“Listen, I know last night was intense. If you ever need to talk… and I don’t mean in a creepy way. But I get it, at least, part of me does. I’m here, always.”
“I appreciate it, I do. I’m just really overwhelmed right now.”
“Of course.” He ran a hand down his face. “I’ll see you tomorrow at school.”
With a small nod, I climbed out of his car and made my way up to the house. Nate waited until I went inside to leave and part of me liked him even more for it. Nix was going to have to accept that Nate was my friend. Something I was going to need to survive the rest of my year at DA. Especially after the text I received last night.
Inhaling a shuddering breath, I headed for the kitchen to grab a bottle of water before heading to my room to grab a couple hours of sleep before Michael and Sabrina returned home from their trip.
My eyes shuttered as a heavy weight settled over me. My father couldn’t know about Nix, not yet. Not until we’d figured out some kind of plan.
I dipped my hand into my pocket and pulled out my cell phone, opening a new message.
Me: I’m back.
Nix replied immediately. I smiled at the nickname he’d entered into my cell.
Hot Tub Guy: I’m already thinking about when I can see you again…
My heart strained. I wanted that, I did. But there was so much to consider and now that we were apart again, things seemed insurmountable.
Me: Soon.
Hot Tub Guy: When? And why do I feel like you’re already checking out on me?
Me: I’m not… I promise. I’m just overwhelmed.
My cell phone started vibrating and I answered. “Hello.”
“I needed to hear your voice.” His voice was distant. Cold. “Are you alone?”
“I’m in the kitchen, getting a drink.”
“Is anyone there?”
“Celeste isn’t back yet and Max must be sleeping still, but this is… risky.”
“Yeah,” he blew out a frustrated breath. “I know. But I needed to hear your voice, to know we’re okay. We are okay, aren’t we, B?”
“Yeah, we’re okay. We’re more than okay.”
His sigh of relief settled deep inside me. “Try to get some rest. I’m going to figure out a plan for us, you hear me?”
“I hear you.”
“You know, last night… it meant something to me, B. Something real.”
His words fisted my heart as tears rushed up my throat. “Me too.”
“I’ll talk to you soon, B.”
“Bye,” I whispered, hanging up.
“Who was that?”
My heart almost lurched out of my chest as I whirled around to find Max glaring at me. “No one.”
“Didn’t sound like no one to me. Where were you all night?”