The Mess You Left Behind: An Enemies-to-Lover Romance

by V. T. Do

Wyatt

  I watched as the white car drove off in the dark, and something like regret left a bitter taste in my mouth. Had I been too harsh?

  Never had I let my emotions get the better of me, except perhaps in my teenage years. But I’d lost my temper then, and I... I hurt her.

  Those big green eyes had looked at me as if I were the dragon and she was without a shield or sword.

  I felt like one.

  But the thought that something might have happened to her had I not been there to stop it... My fist clenched, and I didn’t know why I had this urge to protect her from everything. Even from myself.

  The police arrived just a few minutes after the girls left. Cole looked at me in surprise, coming closer to where I was standing. “I wonder what happened.”

  I didn’t answer him. He would find out soon enough. The minutes ticked by, and then the front door opened and the two policemen walked out, escorting the boy who had been talking to Emery. He was handcuffed, and was glaring at me in anger. He was lucky I was in control of my temper. The bartender came out after, and when he saw me, he walked over, holding out his hand.

  “They’re taking him in. I held on to her drink like you asked, and they took a sample with them. Thanks for letting me know. I can’t imagine what would have happened to that girl if you hadn’t intervened.”

  I shook his hand, nodding my acknowledgment.

  “What’s he talking about?” Cole asked me.

  The bartender turned to him. “Your friend here caught that guy putting something in a girl’s drink.”

  Cole’s eyes widened in realization. “In Emery’s drink?” I nodded. “Jesus, does she know?”

  “No.” And I didn’t plan on telling her. I didn’t want to scare her when nothing had come of it.

  Because you were there, a dark voice whispered to me. What will happen next time, when you’re not there to save the day? Will she know how to defend herself?

  I shook off the thought. The bartender took his leave shortly after, when one of the policeman asked him to give a statement. I had asked him earlier to leave me out of it. I didn’t want to stay behind and give a statement again.

  That was twice now. Twice that I saved her from a dangerous situation. I wondered if she had always been a magnet for trouble, and how she had been able to remain so... pure for so long.

  “Let’s get out of here,” I said to Cole. He nodded, and we walked to my car.

  I got in the driver’s seat and started the car.

  “You okay, man?” Cole asked.

  “Yeah, why do you ask?”

  “You just seem out of it.”

  I shrugged. “Just tired is all.”

  “Are you sure it’s not a certain girl tying you up in knots?” I scowled at him. He laughed. “I’m just saying.”

  “I’m not tied up in knots.”

  “Dude, you couldn’t keep your eyes off of her. That’s why you acted like a douche when she went to the bathroom, right? To convince both you and her that you’re not interested?” He shook his head and laughed. I gritted my teeth. “You’re interested. And you don’t know what to do with that.”

  I told him what I’d told her in the parking lot. “There’s no future for us. You know that.”

  Cole’s voice softened. “You don’t know that, man.”

  “Yeah, I do.”

  “You didn’t do anything.”

  “No, but I know. And I won’t tell her. Why would I hurt her more than necessary?”

  He shrugged. “Maybe she wants to know.”

  “It won’t be from me.”

  “You know, I heard she lives with her aunt.” He shot me a pointed look.

  “Helen Caldwell?”

  He nodded. I didn’t say any more. I didn’t know she lived with that woman. And I wondered for the millionth time why I cared so much about her life. That I actually wanted to know her. And that scared me more than anything.

  “You’re an idiot,” Cole said fifteen minutes into the drive.

  I knew I shouldn’t engage him in conversation, but I did anyway. “What now?”

  “I said you’re an idiot if you think this will go away. You’ve never been interested in more than a one-night stand with anyone, but with Emery, you’re different. You’re an idiot if you think ignoring your interest in her will make it go away. I know the feeling.”

  “What do you want me to do, huh? Start something with her while keeping this whole other part of her life a secret? From her?”

  “You can tell her.”

  “I set up an agreement—”

  “Yeah, I know. You set up an agreement with Joseph Caldwell, but the man’s been dead for five months. No one knows about the agreement, so even if you break it, no one is going to hold you accountable.”

  “There’s also a huge age gap between her and me.”

  “No bigger than the age difference between Joey and me.”

  I shook my head. He didn’t get it. “Emery is very different from Joey.”

  “Don’t I know it.”

  “No, not just in looks. In personality too. You said Emery doesn’t date?”

  “That’s what Joey said.” When I didn’t say anything, he turned to look at me. I looked straight ahead. “You don’t think... No, man. There’s no way. Just because someone doesn’t date, doesn’t mean they’re inexperienced.”

  “And wouldn’t I feel like the biggest asshole if it actually is the case?” I muttered.

  “I’m telling you, there is no way. On top of being insanely beautiful, she’s also rich as hell. If you think you’re seducing an innocent, you should think again.”

  My hands tightened around the steering wheel. “There is a possibility, no?”

  “Yeah, a slim one.”

  “Honestly, she just looks too pure.”

  Cole threw his head back and laughed. “Too pure? What the hell are you on? Trust me on this—virgins at their age are like unicorns. Mystical and unreal.”

