Page 44 of Wine & Whiskey: Everything for You
Nathan puts his hands up and shakes his head, the first time Nick’s seen fear in his eyes. Fuck. He’s pushed it too far. But God damn, he’s got a lot of fucking nerve standing up for a bastard who makes a sweet angel think her baby’s dead.
“I’m not. What he did was unforgivable, but that doesn’t mean I want any more violence.”
He can’t sit here and listen to any more of this bullshit. “I’m going to check on Shae.”
“Wait.”
Nick crosses his arms, hiding the fists he can’t seem to unfurl. He’s got to get his shit together for Shae. No matter what Nathan says, he can’t let her get upset or have himself be the cause of it. “What?”
“Carrie and I are getting married in a few weeks, and Evan was supposed to be my best man. He’s not anymore, of course, but if something happens to him…” Nathan swallows hard and sucks in a deep breath. “All of our family and friends will be upset. Don’t do that to Carrie. Don’t ruin our wedding.”
His temper cools at Carrie’s name. A good person like Nathan, she’s the only ally he’s had in his relationship with Shae, and she deserves her happiness too. He may be a dick, but he would never do anything to upset her. “I promised Shae I wouldn’t. Evan’s safe for now, unless he hurts her again.”
“Thank you.” Nathan’s shoulders slump in relief, and he glances over his shoulder. “You know those two have been best friends since they were in kindergarten. They may love us, but they aren’t going to let either of us come between them. “
His long-ago promise to Carrie still stands. Even if it destroys him, he’ll step aside before he’d make Shae choose. “I would never try.”
Nathan nods his head. “I don’t want to keep arguing with you. You guys are getting married and having a baby. I can’t change that.”
Begrudging acceptance, but at least they have it. One less friend for Shae to have to fight against for her happiness. “No one can.”
“Then we have to get along. At least try anyway. For them.”
Now, it’s his turn to issue a demand. “Fine, but one more thing. I heard you arguing this morning with Carrie. Don’t be shitty with her because you’re pissed at me. She’s stuck in the middle and doesn’t deserve it.”
“You’re right. None of this is her fault.” Nathan takes another long drink of his beer and sits down on the edge of the bed. “What do you want from Shae?”
More philosophical than antagonizing, Nathan’s question is more complicated than his answer. “Nothing.”
“So, when she’s away on tour or on a movie set for twelve hours a day for months at a time, you’ll be okay with that?” Nathan shrugs his shoulders before shaking his head. “You’re more like Evan than you want to admit. He didn’t want her to do those things either.”
The other thought he always pushes out of his mind. Not wanting to imagine what it would be like to be away from her. A small taste for the four weeks he was a stubborn asshole, he returned to his old ways. Only existing. Only surviving because her love still engulfed him, even when he tried to deny it. “The difference is I would fucking slit my own throat before I would do anything to purposely hurt her. No matter how much it kills me or how much I’d miss her, I would never stop her from doing what she wants to do.”
Nathan watches him as he finishes off his whiskey and meets his gaze. “She would, you know. She would give it all up for you if you ask her to because she loves you. I mean hell, she risked her life when she thought you needed saving. There’s nothing she wouldn’t do for you. Or for any of us. Be careful not to put her in that position.”
“I won’t.” Nick drops back down in the chair and swivels it toward the bed. “I respect you, Nathan. I know you’re a good man.”
“But?”
“No buts. You do what you think is right, even if it isn’t easy or popular.”
Rolling his eyes, Nathan smirks at him. “Yeah, so then how did I end up being the asshole in this situation? You’re the criminal, but somehow, I’m the bad guy.”
Nick can’t help but laugh at the irony. “You could join my team. I’d be glad to put you to work.”
“No thanks. I’m good.”
Nick glances down at his buzzing phone. Son of a bitch. Every nerve in his body throbs at the number on the screen. He turns back to Nathan. “Give me a minute.”
Nathan nods and walks out of the room.
“This is Nick.”
“Mr. DeMarco, this is Marilyn Chastain, from Arbor Meadows. I need to speak with you about your father. Would you be able to come to the facility today?”
His hand flies to his gun tucked in his back waistband, and he strides to the door. Shae’s just down the hall. He can get to her in four seconds if he has to. “Has his condition changed?”
“This is a matter best discussed in person—”
