Page 60 of Told You So
He smiles and hands another patron a beer.
“Youareflirting with me. Trying to get me in bed, huh?” He laughs at himself again and slides off his stool. “All right. I need to get back to Marilyn and Monroe anyway. I haven’t fed them today.”
I glance up at Brady. “What do I owe—”
“You’re good, don’t worry about it,” he says and waves my question away. He mouths athank you, and I reach for Nick’s hand to steady him. Instead, he wraps his arm around me and we head out the door.
“You know, Bethany, you and me—we’re a good team. We’re killin’ it on our project. And look, you can even carry me.” He motions like he’s going to jump in my arms, and I nearly have a heart attack.
“Let’snottry that,” I say desperately, bracing my hand on him. “I think I’d hurt us both.”
He just laughs and we make our way out to my car.
Nick’s silent the entire ride home, and at one point I wonder if he’s sleeping. When I pull up to his apartment, though, I realize he’s just staring out the window. His eyelids are drooping, but he’s awake, lost somewhere in his mind.
“We’re home,” I say softly, and shut off the engine.
“I like the sound of that,” he says with a languid smile and opens the door to climb out. Hurrying around the car, I let Nick lean on me, praying for an eventless climb up the stairs. Thankfully, other than his added weight against me, we make our way effortlessly to the front door.
I help Nick with the lock, and the moment we’re inside his apartment, he sighs. It’s cold, like always. “Do you want a fire or do you want your bed?”
“Is that a proposition?” He tries to waggle his eyebrows, but I can tell his heart isn’t in it anymore. It would seem the fun-loving Nick Turner can’t turn off the charm, even when he’s drunk as a skunk and miserable.
Taking his hand, I lead him into his bedroom. I’ve never been inside it before, but it’s much like I’d expected. An oversized queen bed, dresser, and side tables to match. Perfectly coordinated sheets, drapes, and an accent rug, but his clothes are scattered around the room. I imagine it might mirror whatever is going on in this life right now.
Pulling back the covers, I motion for him to get in. He looks at me, but I’m not sure he really sees me as he starts to undress.
“I’m—uh—gonna get you some water. I’ll be right back.” I head for the kitchen, searching his cabinets for a barf bowl, just in case. I grab some ibuprofen and fill a glass of water. When I’m certain I’ve given him plenty of time to climb into bed, I head back in.
Nick’s already between the sheets, lying on his side with his eyes open. It’s surreal to see him so still and quiet. “Are you thirsty?” I stop beside his bed.
He shakes his head, but I put the glass to his mouth anyway. “Just a few sips, at least.”
Nick doesn’t argue and shuts his eyes as he takes a gulp, then another. I’m not sure I’d be as obedient if I was as drunk as he is.
When he’s finished, he looks at me. “I didn’t feed the fish.”
I set the glass down on his side table. “I’ll feed them for you before I leave.” Smiling, I sit on the bed next to him. “Don’t worry, your guppies are in good hands.”
“Only give them a pinch,” he says quietly. His voice is low but soft. “They’re greedy bastards.”
“One pinch—got it.” I run my fingers through his hair, unable to resist Nick like this. He seems so fragile and vulnerable when he’s not smiling and laughing and putting on a show for everyone. I wonder who Nick really is beneath all that, then I realize, I already know.
“That feels good,” he says with a little moan.
“Jesse likes it, too. He always falls asleep.”
Nick sighs. “Jesse’s awesome.”
A small smile pulls at my mouth. “Yeah, he is.” The way Nick cares about him makes my heart so full, the backs of my eyes sting, just a little. “You’re pretty awesome, too,” I whisper.
I watch the way his hair falls from between my fingers, and after a few breaths, I think he might even be asleep.
I stand up to go.
“Stay,” he whispers. “For a little bit?”
He has no idea how badly I want to, despite myself. “Yeah, sure.”
