Page 3 of Diverge

“No, honestly, it’s fine. My house is just a fifteen-minute walk anyway. I’ll text you when I get home. You stay and have fun.” I continue on my path when I hear Nate speak.

God, can I just get out of here!?

“I can drop you off if you like. I have to head that way anyway and pick up my brother from practice,” he says. It’s cute how much he cares and does for his brother. I’ve always admired that about Nate.

“Are you sure? I really don’t want to overstep or anything.” I sigh and look from Riley to Nate. He chuckles and shakes his head.

“B, it’s no trouble.” He looks to Riley, who nods.

“Make sure you text me. If you don’t, I will be knocking on your door in the middle of the night to make sure you’re okay.” Riley points a finger at me and instantly makes me feel like a little kid. I roll my eyes at him and make my way to Nate’s Jeep.

I’ve known Nate for a few months now since he has been hanging out with my brother. They do mixed martial arts together, and I think that’s all I really know about him. Other than the fact that he absolutely adores his younger brother, Noah. Pulling out of Grace’s parents’ estate, we make our way through the dirt roads covered in trees. You wouldn’t think you could find such a huge estate so close to the city, but I guess that’s what being rich can get you. I look down at my hands in my lap and pick at the skin on the sides of my nails. I try to steady my breathing as anger surges like a tidal wave inside me.

How dare he just come back and pretend like nothing happened?

Arrogant prick.

“What was that back there?” Nate’s deep voice breaks the silence, interrupting my thoughts.

“What do you mean?” I pretend not to know because it’s easier than spilling my deepest secrets.

“I’m not blind. You were fine before Finn showed up, and as soon as you exchanged words with him, you wanted to bail on the party.” He glances over at me, and there’s a hint of light that flashes in his dark green eyes as we start passing streetlights. Nate is ridiculously attractive. Dark curly hair that falls to his eyes from the top with a shorter cut at the bottom of his head. He’s wearing a leather jacket with a white tee underneath. Also completely covered in tattoos from his neck to his hands.

The perfect bad-boy image.

“I’d rather not talk about it.” I look at my phone and see a text pop up from Grace.

BESTIE

Locking my phone, I look outside and watch the trees and streetlights pass as we continue driving.

“Do you actually need to go home, or was that just an excuse to get out of there?” He pushes on as he turns his head to give me a smirk. A smile breaks through my icy exterior. I can’t help it, he’s charming. “So, does that mean you wouldn’t mind coming with me to pick up my brother? I think there’s still the second half of the game to go.” His warm smile makes me feel completely safe.

“I guess I have a spare forty minutes.” I smile back. “For Noah.”

He chuckles as he makes a turn. “Noted.”

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