Chapter 18
18
18 years old - Nick
I slide open the door to the patio, armed with a cup of coffee in one hand and a pack of cigarettes in the other. I can see why Tabitha’s dad chose to stay here after the divorce. It’s so peaceful here that it’s almost ironic Lily and I were both so explosive last night. The people from Radinger usually drive up here for a weekend getaway to get some peace and quiet.
The sunrays warm up my naked upper body as I wear nothing else but a pair of boxers and my jeans from last night. Leaning on the patio fence, I sit cross-legged and put my coffee next to my knee. It’s still pretty early, 8:57 a.m., according to my phone screen. I unlock my phone and scroll mindlessly through social media as I finish my cigarette, my head still aching from the lack of sleep.
I didn’t have to wonder long whether Lily had a shit night or not after she went back to Elsham Cove. The picture on my feed tells me everything I need to know.
It looks like they were hanging out inside the pool house turned Bryce’s bachelor pad. Although you can only see half of his smiling face, you can almost see every inch of the tattoo on his arm that’s holding the phone that must be taking this picture. Behind him Lily is grinning widely, showing her perfect white teeth. She holds her fingers up in a peace sign. Next to her is Sienna’s brother, wearing a baseball cap backward with a smirk on his face. I’ve never seen them together since Bryce doesn’t run in the same circle as Cameron anymore, but I know they used to be football buddies in high school. And finally, although he is at the back on the couch, a fourth person is also in the picture. It must be Bryce’s friend from yesterday. Landon or something? Just like Lily and Bryce, this guy also looks like he was having a good time. His green eyes are gleaming in the photo and his tongue is out. I zoom in on him. Is that a tab of acid on his tongue? Were they doing drugs? Was she tripping on acid?
Pinching the bridge of my nose, I let out a long breath and run a hand through my hair before resting it on the back of my neck. Relax, Nick. It’s fucking nothing. Bryce wouldn’t let her do shit like that. It takes everything in me not to pick up the phone and fucking yell at her. She should have just thanked Bryce for picking her up and gone straight to her room instead of hanging out with two college guys and a fucking drug dealer in her pool house. But I don’t want to make things worse.
Taylor appears from the sliding door, opening it slightly further. He lifts his arms to stretch them out and yawns, his face looking much more rested than mine. “Thanks for taking care of the mess, man. You really didn’t have to do that,” he says as he stands in front of me, armed with a coffee mug of his own.
“Don’t worry about it. Lily left, and I had nothing to do.”
“That bad, huh?”
I shrug and take two cigarettes out of the pack, offering one to Taylor. “It was alright by the end. We will talk tomorrow, but she just needs a breather first. She texted me to tell you guys sorry.”
“She texted me, too.” Behind him, Tabitha appears, her hair wet from a shower she probably just took. Out of the three of us, she looks the least hungover. She stands next to Taylor and gets on her tiptoes, giving him a peck on the cheek.
“You know you were out of line last night, right?” She continues speaking, “We could hear your conversation from our room.” I nod. I can’t believe I told her I hated her.
“You do know that Sienna really has it out for Lily, right? Even before you entered the picture?” I nod again.
Not my best moment, but I knew exactly what I was doing when I slept with Sienna. I knew they had some beef over some stupid shit regarding parking spots at the start of the school year. Ever since then, they have been passive-aggressive toward one another. When I found out that one of the hottest girls at school not only liked me but also hated Lily’s guts, I thought I would seize the moment and use it to my advantage. Consequences be damned. Like I said, hormones.
Although I was always open to Sienna that I didn’t want to be in a relationship, deep inside, I knew she wanted more. Most probably to rub it in Lily’s face. I should have stopped sleeping with her when I realized that it could get messier than it already was. The fact that Lily got caught in the middle the moment Sienna posted that photo still leaves a bitter taste every time I think about it. Her mother basically blames her for it spreading like wildfire. If Bryce hadn’t defended Lily the way he did, Astrid would have probably kicked her out of the house.
As if Tabitha read my mind, she continues with her attack. “You know that Sienna is why her mother hates her, right? If Sienna wasn’t so angry and jealous, she would have never posted that for everyone to see.” She crosses her arms over her chest and huffs. Now it’s Taylor’s turn to elbow Tabitha, signaling her to stay out of it.
Her last comment makes my mood almost as sour as last night’s. I know I haven’t been the best boyfriend lately, but she hasn’t been Mother Teresa, either. “You do know she has also been avoiding talking about her feelings with me, right? You both don’t fucking get it. You’re spending every single second of every day together and after graduation, you both will still be doing the same thing. Lily and I won’t be together after this. We both know it’s going to be shit,” I yell at her, much to Taylor’s shock. “And I don’t know, maybe we’re self-sabotaging or something.”
“You do kn?—"
I cut her off, unable to handle another annoying you-do-know sentence from her. “I have a plan, Tabs. I just don’t know how to say it to her yet. I haven’t found the right moment since we’ve been fighting all the time.”
I tell the two of them about my intention to follow her to Europe and work my ass off so that I can have the money to finish my studies there. I also inform them about the fact that I registered myself for online French classes last night. If our rough patch taught me anything, it’s that I would rather have a yelling and screaming Lily than no Lily at all.
“Pack your bags, man,” Taylor tells me, already walking back to the cabin. Tabitha follows closely behind him, both grinning from ear to ear. “It sounds like you need to go drive back and make up with your girlfriend.” I roll my eyes. Taylor has always been so cheesy. The fact that he found a girl who is equally cheesy as him is a damn miracle.
“We already said we would hash it out once I’m back tomorrow,” I state, following them inside. Tabitha is already looking for my duffle bag inside the guest bedroom. “Besides, what will you guys do here without me?” I ask sarcastically.
“We’ll be just fine without you,” Tabitha answers, winking at Taylor. “I bet she’d love a big romantic gesture. Go to her house unannounced and bring flowers or something. Tell her you can’t live without her before one of Bryce’s friends steals her away from you. Did you see the picture he posted? Bryce and his friends all look so fucking hot, even Sienna’s brother.” Taylor punches Tabitha’s arm playfully, and she gives him a reassuring kiss. I stick two fingers inside my mouth and imitate a gagging motion. Deep inside, she struck a chord.
“Alright, I’ll go back,” I tell them. “But only because I don’t want to be alone in this place while hearing you both fuck each other’s brains out tonight.”