Page 24 of Steeling Her
“What did you guys forg—Nick?” My eyes widen at the sight of him.What the hell is he doing here?I think to myself, just staring at him. Dark navy blue shirt clasps on to his muscles and black jeans hang nicely to his hips. Haley, he’s probably looking for Haley. “Um, Haley should be at the party?” I tell him quietly. I didn’t recognise my own voice one bit and cringe at the sound of it.
His eyes pierce through me, studying me, while both his hands rest on either side of the door. “Uh, I-I know . . . I actually came here to see you.” My heart starts to race at what he said. “Can I come in?” he asks, still staring at me. Those green eyes are so mesmerizing. I don’t know where to look.
I step to the side to allow him in and I awkwardly close the door. The smell of his cologne captures my nose, and I inhale slightly to keep the smell with me. He starts to walk over to the sofa and sits on it. I follow behind him and sit the other side. He scoots closer to me and I clear my throat, wondering why he’s here.
“Is everything okay?” I ask timidly afraid of the answer.
“Yeah . . . well, no . . . I just wanted to come over and apologize for the other day. Carter, I know what I said upset you. It wasn’t my intention. When I said you’re not that type of girl, I meant it as a compliment, but it came out as an insult from the context of the conversation. I get why you were offended.”
“Nick, its fine.” I rub the back of my neck awkwardly.
“It’s really not. You’re not ugly. I never thought you were, Carter. I didn’t mean to upset you. Haley told me tonight that it did and, since then, it’s been on my mind. So, I just thought I’d come over and explain my point of view after seeing it from yours . . .” I sit there in shock, just listening to him talk to me. He doesn’t think I’m ugly? His eyes never wavered from mine, only blinking. I can see he really is sorry.
“No, I probably overreacted. Honestly, it’s fine, Nick. You don’t need to apologize—”
“That’s the thing Carter, I do. I’m sorry I said that. I’m sorry I upset you. I really am.” I unknowingly take his hand in mine and I smile at him. I can see he’s beating himself up about it but it’s not news to me. I got over it and accepted it.
His hand squeezes mine as he looks down at them, intertwined. He laces his fingers with mine, and I feel my heart beating so fast. “Thank you. But honestly, it’s fine. It’s not the first time I’ve heard it,” I mumble that last part to myself as I stand up, letting go of him. I miss the warm touch of his skin on mine, but I need to stay away from him.
“What? What do you mean it’s not the first time? Someone has called you ugly before?” I hear the edge in his tone that makes him stand up alongside me, his build towering over mine. My eyes widen at the sight of him once more. His intimidating frame makes me step back a little. “Carter, has someone said that to you before?” I smile at him and fix my hair out of discomfort. I cough as I try to think of something to say but I come up blank. Why does he do this to me?
“Carter . . . you’re not ugly. Trust me on that. You’re the furthest thing from ugly; the complete opposite, in fact.” I feel the heat rise up in my cheeks at his words. His phone vibrates on the table, catching both of our attention. I see Maya written across the screen, wondering where he is.What’s the furthest thing from ugly?is what I want to ask him but it won’t come out.
“You should probably get back to the party . . . People are probably looking for you. I don’t want to keep you—” He takes my arm gently, and I spin to look up at him, wondering what he’s doing. We just stare at each other for what feels like forever, even though it’s only been a few minutes. My heart hammers away at my chest, feeling the energy from his touch.
“The party was boring. Can I stay here for a little while?” he asks me with a smile.
I return it. “Hiding from someone?” I manage to get out with a teasing tone. He laughs at this and I freeze at the sound of his laugh. I haven’t heard him laugh before and it’s so appealing. Seeing he has a single dimple on his left cheek, I stand there staring at him in wonder.He’s so good looking.
“Something like that, yeah. Do you mind?” I shake my head. “I won’t disturb you. You’re doing assignments, aren’t you?” I nod my head, still noticing his hand is holding my arm. I don’t think he has realised this yet. I don’t say anything because, to be honest, I don’t want him to let go.
“Yeah, well, I was trying to but it’s hard at the moment. I have to look up all these words and remember them. It’s boring, so I can play a movie for you if you want?” Hearing his phone buzz again and again, over and over, he shuts his eyes and lets go of my arm, reaching down to turn it off. I bite on my lip, feeling like a third wheel between him and his girlfriend.
“What class is it? Maybe I can help you? I might have taken it?” he asks, focusing his attention back to me. I stand there in shock. I won’t be able to concentrate with him helping me.
“Um, basic anatomy for physical therapists,” I tell him and he smiles back at me with a twinkle in his eye.
“You want to be a physical therapist?” he asks with a high pitch tone in his voice, almost like he doesn’t believe what he heard. I nod at him, putting my arm around my back and locking it into place with the other.
“I’m studying it too. I’ve actually done that class. I can give you my notes if you want? It’s hard but once you get the concepts you’ll be fine for the next few classes. Make sure you learn as much as you can. The exam is tough with a high failure rate. Do well in the assignments too. Get all the percentage you can going into the exam! Here, let me help you.” He takes my shoulders and backs me up, spinning me around and guiding me to the chair I was sitting in.
“I’m sure you have better things to be doing tonight than to help me, Nick . . .” I tell him over my shoulder as I sit down. He takes the seat next to me, looking at me with his boyish grin that would make any girl swoon, me included.
“It’s not like you’re keeping me here against my will. I want to help you.” He leans in closer to me and scrolls through the videos I looked up on YouTube. He opens another tab and types in another website for me. His arm brushes off my own every now and then.
“Wouldn’t your girlfriend mind that you’re not at the party?” I ask and he stops for a moment. His eyes scan mine, and I feel my breath catch in my throat.
He smiles at me and releases a breathy chuckle. “I don’t have a girlfriend, so there’s no need to worry about that Carter.” He continues typing on my laptop with a smile on his face.
He doesn’t have a girlfriend? Danielle was right.
But he has a choice of any girl on campus. I sigh mentally at that thought.Quit while you’re ahead, Carter. It’ll be painful if you don’t, I think to myself.We spent the next two hours talking about the course while I took down his advice as he’s three years ahead of me.
“You know what? Give me your phone.” I open up my phone and hand it to him. I lean over to see what he’s doing. I see him typing in a number and wonder who’s it is. Adding it to my contacts, he types in his name. I feel a pulse rip through my entire body.He’s giving me his number?He turns his phone back on and I can see the numerous messages and missed calls he’s got from people. Once it’s on, he presses call on my phone and I see my number come up on his. He clicks back in to his contact details and puts an arm around my shoulders, pulling me to his chest. Seeing he’s taking a selfie of us, I laugh and cover my face.
“Don’t do that. Come on, you look great!” He laughs, trying to take my hands away from my face but I squeal out a laugh.
“Oh God, I would break the screen with how I look right now.” I giggle into my hands.