  Chapter Nine: Something New

  Emery

  Three days after the so-called date, and I was still thinking about Wyatt. About his gray eyes, dark hair, and muscular build. I hated how fascinated I had become with him, especially after he’d yelled out in the parking lot that we had no future.

  I didn’t need him to spell it out for me. I knew that. Yet a deep pain took hold all the same.

  I once read that our brain processes rejection the same way it processes physical pain. And I got it now. I knew why it hurt so much to hear those words from him, even if I’d never asked him for his future. I hadn’t even asked for his present.

  I walked around the house and around school in a complete daze. Joey was in another world herself. She had been on three dates with Cole so far, the last two by herself, and she was absolutely smitten.

  A part of me thought she might be scared about the way she felt about him, and I wondered how long it would take before she pulled away. And if I had read Cole correctly, I knew he wouldn’t let her get far when that happened. He seemed perfect for her, in my opinion, and I was happy she’d found someone.

  But.

  But at the same time, I felt... lonely.

  I had gone my whole life without needing a boyfriend. Or even wanting one, for that matter. And I was content. I loved my life the way it was, and I loved how uncomplicated it was. Now, though, every time Joey lit up whenever she received a text message from Cole, I wondered what else I had been missing out on.

  So when my aunt asked me if I would consider going out on a date with the son of one of her friends, I said yes.

  The date was tomorrow night, and I kept waiting for that thrill of excitement to hit, the one that told me I was normal, like everyone else, yet nothing.

  From looking at my “date’s” social media account and pictures his mom had sent my aunt, I knew he was insanely attractive. He had a swimmer’s body, that much was obvious, since half the photos he posted were shirtless ones. He was also in his first year in his MBA p
rogram at New York University.

  So not only was he good-looking, he was smart. And the few texts that we exchanged told me he was also nice as well. So why wasn’t I attracted to him?

  With a frustrated groan, I laid back down on bed. Joey came in at that exact moment.

  “Hey,” she greeted, sitting down next to me.

  I grunted in response, keeping my eyes closed.

  “Okay, then. What’s up?”

  Opening my eyes, I looked at her. Joey was in sweats and a small blue T-shirt. Her hair was up in a tiny bun, and she wasn’t wearing any makeup. Still she looked beautiful. And she looked like she’d just come from the gym.

  “Nothing much, just planning my date with Ethan.”

  “Hmm.”

  “What?” I asked. I hadn’t meant for my voice to come out all defensive.

  “You don’t want to go on the date with him, do you?”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. I said yes, didn’t I?”

  “Yeah, only to get over a certain gray-eyed giant.”

  I looked away. “No, that’s not it. There was nothing between us aside from a few awkward conversations. There is nothing to get over.”

  “If you say so.”

  “I do.” Then, to get out of the conversation about Wyatt, I asked how her last date with Cole went.

  “It was good, actually.”

  I smiled and sat up so we were shoulder to shoulder. “You sound surprised.”

  “I’m a little surprised. He’s different.”

  “The good kind of different?”

  She looked confused. I tried to contain my grin. “Just different.”

  “I think he’s good for you.”

  “Too good to be true?” she asked hopefully.

  I shook my head. “If you’re looking for an excuse to pull away from him because you’re developing feelings, you won’t find one from me. I like Cole. I think he’s good for you. And I think you deserve happiness, despite what your mom said.”

  “What does my mom have to do with anything?” Now she sounded defensive.

  “I know she really likes to fuck with your mind. That’s the only thing she’s good at. And I think that’s why you push so many people away, because you think she might be right about you. But I’m telling you this—I think you’re the best person in the world. You should let more people into that big heart of yours.”

  “You’re one to talk. You’re even more closed-off than me.”

  I shrugged. “There’s a reason why I don’t let many people in. You know that.”

  “You can’t live your whole life like a hermit, you know.”

  “Watch me.”

  She rolled her eyes and stood. “Come on.”

  “Where are we going?”

  “To try something new. There really is no reason for you to live like a recluse.” Then she pulled me up and away from the bed, directing me to my closet. “Put on something comfortable. There’s something I want to try, and we’re going to do it tonight.”

  Without another word, she left my room, closing the door behind her. I stared after her for a while, knowing that I was going to do as Joey asked, even if I didn’t know where she was taking me.

  Chapter Ten: Heights

  Emery

  I stood next to Joey and watched as a group of middle schoolers ran across from us, speaking way too loud and about things they should know nothing about.

  Joey and I shared a look.

  “Were we ever like that when we were their age?” I asked.

  “God, I hope not.”

  “Kids are scary,” I said in a whisper.

  She grinned. “Come on. Let go pay and find a wall we can have to ourselves.”

  It didn’t take long for us to find an empty wall. For a Friday night, this place was pleasantly empty. When Joey said we should try something new, I had no idea she meant indoor rock climbing.

  I had never been, and just seeing the wall and the people climbing it sent a foreign thrill up my spine. I couldn’t decide if that was due to excitement or something else.

  But I was willing to try.

  Joey went first. I stood on the ground and watched as she effortlessly climbed the wall, as if she had done it before, when we both knew this was her first time. Sometimes I envied Joey’s athletic ability.

