His smile turns genuine as he leans over and plants a kiss to my forehead.
I convinced mydad to take my mother out for an afternoon drive in his classic Mustang. He keeps it covered in the garage most of the time to maintain its pristine condition, but when the weather is nice, he and Mom will take a ride down the Pacific Coast Highway together. Something about it being nostalgic for them. So, they’re gone when Livia and Lou arrive. Weston and I sneak around the back gate to Liv’s truck, and to my utter shock, when I swing open the back door, Zander is sprawled across the seat, grinning at me.
“You’re coming?” I laugh.
He shrugs. “Why not?”
I crawl into the back beside my cousin as Weston tosses our bags into the bed, closing the canopy before getting into the truck too.
“He’s trying to plan a meet-cute with this up-and-coming amateur surfer he started talking to online.” Lou laughs, turning in her seat, eyeing us as her wife starts up the truck and pulls into the street. “Does your dad know about this?” she asks.
I chuckle, shaking my head. “Casually mentioned we were going out with Allie tonight.”
“We already had a meet-cute,” Z scoffs. “We’ve been talking for weeks, I’m trying to fuck.” Dramatically rolling his eyes, he faces me. “Where is Allie?”
“With Declan.” I sneer, validated by the vexed groans of the entire car.
Half an hour passes in relative silence before Weston falls asleep against me. I run my hands through his hair, the silky dark strands melting beneath my fingertips. His closed lids flutter, lips parted with heavy breath.
He’s beautiful like this. Peaceful.
How he’d ever think I’d want to hide him from the world is beyond me. I’ve never been more proud to attach myself to another person. Damn Parker, and damn my parents too, because Weston deserves to be loved loudly.
I pull out my phone, snapping a photo of him sleeping on my lap with my hand in his hair before posting it to my feed. I caption the picture,somethin’ ’bout a surfer boy,with the hashtag for the competition we’re heading to.
My parents may see the post, but by the time they do, we’ll be well on our way and deal with the consequences upon our return.
“Oh, you’rein lovein love.” My head snaps up, gaze landing on Zander who’s flashing me a shit-eating grin.
“So is he,” Lou says softly, green eyes flashing to mine in the rearview mirror.
“Yeah, well...” I glance at Weston again, ensuring he’s still asleep. “I haven’t exactly told him that yet, so if you could maybe shut the fuck up, I’d appreciate it.”
Zander laughs under his breath, shaking his head.
“Better get to it,bebé,” Liv adds. “It’s pretty fucking clear to everyone else.”
Lou nods at her wife, turning in her seat and giving me a soft smile. “I’ve never seen you like this before, Willow.”
“Like what?” I murmur, glancing back down at Weston to ensure he’s not woken up.
“Blissful,” Zander says, serious now. “Beyond happy. You were never like that before.”
He’s right, and I should admit my love to Weston. He deserves to know just how happy he’s made me. How much he’s healed me.
There are things I haven’t told him yet, and I don’t think I can say those three words until I find a way to disclose everything I’ve kept to myself. I think he’s told me every aspect of his past, and I don’t know how he’ll react when he realizes I haven’t given him the same.
My cousins are right though. I love him so bad, there’s no hiding it now. I think Lou is accurate that he loves me too, and that love being so palpable it’s seen by others strengthens my confidence that he’s the person I can share my burdens with. My past. He’ll accept all of it, I only need to give him the chance to show me that for himself.
Before I slide my phone back into my pocket, it buzzes with a notification. Chelsea’s name flashes over my screen—an indication that she liked the photo—and my stomach sinks. I’vebeen less active online this summer than I normally am, and I completely forgot to block Chelsea after our horrific lunch weeks ago.
Unease pricks the back of my neck as I scramble to block her, refusing to let anything ruin this weekend and Weston’s second chance at winning a medal.
CHAPTER 34
WESTON
The roar of the crowd is so potent, it overpowers the crashing of the waves as I sit atop the water, dozens of yards from shore.
