Page 38 of Never With You
“I need the remote.”
That’s one item that’s never lost in the mess. I walk over to my dad’s recliner, where it’s always left, and fetch it for her. “Let me get you some medicine.”
As I return to the kitchen, the door opens, and Nate walks in, holding Caroline’s backpack.
My stomach completely bottoms out.
This is thelastversion of me I want Nate to witness.
“Caroline left her…” He holds up the backpack as he steps inside, but his words trail as his gaze darts around the messy kitchen.
“Don’t say anything,” I snap preemptively. “I know it’s disgusting, but it’s not my problem anymore.”
An emotion I can’t name passes through Nate’s expression. It leans closer to gentleness than anything I’ve seen from him before. “I wasn’t going to say anything. I was just bringing in her backpack.” He sets the bag down and turns around, heading for the door. “I’ll wait for you in the car.”
My lungs deflate from relief when he walks back out.
What a nightmare.
I go to the cupboard where my mom keeps the medicine and get what Caroline needs. With a glass of Sprite and a bowl on her lap in case she throws up, I kiss my sister on the forehead, tell her Mom will be home soon, and say my goodbyes.
While climbing through the laundry room obstacle course, my phone rings. It’s Camila.
“Hey,” I answer. “I can’t talk right now. I’m with Nate at my parents’ house. Can I call you later?”
“You’re with Nate at your parents’ house? I need more details. You can’t leave me on that cliffhanger.”
I open the door and step down the garage stairs. My eyes collide with Nate’s. What could he possibly be thinking about me after this whole experience? Whatever it is, I’m sure I’ll find out soon enough. He’ll hang it over my head for the rest of my life.
“I told you I can’t talk right now. You’ll have to wait.”
“Did you tell him about the dream? Is that why you’re at your parents' house together?”
I punch in the garage code, half distracted. “What dream?”
Camila doesn’t answer.
“Mil, you there?”
Then I hear her voice. Except, it’s not coming through my speaker. My phone is now connected to Nate’s Bluetooth in the truck, and Camila is just gabbing away. I hear her voice but can’t make out the words—most likely something about the supply closet dream.
An unspeakable tragedy.
My eyes shoot to him and the slow grin spreading across his lips.
“No, no, no!” I fumble with my phone, trying to disconnect the Bluetooth. When I can’t, I just end the call. Cut the embarrassment off at the knees.
My head hangs as I suck in a sharp breath.
I hate this day.
With all the confidence I can muster, I walk to Nate’s truck and climb inside.
He doesn’t immediately say anything, but I know it will come.
“You good?”
I can hear the amusement in his voice, but I don’t look in his direction. “Yep.”
