He nods. “The day after graduation, I packed my things, got on a bus, and went to live with an uncle. I didn’t look back. I figured it was the only way I could have a chance. Get a fresh start.”
I grip the handle of my coffee cup. “Wes…I’m so sorry. I’m sorry that your friends let you take the fall. I’m sorry everyone believed the worst in you. I’m sorry no one protected you.”
“I didn’t tell you this to make you feel sorry for me,” he says. “I told you because your parents are threatening to weaponize what happened to me, and I wanted you to hear it from me. I was a minor at the time, so fortunately the record was sealed. People around here know the story, but by the time I came back to town, the memory had faded. Then Cove started doing well, we started being able to give back to the community, and I guess folks decided to let the past stay in the past. But it probably didn’t take your parents long to find someone who would talk.”
I nod, swallowing the lump that has formed in my throat. “Thank you. For trusting me with this.”
“And for what it’s worth,” he adds. “I know you feel bad, but I don’t blame you, or Jesse, for any of this. You’re not responsible for what they’re doing. And you’re not alone in this. Jesse made sure we all knew that.”
“And you’re not alone, either. I hate that my parents are causing all of this, but I’ll do whatever I can to help figure it out.”
We sit in silence for a few moments, until the bell above the door chimes and I look up to see Jesse.
He approaches with that slow, controlled prowl he’s perfected, shoulders broad, chin tipped forward, eyes narrowed like he’s assessing a potential threat. Or maybe just his little brother’s emotional well-being.
“Hey,” he says, his eyes softening when they land on me. “Wes told me to stop by.” He looks from me to his brother. “Everything okay?”
Wes stands, claps Jesse lightly on the shoulder. “Yeah. We’re good.”
“Good,” Jesse says, exhaling like he’s been holding his breath the entire time. “Because I’m starving. Let’s go get something to eat. You both in?”
Wes arches a brow. “You’re inviting me to dinner with the two of you?”
Jesse shoots him a look. “Of course, little bro.”
A smile tugs at Wes’s mouth. “You’re cool with it?” he asks, looking at me. “If I third wheel?”
“Yeah,” I say. “I’d like that.”
“Do you have a place in mind, Jess?” I say, looking up at him as he pulls me into his side and kisses the top of my head.
“Let’s go to Replay.”
Replay. The place where I first met Jesse. In a way, it feels like a lifetime ago. So much has happened between us since that night. “Sounds perfect,” I tell him.
As we walk down Front Street, I pull my phone out of my pocket to send a quick text to Lottie.
Me: Hey. Just wanted to let you know I’m going to Replay for dinner with Jesse and his brother. Movie and take-out tomorrow, though?
Lottie: That’s actually perfect, I ended up going out with a friend from work. Only she just left so now I’m sitting at Replay by myself about to eat an entire platter of nachos. Don’t judge me. I need comfort carbs.
Me: Save me some, we’ll be there in 5.
Lottie: I was hoping you’d say that! But I’m not making any promises on the nachos.
I laugh, slipping my phone back into my pocket.
“Who’s got you smiling like that?” Jesse asks, giving me a wink. “Should I be jealous? What’s his name?”
“You’re good,” I say, patting his arm. “It’s just Lottie. She’s already at Replay, and by the sounds of it she’s about to inhale a two-person serving of nachos.”
Wes laughs under his breath as Jesse takes my hand and tucks it into the crook of his elbow. And just like that, the three of us head down Front Street, a little bruised, a little uneven, but moving toward something steadier.
THIRTY-THREE
Jesse
I’m not an insecure guy. I don’t hover or throw my weight around. I don’t puff my chest in the direction of every man who looks in Madeline’s direction. I don’t need to publicly stake my claim to her.
