Page 55 of Keep My Heart
‘Where are the girls?’ Jason asks Nash.
‘They’re coming up later today. They didn’t want to sit around here while we drink and talk sports. They’re back at Dad’s place, baking stuff for the party. Callie insisted on making all the desserts. Jen and Kira are helping and Ivy offered to clean up.’
‘Those are your girlfriends?’ I ask, looking at Nash.
‘Yeah. Callie’s my fiancé. Kira is Austin’s girl.’ Nash points to Bryce. ‘He’s dating Jen and Jake’s with Ivy, although I still don’t understand why. I think she could do better.’
‘What the hell?’ Jake yells from the bar. ‘I was Chicago’s most eligible bachelor! I’m a fucking catch!’
‘Was he really Chicago’s most eligible bachelor?’ I ask.
‘Yes.’ Nash rolls his eyes. ‘And he loves bringing it up.’
‘When’s your dad getting here?’ Nick asks Nash.
‘He’s already here. He’s helping your dad set up the barn.’
‘Mom’s gonna see his truck and know something’s up,’ Nick says.
Nash shakes his head. ‘Your dad got one of her friends to take her out to lunch and then to the salon to get her hair done.’
‘How do you know this shit and we don’t?’ Brody asks.
‘He probably didn’t even think to tell us,’ Nick says. ‘He’s too busy trying to get this party put together. I haven’t even talked to him since I got into town. I texted him and just got something back saying he’d see me at the party.’
‘Same here,’ Jason says. ‘He hasn’t talked to me in days. Bet he’ll be glad when this party’s over.’
‘I think I’ll go,’ I say to Nick, ‘so you can spend time with your family.’
‘You don’t have to go. Stay and hang out with us.’
‘Aren’t you going to the party?’ Nash asks.
‘Yeah, why don’t you come?’ Nick says to me.
‘It’s for family. I’d feel out of place.’
‘It’s not just family,’ Jason says. ‘It’s friends too, and you’re Nick’s friend, so consider yourself invited.’
It’s really nice of them to invite me, but I don’t think I should go. It seems like something a girlfriend would do, and I’m not Nick’s girlfriend. I’m just a girl from his past. And I should probably spend time with my mom. I’ve barely seen her since I got into town.
‘Thanks, but I think my mom already has plans for us this afternoon.’
‘You can at least stay and finish your beer,’ Nick says.
‘Okay.’ I give him a smile, noticing how far away from me he’s standing. And he hasn’t held my hand since we got here. He’s been really affectionate with me since we started fake dating, but now he’s staying away from me. Is it because of what happenedback at my mom’s house? Or does he just not want to be that way with me in front of his family? I guess I can understand why. If we’re not really dating, it’d seem odd for his family to see us holding hands or standing close.
‘Let’s go have a seat,’ Nash says, heading to the bar.
We go over there and Nash starts telling Nick about one of the projects he’s working on. Then Nick tells him about his job in New York and how he’s been working extra hours, trying to make partner. I join in now and then but mostly keep quiet, just listening and drinking my beer. Brody and Bryce are talking on the other side of me and Jake and Sawyer are behind the bar talking. They’re all really loud, talking and laughing, but I like it. It feels comfortable, like I’m surrounded by family.
‘So Lyndsay,’ Nash says. ‘What do you do around here?’
‘Oh, I’m just here to see my mom. I live in California now.’
‘She’s a bookkeeper,’ Nick says, smiling at me. ‘And she teaches yoga.’
‘You married?’ Nash asks. ‘Got any kids?’
