Page 39 of Split You Open

“Yeah, stuff.”

I blink in surprise as the two of them share a look I can’t quite decipher. But while I might not be able to understand the look, I can feel the spark of energy that runs between the two of them.

Something’s transpired between the two of them since they left Gnarly Pines. Is this trauma bonding or something else? I guess it doesn’t really matter.

Despite the pain in my head, I can’t help but smirk.

They don’t know it yet, but this was all by design.

Ten

Wesley

The sound of Santi’s footsteps crunching in the gravel is driving me crazy.

As is his pacing back and forth.

And his constant sighing.

But I get it, I’m just as anxious for the arrival of the others as he is. Telling him to knock it off isn’t fair. That doesn’t stop me from glaring at him every time he shoots me a “where the fuck are they?” look.

Rhett called a little while ago saying they were an hour out from the house. It’s late and the roads are clear; they should be here any second. Yet with every minute that passes by that they don’t show, I’m growing more worried. My stomach is churning and I’m practically vibrating with stress.

“Something’s wrong. They should’ve been here by now!” Santi shouts as he stops and throws his hands up in frustration.

I swallow my own anxiety to reassure him. “They’ll be here.”

“But what if⁠—”

Headlights cut through the darkness, capturing our attention. They’re faint at first but grow brighter as they take the curve of the winding gravel drive up to the cabin.

Santi gasps and I push off the railing post I’ve been leaning against to straighten. One hand goes to my hip where my gun is holstered. It’s been quiet here, with no sign of any trouble, but I’m not willing to risk lowering my guard just in case.

The sight of Ledger’s truck causes my heart to stutter. I know he’s not driving. When we talked to the Rhett and Blair they said they’d bagged him the day before. Still, my anxiety spikes. He’s ruined our lives. I don’t know how to look him in the eyes after all of this.

Or how I’ll stomach watching the woman I love getting her pound of flesh from the man I owe my life to.

The truck pulls to a stop and the headlights cut off.

“Rhett! Blair!” Santi cries out as he bolts for the truck.

The passenger door nearly hits him in the face as Rhett steps out. I expect Rhett’s usual nonchalance and a less enthusiastic reciprocation of Santiago’s affections as Santi throws his arms around his shoulders and leans in for a kiss. I’m pleasantly surprised that that’s not the case. Rhett returns the embrace and kisses Santiago back so passionately that I instantly feel like I’m intruding. But I’m happy for them. I’m glad that Rhett’s not reverted back to the asshole he’s been. Whatever Blair did the night he took off into the storm seems to have stuck.

While these two have their reunion, I round the front of the truck and yank open the driver’s side door. Blair has barely unbuckled her seatbelt before I’m pulling her out of the driver’s seat and crushing her to my chest.

“Welcome home, baby girl,” I growl into her ear. “I’ve missed you.”

Blair’s body shudders as she drags in a shaky breath. Then her arms wrap around me.

“I’ve missed you so much, Wes.”

The thick emotion in her voice, and the wobble hidden beneath it, makes my heart squeeze in my chest.

I put Blair on her feet and tell her, “I’m never letting you leave me again.”

Blair reaches up, grabs my face, and I bend, meeting her halfway. The kiss feels like being struck by lightning with how powerful the jolt of awareness shoots through me. My heart slams against my ribs wildly and I feel lightheaded when Blair finally pulls away.

“I’m not going anywhere,” Blair promises. “Wes, you were right.”