Fall (Wesley Stromberg)

Chapter 8 'Not Afraid'

Saige's POV

A pounding headache awoke me when the sun started shining through my window. I let out a low grunt and rolled over, only to roll onto a body. My heart dropped instantly. Please tell me I didn't get drunk and cheat last night. I looked down at myself; clothes were a good sign. I pulled the blanket down to study the face, and a wave of relief washed over me when I saw Wesley.

Oh yeah, now I remember a blur of last night. Elijah cheated. Wesley was there for me, kind of. We kissed. I hope he doesn't remember, but what are the odds that he'd forget? All of this thinking is making my head pound even more.

I soon started to feel a burning sensation in my throat. I shot out of bed and hurried to the bathroom. As I suspected, I started puking up my insides, all of the nasty alcohol and snacks I had consumed last night. Wesley rushed to my side sleepily, rubbing my back and holding my hair.

"Can you get my toothbrush," I asked when I thought I was done. He handed it to me after putting some toothpaste on it.

"Someone took last night a little too rough?" He joked.

"Ugh, don't remind me," I groaned. He chuckled and walked back to my bed. I finished cleaning up and followed him. I laid back down, but he went downstairs.

"I'll be right back," he said. He came back with aspirin and water. Just what I needed. My head was pounding like crazy.

"Thanks, Wesley," I sighed. I was debating on asking him to talk about last night or not.

"Wes? About last night," I started, pausing for a moment to see if I should continue.

"Yeah?" He asked, his voice full of hope. The hope in his voice brought back the interview in my mind. I couldn't break his heart if he still did like me, but I wasn't ready to hop into a relationship yet.

"Um, thanks for everything with Eli. I'm glad you stood up for me and caught him," I quickly finished, not wanting to talk about our encounters.

"Oh, yeah. No problem," he said disappointingly. I snuggled myself back into his side, closing my eyes. I tried to fall asleep, but something was bothering me.

"I think I better get going," Wesley interrupted my thoughts.

"Do you really? You're a comfortable pillow," I sighed, causing him to chuckle.

"Yeah, but we can meet up later or something. I just need to go shower and go to a meeting with the guys in a couple hours."

"Okay. Thanks for everything, Wes. It really does mean a lot," I smiled. I wanted to beg him to stay, I wanted a repeat of last night, except I want to remember every little detail.

"I'll talk to you later," he said, sounding oddly upset. I shrugged it off and figured I'd talk to him about it later. I wish he wouldn't leave. Mari is going to ask questions as soon as he goes out the door. He gathered a few of his things, and I led him down the stairs. I saw the huge mess was completely cleaned up.

"Who cleaned this? I feel bad now."

"Me, Mari, Drew, and Keaton did it last night. We figured you'd appreciate it a little," he chuckled.

"Where is Mari?"

"I think she's over at our place with Drew. She wanted to 'leave us alone' last night," he rolled his eyes.

"Is that a bad thing?"

"Well- I, uh, no. I just hate how they're trying to force something that isn't there," he said blatantly. That was a stab in the heart. He must not like me anymore. He left after we said goodbye once more, and as he left, Mari came back to our house.

"Tell me everything that happened last night," she robustly blurted.

"Nothing happened. Nothing that I remember anyways. We kissed, I think, unless I'm delusional as a drunk. What about you and Drew, huh? I'm not sure Wesley even likes me anymore, so I'm not going to force anything."

"Nothing is going on between Drew and I. Why would you think he doesn't like you?"

"He said some stuff. It doesn't matter. I just got out of a relationship, and I don't want another one right now anyways."

"You told me you loved him last night, Saige. I know you do. You're just too damn scared to admit it, and he won't be here forever. You need to stop playing him. Even if you think you aren't, you are, and it's breaking him. I suggest you go talk to him as soon as possible," she said, angrily, but in a friendly advice way.

"I can't tell him I love him. He'll think I'm some kind of slut or something, just getting out of a relationship," I muttered.

"You had no problem telling him last night. Saige, a slut is the last thing Wesley would ever think of you as," she said.

"I told him I loved him last night? Oh my gosh, I-"

"You don't remember? He came down to clean up and he was all mopey. I asked him why and he said 'Saige just told me she loved me. I've waited to hear that for over seven years, but the one time she does tell me, she's drunk. I know she's just lonely because of Elijah tonight, but I wish it would've meant something.'"

"I feel terrible," I mumbled. "I know I just got done with Elijah, but Mari, the instant I saw him here, my heart melted. I was so happy, and I hoped so much that he still liked me. I thought he did, but now I'm not so sure."

"Talk to him! Please! You two are made for each other! I swear! You've liked him since he's liked you, Saige, and don't even tell me anything different. I know you have, but you were just too scared."

"I'm not afraid anymore. I want him to know I like him. I love him, Mari, but I'm not ready to tell him that yet."

"Start off with like. Trust me, the time will come when you want to tell him you love him."

"I will, but, not today," I said.

"Why not?"

"He's busy, and I need to think of what I'll say," I explained. She rolled her eyes and went to her room.

"You're hopeless," she hollered on the way.

"I know," I yelled back jokingly. I need to tell him soon. It's killing me to see him and not be with him. I've wanted this since he's wanted it, but I've always been so scared. I'm not scared anymore, and I'm going to tell him.