Page 28 of Naughty Nicky

PENELOPE

Iflop onto the couch after cleaning up the kitchen. I can’t shake the feeling that Nick went outside because he wanted to get away from me. Have I been too much of a burden on him?

I blow a raspberry as I stare up at the ceiling and the wooden beams connecting the walls. I don’t know what else I could have done to piss him off. I was trying to be nice to him. Is he mad that I keep bringing up his dad? I just really want to know what is going through his mind. But I don’t think I am ever going to get anything. That man keeps everything behind a stone fortress around his heart.

He seems so different than the Nick I knew growing up. This one seems harder, darker, like he lost the light somewhere along the way in the last few years. Or maybe it’s just the fact that he’s home. I only know he’s here for his dad, but that’s it. I never knew his relationship with his family in the past. I wasn’t privy to that information. I just knew that he spent all his free time hanging out at our house when he was younger. I never thought too much about it, but maybe there is something there.

I still can’t believe that he is the one who found me on the side of the road. I mean I am glad it was him and not somecreepy old man or serial killer. But seems like such a strange coincidence. And the fact that Wesley doesn’t even know he’s here. I’m tempted to tell him. Because I think he would be happy as hell to know his best friend only lives a few hours away. But I would feel guilty if I told him. Not that Nick is more important than my brother. It’s just that he gave me that knowledge freely last night, and that’s not something you just share with the world.

My phone rings, and it scares the shit out of me. I forgot that Nick gave me the Wi-Fi yesterday, so my phone actually works now.

I grab it off the coffee table and see Dad calling me.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Penny Pie, how are you?”

“Hi, Dad. I’m okay. Just kinda bored sitting around here.”

“Nick isn’t keeping you company?”

“He is,” I say. “But he’s outside right now plowing. It’s kinda weird just sitting in his house alone.”

“Maybe you should be out there helping him.”

I laugh. “Come on, really Dad? You know how useful I am with a shovel.”

He chuckles in the background. “I was only kidding. Maybe you should make him some lunch or volunteer to make dinner.”

“Dad, this is me we are talking about. You know the extent of my cooking is putting chicken nuggets in the air fryer. There is no way I am burning down Nick’s house in an attempt to make him dinner.”

“Just giving you some ideas, sweetheart.”

“Terrible ones!”

“Well, I just wanted to reach out and see how you were doing. I see your phone is working. I meant to call you on the number you called from yesterday, and it slipped my mind.”

“The Wi-Fi is working here.”

“Good! Maybe you should watch a movie then.”

I shrug. “I suppose I could.”

“I doubt you’ve been keeping up with the weather, but it looks like this storm should pass overnight. You should be able to come home tomorrow, if the state clears the roads.”

“Oh good,” I try to say without disappointment. I wish I could spend more time with Nick, not that I am going to tell my parents that.

“I can come pick you up if the roads are cleared, you just let me know.”

“Sounds good, Dad.”

“You sure you’re doing okay?”

“Oh yeah, totally fine,” I lie.

“Okay good, sweetheart. Well find something nice to do for Nick since he was able to take care of you.”

I nod. “Yeah, I will.”

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