“It’s okay,” she says softly. “You deserve it. You deserve to be happy.”
I rub my chest.Happy. Looking back at the past couple of weeks, I realize that maybe I am.
“I’m scared,” I whisper, staring at Wes, who looks like a tiger that’s been run over by a bus, black and orange smeared together.
“I know. Good things are scary. But you’re strong.”
I scoff. “I’m not strong, Janie.”
“Of course you are. Look how far you’ve come.”
I’ve never really thought about that. I’ve mostly focused on my failures. She’s right that I need to start seeing my wins, like letting Wes into my life.
“Yo! Jett!” Wes yells at me, grinning. “Your turn,Pooh. I need my wingman.”
Chapter 17
Wes
I’mitchingtoholdJett’s hand as his niece and nephew go door-to-door trick-or-treating, but he’s made it clear to his family that we’re only friends. Does it sting a little? Yeah. But I get it. We haven’t discussed how to approach whatever we have in front of others. I have plans to remedy that tonight.
I bump his shoulder. “You look like you have jaundice,” I tease. His niece tried to make him look like Pooh Bear, but his face is painted only yellow, with a black dot at the tip of his nose.
He snorts a laugh. “And you look like a tiger with jaundice whose face is melting off.”
I throw back my head and cackle. “Touché.”
People who pass by look at us strangely, trying to figure out what the hell we are.
“Hey,” Jett says. “Thanks for doing this. And… for liking my family.”
“Your family is amazing, man. They’re a blast and so nice.”
He looks thoughtful, with a small smile on his lips, as he watches the kids run to the next house. “They really are. I love them so much.”
There are many facets to Jett, but I haven’t seen this one. Love and tenderness. It warms me because family is everything. They’re people you can trust and who love you back unconditionally. I really like this side of him.
I try to hide the surprise on my face when Jett slides his hand into mine and weaves our fingers together. It’s such a small gesture, but it’s a big deal for him. I can tell. It’s also a huge sign of his feelings for me. My heart tightens, and my stomach dips at his openness. Instead of saying anything, I smile and squeeze his hand.
“I told Janelle,” he says.
Now my heart’s really beating the fuck out of my chest. What does that mean? “Yeah? I guess she’s fine with it.”
“She likes you. I… like you.”
“Aww, you like me?” I rest my head on his shoulder and bat my eyelashes at him.
He chuckles. “Dork.”
“Seriously, I like you, too.”
Jett’s voice dips. “Wes?”
“Yep?”
“I’m sorry I was such a…”
“Dick? Jerk? Mean?” I bump his shoulder again and wink.
