Page 61 of Falling for Nicole
Chapter Thirteen
Nicole
I feel like I’m doing okay, but I’m well aware that’s because he isn’t here. I knew he was in the shop when I first arrived, and I expected him to come straight in to see me. My heart felt like it was going to pound out of my chest as I put my stuff in the office and waited for him to show his face. I should have been relieved when after ten minutes he didn’t show up, but my traitorous heart felt like it was breaking all over again.
My lack of enthusiasm was evident because the others were soon asking if everything was okay. Thankfully, I could blame a weekend long hen party for my exhaustion. The lads seemed to fall for it, but I could see a questioning look in Freya’s eyes as I gave my excuse. Some weird womanly instinct meant she knew my sad face had nothing to do with a busy weekend.
Considering it’s raining, we’re weirdly busy, which is good. I was worried the English weather was going to effect business. We’re only a few weeks in, but so far the shack seems to be doing well. The lunchtime rush has just died down when two familiar faces appear at the bar. I inwardly groan to myself but turn and smile politely like there’s nothing wrong, first at Liam and then BJ.
“What can I get for you?”
“Oh nothing, we’re good. But can I have a word?” BJ asks, the concern in his eyes like nothing I’ve seen from him before. He’s usually a total fun-loving joker. I’m not sure I like the serious look on him.
“Sure, what’s up?”
“Not out here. It’s stopped raining, shall we go for a walk?”
I look around to see how many customers we have in the hope I can use them as an excuse, but the place is almost empty now.
“Yeah okay,” I agree with almost no enthusiasm. “Freya, you going to be okay for a bit?”
“Of course. Take your time.”
I make myself a coffee before following BJ out, clutching it in my hands as if it’s a lifeline. I’ve no idea what BJ might be about to tell me, but my stomach is in knots nonetheless.
“Here,” he says, and nods towards a dry patch on the wall. We sit and look out to the grey, angry sea. It pretty much represents my mood right now.
“I’m not sure I should be doing this,” he whispers after a long stretch of silence. “He told me not to.”
“Go on,” I encourage, more intrigued by what he has to say than I probably should be.
“Declan didn’t sleep with Georgia, Nic…I did.”
“You did?” I ask sceptically. Of course he’d try to pull that card, he’s Dec’s best friend.
“Yes. I’d been chasing her for a while and I think she only caved so she could hurt you two. I’m suddenly seeing a different side to her that I’m not so keen on.”
The fact that what he’s telling me could be true has my heart picking up speed. My palms start sweating as I begin to wonder if I’m the one in the wrong here—if I should have trusted Dec. Shit.
“This is all a little convenient don’t you think?” I ask, trying desperately to prove I’m right.
“I guess. But,” he pauses and grabs his phone, “look—”
“ARGH, that is not necessary,” I say, pushing the screen away from me as I desperately try to rid the image from my mind.
“I think it was. Declan’s not a bad person, and he cares about you. He’ll kick my arse when he finds out I’ve done this, but I can’t stick seeing him the way he is now. You need to talk to him.”
I drop my head and squeeze my eyes tight as I think about that morning and everything Dec has said since. He practically pleaded with me in front of everyone on Friday night that he was innocent, and I bluntly told him where to go. “Fuck. He’ll never forgive me for not trusting him,” I admit.
I feel the heat of BJ’s hand as he wraps it around mine and squeezes gently. “Yes he will. You guys have so much history that he’ll understand your reluctance to believe him.”
“You know about all that?”
“Yeah, he’s talked about you for years. I knew who you were the second you walked in our front door. Don’t ever tell him I told you this, but he’s got it bad for you, girl.”
A giant lump forms in my throat and stops me from responding. I just nod my head to show I’ve heard.
“And if you don’t mind me saying, I think the feeling’s pretty mutual, right?” I nod once again, my eyes beginning to fill with tears. “So you’ll talk to him?”
