I was feeling plenty of emotions about everything. Irritated. Angry. Embarrassed. And horny.
The last thing I needed was Weslie acting like I was a prized possession when someone wanted to talk to me. But, of course, it's not the woman he has a problem with. It's the man, and it appears he's gonna start body-checking people pretty soon.
Or maybe it was how he acted and made it clear to every person in the bar that she was taken. And I knew that was the point.
I rubbed my eyes as I stood at the bar, waiting for a bartender to open up so I could make an order. I needed something harder than beer if I was going to get through tonight. I needed my mind numbed so I could make it through the night. Especially if I was going to hear more about how much of a tramp Weslie was.
I glanced at Riley and April, watching them look so happy with their spouses. I could see the love was strong between them, and it hurt. I knew that wasn't going to be me. This relationship with Weslie was fake, and eventually, we would split again.
And when that happened, I needed a plan. I needed to have something to do or find a passion somewhere. I needed to get my shit figured out before that happened.
"Are you really married to Weslie?" A woman next to me asked. She was sitting with two other ladies who were also looking curiously at me. They were beautiful, and the question made me tense.
I slowly nodded my head. "I am. Do you know him?"
"Damn," she said, looking at Weslie. I could see the want stirring in her eyes before she looked back at me. "Didn't think he would ever settle down. Wendy told us at our covent meeting yesterday."
I bite down on my cheek slightly.
"Congratulations," another one of the girls chirped. "He's a good one. I've heard just how good he is in bed. But I'm sure you probably already know that."
I stammered for words, unsure of what to say to that.
"I've heard he is just wonderful. You're a lucky girl." One of them winked, and my entire body tensed up.
I felt a hand fall on my shoulder. "You know, I think you and Weslie are going to be the talk of the town," Riley said with a giggle in her voice. "I keep hearing whispers about how cute you two look together."
I frowned, "I don't want to be the talk of the town." I knew that we needed to get the word out, but this was making me uncomfortable. I didn't need people telling me how much of a bang he was or smiling like they knew what he could do in bed.
Riley shrugged. "Better you than everyone talking about my almost kidnapping still I'll take this. I never thought anyone would let that go."
I needed liquor. I turned back to the bar and waved my hand. I just wanted to go home. I wanted this night to be over already.
I didn't want to mingle. I didn't want to hear about how much of a catch Weslie was. I was already aware of that. I had him at one point. And he left. I didn't need to know what he'd been doing afterward. I didn't need to know how he moved on while I fell apart.
"What would you like?" the lady bartender paused in front of them. She had light blond hair that was braided down her back. She had a lip piercing and an eyebrow piercing. She was wearing dark makeup and deep red lipstick. She had on a cropped tank top, and her breasts almost plummeted out of it. I could tell she wasn't wearing a bra because her nipples were pushing against the fabric.
"A tall shot of rum, please," I said, tapping my fingers on the counter.
The gal raised a single eyebrow at me, not moving to make it. I looked down, reading her name. "Sandy? Did you hear me?"
She nodded and crossed her arms. "Yeah, I was just taking you in. Can't believe that Weslie is married to you. Congratulations. That must be exciting for you."
Though she said the words, they rubbed me the wrong way, and the way she was looking at me wasn't with shock but more disgust. I suddenly felt like I was somewhere I shouldn't be. And then I wondered if she had dated Weslie in the past. Only an old girlfriend would look at someone this way.
"Thanks," I said, looking over at Weslie, who was setting up a game with Miles.
"Tall shot of Rum," Sandy said, setting it down. I quickly took it and downed it, replacing the glass on the countertop.
I allowed the liquor to sink in, wishing it were magic to take all my problems away. I knew they wouldn't. But they would at least numb them for today.
"So, how did you guys meet?" Sandy asked, leaning onto the counter like there weren't ten other customers waiting for her.
"Long time ago," I said, and Riley snorted.
"She's Cayden sister, and Weslie is pretty much his best friend. We've all known each other since we were in our teens."
Sandy nodded her head, looking at Weslie. I could see something in her eyes, but I couldn't put my finger on it.
"How do you know him?" I asked, tapping my fingers on the counter. "Did you guys date?"
Sandy raised an eyebrow at me. Her lips stayed in a thin line, and she shook her head. "No, we didn't date." She looked away from me and towards a few other customers. "Well, we're busy tonight. Good luck with him." Sandy pushed off the counter and turned to another customer.
Riley looked at me. "She seems nice. She has the same sense of style you do."
I didn't agree. There was something there, and I didn't know what it was. I didn't believe her when she said she hadn't dated Weslie.
"Should we play some more?" She indicated back at the pool tables, and I nodded, wanting to get away from Sandy. We returned to the pool area, where Miles and Weslie were deep in their game.
"Look, it's your wife," Miles teased, waving an eyebrow at us. "Forever leashed together."
"Do you say those romantic words to your wife?" Weslie asked, "Because I'm sure Laura loves the wording you used."