  She was good at every sport she’d ever tried, while I was hopelessly inept. And she had the body for it—a body, I was sure, was every boy’s fantasy.

  And when she reached the top and rang the bell, she let out an excited cheer. I laughed. I couldn’t help it—her excitement was contagious. Since we’d picked the wall with the auto-belay machine, Joey jumped to get down.

  The fall was swift until she was about a third of the way down. Then the rope slowed her descent until she could get her feet back on the ground.

  The fact that my heart nearly jumped out of my chest at the sight of her falling should have been my first warning sign. I ignored it and put it off as beginner’s nerves.

  I walked over to Joey, and she hugged me. “Oh my God. I can’t believe we’ve never done this before! It’s so much fun. You have to go.”

  “Is it easy?” I asked.

  She nodded, and with a playful grin, she added, “So easy that even someone with no athletic skills whatsoever can do it.”

  I lightly flicked her shoulder in response. She laughed, her eyes moving to something over my shoulder. “Are you going to climb?”

  “I’m going, I’m going. Quit nagging me.”

  I turned away from her and headed over to the big wall. The fact that I felt a little dizzy trying to decide where I should start my climb was the second warning sign I ignored. And when I thought I’d found a safe enough spot to start my climb, I grabbed onto the start hold and hoisted myself up, following the same color route up the wall that the brief guide I’d snatched from the front indicated.

  It wasn’t until I was halfway up the wall that I heard Joey’s laugh. I knew she wasn’t laughing at me, because I hadn’t done anything wrong. In fact, I was quite impressed with my progress.

  Then I made the mistake of looking down.

  I closed my eyes and froze on the wall.

  I was afraid of heights.

  How could I not know I was afraid of heights? But oh my God, I was terrified. Why had I looked down? Why had I even climbed up the stupid thing to begin with? Because now I refused to go up any farther than I had, and I wasn’t going to jump like Joey did, even if I knew I would be safe.

  There was no way in hell. I’d hang on to the wall until the employees here found a way to get me safely down; otherwise, I wasn’t moving.

  Dammit, I had to jump.

  “Emery?” I faintly heard Joey call out. I wasn’t going to answer. “What’s wrong?”

  I shook my head—hopefully that would let her know.

  “Oh no, I think she’s afraid of heights.” I didn’t want to look down to see who she was talking to. Never again. A familiar male voice said something in response, but I didn’t catch it. It was probably that guy from the front. He was checking Joey out when we came in—he probably came over to flirt. Poor dude. Now he was being given the task of getting me down.

  “Wait, what are you doing?” Joey asked, her voice clear among all the endless chatter around. I had never been more focused on the background noises in a place than I was now. It was the only thing keeping me from crying.

  My limbs were shaking so badly—I wasn’t sure how long I would be able to hold on. And then a hand touched my shoulder, and I opened my eyes in surprise.

  And who I saw surprised me even more than the fact that I was afraid of heights.

  “Wyatt? What are you doing here?”

  “Joey invited Cole. And Cole invited me,” he answered softly, as if he were talking to a cornered animal. I felt like one just then. “You don’t look so good, Caldwell.”

  I shot him what I thought might be a smile. I wasn’t sure. “How flattering.”

  He smiled
, showing off straight rows of white teeth. I tried not to stare at him for too long, lest he think I was weird.

  “Can you get down?”

  “Can you get me a ladder?”

  His smiled widened. “I’m afraid the only way down is to jump. Can you do that for me?”

  I shook my head vehemently. Tears of frustration stung my eyes. “I can’t, Wyatt.”

  “Hey. Look at me. You’re safe, you know that, right?”

  “But it’s too high up.” Logically, I knew I wouldn’t get hurt if I jumped. I just couldn’t get my body to do that.

  “I’ll jump with you. And I won’t let you go.” He grabbed my hand and gave it a brief squeeze. I looked at where we touched, noting the differences in our skin tones. His was a few shades darker than mine. And his hand was much, much bigger than mine. The callous feel of it almost made me forget about my predicament.

  “You won’t let go?” I asked, my heart beating frantically in my chest with more than just fright. It was a stupid heart, since only days before, this man had told me there was no future for us.

  “I won’t let go.” He paused. “Not until we get to the ground.”

  I wasn’t sure who he was making that promise to—me or him. I nodded anyway.

  “Come on, Emery. On the count of three.”

  I closed my eyes. Wyatt moved in closer to me. I felt his breath on my face when he spoke, letting out a quiet “One.”

  I took a deep breath.

  “Two.”

  My hand tightened around his.

  “Three.”

  I let go.

  The fall was instantaneous. I felt my body’s losing fight against gravity, and there was nothing there. I kept expecting something to hold me back, to keep me safe, but gravity felt like the enemy then, and I couldn’t keep my bearings. I needed the fall to be over so bad.

  But then I felt his hand tighten around mine, trying to keep me from falling away from him. And then the rope caught and began to slow both of our descent, his first, then mine. I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding, opening my eyes to find his on me.

  He kept me righted. “Can you feel your legs?”

  “Maybe,” I answered.

  He smiled. “Good. Because we’re going to touch ground soon. I need you to stand on your own, can you do that?”