limerence ; wes tucker

six

some things are better left unsaid

Technically, Wes's friends knew they should tell him, but they didn't know how.

"What do we even say to him? Like 'hey, so Dakota is cheating on Ness. But don't kick his ass because we weren't supposed to hear the conversation and we might be assuming things.'?" Exclaimed Cody, who was the most stressed because he knew just how in depth Wes's feelings for Vanessa were.

"Exactly, but there was no assuming. We know what we saw, and there's absolutely nothing to assume. He's definitely cheating on Vanessa. With Orion!" Christian said, waving his arms around. Sam sighed, he was the calmer of the three.

"Guys, we have to tell Wes. But, we have to make sure he doesn't say anything to Ness until tomorrow. Let's see how tonight goes." They all agreed, going back to Cody's car and making their way to Wes's place.

Once they got out, they all simultaneously went over what they were supposed to say, but when Wes opened the door their minds went blank.

"Hey Wes, we need to talk to you about something." Cody sighed, and Wes stood in the doorway confused. He stepped to the side, letting them inside.

"Yeah? What's up, and why did all three of you have to come?" He looked between them, but his gaze landed on Cody finally. He wondered what his best friend was up to.

"Well, you know how you had your doubts about Dakota? Well, you weren't wrong." Sam said quietly, causing Wes to tilt his head in confusion.

"Go on. Did he do something to her? I will fuck him up." Wes's eyes turned dark in anger.

"Well, he hasn't done anything yet. But he's planning on something." Christian whispered, not wanting to make eye contact with Wes.

"What's he planning? And how do you guys know? Why would he tell you?" He raised an eyebrow. "Are you in on it?!" It was the only thing that made sense in his head.

"No! No, no. Nothing of the sort. I promise. We just overheard something." Cody took time explaining to Wes exactly what they had heard, but when Wes heard Orion's name, that was his limit. He stood, going towards the door quickly until Sam stopped him.

"No! We just wanted to let you know, you can't say anything until tomorrow. We need to see how everything plays out tonight. You don't wanna ruin her homecoming, do you?" Cody reasoned with him, but Wes jerked his arm away from Sam and soon he was on the way to the school. The three boys followed him in Cody's Jeep, and Wes mentally cursed himself for ever trusting Dakota with Vanessa.

When he pulled into the school's parking lot, he wasted no time hopping out of his car and storming into the dance. When he found Dakota and Nessa dancing on one another, he went over and separated.

"Wes, what the hell? What are you doing here?" Vanessa asked, looking angry.

"No, you don't understand. He's cheating on you. Cody and the guys heard his conversation on the phone, and he's cheating on you with Orion, and planning something against you!" He exclaimed, and everyone went silent and looked at them.

"Is that true, Kota? Are you just using me?" Dakota shook his head quickly.

"No, my mom called me last. Look." He showed her a call log that matched what he said, and she looked shocked and betrayed at Wes.

"So, my best friend lied to me? My best friend for years, lied to me? Why? Because I spend a lot of time with my soon to be boyfriend?!"

"I didn't lie!" Wes yelled, "I wouldn't do that to you. But why would Cody and the guys lie to me? They have nothing to lie about. Stop being like that. I can't prove it now, but I will be able to." He said proudly, and she furrowed her eyebrows. She felt tears in her eyes, and Dakota held her close.

"Come on babe, let's go." As they turned to leave, Dakota smirked up at Wes. He mouthed something Wes couldn't make out as they made their way to Dakota's car.

Wes felt defeated. As he slowly walked to his car, he sighed deeply and felt as if he failed Ness. Why didn't she believe him? He had no reason whatsoever to lie to her.

As he made his way to his house, he couldn't shake the thought that Dakota was planning something terrible, and that Vanessa was too blinded by love to know it.

He sat on his bed that night, and for the first time in a while, Wes prayed for his best friend. He prayed that she wouldn't get burned too much by the fire she was playing with. Soon, his prayers took him to sleep.

The next day at school was a little more than just awkward. Vanessa strategically avoided Wes at every turn, and at every other one she showed him how all over Dakota she could be. It disgusted Wes, and it hurt even worse knowing he would hurt her. He sighed, realizing it was time to give up.

He knew he couldn't keep protecting her for their entire life. But he made a promise to her a long time ago that he would always be there to pick her up before she fell, because he never wanted her to be hurt even in this slightest.

"You're here for me, right Wes?" Vanessa smiled as she interlocked her and Wes's pinkies.

"Always. I always will be."

That moment replayed in his head as he finally caught up to her after school. He grabbed her wrist lightly, and she looked annoyed as she realized it was him.

"What is it? What could you possibly want? Why do you want to ruin everything?!" She yelled, and he was taken aback.

"I don't want to ruin anything! I'm in love with you, and I want to protect you from someone who wants to hurt you." He said softly, fading out.

"Look, if this was two months ago, I'd be overjoyed. But now, I could never love someone who doesn't respect my happiness. And the only person hurting me is you." She tugged her arm out of his reach.

And with that, she walked away from him.

-
Hope you're enjoying the book so far!