Page 45 of Fragments of You

I just can’t shake this weird feeling in my gut, the one I’ve had since my encounter with Nash yesterday. I can’t explain it, but something feels off. I tried to reason with myself that it was just because of everything he said and the way he pressed against me, reminding my body of the familiarity of his touch, but I don’t think that’s it.

Maybe it’s what Iris said about the things he did to get money for drugs, or maybe it’s fear that something I did or said will be the thing that sends him over the edge again, but whatever it is, I’ve had this nagging feeling ever since I drove away. Like I know something bad is going to happen, but I can’t figure out when or to whom it’s going to happen to.

“Have you spoken to Nash recently?” Mom asks as if she can see right into my head and knows the second he crosses my mind.

“Yesterday.” I nod.

“How is he?”

“Fine.”

“Did you just run into him?” She prods for more information.

“I went to his dad’s old place to talk to him.”

“Well, that’s a good sign.”

“Don’t get ahead of yourself. I went to see him to tell him he can’t be in my life.”

“Paisley...”

“Don’t Paisley me, Mom. It was him or Felix. If I try to keep them both in my life, one is bound to end up killing the other, and honestly, the stress isn’t good for any of us. Besides, out of the two, who’s actually earned the right to be in my life? The one who fought for me or the one who discarded me like trash?”

“I wouldn’t say he discarded you like trash... But I do see your point.”

I give her an annoyed look, a little surprised when she jumps over to team Paisley.

“Thank you.” I set the invitation I’m still holding on the table in front of me. “They really are beautiful.” I refocus on the matter at hand. “Did you get Aunt Jane’s new address?”

“Yep. I have everyone on your list and Felix provided me with the addresses of his family already. I can start filling them out tomorrow.”

“That’s okay. I should be the one to do it.”

“Okay, then.” She gently touches the back of my hand. “If you need my help with anything...”

“I’ll let you know.”

I look up when I hear my father’s voice.

“What are you two doing in here? Celine and I are enjoying the pool without you.” He tugs open the fridge, pulling out a bottle of water.

“We were on our way, but then these came,” my mother tells him, waiting until he approaches the table before handing him an invitation.

“I see.” He looks it over before handing it back to my mom. “Very nice.” He gives the most generic sign of approval. At least he’s hiding his disapproval, this time anyway.

I mean, obviously they support me and this wedding, but that doesn’t mean they’re happy about it. They both think I’m too young, but I think it’s less about the fact that I’m getting married and more about who I’m marrying. Though they have warmed up to Felix a little as of late.

“They are, aren’t they?” she agrees, adding it back to the pile. “How’s the water?”

“Perfection. I wish we had opened the pool sooner.”

“It wouldn’t be perfection if we had. You’d be freezing,” my mom points out.

“You two coming?” His gaze bobs between the two of us.

“I reckon we’ve put it off long enough,” she playfully huffs.

It’s no secret that my mom is not a huge fan of the water. My father, however, might as well be a fish. Hence why we own a pool in the first place.

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