Page 51 of Until Now

“I seem to remember quite a few people who would disagree.”

“You’re all talk.”

“Wanna test that theory?” Voice velvety smooth. I know better than to make the first move. “C’mon, Teaggy. After all these years, after everything we did… Go ahead, hit me. I’ll give you one good shot before I beat the shit out of you.”

Teagan considers it. She can get at least one hit in before I beat her ass. Lee shakes his head telling her this is not a good idea. He knows it will end badly for one of us, and it’s not me. I can see the wheels turning in her head. Teagan glances at Nick who has his arm ready to grab me, just in case. It won’t do any good, she doesn’t know that though. Teagan turns as if she’s going to go inside and I deflate. I turn to Nick ready to figure out what in the hell is going on when —

SMACK.

The sting is in my cheek.

Everyone freezes.

Nick tries to grab me, but I’m quicker. I lunge at Teagan.

We fall into the grass, Teagan’s head landing centimeters from the concrete. Teagan cries when I punch her. She tries to hit back, tries to push me off, but I’m stronger. Teagan scratches my neck and cheek, leaving trails of blood, but it doesn’t phase me. She cries out and rips the necklaces from my neck using them as a whip, but I take them from her hand and toss them somewhere behind us.

“Are you just going to stand there?” I hear Eileen yell, but no one makes a move to intervene. Years of fake friendship and animosity have finally boiled over the surface and they don’t want to be caught in the crossfire.

“I find it best not to get in the middle,” Kai says.

“Help me, now!”

Within seconds, I’m lifted from the ground. Nick’s arms wrapped securely around me as he carries me away from Teagan. When he sets my feet back on the ground, he tries to check on me, but I push him away.

“Lee doesn’t want you, Nina. He never did. Not everyone wants you,” Teagan yells past Lee. “And clearly, neither does Nicky. I mean, he seemed to enjoy our time together.”

Time together? What in the fuck does that mean? This bitch needs to learn to stay away from—

“Nina,” Nick warns and I glare up at him. “Don’t. She’s just fucking with you.”

“You missed a good show.”

This fucking bitch.

“Don’t let her bait you.”

“You should’ve seen him when I started to take off—”

I break free and lunge again. This time, the part of me deep inside pushes its way to the surface. I shove Teagan into the side of the house — my fingers wrap around her throat. “Stay the hell away from him, you bitch. You can have Lee, he was a shitty boyfriend. But you will stay away from Nick. Do you hear me?”

She claws at my fingers. For the first time, I can see the fear swimming behind Teagan’s eyes. She is truly afraid and she should be. She nods quickly and slumps against the side of the house when I release my grasp.

Chapter Thirty-One

I hiss, touchingthe scratches on my shoulder, deeper than I thought. My purple camisole has been pulled from my shorts and my white jacket is covered in grass stains and blood. I won’t ever get that out. My knees are covered in dirt and grass, a cut on my right shin. I touch my neck where my necklaces used to be and sigh. I don’t recognize the woman in the mirror — this is not who I am anymore. I haven’t been that person in a long time. I haven’t let myself get that far out of control and I’m not proud of it. I hate that I let Lee and Teagan bring this side out of me.

From my peripheral vision, I see him in the doorway. He’s quiet. I’m sure he’s mad. What he just witnessed is evidence of the Nina Villa he’s heard so much about. The one he’s been waiting to make an appearance. This is the proof he’s searching for. I finally look away from the mirror to meet his gaze ready to see the “I told you so” look, but it’s not there. No, he is genuinely concerned.

“Are you alright?”

“Bene.”

“Here, let me help.” Nick reaches, but I step back. “C’mon, Dee. We need to get you cleaned up.” He wets a washcloth and lifts it to my cheek waiting for the okay. When I don’t pull away, he wipes gently. After my cheek, he pushes the jacket from my shoulders and grimaces. “What are her nails made out of metal or something? Where are the band-aids? We need to cover these.” I motion to the linen closet.

After he cleans and covers the scratches on my shoulder, he brings pajamas for me to change into. He kisses my forehead and starts to leave, but I stop him. “What happened, Nick?”

“What do you mean?”

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