Page 19 of Wandering in Love
We end up at Will’s place, a small cabin on the property his parents own. There’s plenty of room at the main house for him, but he wanted his own space. I can’t blame him there. I’ve only been home a little while, and I’m itching for my own space.
“So, you and Ian have slept together since you got back, right?” Will brings me a beer and drops down on his warm leather couch next to me.
I sigh and take a drink from my beer. “Yeah.”
My head flashes to that first night. His voice carried through the rain, and the second my eyes met his, I was a goner. When he touched me, when he took me, my soul was awakened once again. He’s the only man to ever touch that part of me. Frankly, it scares me. I want him so badly it physically hurts, but he deserves so much more than what I can give him.
“What’s your plan?” Will’s question pulls me out of my head.
“For what?”
“For Ian. You obviously want to be with him. What’s the play here?” He takes a deep pull from his beer.
Dropping my gaze, I pick at the label on my bottle. My plan?
“I don’t have one.”
“Do you want to be with him?”
My shoulders drop, the pressure on my chest returning. “More than anything.”
“Then why are you still running?”
With tears blurring my vision and my bottom lip trembling, I speak the words I’ve never said out loud. “He deserves better than me.”
Will doesn’t say anything for minute. He just holds my gaze.
“If you really believe that, you’re an idiot.” He sets his bottle down and leans forward with his elbows on his knees. “Since you left, he’s become a robot. He does the same thing every day at the same time. Nothing ever changes. He’s dated a few women, but he’s never looked at any of them like does you.
“Since you got back, I’ve seen more emotion from him than I’ve seen in the last ten years. He needs you. You are everything to him. You always were. The only thing standing in your way is you.”
Will gets up, taking his bottle into the kitchen. His words replay in my head.
He needs me?
No. I need him. He’s my anchor when life gets rough, but I make him crazy.
“If that’s true, then why did you kiss me? Why do you keep flirting with me?” I stand to face him, needing something to do besides sit here and sulk.
He shrugs, a small smile tugging at his lips. “I like to rile him up. He’s always Mr. Perfect, and when I get the chance to ruffle his feathers, I take it.”
“I’m not a game, William.”
He straightens up, walking toward me and placing his hands on my shoulders. “I know you’re not. Why do I flirt with you? ‘Cause I’m a shameless flirt. And maybe I’m a bit jealous of the relationship you guys always had.”
Will drops a kiss on my forehead and wraps his arms around my shoulders in a hug. I take the offered comfort. I need it tonight.
“Talk to Ian. Lay it all out on the table and let him decide. I guarantee he’ll still want you.”
I nod against his chest. I have to do something. Living in the same town means we will have to find a way to live with the other around. If we can’t, I’ll have to leave again.
Chapter Nine
IAN
She left with Will.
Upset.