Page 61 of Until Now

“Give him the phone. Please.”

After a long pause, Alex is back, “I’m sorry.” A door closes loudly in the background and I know Nick is gone.

“What do you need, Alex?”

“Um, I just…I-I want to know what happened.”

“Shouldn’t you be asking your brother about this?”

“He won’t talk to anyone, not even me. My brother always talks to me! We don’t hide things from each other.” I pick at the fresh paint on my nails. “Look, I know something happened. He’s been acting out since they got here.”

“Alex, just let it go.”

”He’s been out partying and getting into fights. Sometimes, he doesn’t even come home.”

“I don’t feel comfortable talking to you about this.” How am I supposed to tell him what happened when I don’t even know what really happened? I’m still trying to understand what changed between us in a matter of hours. I notice a blonde head peek inside the door. She’s carrying food from Java Fountain. “I’m sorry, I have to go.” I hang up before Alex can say anymore.

“Who was that?” Michaela asks.

“No one.” I can’t remember the last time I felt so many emotions in one phone call. My body vibrates with adrenaline. What did Alex expect from that phone call? If his brother wants to go out and party, there’s nothing I can do about it. If he wants to hook up with a new girl every night, nothing is stopping him. When he left Haven, he left me.

“You good?” Michaela falls into the chair across from me. “Look kinda pale.”

“What do you want, Michaela?”

“Well, you’ve been locked in here all day without food or water,” she sets a fresh iced water and salad in front of me. “So, I figured you could use some.”

“I’m fine, Mic.”

“Keep telling yourself that.”

“I just need to finish these last few things, otherwise we won’t get the furniture for Sarah, and then— Shit! I need to send Hannah the design for approval.”

“Nina, stop. I already took care of Hannah and we have until tomorrow to order for Sarah.” Michaela pushes the food closer, “Come on, eat.”

I relent opening the salad and take a bite. “Happy?”

“Yes, thank you.”

“What else?”

“Huh?”

“You’re doing that thing when you need to tell me something,” I say while taking a bite of salad. Michaela has never been very good at hiding things. She’s always the first to crack when it comes to family secrets. If you don’t want the rest of the world to know something, don’t tell Michaela. “Your nose flares, you chew on your lip, and crack your thumbs.”

“I do not!”

“Dai, versa il tè.” She hates how well I know her. Taking a sip of water, I continue, “C’mon, spill.”

“Well, you know, the wedding is coming up in like two weeks.”

Seriously? That’s what this is about?

“Are you still going?”

“Of course, I’m going.” What kind of question is that? Of course I’m going to Elizabeth’s wedding. It’s Elizabeth. My best friend. My sister. Nothing could keep me from this wedding.

“Well, you know…It’s just that…”

---