Page 17 of The Right Kind of Wrong

“I take it your birthday hasn't been as sucky as you thought it would be,” he said, keeping a safe distance.

“Maybe not.” I shrugged.

“I hope not.” He lifted his hand, twirling me around, our bodies ending up closer together. “I hated seeing you so sad this morning.”

I bit my lip, his eyes following the movement. He pulled me closer to him and my hands went up to his shoulders as our bodies moved in a playful manner, because I refused to use a different word.

Nathan's hands rested on my waist. Unsure about whether he was trying to hold me back or pull me close, I stayed where I was. My hips swayed to the music with my hands still on his shoulders like an awkward little girl.

All that changed when the song changed to a slower one and Nathan pulled me close, the distance between us now minimal. He must have seen the fear in my eyes, the insecurity written all over my face, because he lowered his lips to my ear, murmuring four words that were supposed to ease my concern. “It's only a dance.”

I swallowed, nodding once but not daring to move my hands away from his shoulders.

“Thank you,” I said nervously, following his lead.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Carter staring at us, an unhappy look on his face, but Nana was smiling, nudging him with her elbow. Karla and Evan danced together while Jenna and Helen talked quietly.

I sighed, relaxing in Nathan's embrace.

“I had to do something,” he said quietly. “You've been sad these days. I know life here is anything but ideal.”

I agreed, my hands itching to run through his hair. I refrained, thinking of what Jenna had said. “Are you and my sister going to marriage counseling?”

Nathan didn't look surprised. Instead, he only nodded, not once breaking his gaze from mine. “Who told you?”

“Word gets around.”

He sighed, placing a strand of hair behind my ear, something he seemed fond of doing. “Things with Hannah were never going to work,” he murmured. “This marriage was doomed from the start.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I suppose she hasn't given up yet, though.”

“Have you?”

I saw him clench his jaw and the hint of happiness in his eyes disappeared.

“I'm sorry, I shouldn't have—”

“No, don't.” He sighed, cupping my face in his hands before placing a brief kiss on my forehead. “There's never been anything to save.”

He locked eyes with me for a moment before walking away, leaving me too stunned to say a word.

***

A few drinks later and I was a bit tipsy, dancing and singing my heart out with my equally tipsy friends. I couldn't be bothered to give a damn, not with the lack of events for the past days. Nana had long since gone to bed, while Nate and Carter watched over us like we were a group of careless teenagers.

I'm twenty. I deserve to have fun.

Evan spun me around again. He was the only one relatively sober besides Nathan. The house was full of laughter and fun and livelihood until the music was suddenly shut off, making me trip at the unexpected silence.

“What the…sis! Hey! Did you finally remember it was my birthday?” I asked, struggling to get out of Evan’s hold. He chuckled, his arm around my waist, while Nathan glared first at my sister, then at Evan.

“What the hell is going on here?” Hannah asked Nathan.

I stumbled over to my sister, flicking her nose with my finger. “He remembered my birthday, sissy. You didn't. You're a very bad sister.” I sighed, twirling around in front of her without any fucking reason. “Wonderful businesswoman, horrible sister. Woah.”

I stumbled and Evan caught me once again. “I'm going to take her up to her bedroom.”

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