Page 31 of Salvation

She rode quite a bit when we were younger, competed in competitions, and whatnot. So, it’s not that I don’t think she can handle it. But she’s pregnant, for God’s sake.

“Oh, stop it!” She snaps over her shoulder. "I'm pregnant, not helpless."

That stops Wyatt dead. He turns to me. “She’s pregnant?”

I peek at him shyly. “You didn’t know?”

He shakes his head as he watches her. Something like wonder on his handsome face. Then he mutters, “The damn horse is scared of men.”

“What?” I ask confused, but then I turn my head and see Whitney petting the horse’s nose as it nuzzles its head into her side. From the way the man with the whip tucks his tail and runs, it seems like she scared him off fairly quickly, and I’m a bit down at the fact that I missed it. I take another glance at Wyatt. “Careful. You’re drooling, Conway.”

He rolls his eyes. “I am not.”

I give him a look that saysyou’re not fooling anyone.

“Who’s the dad?” He asks, quiet enough so that she can’t overhear us.

“Your guess is as good as mine. She won’t talk about it much.” He doesn’t respond. His face is scrunched in confusion. So, I decided to change the topic instead. “I’ll have to bring Elain down sometime. She’d love this.”

“Yeah. Yeah, tell her to come down whenever she wants. Y’all are always welcome.” But his response is half-hearted. He’s so focused on the woman before us, I’m not sure he’s seeing or hearing anything else.

Chapter 31

Wesley

Iregret every decision that has ever led me to where I am today.

I need to getherout of my head. Out of my system. She’s the one who left. She’s the one who wanted nothing to do with me. And fresh out of a relationship, she sure as hell isstillthe one who wants nothing to do with me. So, after whatever happened in the kitchen, I picked through the hideously large list of numbers my mother gave me a few months ago.

Brittany McIntyre. We knew each other in school, and she’s been trying to get me to take her out for years. I’ve never been interested, and it’s not anything against Brittany herself. I’m sure there’s someone out there for her, but she’s not for me. I could tell that from the moment I picked her up. She’s wearing too much perfume, her makeup looks like she let a kid run crayons all over her face, and she no doubt got a boob job. Not avery good one from the looks of it. If her top was any smaller, I’m certain one would pop.

And now we’re going to Bell’s. The one place that won’t help me forget about the very thing I’m avoiding. BlakehatesBrittany. They’ve had some weird vendetta since high school. I can only pray that she’s not working today, but the odds of that are slim to none.

“We could always go to the Diner.” I try my best to sound casual, but I’m not sure it comes out as anything other than desperate.

Her high-pitched laugh grates against my ears like nails on a chalkboard. “No way, Wes. Bell's has the best coffee and pastries on the street.”

Once we make it to the door, she pauses. And I realize she’s waiting for me to open the door. I jump into action, reaching forward to pull it open. I’ve always been one for manners, but clearly, I left those, along with any brain cells I have left, at home. “After you.” I motion with a hand, and she runs her nails down my bicep. I refrain from shivering at the touch. The last thing I need her to do is take that as a sign that I like her touching me.

“Such a gentleman,” she purrs. I give her a forced smile and follow in after her.

Chapter 32

Blake

“As much as I admire your hard work, I’m a bit scared you’re going to break that mug."

I’m furiously scrubbing at a spot on a white ceramic mug, glaring at the blonde bimbo sitting at a table with Wesley when Whitney comes up beside me. I mumble an apology, cheeks turning red, but only replace the mug with a new one. If I don’t, I might launch it at the very booth they’re sitting in. “You, okay?”

“Fine!” I answer in a perky tone. But my teeth are clenched, and I’m on the verge of blowing a pupil. She clocks the two sitting in front of us, shock etching into her tone.

“Is that –"

“Yup.”

“Is he-”

“Mhm.”

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