Page 111 of Love Marks
“The grant money was from Wesley. He pulled me aside at the barbecue and explained it, said it was a foundation or something he was involved in. I didn’t really understand, but he basically gave me a giant check.”
I must have reached my limit because the revelation washes over me with a cold sort of numbness. I don’t say anything to Joe. I just leave quietly, stumbling down the dark hallway and calling myself a car. The whole ride back to my place, I stew silently, unbelieving.
Why the hell would Wesley do that? And why would he keep it from me? How much is he keeping from me?
I hate secrets, and it feels like I’ve learned more than enough about Wesley tonight. This…paying for my bills, invading my life like that, and keeping it from me. Trying to get me evicted? For what? Is this all some giant manipulation, to make me dependent on him, and then what?
I told him. I told him that I didn’t want money to be a thing between us, and he ignored me. Went behind my back and paid for me.
Paid for me.
My heart wrenches with a lurch. I thought, hoped, maybe, that the apathy had gripped me enough so I wouldn’t feel this searing pain, this unbelievable hole in my chest where my feelings for Wesley once lived. The car pulls over and I thank the driver, stepping out onto my empty street.
Only it’s not empty. Wesley is sitting on my stoop, his head in his hands.
Chapter 42
Wesley
I couldn’t sleep. No matter how hard I tried.
After firing off a series of texts and calls to Quinn that all went unanswered, I tossed and turned for most of the night. It was past midnight when I decided I couldn’t take it. I had to call Pete to check in. It was much later than I usually bothered him, but I couldn’t find it in me to care. I’d give him an extra Christmas bonus this year.
He answers on the first ring, his voice groggy. “Hello?”
“Pete, it’s Wesley. Sorry to call so late, but I wanted to make sure Quinn got home okay. She’s not answering my calls or texts and you know I tend to worry about these things.”
“Uhh.” A rustling on the other end interrupts him. “Yep.”
Something in his voice sounds off. “Yes? You dropped her off at home and watched her go inside?” I confirm.
It’s quiet for a moment before Pete speaks again. “How about we talk in the morning, boss? I’ll come first thing.”
Something is off. I can feel it from the way my defenses are starting to rise, familiar walls at the ready. “What’s going on?”
He sighs, a resigned sort of sound. “She asked me not to say anything.”
I’m hit with a pang. She’s avoiding me on purpose. Ignoring my calls. “Peter,” I growl, losing my temper at this endless bullshit of a day. “She doesn’t sign your checks. I do, and if you want me to keep signing them, you’ll tell me where she is. Now.”
It’s quiet again before he speaks, and when he does, I almost regret forcing him to tell me.
“I dropped her off at the hospital.”
***
I’ve been sitting on Quinn’s stoop for almost an hour when a car pulls up in front of me. She steps out, her arms wrapped around herself, and the sight of her threatens to send me to my knees.
“Quinn,” I exhale, taking in the sight of her.
She looks like she’s been through hell. Her face is red and splotchy, dried tears on her cheeks. When she finally sees me, her expression deadens. I can see the fight going out of her, but I have to know what’s going on, if her mom is okay.
I just want to be here for her, to hold her and tell her that it’s going to be okay. To make it okay for her, somehow.
I stumble towards her, needing her in my arms. “Is your mom okay? Are you okay? Pete told me, and don’t be upset with him, I forced it out of him. Why didn’t you call me?”
She steps back. Away from me.
The movement stops me in my tracks, a tiny crack forming in my chest. I swallow, my mouth suddenly dry and achy.