Anna

“What do you mean, we can’t do anything until tomorrow?”

“I’m sorry, Anna,” Mr. James, my parents’ lawyer, apologizes calmly.

He’s much too calm in my opinion. I’m ready to storm down the doors of the police station to get Wesley out of there.

“It’s late. I’ve already called and notified the police station that I’m representing Mr. Scott, and they assured me they stopped questioning him, but because of his record, he was arrested without bail. He has to spend the night. But I’ll be there first thing in the morning and do everything in my power to help him.”

I harrumph, but his voice holds no room for argument. “I’ll meet you there.”

He confirms the time then hangs up.

My parents and John are all staring at me when I set the phone down on the table. We came back to John’s house when the police wouldn’t let us see Wesley. Though they were shocked and upset, my parents didn’t hesitate to drop everything and come to help.

I just can’t do nothing for the rest of the night though. The clock tells me it’s ten p.m., definitely too late to be making calls, but fuck manners. Adrenaline has me wired, and I want to get everything I can to help him in line for tomorrow.

I pick up my cell again and dial Ross’s number.

“Who are you calling?” John asks.

“Ross.”

“Honey, he hasn’t picked up the other ten times you called. Maybe we ought to try again tomorrow,” my mom says gently.

“No, maybe he’ll pick up this time.”

I ignore the concerned looks they exchange and silently beg for Ross to pick up.

“You’ve reached the voice mail of Winston Ross…” the pre-recorded message on the voice mail tells me.

Fuck.

I leave the tenth message of the night anyway, conveying my desperation that he return my call about Wesley and Austin as soon as he can.

Jumping out of my chair, I begin to pace the kitchen. “There has to be something else we can do.” I wrap my arms around my midsection, holding myself together so that I can be strong for Wesley.

“Anna.” My dad’s voice is quiet.

“Eddie said he already gave his statement to the police, and the lawyer will be there in the morning, but I wish I could reach Austin.”

“Anna.”

“Maybe if I go back to the police station and ask again, they’ll let me see him.” I tap my pocket to see where my keys are then start frantically searching the kitchen when I don’t find them. “Has anyone seen my keys?”

“Anna, stop.” My dad stands from the table.

“I can’t stop! He didn’t do anything wrong! It’s bullshit! If he didn’t have a record, he wouldn’t be there, but they don’t even want to hear the truth. Wesley’s in jail again! Do you have any idea what this is going to do to him? To us?”

Adrenaline, fear, and desperation combine to turn me into one big, hot mess. Hot tears track down my cheeks, and everyone stares at me in astonishment. They haven’t seen me lose my cool in years, but I don’t care who sees at this point.

My dad wraps his arms around me, pulling me against his chest while I cry. Big, loud sobs rack my body as my anguish pours out of me.

“I’m in love with him,” I confess. “And he’s in love with me, but he was afraid you guys wouldn’t approve. He didn’t want to tell you until he proved he could take care of me.”

“Oh, honey,” my mom whispers, standing behind me and soothing down my hair as I spill my guts into my father’s chest.

I’m not sure they can hear my muffled words, but it all comes rushing out. “But don’t you see? He does take care of me. He makes me so happy, and right now, I need to take care of him.”

My dad leans back and tilts my head up to meet his eyes. His brown eyes are warm and knowing, and despite the awful night, a soft smile tugs at his lips. “I couldn’t have picked a better man for my daughter. I had a feeling you guys were more than friends, even when you were kids.”

“We were shocked when you got together with Charlie. We always thought you and Wes were meant to be together,” my mom adds.

Their acceptance is overwhelming, and new tears start flowing all over again.

Then, I realize my brother has yet to weigh in. I hesitantly turn to face him, unsure if he will accept us as a couple as easily as my parents have.

“John?” I whisper. “I’m sorry we didn’t tell you.”

He shakes his head and smiles ruefully. “Please, you think I didn’t know you guys were in love with each other? You’re over here a lot, Anna Banana, and you guys can’t act to save your lives.” He stands up and hugs me. “Why do you think I always stay out of the garage?” he whispers in my ear, making me chuckle through my tears. He looks down at me, his handsome face full of affection. “Wes is a good guy. I know he’ll take care of you. He always has.”

