9. HAZEL

9

HAZEL

I don't reply to his last text. I can't. I don't want to jinx it or scare him off. The last few weeks have felt weird. He's a little more touchy than usual, and flirty. But he's still just the same old Wes—he gets close, then he pulls away. I don't want to be hurt on my birthday, so I'll play indifferent until he shows me something different.

The girls and I ate at Just in Queso and I watched the door the whole time. I expected him to walk through it and join us, but that isn't Wes's style. His style will be to show up later to the bar scene and swing me around the dance floor then send me on my way.

And as desperate as it makes me sounds, I'll take it.

We get to the bar and it's karaoke night as usual. We jump right on stage because the town expects us up there. I love it and I love that the neighborhood has accepted me and all my wrong notes. They think it's hysterical to see how much worse I get each week.

"Tonight is special! It's our very own Hazel's birthday. Not that turning twenty-one will make her a better singer! But let's cheer her on extra loud tonight!" Sterling announces to the crowd and they woop it up for me.

As I begin to sing Shivers by Ed Sheeran, I see Wes walk through the door with Jay and Maverick. He spots me on stage immediately and the heated gaze that he lets between us has me stumbling through my words.

The three of them clap and sing along with me but when Wes is singing certain lines back to me, I melt. His lips moving to the same words as mine draws me in close. Like a string tying us together I've decided I want to push him. I want to see if these last few weeks are because he's finally allowing himself to feel things he really wants.

I sing about him tearing me apart but being the one to put me back together, and not knowing I could love this hard… the lyrics to this song are perfect and I hope he's catching what I'm throwing.

Tonight is a big deal. I'm ready to lose my virginity and I want it to be with Wes. We've made innuendos to each other, and he's told me about his dates. I'd be stupid to think he hasn't slept with them. I've also had dates, but I've never allowed it to go too far. I was waiting for him. Our three years of being close friends has shown me who Wes really is. I just don't know why he continues to deny that he's a good guy worthy of love.

The bar cheers as I finish up my song and to this day I don't know if it's because they like me or if they're just happy that I'm done singing. But when I step off the stage, Wes is right there.

He wraps me in a huge hug and whispers near my ear, "Happy birthday, baby."

Hearing him call me baby lights me on fire. He's never used that term of endearment before. Plus, this PDA? Something is definitely up tonight.

"Thank you, Wes. I'm glad you're here." I pull back but he doesn't let me go.

"Me too. How was dinner?" He brushes a stray hair back behind my ear.

"It was great, tacos and a margarita!" I do a little shimmy shake of my hips, excited to have that small bit of tequila running through my veins.

"Your first legal drink was a margarita?" I nod. "And it wasn't with me?" he asks, outraged.

I nod again, biting my lip, thinking to myself it's now or never Hazel . "I was hoping I could have a different first with you."

He scrunches his brows, eyes searching mine. His low grumble excites me. "Woman, don't test me."

Knowing I'm getting to him makes me smile. "Woman? Baby? You've got all the words tonight, huh? What's gotten into you?"

He shrugs and slides his hands down my arm, taking my hand and leading me back to the table where Sterling and Rebecca sit with Maverick and Jay.

"Birthday girl!" Maverick slides shots to the middle of the table.

"Whoa. No way," Wes exclaims.

"She can answer for herself," Mav snipes back with a daring smile.

I touch Wes' arm. "It's okay. You know I'm responsible. Thanks for looking out for me though." I stand on my tiptoes and whisper, "This is one of the firsts we can have together though."

His eyes dilate and he rolls his lips inward wetting them with a pass of his tongue that makes me weak. I wink at him.

"It's an easy shot. I wouldn't go hard for your first time!"

"That's what she said," Jay calls out and we laugh. Wes punches his bicep with a little more force than necessary.

We each pick up a shot and I quickly think of a toast. "Cheers to giving and getting the best gifts."

His eyes glance my way and all I can do is smirk. We clink our glasses and take our shots, a shiver running over me, but I realize it isn't from the drink. Wes' hand has made its way to my hip and slipped under my shirt. His fingers brush the skin along the top of my jeans and it's like an electric current flowing through me.

"So how does it feel to be officially legal, Hazel?" Jay asks.

