Page 10 of Filthy

I pulled up to a stop sign and Hattie’s mom reached for me with a shaky hand. I held hers in mine and looked over as she nodded her head with a smile. She didn’t need to say anything. I knew what she meant. She was hoping for the same thing my mother was, a way to reconnect our families in the future.

Chapter Six

Hattie

“Ho, Ho, Ho!” I looked up and found Rashid, Nix’s oldest brother, dressed in his father’s Santa costume. Everyone laughed as he made his way around the room with a sack full of presents, handing one out to everyone. We spent the entire afternoon stuffing our faces with more goodies than I had seen all year. My size eighteen jeans were already tight, and all the added food wasn’t helping matters. Mrs. Stratford always bought the boys matching pajamas and made them wear them to open presents. It was a ridiculous tradition that only got funnier the bigger they got. This year she bought me a pair to match them and I was happy to change into some comfy clothes and sit around the oversized tree in the living room. I was sitting on the floor next to the chair Nix had helped my mom into. She was smiling and laughing just like she had before everything happened. Nix was next to me in his pajamas that were way too tight, and I was having a hard time keeping my hands to myself. The buttons wouldn’t stay so eventually he just undid them, which meant his broad chest andgorgeous tattoos were the only thing I had eyes for. The sideways glances he kept giving me made it clear he could tell.

“You know, you don’t have to leave tonight.” he said, leaning over whispering into my ear.

“I have a flight home.”

“Let me change it.”

“What? No. That would cost a fortune.”

“Please, Hattie, give me one more night before we go back.”

I felt my mother’s hand on my shoulder when he pulled away. There was no way she could have heard him, but it was almost like she knew anyway. We finished opening gifts and then headed back to the dining room for another round of desserts before we got ready to bring my mom back. I hated she had to live so far from me, but I also knew if I forced her to come to New York City, she would miss out on visits from friends and the familiarity of our hometown. Maybe it was time for me to consider coming back. The city didn’t hold that much for me now that Nix and I were through. Sure, I had Sofia and my other friends, but they were all getting married and moving on with their lives. All I had was the diner and occasional nights out.

When we got back to the nursing home, Nix left me with my mom to go make a phone call.

“You know I’m going to miss you, Ma.”

“I know, sweetie. But I’m so proud of you and what you’ve accomplished.”

“I haven’t really accomplished much. I mean, I have a job that barely pays my rent and some friends, but then I come back here and it makes me wonder what life would be like if I never left.”

“Dad and I never wanted you to chase Nix to the city. But you needed to spread your wings and figure out who you were outside of our family drama. Nix is a good man Hattie, he always has been. I see the way he looks at you, and it makes me happy to know you two are still close.”

I didn’t have it in me to tell her we weren’t. It was painful to think about how long it’d been since we had even spoken. If it made my mom feel better knowing I had him in the city, then I’d let her believe that. There is no reason to let her worry.

“I love you, mom.” I said, leaning over and placing a kiss on her cheek. “I’ve already started saving up for my next trip back, so it will be soon. I promise.”

“I know, Hattie, don’t worry about me. I’m doing fine here. It pays off living in the same town all your life. If one of my nurses gives me trouble, I just threaten to call their mother.”

She laughed, and the sound warmed my heart as Nix came back in to say his goodbyes. By the time we got back to the house, I would need to grab my things and have the Uber come pick me up for my flight. I couldn’t believe the trip was over when it felt like it had just begun.

We pulled up to the house, and I opened the truck door to get out. The second my foot hit the ice, I slipped and fell straight on my ass.

“Shit, Hattie! Don’t move.” Nix hollered as he ran around the truck and pulled me up into his arms. “Are you okay?”

“Yes, of course, I’m fine.”

“Are you sure? Did you hit your head?”

“No, nothing like that. Just my ass.” I said with a laugh to lighten the mood, “You can put me down.’

“Fuck that.” he stood to his full height, lifting me as if I weighed no more than a feather.

“Nix, you’re going to hurt yourself. Put me down. I am way too heavy for this.”

“Shut up Hattie. Seriously, stop with that bullshit.” he shook his head as he climbed the steps to his parents’ house. The door opened as we approached and Mrs. Stratford was beside herself with concern.

“What happened? Hattie, honey, are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine. Really. Nix is just overreacting.”

“I am not. You fell flat the second you stepped out of the truck.” he said as he carried me through the house and put me down on the couch.

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