Page 26 of Wine & Whiskey: Everything for You
Tears prick her eyes as she reaches over the console and pulls him to her. Never again will she doubt his intentions. He proves over and over the immensity of his love, his protective and thoughtful nature more than she can ever understand, but can’t live without. “Thank you for taking care of me. I love you so much.”
His hand curls around the nape of her neck while the other caresses her back. “I love you too, sweetness.”
After a few minutes, she forces herself to release him, to lose his comforting touch. “We better get going so you’re not late.”
As she buckles her seatbelt, he swipes his phone and holds it up to his ear. “We’re about five minutes out. Are the guys in place? All ten? Don’t fuck this up.” Turning to face the window, he lowers his voice, but the hardness still rings through. “She doesn’t leave unless it’s with me or Max. No one else. You got me? No fuck ups like last time.” He drops his cell into the cradle and starts the ignition before taking her hand again.
She sandwiches his fingers between hers, welcoming the tenderness held between the pinkness mingling with the warm hues of his olive skin. Wishing he was as gentle with himself and his team as he is with her. “You don’t have to be so hard on him. Carter surprised all of us.”
His gaze never leaves the windshield as he nods. “I know.”
Carrie stands outside the house, waving to them, a hesitant smile curling on her lips. Unable to wait for Nick to open her door, she hops out and runs to her friend. The welcoming scent of green apple Jolly Ranchers wafts over her as they hug. “I’ve missed you.”
“Me too.” Carrie’s cheek rubs against her hair as her friend nods. “Hey, Nick.”
“Hi. It’s good to see you.”
“You too.” She steps back and grabs Shae’s hand. “Come inside, and we’ll catch up. We need to figure out your outfits for the photo shoot on Friday.”
“What photo shoot?” Nick’s voice brims with uncertainty behind her.
Turning back to him, she’s greeted by his hand rubbing across his forehead. “I almost forgot. We’re doing the publicity shots for the AVAs.” She can’t help but smile at his blank look. Her world just as confusing as his. “The American Video Awards. It’s next month. I’m performing and presenting the New Artist Award. We do funny pictures with our co-presenters and other performers to promote the show.” She caresses his cheek, trying to soften the clenching of his jaw. “Don’t worry. I’ll be fine. You can even come with me if you want.”
“I’ll be back as soon as I can. I love you.” A shiver runs up her spine at the brooding in his eyes when he kisses her goodbye. The faint whisper of “fuck” under his breath as he closes the car door.
“What’s that about?”
She accepts Carrie’s hand again, letting her lead them into the house. Rather than chase after him and try to ease the anxiety he bears for her. Because of her. That he won’t allow her to relieve. “He thinks I’m doing too much. You know how he worries.”
Her friend smirks, her bubbly laugh bouncing through the hallway before they enter her old bedroom. A comforting feeling, yet not quite as cozy as before. Not really her home anymore. Not without Nick. “What? Nick worry? Nooooo…”
She doesn’t hold back her smile at the teasing. It feels good to relax, to laugh a little bit. Feel normal, if only for a few minutes. “Come on. Let’s see what Sabrina sent over.”
After an hour of playing dress-up, Carrie scribbles on her notepad, listing the last shoe/gown combo. “I think that’s it. I’m glad you went with the yellow. It looks good with your—”
A faint buzz echoes from the kitchen, alerting them to a visitor at the gate seeking admission to the neighborhood. Her gaze meets Carrie’s frown. Nick can’t be back already. “Who’s that?”
Carrie shakes her head and drops the papers and marker onto the bedspread. “I have no idea. I’ll check.”
Before she can stand up, Nathan steps into the doorway. Doubt flickers in his normally confident expression as he glances from Carrie to her. “It’s Jason.”
Heat flushes her body. All this time, after everything she’s gone through, and now, he shows up. She swallows, trying to bring back moisture to her suddenly parched mouth. “Why?”
“He’s worried and wants to talk to you.”
“How does he even know I’m here?”
“I told him. I’m sorry if you didn’t want me to, but he called after you were in the hospital. It was all over the news, and he was freaking out.” Nathan’s gaze flicks to the floor, even more unnerving than looking her in the eye, because she knows she won’t like what he says next. “He said he knew it would be a bad idea to go to Nick’s.”
Another jab against the man she loves. The flames move to her cheeks. He still can’t accept her decision, and she can’t deal with him today. Her heart unable to withstand any more abuse. “No.”
His eyes widen. Not expecting her to disagree. Not be her normal, docile self. Which she’ll probably regret later. But right now, hurt overrides her manners. “Come on, Shae. He’s here. Just talk to him. All he wants—”
“Enough Nathan.” Carrie stands up, her cheeks spiking rose under her honey tan. “She doesn’t need any pressure from him. Or you.”
Now, his face reddens, his chin lifting, ready to argue. “It’s not pressure. He’s—”
Guilt swells in her stomach at her friends arguing over her. Again. “I’ll talk to him.”