Miles grinned. "What makes you think she doesn't have a kink for that? Maybe we have an entire sex dungeon you don't know about."
My mouth just hung open slightly, and Miles laughed as he bent over, hitting at one of the balls. Weslie walked closer, his arm brushed against mine, sending sparkles up my back.
"That's Miles. He has no filter, and it only gets worse when he's drinking."
"I haven't been drinking," Miles added. "Lucas gets to drink tonight. I had to stay sober."
Just then, Laura walked over. She stopped next to Miles and raised an eyebrow as she leaned onto him. "How is it going over here? Is Weslie kicking your ass?"
Weslie chuckled. "Kicking your husband's ass, learning about your sex dungeon. Like any other day."
Unlike me, Laura was not shocked. She looked at Miles and tilted her head. "About our sex, what?"
"They knew I was kidding," Miles said, waving a hand. "He's trying to make it seem like I was bad tonight."
"I didn't know if you were kidding." I quickly added. "For all I know, you have one."
Laura shook her head. "You know, they will never agree to double dating if you are constantly disturbing them, Miles. Could you act like an adult for just a little bit so we can appear normal?"
Miles leaned into her playfully, smirking at her. "But I thought you liked me this way?" I looked away before they kissed. It would seem everyone was in love and unable to keep their hands off each other. Everyone but Weslie and me. The newlyweds.
I looked at Weslie, who wasn't even watching them. He was looking at the pool table, getting ready to hit a ball.
After a moment, Miles cleared his throat. "But seriously, you guys, congrats on the marriage. That's huge."
"Thanks," Weslie said, striking at a ball. It hit the corner, bouncing back. He pulled himself back up and leaned on the pool cue.
Laura smiled. "Would you guys ever consider going out? We always love having new people go with us for date night. Take away Miles's inability to keep his mouth shut, and we would have a good time."
"Sure," Weslie said. I wanted to glare at him but held myself together. That is what a married couple would do. And he said we needed to get out more. Agreeing to a double date was something we should do.
"We're not going to a sex place, right?" I asked jokingly.
Laura laughed, and Miles chuckled, looking at Weslie. "I see why you married her. She almost makes up for all the other women you went through."
It was like someone punched me in the gut. I swallowed, glancing at Weslie, wondering just how many it was. I'd heard it a few times already. Had he gone through an extremely high number of women? Should I be concerned?
Weslie noticed and scowled. "It wasn't that many women."
Miles laughed hard, holding onto his stomach. "Please! Over half of the bar you've slept with. Shall I start naming them all? And where you fucked them?"
I bit hard onto my cheek, and Laura quickly elbowed Miles. "Miles, read the room."
Quickly realizing what he said, he frowned. "Shit, sorry. I mean…it took him a while to get to you. We've all done it. I know that Lucas racked up a long ass list."
Laura sighed heavily. "Sweetie, go grab me something to drink. You've done the damage."
He didn't argue as he handed his pool stick to Laura and looked almost pleased to leave the conversation. Laura looked at me. "Sorry about him. Miles jokes a lot. He didn't mean anything by it."
I waved it off, acting like it didn't bother me, but it did. It bothered me a lot. Was I just another person for Weslie? Had he gotten bored of me like all the others and moved on? Was he still seeing people?
"I need some water," I said, looking at Weslie. "Can you go grab me a glass?"
"Sure." He handed me his pool stick and walked after where Miles was headed. Sandy at the bar was helping Miles, and as her eyes landed on Weslie, they seemed to light up. I knew I must have been seeing it wrong. The lighting was shit in here.
"Don't take Miles's words to heart. All the guys were horn dogs before they got married."
"It's fine," I said, forcing a smile. It was all fake, after all. It should be bothering me. So why was it?
I watched as Weslie leaned onto the counter and Sandy leaned onto it as well. She smiled happily at him as they spoke. She played with her hair, and her breasts were practically out on display for him.
My heart sank when I realized she was flirting with him. She patted his arm, laughing, and Weslie seemed oblivious to it.
What pissed me off was just a few minutes ago, she was congratulating me, and now she was flirting.
Laura looked where I was staring and frowned. "Oh, Sandy."
"You know her?" I asked, suddenly wanting to know what she knew.
She nodded. "One of his exes. I wouldn't worry about her, though."
"How do you know they dated? She told me they didn't."
"I wouldn't call it dating. Miles and I have come here a few times. Doesn't take a genius to figure out why they both disappear for half an hour."
Even as she said the words, they seemed serious. Sandy laughed, and as she leaned over, I could see the lust. She wanted him, and I didn't need to watch.
"I'm going to go get some air. I think my drinks are catching up to me." It was a lie, but it was one I could use. I needed to get out and get some air.
"You want me to come with you? Or I can grab Riley for you?"
"No," I said, shaking my head. "I'll be back." Another lie.
I turned, heading for the door. I didn't need to watch Weslie with Sandy. I didn't want to see all the other happy couples. And I didn't want to continue feeling this jealous anymore.