it seems as though everything I do pisses her off. Andwhen she and I get into it, I can actually feel something, so I continue to do it.
Like right now, at Jameson and Sutton’s house, I didn’t help her even though I could tell she was struggling to carry everything. She’s made it a point to ignore me, focusing all her attention on her friends: Sutton and I think the younger girl is named Lily.
I lean against a wall because I refuse to have my back open. Even if I’m in a place that’s supposed to be safe, nothing ever feels safe enough. Even my own house doesn’t feel secure enough at times.
Across the room, Jameson is talking to his friends, who coincidentally work at the fire station with him. There’s a younger guy named Parker, an older guy named Dave, and a woman named Jo. I watch all of them as they’re talking, and notice the way Parker keeps looking over at Lily. How Jameson finds any excuse to touch Sutton. And the glares Bailey sends in my direction.
Those make me smile, and I try to hide it behind the beer I bring to my lips.
“What about you, Wes?” Jameson asks, and while I’m always aware of my surroundings, I’m not always aware of the conversations happening around me because I’m so focused onwhatis happening.
“What about me?” I ask nonchalantly.
“Any plans for the rest of the summer?”
I shake my head. “Just your wedding.”
“You guys are boring,” Parker scoffs.
“Not all of us are twenty-one and stupid,” Jo mumbles.
“I’m twenty-two in aweek. God forbid I do something to celebrate my birthday,” Parker argues.
I finish off my beer and debate getting another one but decide against it since I should head home soon. I’m starting to feel suffocated in the small space with all these people around. My eyes catch on Bailey, noting how she has her arm around her body, holding her opposite elbow, a tight expression on her face and somehow I can tell she’s feeling something similar to me. Though, she would probably rather gnaw off a limb than admit that.
“I think I’m going to take off,” I announce, loud enough I’m sure she can hear me.
“You sure?” Jameson questions.
“Yeah, I’m pretty tired.”I’m not. I can barely sleep most days.
“Alright, thanks for your help today.”
“All good. I’ll be by tomorrow,” I tell him. We both know I come by to help with the horses, but I don’t ever talk aboutwhy.
