Wes and Toren (13 page)

My whole body blushed and I couldn’t think of anything to say.

Wesley shook his head. “That’s enough, Scott. But, yeah, and he’s great in bed,” Wesley said, looking at me sideways with a devilish grin.

“Wesley!” I shouted, holding my chin in my palm and looking away from the table. They laughed the same way, and I thought,
They
really are brothers.

“I take it that Mom and Dad don’t know?” Scott asked, suddenly serious.

Wesley shook his head. “Nah. It doesn’t matter though. Like anything I do will ever be good enough.”

Scott looked sad and stared into his cup of coffee. He rested his chin in his palm and stared at Wesley, who was tapping his fork on the Wes & Toren

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table. “I’m really sorry about what happened at dinner. I didn’t think Mom would still be riding you like that once I was gone.” Scott stared at the table again and Wesley shrugged his shoulders before looking out the window. It was an awkward, yet intimate, silence. “Seriously, Wes, I’m really sorry. I wish there was something I could do.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Wesley snapped. Then his face softened a bit. “It’s not like it’s your fault. I don’t expect you to go out and fail just so I rise a little in rank in Mom’s eyes. I just gotta be patient. When I move out, I won’t have to worry about it anymore.”

I listened quietly. This was the most I’d heard Wesley say about his family. He was sad and angry and treated unfairly, but he didn’t let it get the best of him. I didn’t feel pity for him; maybe some sympathy, but he was strong. He could handle anything.

“This is exactly what I admire about you,” Scott said quietly. “You don’t let anyone get you down. You’re happy no matter what you do and it doesn’t matter what other people think. I mean, you got a good job doing what you love, a cute boyfriend that makes you happy. You’ve got it all.”

“What the hell are you talking about? You’re the one that has a great job and goes to some prestigious university. You’ve got the ideal life!” Wesley countered, perhaps a little jealously. Scott stared at his younger brother, basking in his admiration, but he shook his head.

“You got it wrong. Yeah, I look like I’m successful, but it doesn’t mean I’m happy. I’m doing this stuff to make Mom and Dad happy, not for myself. The truth is, you’ve got the balls to stand up to them. And your relationship with Toren is just another example. You know Dad’s gonna flip, but you’re all like ‘what the fuck do I care? I’m happy.’”

Wesley looked up and laughed. He had a slight grin on his face and he turned and looked at me. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. I am happy.”

“See what I mean?” Scott said, finishing his coffee. He looked at me but pointed at Wesley. “He’s been like this since he was a kid too. If he liked something, he went after it. If he didn’t like it, he didn’t bother.

Even with school, he hated school, even in, like, first grade. He just did what he wanted to. Like math: he liked math. But, I don’t know, 94

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spelling? He doesn’t know shit—hell, he probably can’t even
spell
‘shit’!

He just wasn’t interested. And he’s still like that! Am I right?” Scott asked me, looking for support.

I laughed in spite of myself and nodded. It was true. I ran into that problem when we were studying for final exams. Wesley laughed too, probably because Scott’s characterization was so accurate.

The tension between the brothers seemed to disintegrate and we left a little while thereafter. Scott gave me shotgun on the way home and Wesley kissed me good night. I waved from the third floor of my building and watched them drive away. I was glad that Scott came out with us. I felt like I knew Wesley a little better than I did before. And, I still got to kiss him before the night was over.

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“I NEED to find a job,” I said, holding my chin in my palm and taking a french fry from Wesley’s tray. “Do you know of any places that are hiring?”

“Not off the top of my head,” he answered and took a bite of his quarter-pounder with cheese.

“I just want something where I can work close to full-time now, and then work part-time when school starts,” I explained, taking another fry.

“I told you to get something and you said you weren’t hungry, but you’re eating all my fries,” Wesley complained with a smirk.

I hadn’t even realized I was taking his french fries. I looked around; it had been a long time since I was actually inside a McDonald’s.

There was a deluxe play area that was twice the size of the seating area. I remembered a plastic, talking tree and tables with mushroom stools from when I was little. Kids sure had it nice these days.

“So you wanna do retail? You could try the bookstore or a coffee shop or something like that. Or maybe that World Store place. You could do stock or work as a cashier.”

“Yeah,” I agreed, smiling sheepishly and taking another fry.

“Just remember, if you suddenly get hired, you can’t work this weekend. ’Cause it’s the Fourth of July. Okay?”

“I doubt I’d get hired that fast.”

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“Just promise me,” Wesley urged, shoving the last piece of hamburger in his mouth. I nodded and he slurped his soda. He took a few fries and pushed the tray toward me. “You can finish those.”

“No, it’s okay. I told you; I’m not hungry,” I answered, pushing the tray back. Wesley laughed and rolled his eyes at me.

“Thanks for meeting me for lunch. But next time, I want something home-cooked and made with love,” he said, finishing off the fries and picking up the tray. “I gotta get back to work.”

I nodded and watched him empty the tray into the garbage. He was wearing a navy work shirt that actually had his name embroidered on it. I smiled to myself; I thought that was pretty cool. He wore matching navy pants, streaked with grease. Even though he washed his hands thoroughly, they were still dirty, especially around his fingernails. There was always something about his hands that I liked; they were big and rough, but they always held me so gently.

Wesley waited for me and we left together. He looked around and then rumpled my hair with his hand. I could tell he wanted a kiss, but there were too many people around. He said that he’d call or come over after work and we went our separate ways.

I stopped at a couple different stores on my way home and filled out applications. I went to the World Store place, like Wesley suggested, and looked around a bit. They sold furniture, home décor, food, spices, beer, wine—a little bit of everything. I filled out an application and turned it in to the manager. I went home with a little hope that maybe I could work there.

