Page 102 of Never His Girl
West’s hand warms in mine and the pieces are falling into place.
“As I’m sure you can imagine, knocking up my soon-to-be coach’s daughter isn’t exactly the first impression I want to make. Having this fucking secret hanging over my head is the reason I push myself so hard, the reason I needed one last flawless season under my belt. I didn’t justwantto be the best of the best… Ihadto be,” he explains, bringing the entire picture into view for me.
“Wow,” is all I can say, which I’m certain isn’t exactly helpful, but damn. Talk about irony.
“Still, even with everythingIhave riding on this, it’s bigger than that,” West adds, and while I don’t say it out loud, I can’t imagine what could possibly be bigger than flushing his entire future down the drain.
“The few times Casey and I have talked, she’s adamant about us keeping what happened under wraps. She insists that her dad can never know, and up until now that’s been in my best interest, too. It’s just that… I can’t keep doing this. Can’t let Parker slip through the fucking cracks,” he says. “There’s also the fact that I hate what this probably looks like to everyone else, from the outside looking in.”
“Hate what …whatlooks like?”
He peers up at me before answering, “Us.”
I laugh a bit. Can’t help it. “What the hell are you talking about, West?”
“Makes me sick to my stomach knowing people actually believe I’d post that fucking video of us. And I’m sure they have opinions about you being with me after that.”
I had never mentioned it out loud, but it does burn a bit, knowing how weak and stupid I must seem for forgiving West after sharing something so personal with the entire city. Only, they don’t know the truth. That I’m no one’s doormat and never have been. But most importantly, they don’t knowWest’struth.
That he isn’t guilty.
I squeeze his hand again, feeling his heart in this conversation more than I imagined I would. Yes, he’s got a lot to lose if this all blows up in his face, but he’s also trying to look out for Casey. Trying to look out for me.
“She agreed to meet me tomorrow night, so I’m planning to make the drive to her campus after school,” he shares. “I know that’s kind of a weird thing to do—meet someone I used to be involved with for coffee—but I don’t want to say what I need to say over the phone.”
I nod, agreeing. “No, you’re right. Some situations require an in-person conversation.”
“Still, I don’t want you to be uncomfortable, or think it’s something it isn’t, so I don’t mind if you wanna come, too. I just—”
“West, I trust you.”
I hadn’t realized he needed to hear that until he looks up again, meeting my gaze. He isn’t smiling, isn’t saying a thing, but I know the very words I just spoke were right on time.
“Of course you do. Because you’re fucking amazing,” is all he says, which has me smiling a little.
“I’ve been called worse,” I tease with a shrug.
He responds by coming closer, placing a kiss on my forehead.
“Go talk to Casey tomorrow. I’ll be here when you get back,” I assure him. “However, in the spirit of awkward-but-necessary conversations, I think it might be time I sit down and have a chat with Ricky, too.”
West holds my gaze, and while I expect a little bit of resistance, or even that twisted look he gets on his face at the mere mention of Ricky’s name, I don’t get either of those reactions. Instead, only a look of understanding.
“I’ll call and tell you everything the second I’m back in Cypress Pointe,” he promises.
“I know.”
His eyes leave me and he’s staring at the floor again, seemingly deep in thought.
“I honestly have no clue what I’ll say to her tomorrow,” he admits. “All I know is she’s entitled to a heads-up before you and I go to Harrison and Pryor. Because once that happens, it’s only a matter of time before Parker opens her big-ass mouth and word gets back to Coach Wells about me and Casey.”
“Just be you,” I suggest. “Tell her whatever’s on your heart and trust that it’s enough.”
He nods and I smile at him, sensing his relief now that everything’s out in the open.
“Now, that wasn’t so hard, was it?” I ask with a smile.
“You mean spilling my fucking guts to my girlfriend and praying she doesn’t leave my ass? Nah… piece of cake,” he teases.