Page 106 of Off Sides

“I love you too.”

I reach into my pocket for the velvet bag and take his hand to place it into.

He lifts a brow at me, flicking his gaze between me and the bag. “What’s this?”

I open the bag and upend it on his palm.

The smirk on his face falls as he looks at it, weighs it in his hand, then closes his fingers around it.

“Our past can shape us, the good and the bad. She was a part of your past, but I think it might be time to start remembering the good parts of her, not just the sad ones.” Opening his hand, I pick up the chain and slide it over his head to hang from his neck. “And I will help you hire a private investigator or whatever we have to, if you want to go looking for Emma. I want you to be able to find closure.”

“It’s perfect.” He smiles, placing his hand over it. “You’re perfect.” I kiss his forehead and give him a hug.

“Uh, remember how you love me?” Nick says in my ear. “Keep that in mind…”

Pulling back, I cock my head, confused, until he turns me around and Debbi is standing there with a bakery box. My face immediately turns hot. Son of a bitch.

“Debbi!” Nick moves around me to give the older woman a hug. “You made it.”

“I did,” she says, but her tone is a little off. “Here you are, dear.” She hands him a box and he turns a devilish smirk on me. “Yes, congratulations to you both.” She pats him and gives me a very awkward hug.

“Thank you,” I mumble. I don’t know what is happening or why. “Is something wrong?”

Her cheeks turn a little pink and she fumbles over her words. “Well. Of course. No. It’s not.” She huffs a breath then shakes her head. “It's none of my business, dear.” The tight-lipped smile makes me very uncomfortable.

Nick is watching her now too. “What’s not? Miss Debbi, do you have gossip that you aren’t sharing with me?”

She scoffs. “No, I certainly do not.” Debbi slaps at his arm. “But,” she lowers her voice, “you should be more careful about where you have special time. You know? Windows are pretty see-through.”

Nick looks dumbstruck for a minute while I swear all the blood drains out of my face. Oh. My. Fucking. God.

She saw us in the parking lot.

I can feel how wide my eyes are but I can’t do anything about it. I’m going to vomit. It’s a good thing we’re moving because I can never look at this woman in the face again.

“I mean, really, a parking lot?”

Nick starts to cackle. It’s not long before he’s doubled over, leaning on his knees, wheezing from laughing so hard, while I’m having an existential crisis.

“I was worried you were having car trouble,” she tells him earnestly. “But that wasn’t it…”

I’m going to burst into flames. Right here on the grass. My tombstone will read ‘graduated from college only to spontaneously combust via embarrassment’ and it’s entirely Nick’s fault. The bastard.

He’s dropped to the ground now, wiping tears from his eyes, as he shrieks with laughter. People are turning to stare at him, which only makes this all worse.

“Miss Debbi,” I start, trying to find the words to apologize for her seeing me desecrate her pastry. “I am so sorry.”

Charlotte and Matt are standing back, watching the humiliation of their older brother, and I just don’t know how I’m still alive. How has my heart not stopped? How is this my life?

“Nicholas, get off the ground, you animal.” Mrs. Wyhe scorns Nick who still can’t seem to catch his breath. He’s holding his stomach and still laughing. Asshole. And I am just so glad this could be the exact moment I meet his family for the first time in person. Sure, why not?

I’m going to have a nervous breakdown, and it’s noon.

“Joey.” Mrs. Wyhe smiles at me and reaches for a hug. “Congratulations, love.”

With mortification the only thing keeping color in my face, I give her a hug.

“Thank you. It’s great to finally meet you in person.”

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