Page 78 of Shattering Nash

Are we together?Everything pointed to yes when they were alone. A select few knew about them. Still, they never went out in public or discussed being exclusive with each other. Never talked about the future or even their pasts. There was so much about Nash she didn’t know.

“I don’t even know if we’re together-together.”

“Charley, you slept with him, and he made you breakfast the next morning. You spend all your nights at his place. I mean, you’re practically living there.”

That was a stretch. There was no mention of moving in, and besides, it was entirely too soon.He did suggest I bring some of my things over though.By all outward appearances, it did seem a bit more than casual.

“Ihavespent my nights at his place.”

“See, there you go. You’retogether. If he’s with you, he’s not going to let some creep harass you.”

Charley shook her head.

“This isn’t Nash’s problem.”

Keely scoffed. “It’s not yours either. Cody left you to deal with his shit.”

True.

“Tell Nash!”

Charley sighed. “What am I supposed to tell him? That my brother is an addict and currently in rehab, but his dealer won’t leave me alone because he thinks I have his drugs?”

“Uh yeah.” Keely raised her brows and widened her eyes. “That’s exactly what you should tell him. Let him help you.”

“I can’t!” It was rare Charley raised her voice.

“Why not?”

“Because if I tell Nash about this, then I have to tell him about everything. It’s too soon.” She gasped a breath. “And if he knows, he’ll tell Elle, and then she’ll know I lied. I looked her straight in the eyes and lied to her, Keely.”

So many lies.

“You had your reasons…”

Charley pressed her hand against her heart. “But I lied. To both of them.”

“Maybe he won’t tell Elle. I mean, he’s your boyfriend. He’ll understand and…”

“What if he doesn’t?”

Keely furrowed her brows. “What?”

“What if he doesn’t understand? You’re the closest person to me besides Cody, and you barely understand my blind loyalty. And I get why, but if you don’t fully get it, there’s no way Nash will. And then what? It’s over.”

“What’s over?”

“Me and Nash,” she whispered, feeling the pain to her core. She was falling hard and fast.

Keely sighed. “Charley, you don’t know that.”

“But I don’t want to risk it. I love being with him. I love talking to him and laughing with him. Everythingwith him. I’ve never had this kind of relationship that’s all mine.” Her eyes welled, tears threatening to fall down her cheeks, and she did nothing to stop them. “I spent the last eight years taking care of Cody. I was there for everything. The addiction, the spiraling, the rehab, and all the setbacks. I gave up everything I wanted forme. And now I have this thing with Nash where it’s all mine. I don’t want to lose it. And I know I’m being selfish, but I’m not ready to let him go yet. I just want more time with him before I show him all my baggage.”

Her reasoning sounded awful, as if she was trying to trap him into liking her before she exposed her truth. Charley drove her hands through her hair.

Her shoulders sagged, and she gripped her hips, dropping her chin to her chest. “I sound pathetic.”

“No, you don’t. I’d wanna keep it too. I get it, Charley.”

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