Sierra gives me a wink and excuses herself, reminding us not to be too long because she’s hoping to eat in the next five or ten minutes.
“I’m just voicing my concerns about havingyourson is all,” Wrenley says.
He pats her back. “He’ll be perfect.”
Wrenley shakes her head and laughs. “Yeah, mm-hmm. Anyway, this is Addison.” She gestures to me. “Sierra’s perfect babysitter that I’m jealous of not having.”
“Ohhh. Soyou’rethe reason my wife wants to move up here?” he teases, holding his hand out for me to shake. “Not sure if I’d say it’s nice to meet you,” he jokes.
“He’s kidding.” Wrenley rolls her eyes and elbows him.
Holland rests her head on Kayce’s shoulder and he looks to her. “Are you being shy?”
“She was playing with Caden, but then she threw a block at his head, so…we came in for a little time-out,” Wrenley explains.
The conversation stays light and easy. I’m surprised I’m not tripping over my words. You wouldn’t even think that deep down under all my clothes, I’m sweating profusely.
We head back out to the barn and gather around to eat. Blake says a few things and thanks us all for coming before we bow our heads for him to lead the prayer.
My hands laced together behind my back come undone when someone’s—Wesley’s—calloused hand slips into one. My stomach jumps and I almost trip on my own feet when he unexpectedly pulls me closer.
When we lift our heads back up, he lets go of my hand and we exchange a look, not a smile, but a look that I can’t quite read. It’s one I don’t know if I’ve ever seen.
“You finally got to meet Kayce,” he says.
“And Wrenley,” I correct.
“And?”
“And it was the best two minutes ever,” I admit with a cheeky smile.
He smiles, easily, but walks away. My heart drops again, what is going onwith him?
* * *
The next day, nothing has changed. Still nothing more than a “goodnight love you” text from Wesley, and I’ve had it. I can’t go another day with this tension between us. He’s my boyfriend—mybestfriend—and I feel like I can’t even talk to him. It sucks.
Me: “I’m coming over there whether you like it or not. This is ridiculous.”
My stomach churns as I wait, wondering what he’ll say. It’s a nauseating, anxiety-inducing, overwhelming sensation I can hardly bear.
Wes: “Okay. I’m in the barn.”
When I get there, he’s waiting for me by the woodstove. He’s on his phone, but he puts it down and stands when he sees me.
His body language is slumped, maybe because he’s disappointed in himself, or maybe because he’s about to break up with me. I walk over, my steps out of sync with my rapid heartbeat. I try to brace myself for the unknown.
Chapter 29
Wesley
As I stand here, staring at the girl I want to spend the rest of my life with, the hurt in her eyes—hurt I know I caused—claws at my chest, drowning me in guilt and breaking my heart. I feel like the worst person in the world. We’ve gone all these years with barely a hiccup in our relationship, and now, not even two months into taking the leap of faith into dating, I’ve already screwed it up.
“Wes.” Her voice cracks. “I don’t like this. Maybe this was all a mistake. If you don’t want to date me, then you just need to tell me so we can—”
“That’s not what it is, Addison.”
“It’s not?”
