Wesley

I’d rather be anywhere other than Green Briars, but Mrs. Bellamy insisted. She can be rather persuasive. When I told her I didn’t feel comfortable coming to this ritzy country club with my…history, she said we shouldn’t let what other people think get in the way of our happiness. That she supports me unconditionally. That, moving forward, we need to celebrate our successes—small ones and big ones—and getting a job is a great success. And that other people seeing me there with them will send a message that I have a family behind me.

Plus, she told me Anna would be there, too. I’ll take any excuse to see her again. It’s only been a week since I saw her last, but it seems like longer.

Those seemed like good reasons at the time, but now, I realize I made a huge mistake. I shift uncomfortably in my chair as I feel the gaze of a thousand people on me. Well, maybe not a thousand, but at least a hundred. They look at me, at Anna, at all of us and whisper. Some just look curious; others look horrified to see me here, a convict in their precious club, like I might attack them at any moment.

I bought a new outfit especially for today—a button-down and slacks—in the hopes that I wouldn’t stick out like a sore thumb. All of my tattoos are covered, but it seems like no amount of clothing can make me blend in at a place like this.

Anna looks equally uncomfortable, fidgeting and playing with her necklace. John was surprised when Mrs. Bellamy told us Anna was coming, too. It seems she hasn’t been here since the last time I came with them. I know it’s probably because of Charlie. She must still love him. It’s good for me to remember that, so I don’t get any foolish ideas. Once upon a time, she had a crush on me, but I chose to push her away. Now, I have to deal with the consequences. Anna can’t ever be mine. No matter how much I want her to be, I can’t let my mind go there. She’s my best friend’s sister. Her parents practically adopted me. And, no matter how supportive they are, they won’t want someone like me for their daughter. Someone who spent the last decade in prison. Someone who struggled to find a job, who will always struggle to find a job because of the decisions I made.

They’ll want someone successful for their daughter. Someone who can afford a membership at a country club like this. Someone who can take care of Anna and provide for her.

I can’t do any of those things.

Not yet, my subconscious interjects, but that doesn’t mean not ever. I quiet that train of thought and force my attention back to the present.

The conversation goes on around us, Mr. and Mrs. Bellamy chatting with John and Reanell. Anna remains stiff and silent. It’s amazing how everyone seems to let Anna just sit here without engaging her. The same thing happened last weekend at Sunday dinner.

“This seat is killing me,” I whisper to her, unable to keep a small smile off my face when she looks at me.

“You’re telling me.” Her big brown eyes captivate me; they hold me transfixed. If only we could go back in time, I’d do so many things differently.

Then, she looks over my shoulder and freezes. Her face drains of color, and her eyes blink rapidly, as if she’d seen a ghost. I want to look over my shoulder to see what caused that reaction, but I have a sinking feeling I know already. It has to be Charlie.

Mr. and Mrs. Bellamy talk about John’s job at the pharmacy and Reanell’s teaching position at the school. I keep waiting for them to ask about Anna, but it doesn’t happen. They seem content to just have her sitting at the table.

The thing is, while she’s present, she’s not…here. I can’t stand it anymore.

“What about you, Anna? How’s work?”

She startles, surprised to be addressed. She tries to smile, but I can see it’s fake. Brittle. “It’s okay.”

I wait for someone to notice she’s lying. That she looks far from okay. But they don’t.

“So, tell us more about the job, Wesley. When do you start?” Mr. B asks, blissfully unaware that his daughter is about to have a breakdown.

I clear my throat and tear my eyes away from Anna. “I don’t have too many details. I was so grateful when Eddie said he’d hire me; I just agreed to be there Monday morning.”

“That’s great, sweetie.” Mrs. Bellamy beams.

Her smile is warm and genuine, so it’s hard to be mad at her for treating Anna like she’s invisible. Maybe she knows it’s hard for Anna to be here to begin with and is just letting her acclimate without putting her on the spot.

“You guys should see the projects he’s started so far. My garage has never been so useful before,” John reports.

“Are you taking pictures of everything like I asked?”

“Yes, I’ve taken a beginning picture with the starting materials and tools, a midway picture, and then a final picture—at least of the ones I’ve finished so far,” I tell Mr. Bellamy.

“What an excellent idea,” Reanell says. “Great advertising. Have you started a Facebook page?”

“No, I haven’t gotten around to social media just yet.”

“I could help you if you want. Great way to advertise and get new customers.”

I smile at Reanell. Why would I make a page on social media if I don’t have a business yet?

“What you really need is a website,” John adds.

Facebook page. Website.

