Page 100 of Fourth Wheel
“Ugh,” Fielding groans beside me as he stands to his feet. “I’m going inside to give you two some privacy. Bring me my phone when you’re done, Little Wheeler. You’re gonna need a shower to get some of that puke smell off you before you get back in Jake’s car.”
Heat flares in my cheeks from the callout, but I guess I better get used to Fielding being, well, Fielding, if Dempsey and I are really doing this.
Dempsey clears his throat and calls my attention back to the screen. He’s wearing a button-down shirt without a tie, and his hair’s slicked back and styled. He’s the epitome of California cool. Seeing him there, looking that good, increases my confidence that this could work.
“You’re in Hampton?” he asks. “For me?”
I nod my truth as the tears keep coming.
“You’re in California?” I ask, even though I already know the answer.
“I came out here to scope out some businesses I’m considering backing. I have a few meetings planned this week, and depending how those go, I planned to call you,” he explains, his voice low and gruff. “I just didn’t want to give you false hope without having things figured out. If we’re doing this, I need to do it right.”
“This?” I question.
“Us, baby girl. Me, here in California. Permanently. I know we haven’t talked about any of this… and we’d have so much to figure out… but I want to be where you are. Nothing has felt right since you left. I couldn’t ask you to stay. Not because I didn’t want to, but because I didn’t want to trap you. But I want to be with you, Maddie. Wherever you are—in whatever way makes sense—I want to be with you.”
“I’ve missed you so much,” I admit. I hate that we’re doing this over FaceTime. I smile through another onslaught of tears, this time evoked by his willingness to pursue a relationship, to come out to California, to leave his brother—all for me.
“I know. I feel it, too. I came out here to make sure—to be sure that I could promise you more and hold up my end of the bargain. But just seeing you now is all the assurance I need. When do you come home?”
“I’ll be back tomorrow night.”
He pauses, then and glances off past the camera, his face fraught with indecision.
“Is this okay, Maddie? Is it okay that I’m here? If this isn’t what you want, or if this is too much—”
I cut him off before he can make any sort of argument against what we both know is right and true. “There’s no such thing as too much when it comes to you.”
“Oh myGod!” Fielding moans from inside the house. So much for giving us privacy.
“Now when it comes to your brother…” I holler to make sure Fielding hears me.
Dempsey chuckles to himself and shakes his head. “He’s the one who encouraged me to come out here,” he confesses, his words soft and just for me. “I don’t think I could have done this without his prodding. He’s going to take the MCAT and apply to medical school again. At least, that’s his plan. I’ve decided to believe him and to let go of the idea that I have to make sure he’s okay before I do anything for myself. If there was ever a time to take a risk… it’s now. It’s for you, Maddie.”
I blush at his confession, but quickly shiver as the night air reminds me that I’m soaking wet and coming down from an adrenaline spike.
“I was up at my brother’s cabin in Michigan,” I whisper, because that’s a particular detail I don’t need to rub in Fielding’s face. “Jake let me borrow his car, but I think I’ll sleep here if that’s okay with you.”
“Absolutely. There’s no way I want you driving back tonight.”
I would roll my eyes at his overbearing protectiveness if I hadn’t missed it so damn much.
“I didn’t bring anything with me. I didn’t even know what I was going to say when I got here. I guess I’ll just have to steal your clothes and sleep in your bed tonight,” I tease.
“You’re gonna FaceTime me later from my bed.”
“Oh, am I?”
“You’re gonna use your own phone for that, Little Wheeler!” Fielding hollers from the house.
My eyes widen in rage, but Dempsey sees me and immediately quells the situation. “I’ll text him and tell him to behave. You go inside and get cleaned up. Call me when you’re in bed, okay?”
“Okay,” I mumble before yawning from sheer exhaustion.
“We’re going to make this work, Maddie. If you’re all in, then I’m all in, too.”
I tilt my head to the side and consider his words. As much as I ache to touch him and hold him right now, there’s something so special about having him waiting for me in California.