"I don't know what the big deal is. No one has asked to see my ID tonight."

"It's because you've been coming here for years. Wait until you go to a different bar. They're going to be asking to see it just so they can get your name." Maverick winks at me and I swear I hear a rumble come from Wes. Maverick looks at him, his brows raised in a silent exchange that leaves me curious.

"Is this the only celebration you'll have? I remember partying for a week straight when I turned twenty-one," Maverick inquires.

"We tried to get her to go to a club but she likes this little place," Rebecca explains.

"This little place is all I need! My best friend will come up for graduation and we'll have dinner together then. I don't need a big party, I'm happy just like this."

"I still owe you a birthday dinner," Wes says.

"You don't owe me anything."

"I want to gift you, baby." He smirks and his fingers dance along my shoulder.

Wes is really surprising me tonight and it's making me feel good about where we are. I was second guessing myself for asking him about being my first tonight but seeing how flirty and fun he's being, I don't see why we can't have tonight for just us.

"So, graduation is soon. What's the next plan of attack?" Jay asks the three of us.

"I'm actually moving back home. I just found out my old High School accepted me as a substitute teacher." Rebecca has a smile on her face.

"Oh that's so great!" I give her a hug. "I know you've been hoping for that."

"Yes, I'm really happy. It's been fun here but I miss my town."

"What about you Hazel?" Maverick asks.

"I was put on a waiting list for rotation at Boston Medical but my internship at Magnolia Point Clinic was accepted." I feel Wes staring at me but I can't look his way yet. He knew about Magnolia Point, but I didn't tell him I heard back from Boston. "I went yesterday to tour the hospital again and I loved it. All the nurses are super sweet."

"When will you find out about Boston?" Wes asks and I notice his tone is off.

I shrug. "Not sure. But I don't think it matters. I like it here."

"We'd hate to lose you!" Jay says. "Who would feed this guy all the time?"

Sterling's phone lights up, her eyes widening as she glances at the screen. "Oh no! I'm sorry. It's my little brother. He needs me to pick him up. I'm sorry to cut the night short, Hazel."

"It's fine! You guys have been amazing tonight. Thanks so much for dinner."

"I'll get her home, don't worry," Wes interjects.

"Thanks Wes. Thanks for the drinks, Jay."

"Thank you for making my day so special." I hug Sterling and Rebecca and promise to call them tomorrow.

Maverick looks at his watch. "I have to get up early tomorrow. My boss is a real dick."

Jay laughs. "Yeah he is."

When neither Wes or I make a move to get up and leave, Maverick questions, "What about Wes? Why does he get a pass?"

"It's his weekend off, it's just you and me on an emergency call."

He groans. "Oh come on! That's not fair!"

"Life isn't fair, brother. Get used to it."

Maverick grumbles but gives me a wink to let me know he's just teasing. The two say goodbye and it's down to just Wes and me.

"Would you like another drink?"

"No, I'm good. I'm responsible, remember?" I tease.

He stands and takes my hand. "Okay, let's get you home then."

We walk to the parking lot, and he rounds the truck with me to open my passenger door. I stop him and pull him in for a hug. "Thank you for tonight."

He gives me a squeeze and says, "I didn't do anything special but come and listen to your horrible singing."

I pinch him and he laughs but we still stay holding each other. The air is cool and the moon is bright.

"What if I thank you for what could happen later tonight?" I ask quietly yet confidently.

He pulls back to look me in the eye and his face takes on a different look. He inhales, his chest rising and falling with each breath and brushes his thumb across my cheek. "What do you want to happen later?" he whispers roughly.

"I don't want to go home, Wes."

"Where do you want to go?"

"Home with you." He studies me. I see the indecision written clearly all over his face, so I add, "Don't think, Wes. I want another first with you."

He swallows hard. "You know I'm not built for what you want, right?"

"I think you're built for what I need."

"Hazel—"

"Wes." I say his name as if it's a whole sentence. A one-word sentence depicting my need for him.

A moment passes before he pulls away from me. He opens the door and helps me in, then walks around to his side and climbs in without saying a word. I pray as we pull out of the parking lot that I didn't just ruin years of friendship.

But when he passes my road and takes me to his house, I know I'm getting through to him. And now I hope he finishes what I started.