My parents nod, and I realize they all must know about Bryce’s threats and how Wes kept dealing to try to keep me safe.

“Now, I know you want to rescue him tonight, but it just isn’t going to happen. We’ll go there first thing in the morning with the lawyer and sort this all out. But, for tonight, you need to take care of yourself, so you can take care of him tomorrow.”

I nod, wiping the tears from my face, and take a deep, cleansing breath.

Tomorrow, with my family’s help and support, I’m going to fight for Wesley.

But, tonight, I’m going to sleep. My brother doesn’t say a word when I open the door to Wesley’s room instead of the spare bedroom. I need to feel as close to him as possible. The moment I step through the door, the familiar scent of sage and cedar and sawdust surrounds me, and I close my eyes. It’s easy to pretend like Wes is here, just getting ready for bed in the bathroom, about to join me any minute. If only that were the case.

Just as I’m about to get undressed, I hear a soft knock at the door.

“Anna? Can I come in?” my mom asks.

“Sure.”

She comes in, carrying a mug. “I made you some hot tea. Thought it might help you relax before bed.”

“Thanks, Mom.” I take the tea from her and set it down.

When I turn, she’s standing close, arms open for another hug. I sink into her like I used to when I was a little girl, grateful for her support tonight.

“Thank you for all your help tonight.”

“I’m happy to help Wesley, honey. Ever since you brought him home that day from school, with his nose broken and untrusting eyes, I’ve wanted to give that boy everything the world has failed to give him.”

“Me, too.”

She sits beside me on the bed, a soft smile on her face. “Yes, you were his champion then, and you’re his champion now. I’m so proud of you.”

Fresh tears start to well up, and I blink rapidly, too choked up to respond. My mom hasn’t told me she’s proud of me in a really long time.

“Oh, honey.” She sees my emotion, and her own eyes start to well up, too. She pulls me into her side and smooths my hair away from my face. “I’m sorry I haven’t said that more often. I know we haven’t always seen eye to eye, but I love you so much. I’m always here.”

She was disappointed when I decided not to go to medical school, and we argued for so long about it. She’s never understood why I abandoned my dreams. But maybe it’s not too late to tell her now.

“It’s not entirely your fault, Mom. I blocked you out for a long time.” I pull back and look at her. Her face is full of worry and love. “I know you think I changed my whole life plan because of how things ended with Charlie.” I swallow. “But the truth is, I had an abortion.” I force myself to keep looking at her even though I don’t want to see the disappointment on her face.

Instead of disappointment, I see surprise and concern.

“What?”

I nod sadly. “I was scared and overwhelmed and thought an abortion would save my dreams, but instead, it…changed them.”

“Oh, honey, why didn’t you come to me?”

“I was young and stupid. I thought I’d just take care of it. I’d rather you be disappointed in my career choice than in…me.” I shrug, knowing it’s a poor excuse.

“Anna, I have never for one second been disappointed in you. I only want you to be happy. I pushed you to go to med school because I thought it was what you wanted.” She hugs me close. “I’m sorry you went through this on your own. I feel so horrible for pushing you all those years. And then, when you became depressed, I did a really poor job of handling it. I just wanted you to be able to get better.”

“It’s not your fault, Mom. I’m so much better now than I have been in years. I needed to forgive myself, and I have. I hope you can forgive me, too.”

“There’s nothing to forgive. I love you, honey. Thank you for telling me now.”

“I love you, too.”

She hugs me again, her arms strong and warm and comforting. Then, she kisses me on my forehead. “Get some sleep. I’ll see you in the morning. We’ll all go together, okay?”

“Okay. Night, Mom.”

A sigh of relief escapes once she leaves. That went better than I’d expected. I never wanted my parents to know, and still…I’m not sure I’ll ever tell my dad or my brother. But I’m glad my mom knows.

I slip one of Wes’s T-shirts on as a nightgown, drink some of the tea my mom brought me, and then slip under the covers and bury my face into his pillow.

My thoughts turn to Wes. What is he doing right now? Is he in a holding cell? Is he with other people in that cell? Has he lost hope that he will get out of there?

I muster all of the energy I have and try to project my thoughts to him.

I love you, Wesley. I’m going to get you out of there, and we’re going to live happily ever after.