Page 20 of Fate Forever and Always

I pulled into the driveway, and the lights were still on. I sat there for a few minutes, contemplating how I was going to apologize for being such a bitch before I left. I started feeling horrible for trying to pressure him.

I unlocked the door and saw Nick asleep on the couch. The view made me stop short in the doorway.

He looked so peaceful. He stirred when I shut the door, and the blanket fell to his waist. For a thin, lengthy man, he really does have some definition on him. You wouldn’t expect him to look like that when you see him with clothes on, but Nick is fucking hot.

Lately, I had noticed small, new things about him, making me wonder why I hadn’t seen these things sooner. Was I that oblivious?

Sadly, Nick and I haven’t been able to have a real, true friendship since becoming adults, and being here makes me wonder if maybe we are getting back to the way things were before Jake. I wonder if we can even get there because my dumbass can’t stop getting all horny and making out with him every time I’m drunk. If I don’t stop, I’ll ruin everything. I know he’s just trying to be nice by making silly jokes about wanting me and kissing me again. He can’t be serious, but I’m finding it hard not to think about it.

I walked over to him, trying my best to stay quiet and not disturb him. I put one of his grandma’s quilts over him. He opened his eyes slowly as soon as I pulled my hands away.

“Hey, you,” he said with a sexy, gravelly voice as he stretched and sat up. “Everything okay with your mom?”

I sat beside him because he wasn’t acting angry. I thought it was safe. “Yeah, everything is fine. She just needed some help with a few things, nothing major.” I paused, then apologized. “I am sorry I was trying to guilt trip you into coming with me. You have already done more than enough for me. I shouldn’t be trying to force you into going with me. It will be fine. I will be okay alone. I promise.”

When he stared at me, it felt like he looked deep into my soul. He looked like he wanted to say something, but he didn’t. My skin was heating under his gaze.

“What?” I asked.

“Nothing.” He looked away as he got up and started to fold the blankets that got messed up when he was asleep.

I didn’t want things to get more awkward, so I said goodnight. I grabbed my clothes and went to shower. When I returned to my bedroom, I let out a loud scream because Nick startled mewhen he was sitting on my bed reading the book I kept on my nightstand.

“This book is porn.” He smiled at me and sat up.

Even though my heart was racing, I started to laugh uncontrollably. “Why do you think I read it? I needed something to get me off now that Jake is gone.” I regretted saying it the moment it left my mouth, and I instantly felt the heat racing up my neck and cheeks. I covered my face, making it super obvious.

“Yeah...not touching that one,” Nick said with a chuckle. He started to walk past me and leave, but I realized he hadn’t told me why he was in my room.

“Did you need something?” I asked.

He turned to me and smirked. “I will go with you on one condition.”

My face perked up with excitement. I waited for him to continue without saying a word.

“No making fun of me when I cry or pass out from fear on the plane.”

I jumped into his arms and gave him a huge hug. “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. You are the best friend ever.”

I let go after about twenty seconds, and he let me down. I looked up at him, realizing his demeanor had changed. I went to pull away but stopped because I realized he was studying me. He reached out his hand and brushed his fingers across my cheek, stopping right before running it over my lips. Surprisingly, I didn’t pull away. It felt…intimate.

Nick smiled. “You are so lucky I l—." Nick cleared his throat. "Lucky I would do anything for you, Sweets.” He turned and nonchalantly walked out the door.

What the fuck was that?

Today was supposed to be my wedding day. I was up all night dreading waking up today, though I should be glad I woke up and not the alternative. I finally fell asleep around four in the morning. I assumed it was later than my usual wake-up time. When I opened my eyes and looked out the window, there was a brightness to the day even though it was raining outside. Of course, it was raining. I guess it’s a good thing after all that I’m not having the garden wedding I planned.

I looked at my phone and saw it was just after nine in the morning, so I was right. I had three missed calls from Jake and just as many voicemails.I am definitely not calling him back.

I was about to lie back down, but I heard voices in the kitchen, which piqued my interest. I put on my slippers and headed out the door. I stopped short when my friends and mom stared back at me. Everyone was here, and I mean everyone—Mom, Nick, all four of Aubrey’s parents, Bri, Amani, and, of course, Aubrey and Link. Aubrey said a few people from the restaurant were also on their way.

“We were all planning to spend the day with you anyway, so we came together and made it a party. I hope that’s okay,” my mom said with a spatula in her hand. "Plus, we knew Nick couldn’t cook you anything except eggs, and you need some sustenance today.”

Everyone laughed.

I’m not usually an emotional person, but then I saw the vase with the fresh Bluebells. I looked at Nick, but he just shrugged with a smile. My eyes started to tear up as I placed my face in my hands. “I don’t deserve you guys. You guys are so—”

“Aww, Cal, don’t cry, babe; we all love you so much,” Aubrey said as she embraced me. She pulled me into the living room, and my favorite non-romantic movie, The Pacifier, was playing.

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