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“I could’ve paid,” I grumble.
Wes shakeshis head, speaking for the first time since I came in. “We take care of what’s ours, Athelia.”
“But—”
“And you’re ours,” Kellan interrupts firmly. “Aren’t you?”
“I am.” I smirk, an idea forming in my head, so I lean down until my lips are right next to Kellan’s ear.“Master.”
. . .
The ride home is uneventful. Cal got my apple cider to go, so I sip it while cuddling with him in the backseat.
Wes has been awfully quiet, and I wonder if he feels guilty for leaving his mom. He said she has her sisters to comfort her, but it still doesn’t change the fact that he’s her closest relative.
Still, I can’t shake the feeling that Wes doesn’t really like his mom. I’m not sure I can blame him, though, after knowing that she cheated on his dad.
By the time we’re back at the house, the sun has already set. The guys mention that they have a job to do, and Cal and Kellan leave shortly after.
As for me and Wes, we both head to our respective rooms to study. We leave our doors open, which is new, and I can hear him typing away on his laptop.
It’s comforting, having him so close like this, but I don’t let myself dwell on the feeling too deeply. Even though Wes has more than proven that he’ll do anything for me, it doesn’t change how he used to treat me in the past. It definitely doesn’t change my plans.
After a while, I realize I’m not hearing him type anymore. I glance toward his room, only to find him leaning against my doorframe and watching me.
How the hell did I not hear him?
“How’re you doing?” he asks, not acknowledging the fact that he was just standing there watching me while I studied.
“Better.” Closing my textbook, I move to a sitting position instead of lying on my stomach. “Today helped. It was really nice of Kellan to come up with this.” I gesture to my hair. “I only told him about why I had to dye my hair back last night.”
Wes bristles, but I’m not sure why.
“He took me to this overlook last night, and we watched the sunset,” I continue. “I didn’t realize how much I needed to get away from everything. To just… not have to think for a while. It was really thoughtful of him.”
“Was it?” Wes asks, his voice hollow. He looks… sad, almost.
“Are you okay?” I stand and make my way over to him. “I know you hated Kammes, but if his funeral brought up old feelings, then—”
“It was me,” Wes grits out.
I blink. “What was you?”
He releases a short, pent-up breath.“I’mthe one who told Kellan to help you clear your head last night.I’mthe one who had the idea to surprise you with the hair appointment.I’mthe one who set the damn thing up.”
My legs hit the couch, and I realize he’s backed me up to it while he was talking. I place a hand on his chest to keep him from moving forward more.
The harshness fades from his eyes, and he twists a lock of my hair around his finger. “It looks beautiful,” he says softly. “You look like you again.”
“Wes, I…” I swallow, my mouth going dry at the way he’s looking at me. “I didn’t know.”
“I know,” he mutters bitterly.
“Why didn’t you say something?”
“Because the important thing was making you happy, not making sure you knew I was the one who came up with the plans.” He works his jaw. “Until now, I guess.”
“Well… thank you.” My hands slide up his chest and around to the back of his neck. “It really does mean a lot to me.”