On Wednesday, the manager from World Store called and we scheduled an interview for Friday morning. Mom helped me prepare for the interview and we picked out an outfit to wear. I was glad that she didn’t think I needed to wear a tie. I felt pretty confident and when Friday morning came, I went to the interview full of hope. After an hour, I came home with a job.

Mom and Alycia were excited, but mostly because I got a 20

percent discount that extended to family. I couldn’t wait to call Wesley. I Wes & Toren

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hadn’t told him anything about the interview because I wanted to surprise him if I got the job.

I changed into a pair of shorts and a T-shirt and heard a knock at the door. By the time I came out of my room, Wesley was sitting on the sofa, chatting with Mom and Alycia. I was surprised to see him; on his days off, he usually slept ’til noon.

“Hey, Tor!” Wesley greeted enthusiastically.

I was a little put off; Mom and Alycia must have already told him about my job. “Hi. So, they already told you?”

“Told me what?” he asked.

Mom and Alycia shook their heads and a smile returned to my face.

“Then, guess what? I got a job!”

“You did? That’s great! Where at?”

“World Store, like you said.”

“All right! Let’s celebrate! Go pack your bags; we’re going on a trip!”

I stared at Wesley blankly. Mom and Alycia were grinning from ear-to-ear and nodding their heads.

“What?” I asked, looking back at Wesley.

“Haven’t you figured out why I’ve been nagging you about keeping these next three days free? Man, you are such an airhead sometimes. Don’t you remember? You said you wanted to go to the beach, so we’re going.”

“R-really?” I asked. A smile dawned on my face and Wesley nodded his head. I looked at Mom, who was smiling impishly. “Is it all right? Can I go?”

“Yup. Wes gave me all the details,” she said.

“C’mon, let’s go pack,” Wesley said, taking my hand and leading me back to my room.

I packed an overnight bag in a hurry, grabbing clothes randomly, getting my toothbrush, toothpaste, and hairbrush. I was ready in about 98

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fifteen minutes. Mom gave me some money to take and began to ask if I had everything, like she had a checklist in her head. When she was satisfied that I had everything I needed, she gave me a hug and kissed me goodbye.

“Okay, now, be safe and have fun. Give me a call when you get there, just so I know you guys are okay. Oh, but I’ll be at work. Well, call anyway and leave a message if Alycia’s not here, okay?” Mom rambled, kissing me again. “And drive safely!”

WE drove for about five hours before we got to a quaint, little town that had an old Main Street, huge oak trees, and bed-and-breakfasts all over the place. We arrived at our motel close to the water and I could smell the sea in the air. It was a beautiful day already and it just kept getting better.

“Hi. I have a reservation under Carroll,” Wesley said to the desk clerk.

The young man typed at the computer and then smiled and nodded.

“Yes, we have you right here. A single with a king and a smoking room,” he announced, then glanced at me. He typed something more and then smiled again. “If you prefer, we have a room with two singles available,” he offered, looking back at Wesley.

“No, that’s all right,” Wesley answered. He took one of the mints from a bowl on the counter, pushed it out of the wrapper, and popped it into his mouth.

“It’s the same rate,” the clerk added, glancing at the computer.

“Nah, one bed is fine.” Wesley grinned and leaned against the counter.

“Wesley!” I said quietly, my cheeks flaring. I looked at the clerk and then back to Wesley.

“What? You don’t wanna sleep with me?” Wesley asked calmly, still grinning. He looked at my bright red cheeks and laughed loudly. My body tensed and I stared at the floor.

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“All right, you’re all set. Here are your key cards. You’re in room 216 at the back of the building. Thank you very much and enjoy your stay,” the clerk said, pushing two cards across the counter. Wesley thanked him and we went back to the car.

“I can’t believe you said that!” I shouted when we got in the car.

“Oh, c’mon! What’s the big deal? We’re gonna be here for three days. We don’t know anyone and we’ll never see them again. So, let them think what they wanna think,” he said, driving around to the back of the building. We pulled into a parking spot and began to take our stuff from the trunk.

He was right. We didn’t know anybody here and we’d never see them again. It would be nice to be able to act like lovers. I was on a trip with my boyfriend and I decided I wasn’t going to worry about what other people thought.

“Is that everything?” I asked, setting my bag down on the large bed. I looked around the room; it was decorated in an ugly teal and pink paisley and I chuckled at the horrible décor. “I can’t believe we’re really here,” I said, turning to Wesley who locked the door.

“I know. It’s amazing, isn’t it? Gimme sex.”

“Huh? C’mon, Wesley,” I said, but he hooked his hand in the top of my shorts and pulled me toward him. He unbuttoned my pants and I stopped his hands.

“Uh-uh. Take your pants off,” he said, shaking his head. He buried his face in the crook of my neck and pulled at my zipper.

“Wesley, we just got here,” I said, though I wasn’t resisting anymore. He took his lips from my neck and pouted at me.

“C’mon. I’ve been so good this whole week,” he pleaded, touching my cheek with his fingertips. He smiled boyishly and I stepped into him, clutching the back of his shirt in my hands.

“I know, you have been,” I said quietly and kissed him.

Wesley wrapped his arms around me and his hands roamed down to my backside. He kissed me deeply and my knees felt weak. He slid his 100

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hands under my shirt and pulled it up, kissing me until the cloth forced our lips apart. He dropped the T-shirt on the floor and started walking me backward to the bed. I sat down on the edge and Wesley pulled his shirt over his head. I took a deep breath as I looked at him. There was something about the way he took his shirt off that I always found unbelievably sexy.

Wesley dropped to his knees in front of me and yanked my shorts and boxers off. He slowly slid his hands up my thighs and my body tingled from his touch. When his fingers reached me, I was already responding to him, and he gently stroked back and forth. My legs began to shake and he bent his head down, leading his tongue from tip to base.