Page 39 of Nicky

“Positive.”

She watched me for a long moment, her teasing expression softening. “You know, you can talk to me.”

I hesitated, my gaze flicking to the floor. “It’s complicated.”

“Life usually is,” she said with a small shrug. She let out a breath, her fingers idly smoothing the edge of the crossword puzzle in her lap. “Listen to me, Nicky.”

I didn’t correct her. That name from her lips settled strangely in my chest, soft and bittersweet.

“When you get to my age, you start to realize a lot of things you thought mattered don’t. Arguments you were too proud to lose, chances you were too scared to take... those are the things you regret. Not the mistakes. Not the risks. It’s the ‘what ifs’ that’ll eat at you.”

I looked up at her, the weight of her words sinking in as she continued. “You’ve got your whole life ahead of you. Don’t waste it waiting for things to feel perfect. They very rarely do. You’ll never have all the answers, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try.”

She reached for her glass of water on the bedside table, her movements slow but steady. “You’ve got a good heart. Don’t let fear or pride keep you from living.” Her gaze met mine, sharp but kind. “Now, take it from an old woman who’s lived a long life. If there’s something—or someone—that makes you happy, you hold onto it with both hands. You’ll thank me one day.”

Her words clung to me, wrapping around the edges of my thoughts. I stood there longer than I should have, watching as her eyes fluttered shut.

“You get some rest,” I murmured.

She hummed softly, her breathing already slowing into an easy rhythm.

When I left the room, her words followed me, sticking like burrs in my chest.

CHAPTER 19

Nicholas

By the time I got home, Beverly’s words had spun into a constant loop in my head.It’s the ‘what ifs’ that’ll eat at you. Don’t let fear or pride keep you from living. If there’s someone that makes you happy, you hold onto them with both hands.

I collapsed onto the couch, the weight of the day still sitting heavy on my shoulders. My phone was already in my hand, willing Aiden to answer on the first ring. He picked up on the second ring, his voice bright like always.

“Hey, big bro. What’s up?”

I swallowed, closing my eyes. “Nothing much.” My voice felt off, and even I could hear it. “Just… wanted to check in.”

“You sound weird. You okay?”

I hesitated. “Yeah. Just tired.”

“Liar,” Aiden shot back with a laugh. “What’s going on?”

I sighed, dragging my hand down my face. It was now or never. “Do you… know anything about Daddy kink?”

The line went dead silent, the kind of silence that made me uncomfortable, like I’d asked the wrong thing. Then, a sharp laugh broke through.

“Why the hell are you asking me that?”

I groaned and rubbed my temples. “It’s… complicated. Just answer the question.”

Another pause, this time longer. His voice softened, but there was no humor in it. “Yeah, I know about it.”

My stomach churned. “How?”

“Because I’m into it.” He said it so casually, like it was no big deal. “But I never told you, because you’ve always been, well, judgy about stuff like that.”

My jaw dropped. “You? Into?—”

“Yeah. Me.” He didn’t even pause. “Don’t die of shock.”

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