Dirty Toe Drag (Nashville Assassins Next Generation 6)

“Wes—” Sandi tries, but I won’t hear it.

“For so long, you two were my demons, but not anymore. I have defeated you. You are nothing to me. Nothing,” I stress. “Now, kindly go fuck yourselves. And don’t ever come near me again or call me.”

They say nothing as I turn, heading back up the driveway to my door. I hold it together, my shoulders back. But once the door is shut, I fall into it, crumpling to the floor. I take deep breaths in and out as I replay everything in my head. I never saw that happening. I never thought I’d get that closure, but I hate that seeing them, hearing their voices, has sent me back to a time when I had no way out. When I was trapped by their abuse. I’m proud of myself for standing up to them, but my heart fucking hurts.

I want to hide. I want to make myself disappear, but I can’t. My whole body is shaking. My heart bangs against my ribs, and my flight instinct is in full activation mode. Instead, I dig my phone out of my pocket and call Stella. Thankfully, she answers right away. I can hear the clamor of the restaurant as she asks, “Hey? What’s up?”

“Sorry to call at work, but my dad and stepmom were just at my house.”

She gasps, and then it’s quiet. “What the hell? Are you okay?”

“Stella, I told them off.”

“Oh, Wes, that’s awesome. Are you okay? How do you feel?”

“A fucking mess.”

“What did they say?”

“I didn’t give them a chance to say anything.”

“I’m sorry they were there, but I am so proud of you.”

“Thanks,” I say, letting out a long breath. “I can’t believe that happened.”

“It obviously had to. I’m sorry I wasn’t there to kick their asses.”

I smile. “I wish you were here.”

“Let me see if I can skip out.”

“No. I need to calm down before you come over.”

“Okay, but don’t ghost me,” she warns.

“I won’t,” I promise, shaking my head. “It’s crazy how he found me. He found your social media from me after paying someone to get the information, and then he followed you to my house.”

She makes a small sound of distress. “Well, that’s not creepy at all.”

“Exactly. Though, I don’t know how he even knew I had a girlfriend.” When I’m met with silence, I bring in my brows. “Stella? What’s wrong?”

She still doesn’t speak, and my heart kicks up in speed. With the smallest of voices, she says, “I need to tell you something.”

“What?” I ask, my heart pounding so hard, I can’t see straight.

She clears her throat. “He called your phone a couple weeks ago, and I answered. I yelled at him and told him to stay away from you.”

My stomach drops.

“I know I should have told you earlier, but I didn’t want to upset you or even bring him up—”

“You talked to my sperm donor?”

“I did. I’m sorry, Wes. I was protecting you.”

“You could have warned me. I could have been prepared for this!” I don’t mean to yell, but I’m freaking the fuck out. “I basically raw-dogged a confrontation with two people I thought I would never have to see another day in my life! I could have been ready for it or prevented it.”

“But, Wes, you did great—”

“It doesn’t matter. You kept that from me. I was under the impression we didn’t do that. Or, at least, I thought so with the way you acted about the cupcake career thing. Or am I supposed to be honest with you, but you get to pick and choose?”

“Wes,” she pleads. “That’s not the case at all. I am not like anyone from your past, and you know that. Do not shut me out because you’re freaking out. Yes, this was a huge ordeal you just went through, and yes, I was wrong. I should have told you as soon as it happened, but I didn’t think anything would come from it, and I didn’t want to upset you. Babe, you’ve grown so much. I didn’t want to fuck that up.”

I shake my head, unable to see her side at this moment. I’m too upset. “I can’t talk to you right now.”

“Wesley.”

“Don’t bother coming over.”

I hang up, despite her calling my name, and throw my phone across the room. As I cover my face with my hands, I realize my heart hasn’t slowed at all, and I don’t know if it will. The adrenaline from the confrontation is gone, and I’m left with fear and betrayal, in the form of my girlfriend withholding something from me. Something big. Something I needed to know so I could have avoided what just happened.

But Stella didn’t give me that luxury, and now I feel insanely lost.

Chapter Thirty-One

Stella

I usually dress up for family dinner, but I also usually don’t have a sleepless night full of uneasiness and fear. I went by Wes’s, and he didn’t answer the door. I looked for the key, but it wasn’t there because I’d left it in the drawer in the kitchen. I stood on his porch, ringing the bell and calling him for about ten minutes before his neighbor started watching me through the window. That’s when I decided to leave since I was worried she’d call the cops next. I got home, and sleeping wasn’t an option. I almost feel like crying. Maybe it would help. But I’m not worried about our relationship; I’m worried about him.