Page 90 of The Reason I Married Him
Wyatt:Matt seems like a loser if you ask me. If you were my girl, I’d hold your hand.
Aubree:I don’t know what to say to that.
Wyatt:You don’t need to say anything. Just know that I’m here for you, for anything you need.
Aubree:Why?
Wyatt:What do you mean, why?
Aubree:I don’t understand why you’re being so nice to me. Like you swooped in, without knowing much about me, and decided to be my number one fan, my number one supporter. Why?
Yeah, why, Wyatt?
Why are you so drawn to her, wanting to help her?
Am I overcompensating because that’s what I used to do with Cadance, and now I need to expel that energy onto someone else?
Is it because we’re connected by two people we lost, and I feel the need to be by her side?Like kindred spirits?
Is it because I can see sadness in her eyes, the same sort of sadness I see reflected in the mirror? I might not show it, but I sure as fuck feel it. I feel it every day I wake up alone in my bed. I feel it when I reach for my phone and see no text messages, none telling me how I’m missed, how I’m loved. I felt it when I was resting on Laurel’s couch, alone on a Friday night with nothing better to do than watchOverboardfor the fiftieth time on TBS.
Either way, I feel something toward Aubree, but I don’t think she’d want to know that. She made it quite clear about not having handouts or pity directed her way. Not that I pity her, but I wouldn’t want her to think this connection I feel is anything but genuine companionship. She’s barely okay with our agreement. I don’t want to scare her off with these thoughts in my head. Plus, as I learned from her, she doesn’t do emotions or feelings. Opening up to her would only scare her away.
So I snap out of my head and lie.
Wyatt:This relationship is an investment. I want to make sure we’re both taken care of.
Aubree:I’m taken care of, so there’s no need to go out of your way.
Yeah, I thought she’d say that. She doesn’t like help, she doesn’t like pity, and she doesn’t like to look lesser than. She holds her head high, does the work, and has no problem supporting herself, even if it seems like she’s in a patched-up boat, slowly drowning day by day.
Wyatt:Well, I’m here if you need me.
Aubree:I appreciate it. But I’m good. Which reminds me, I don’t need you coming by tomorrow with muffins.
Wyatt:Wasn’t planning on it. I’m taking muffins to Rodney.
Aubree:Rodney? The railroad museum guy?
Wyatt:The very one.
Aubree:Why?
Wyatt:Why not?
Aubree:Are you friends?
Wyatt:Possibly, we shall see by the end of tomorrow. He asked me to stop by, I told him I would, and here we are. Are you jealous?
Aubree:Not even a little.
Wyatt:Okay, because even though I’m going to visit with someone else, it doesn’t mean that you’re not my number one. Because you are, Rowley. You’re my number one.
Aubree:Not sure if that should make me happy or nauseous.
Wyatt:Maybe a little of both. Have a good night . . . Mrs. Preston.
Aubree:Jesus.
