Page 41 of Bless My Heart

My phone pings with new text message. Being the nosey people they are, both of my friends look over my shoulder as I open the message. It’s a picture of Wes in his Halloween costume. He went all out for his Joker costume and looks great.

“Is that your man candy?” Caroline asks.

“Oh my God, please don’t call him that.” I laugh.

“How are things going with y’all? Are you still pushing him away with your super strength?”

“Yes, but he is pushing back just as hard.”

“Girl, I can’t believe you aren’t just going for it. No one at your school has to know. And the semester will be over in like a month and a half, anyway. You need to get that good sex in now because, let me tell you, sex after a baby is weird. It takes a while for you to feel like yourself again.”

“I know. God, I know. I want him so bad, but I’m just so scared.” It’s hard for me to admit my feelings for Wes out loud, but my friends can tell. They know Wes has me all twisted up inside.

“Of course, you’re scared. But Wes seems like a great guy. I mean, he’s done everything you’ve asked, including not telling his parents that they’re going to be grandparents. That’s a big freaking deal, Haze. And he’s probably going to get so much shit from his parents and friends when they find out, but he did it for you. He cares about you, and he hasn’t just given up when you pushed him away. You said it yourself. He’s pushing back even harder. You’re lucky, Hazel. There aren’t many men like that out there.” Lexi finishes her little speech, showing more interest in my dating life than she ever has before. She’s really serious about this. Lexi is usually the strong one out of all of us, so hearing her say all those things makes me wonder if I’m making a mistake.

“She’s right, Hazel. You’ve got a good one. If you want him so bad, then let him have you. Maybe do something for yourself for once and not worry about what might happen. You only have one life.”

I nod my head as my eyes move down to the sidewalk. I can feel the burn from the tears building up in my eyes. They’re right. So right. Wes has been so good to me, and all I’ve done is use him and push him away. He is a good man, and I know he’ll be an amazing father.

Maybe I’m thinking with my heart instead of my head, but I’m ready to let him in.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

WES

Hazel: Can you come over?

Wes: Yes. Is everything ok?

Hazel: I want you.

She wants me. Hell fucking yes. I knew it would happen eventually. I’ve been persistent. I wanted to show her I was in it to win it, and now I fucking won.

Ozzy already won his fight. Of course he did. We’re shooting the shit at the bar, drinking a few beers, when Hazel’s text comes in.

“Hey, man. You good? I need to go see a girl about a thing,” I tell Ozzy. I hate leaving him on fight night, but he actually wanted to stay out tonight, so he must be feeling good.

“Yeah, man. That’s cool. Good luck.” I told him I’d been trying to get with a girl. I just didn’t tell him the girl is my professor and I’ve already gotten her but want her some more. Or that she’s having our baby. But you know, minor details.

I head to the bathroom to wash off my face make-up. I’m not showing up to a wanting Hazel with this shit on my face. When I get to her apartment, I have every intention of getting us into her bed as quickly as she’ll let me.

I tell Stella, Ezra, and Celine goodbye before getting in my Jeep and heading to Hazel’s apartment.

I climb the stairs two at a time to get to her door. She opens as soon as I knock.

“Hey.”

“Hey.” I take her in. She’s in jeans and a silly looking pumpkin shirt, but I don’t even care. Her hair is down and curled in a way that really shows off the purple I love so much.

“Are you sure you want this?” I ask. Her pretty blue eyes are moving back and forth, trying to keep eye contact with me.

“Yes.”

“What made you change your mind?”

“I just realized that life is short, and I need to stop depriving myself of something I’m craving.” She’s craving me? If that doesn’t send the blood to my cock, I don’t know what does.

“If you do this with me tonight, Hazel, I’m not letting you walk away again. No holding me at arms length. I’ll keep it a secret until I’m out of your class like you asked, but you won’t be able to keep me away from your pussy. You understand?”