Page 83 of Until Now

“I don’t think so. I mean, he’s been practically avoiding her since they got back. Alex has been the one dealing with her. Nick’s been in the garage most of the time, Josh goes over to help when he can and he says Nick doesn’t know why she’s here, but he doesn’t really care. To Nick, they really are just friends.”

“She thinks if she sticks around long enough he’ll give her a go.”

“Precisely.”

“Nin, have you talked since he got home?”

“No, but I talked to Alex yesterday.” I’ve called Alex every few days to check in on his dad — make sure they don’t need anything. Each time, I’m told I’ve already done enough.

“Don’t you think you should?” Elizabeth asks.

No.

No, I don’t think I should.

There is too much to talk about, too much to deal with. I’d rather not.

“There’s a lot you guys need to talk about it. I mean, you still haven’t even told us what happened in Haven. So, I know you haven’t talked to him about it.”

Typical Elizabeth, calling me out.

“Alex says he’s fine. I told him to let me know if they need anything. Nick’s busy, I don’t want to get in the way.”

“Honestly, Nin, I think you’re the only one who wouldn’t be in the way.”

Chapter Forty-Eight

I have writtenand deleted text messages to Nick over and over again for the last hour. I can never quite find the right words — I mean, what am I supposed to say? We haven’t spoken since Savannah and I don’t want to have that conversation.

That’s a lie.

If it wasn’t for Sheyenne, I probably would have driven over there already. Regardless of what anyone says, she showed up while his dad is in the hospital. She flew from Massachusetts to South Carolina at the drop of a hat. You don’t just do that for someone who is only your friend. Someone who you just met. The whole thing just doesn’t sit right with me.

But, I’m worried about Nick. I know he isn’t taking care of himself. I’ve heard enough from Elizabeth and Alex to know he’s barely sleeping, barely eating, and working nonstop.

So, against my better judgment…I call.

I don’t think he’s going to answer. It’s been ringing for what seems like an eternity. Where is the voicemail? And then, “Hello?” He doesn’t know it’s me, that much is obvious by his tone. His voice echoes slightly, he must be working.

“Hey.”

There’s a scuffle on the other end. I imagine him rolling out from underneath the car he’s working on to see if his ears are playing tricks on him. When he speaks, his voice is closer, “Dee?”

I smile at the nickname. “Hi, I uh…I just wanted to check on you.”

“Oh. Um, we’re good. Yeah, things are fine.”

“That’s not what I meant, Nick.”

I wonder if anyone has checked on him during all of this. Of course, everyone wonders how Jimmy is and if he needs anything. But, has anyone checked on the boys? Even when I talk to Alex, I’m mostly asking about Jimmy.

I start to ask him again, but Nick cuts me off, “Can I see you?”

§

He parks outside my office thirty minutes later, but he doesn’t come inside. From the hallway, I can see the same Gulfstream Aqua Mustang from years ago parked along the curb and imagine him debating whether he is actually going to come in. He doesn’t know I’ve seen him. I won’t blame him if he doesn’t go through with it. To be honest, I was a little shocked when he asked, but I couldn’t say no. I wanted to see him too. I mean, is it a good idea? Probably not. It has the potential to make things much worse. What did he think was going to happen tonight? Could we really just push everything to the wayside and act like there aren’t about five different elephants in the room? Even if we tried, things are bound to come up.

If he did leave, I wonder what excuse he would try to use? Alex needed help. No, Alex would never cover for him, not to me. The hospital called. No, I would call Jimmy, check on him. He needed to finish working. That’s the most likely one.

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