All of this attention and advice is making me sweat. I learned a bit about websites and advertising in the classes I took, but right now, my main focus is to get steady work and build an inventory of pieces.

Luckily, the food arrives, and everyone digs in. If nothing else, the food is delicious. Except Anna hasn’t touched her plate.

“Excuse me, I’ll be right back,” she says.

That’s when I see Charlie and a redhead making their way to the bar. It’s behind Mr. and Mrs. Bellamy but directly in front of me, so I have the best view of Anna approaching them on shaky legs, arms wrapped around herself.

Holy shit, Charlie looks pissed. He stares at her with hatred, and I realize whatever happened between them was more than just a high school breakup. Otherwise, why would he carry his animosity toward her for ten years?

The other patrons have noticed the standoff, and my muscles stiffen as I see them pointing and whispering. We’re surrounded by a pack of wolves hungry for gossip. I’ll never understand why Mr. and Mrs. Bellamy like to come here.

I can’t hear what they’re saying, so I try to decipher what’s going on by their body language. Anna still has her arms wrapped tightly around her midsection, as if she might break apart at any second. She pleads with him, then flinches at his angry response. Charlie towers over her, and the crowd quiets down to hear their exchange.

I can’t sit by and watch this anymore. “Excuse me,” I mumble as I push back from the table and make my way toward them.

I’m close enough to hear Anna whisper, “I know, Charlie. I wish I could go back in time; I would do so many things differently.”

Shit. My heart stops at that. I was just thinking the same exact thing, but now, I know more than ever that she’s still in love with him.

The asshole who still has her heart says harshly, “Yeah, me too. I wish I never would have fallen for a selfish liar like you.”

Fuck.

Anna gasps and wipes at the tears falling down her face. My poor angel. She doesn’t deserve to be treated like this, no matter what happened between them. I step close to her side, hoping to give her some of my strength.

“Anna, you okay?”

“I’m okay, Wes,” she says unconvincingly.

Her chin trembles, eyes full of unshed tears, and I can’t help but glare at Charlie. He looks at my proximity to her and assumes we’re together.

“Careful with this one,” he says, as if giving me a tip. “She’s a liar.”

Fuck him. I step in front of Anna, ready to beat the shit out of this asshole. My teeth grind together as I glare at him. Hasn’t he hurt her enough?

“That’s enough,” I growl. “I know you two have history, and I know it ended badly. But you have no idea what she’s gone through since then.”

He looks incredulous at my defense. “And you have no idea what the fuck you’re talking about. If you did, you wouldn’t be looking at me like that.”

I’m three seconds away from breaking his face. My muscles are coiled and ready, my fists clenched. Everyone around us is waiting for this. They stamped me as a dangerous criminal from the moment I walked in here, but fuck them. I won’t let anyone treat Anna this way.

Charlie’s girlfriend saves the day, pulling him away, saying they need to get back to their table. I turn to Anna, wishing I could erase all of the ugly things he said to her.

She’s trembling, and I want nothing more than to pull her into me and take away her sadness.

“Anna.”

She doesn’t look up. “I have to go. Can you let my parents know?”

“Why don’t I drive you?” Say yes, say yes, please say yes.

Not only is she too upset to drive, but I also can’t stand the thought of her leaving right now all by herself.

“No, thank you,” she mumbles, turning swiftly toward the exit and leaving me standing there, alone.

My stomach is in my throat as I stare after her. Every cell in my body wants to be with her. To make sure she gets home okay, to comfort her, to protect her. I shake off all the eyes staring at me and make my way back to the table.

“You guys, Anna…” I stare at Mr. and Mrs. Bellamy, then John and Reanell.

Mrs. Bellamy looks alarmed. “Is Anna okay?”

They watch Anna’s retreating form and finally see Charlie and his family at the center table.

“Shit,” John says, rising from the table. “I’ll go after her.”

“No, let me,” I say sharper than I intended. I’ll go out of my mind if I have to stay here one more second. I look to Mr. and Mrs. Bellamy and lower my voice. “Thank you for dinner, but I’m going to go.”

“I’m sorry, Wesley. I didn’t mean to force this place on you and Anna.” Mrs. Bellamy smiles weakly. “We just wanted to celebrate.”

“Thank you for that. You guys…” Words escape me, and I feel Anna getting farther away from me with every second that passes. “You guys are my family. But you have to admit, I don’t blend in here. And Anna was really upset when she left. I’m just going to swing by her place to make sure she’s okay.”

Mr. Bellamy’s expression softens. “Thank you. It seems you haven’t grown out of trying to protect Anna. Will you let us know if she needs anything?”

I nod. “I will.”