Page 73 of As the Rain Falls
“What I meant is that I saw them sometimes, in passing. I made my own conclusions from that point,” Nathaniel elaborates, a slow, coy smile stretching across his lips. “What were you thinking? That I was ogling our teenage neighbor?”
My lips part, but I’m unable to say a word.
“God, are you slow, or what?” he laughs harder. “Don’t make it sound weird, Cassandra.”
“I wasn’t,” I stay collected, knowing exactly what I heard. “I was just asking a question.”
“This is stupid.” He shuts his laptop and rises from his seat. “We both know you’re not the brightest, so stop trying to come up with theories to make me sound like the bad guy here. I’m just watching out for you.”
“What’s your problem?” I ask, my voice rising. “Beckett’s done nothing to you. Hell, I’ve done nothing to you either.”
“You’re just so delusional,” he curses, grabbing his jacket and throwing it over his shoulders quickly. “If you think he wants you for anything other than sex, then you’re wrong. Every single guy who talks to you just wants to fuck you. I’ve told you that.”
The words hit me like a punch in the guts. I flinch, but barely find the strength to do anything other than stare at him. Is this all is he sees in me? Does he think that I’m sleeping with multiple guys when no one is looking? I’d never do that. I don’t even think I want to have sex anytime soon.
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you when he makes you come home crying.”
“Wait! Where are you going?” I stare as he picks up the keys to the car and twists them between his fingers, rolling his keychainaround his knuckles. “Dad said he wanted you to be around the house when I brought Pepé over to help me get him settled.”
“I’m meeting a friend for drinks.” Nathaniel stops by the door and glances at his watch. “It’s important.”
“This is also important,” I answer petulantly, my voice sounding smaller than I want it to.
Maybe Pepé is just a dog, and to others it might mean nothing, but this feels like a big deal to me.
“Nathaniel, you promised to drive me if I ever needed to until I get my license.”
Despite what happened before, Pepé is still Lucia’s dog. Allowing me to watch him is definitely a sign that Beckett trusts me, and I really want him to know I’ll have his back no matter what.
I can’t help but think that maybe he is starting to consider me as a close friend, and I don’t want to disappoint him. I want us to be closer; I feel like I really need this to happen, stupid crush aside.
Besides, I really need to visit a bigger store to buy a few more things, like dog treats and shampoo.
“You’ll manage.” He unlocks the door, not bothering to look at me. “I won’t be back for dinner, so don’t wait for me.”
“Nathie, wait!”
The door slams behind him.I curse under my breath, hating that he just left me to deal with all this alone. But am I surprised? Not really.
Being Nathaniel’s sibling means losing more often than winning. At least he didn’t slap me in the face this time around, which, knowing him, he probably thinks I deserved for daring to point out the obvious.
If Nathaniel was really watching Lucia, I can’t help but wonder where else his eyes might’ve wandered to.
It’s never just about the dog.
Not with guys like him.
SHE'S GOT CHERRY LIPS, ANGEL EYES
Cassandra
OCTOBER, 2016
I glance at myphone that’s over the counter, weighing in my options one last time. Kayla is on speaker, trying to get me to stop freaking out. Who would I be without my best friend?
To do, or not to do.
That is the question.
