Page 43 of Detention with Daddies

Nick:Liv? Did you leave?

Another ding.

Nick:Where are you?

I press the power button, turning my phone off without opening them.

Shawna pins me with a curious and furious look.

“I’m ignoring him. Let’s watch the show.”

But we’re only fifteen minutes intoThe Bachelorbefore I turn my phone back on. My guilty conscience doesn’t want him to worry if I’m physically okay or not, so I send him back a single text.

I’m okay.

I don’t elaborate. He doesn’t deserve an explanation from me after shutting down on me at dinner. Making me put up with all of that on my own.

The hurt quickly transforms into anger, which comes out as snide remarks about the man and the women fighting for him on TV.

After two episodes, which areso much longerthan I remembered them being. It doesn’t matter. I’m feeling much better by the time we finish the bottle of wine.

“You can stay the night if you want. You know that couch is comfy,” Shawna offers.

I do know; she sleeps on it more often than in her bed. When she’s alone anyway. And her boyfriend is gone for the weekend, so it wouldn’t be an issue, but I really want the comfort of my own bed.

“Nah. I’ll just order a ride. You’ve been drinking.”

Shawna cackles. “Bitch,we’vebeen drinking.”

“Truth.” I laugh with her and order a ride.

It only takes fifteen minutes for the Uber to show up, and another ten to get home. My thoughts go back to Nick and Lisa. Marielle and Ruby.

The hurt and anger and confusion dwindle down into a light depression. Nick seems like such a good guy. What went wrong with him today?

I really hope today was just a fluke. Because we’ve become good friends. And I can’t lie to myself about how much I enjoy his kisses.

The hurt won’t let me go though. I’ve spent so much time having people treat me one way when we’re alone together and a completly different way when we’re around their people.

Sighing, I close my eyes and take deep breaths before the Uber arrives at my house, pulling into my driveway.

When I look, Nick’s Jeep sits on the curb, and anxiety drenches me, stirring up all of the feelings I’ve been combating this evening.

I hand over a cash tip to my driver and thank him for the ride.

“Did you need me to stay until you get in the house?” He glances at where Nick waits for me.

“No. It’s okay. He’s not dangerous. Thank you though.”

“Yeah. No problem.”

I’m sure to give him a good review for that as I climb out of the car. Ignoring Nick, I walk to my door, unlocking it as the Uber idles at the end of the driveway. What a sweetheart.

Nick’s at my back before I swing my door open, and I’m ready to let him have it until I see Ruby behind him, hovering at the Jeep.

My heart breaks a little. I didn’t just slip out on Nick. I hadn’t said goodbye to Ruby either.

The mix of emotions on Nick’s face when I meet his eyes weakens my anger. Just a fraction. It doesn’t help that he’s so beautiful.

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