Once back in my room, I start getting ready for bed when there's a knock at my door. I pray it's Candy coming to talk or spend the night with me and rush to open it without a second thought.
Chapter 13
Candy
AsIgetreadyfor bed, all I can think about is that kiss. I've been pretty upset at the whole situation, but during that kiss, I realized I shouldn't be upset at North.
The whole point of all of this was to make the wedding easier on him. The way he stood up for me at dinner is something I’ll never forget. Outside of my dad, I've had no one stand up for me like that.
Being the curvy girl, I always found it easier to disappear into the shadows than make myself known. But I didn’t mind having all eyes on me with North defending me.
I shouldn't be punishing North for the way Vikki’s been acting. I shouldn't be making this week harder on him. I can only imagine what he's going through, even though he and his brother have made up.
I don't know if what we have has an expiration date, but I don't want to waste what little time I have left with him. So I pull sweatpants over my thin pajamas, check my hair and makeup and crack open my bedroom door.
I turn off my bedroom light and look around. I'm the only one out. I sneak down the hallway until I get to the main living area. A few people are relaxing in there, but I know I can cut through the kitchen to get to the wing where North’s room is. He insisted on me knowing which room was his, and now I'm glad he did.
I casually walk toward the kitchen. "Can't sleep either, eh?" one of the guys says from the living room when he sees me.
"No, figured I'd come in and get something to drink before I head to bed," I tell him. He nods and turns back to whatever he has on the TV.
Once in the kitchen, I sneak into the hallway and down to the guy's side of the house. Thankfully, it’s dark and quiet. I guess most people have retreated to their rooms.
I reach North's room and see the light under the door. I quietly open it, figuring I can sneak in, and we can talk. But the scene that greets me freezes me in my tracks.
Vikki is naked in the middle of his room, with a silk robe pooled at her feet. North is shirtless on the other side of the room, with his back pressed against the wall. When his eyes swing to me, they widen, and he looks like a kid caught stealing from the cookie jar. Vikki smirks at me, but they both remain silent.
So many thoughts race through my head, but there's one louder than the rest. I was a pawn in a game to get back at Vikki, to win her back for this moment right here. Why else would a sexy guy like North want to date the chubby nerdy librarian? He slept with me out of pity. I've experienced that one before.
"Thought a little payback for your brother was in order, huh? That's rich," I snap.
I turn without waiting to hear what either of them says and run back to my room.
"Candy! Wait!" North yells behind me.
Once in my room, I lock the door and put a chair in front of it.
"Candy! Please Listen!" North pounds on my door as I pack.
Once my bags are packed, I look around, thankful I'm on the first floor. I open my window and push my bag through, crawling out and running to my car. We were the last to arrive, so it's easy to get out of the parking area.
The first place North will look for me will be my place, so I head for my dad’s.
Chapter 14
North
Fuck.I don't think I've ever been so pissed in my life. The moment I cracked open my bedroom door, Vikki pushed her way inside. I put as much space as possible between us as she dropped her robe, and of course, that was the damn moment Candy walked in.
I can’t blame her for running. By the time I turn and head down the hallway to the living room, everyone is gathered there, including Jake, Vikki, my parents, and my grandparents.
"What the actual fuck is wrong with you, Vikki? You're marrying my brother tomorrow, and you're still trying to hook up with me?" I yell, not caring that I'm raising my voice to a woman.
"That's not true. He came on to me," she whines to Jake.
"Really? How does that explain why you were naked, and I wasn't?" I snarl.
There's no way of redeeming this situation, not knowing how much Candy must be hurting.