Chapter 41
OCTOBER 14 – TUESDAY 6:12 PM
R en
Wow, this vehicle was fancy. The stretch SUV could’ve easily held three times the amount of people. The guys were laughing and chatting as they ate hors d’oeuvres and sipped their drinks. All except Nash. Sitting at the far end of the limo, he hadn’t moved in ten minutes.
He looked like the boss, staring out the window with his elbow on the door and finger touching his chin, in his car with his men and the weight of the world pressing on his shoulders.
I hated that my heart hurt and worried so much about someone who callously caused me pain, and yet…there was a part of me that understood him. Liam said he was scared. I didn’t think Nash knew what the word meant, but when I looked at him—and he wasn’t trying to mask what he was thinking—I could see it. Freaking Liam.
Smirking, I pulled out my phone and scrolled down to his name.
R: What are you thinking so hard about? Sit like that for too long, and someone is going to paint you.
Nash dug into his pocket for his phone and then glanced up at me, smirking.
NASHOLE: Only if you’re the one holding the brush.
For such a little comment, it hit like Cupid’s arrow. I almost tossed my phone back into my clutch. Dangerous. He was dangerous to my heart, my sanity and my soul. The definition of insanity was doing the same thing over and over, expecting a different result, so apparently he’d already corrupted one of the three.
Ren: I’m not sure you could hold still that long.
NASHOLE: Are you naked while painting me? If you’re naked, then no, but otherwise, you’d be surprised what I can do.
I shook my head but couldn’t stop smirking at my phone.
Ren: You’re ridiculous.
NASHOLE: Maybe, but you were the one watching me. Careful, I might think you’re starting to forgive me.
R: I noticed you. That’s different. Watching is like stalking. I’m definitely not stalking you.
NASHOLE: You can stalk me right into my bedroom if you like. I’ll even leave the door unlocked just for you.
R: Sounds unsafe. You never know who is prowling around. You could end up with a sleepwalking Myles in bed, spooning you.
I glanced up and pressed my lips together to keep from laughing as he grimaced at his phone. Nash looked up at me and shook his head.
NASHOLE: You haven’t answered the question.
R: You didn’t ask a question?
NASHOLE: Yes, I did. You know what I’m talking about.
R: Maybe you should ask a doctor.
NASHOLE: A doctor? Why the hell do I need a doctor?
R: To check out that itchy and annoying rash.
NASHOLE: What the hell are you talking about? I don’t have a rash.
Texting with Nash was always so much fun. I couldn’t believe how much I’d missed these insane chats with him. But seeing his facial expressions was priceless.
R: Sure you do.
NASHOLE: No, I don’t.
R: Pretty sure you do.
NASHOLE: I swear to God, Princess. Don’t make me march across this limo.
R: That would be ridiculous. I can picture it now. You all mad, stomping, but having to bend over like you’re in a Hobbit house while you rant about not having a rash. Please do it. I want to see what the guys say.
I smiled at him across the way and waited. He smirked and laughed.
The guys turned to look at him in varying states of confusion.
“What? It was a funny reel, carry on,” Nash said, and I had no idea how I didn’t bust a gut laughing.
NASHOLE: Okay, no more games. Answer my question and tell me where I have a rash.
R: Your rash is called Vicky, and you need a doctor to have your head checked for agreeing to marry her. I’m concerned that you want to be miserable for the rest of your life. You are a mystery, Nash Collier. I just can’t figure you out.
R: As for forgiving you…I’m not sure how I feel about anything. You purposely messed with my head, Nash. I don’t take that lightly.
He tapped his chin with his phone and locked eyes with me. My heart raced while I waited for his response.
NASHOLE: I didn’t purposely mess with you. It just seems that way, and Vicky’s not the one I want.
My cheeks heated, and it felt like he was right beside me. I looked down at my phone and read over what he said…ten more times.
R: Do you like dogs?
NASHOLE: Um…sure. Where did that come from?
R: This is me changing topic.
He smirked.
NASHOLE: There is no escaping me or this conversation.
R: I don’t know what you want me to say.
NASHOLE: Say you forgive me for being a dick.
R: Which time?
NASHOLE: LOL! Fair, but I think you know which time I mean.
R: You keep poking at me like you want me to be okay with you marrying Vicky. I’m not. I’m not okay with it. There, I admitted it, but I still can’t be with you in any form. I just can’t.
NASHOLE: Look at me.
R: Really? You’re ordering me to look at you from across a limo?
NASHOLE: Just do it.
Fuck…why did I start this text chat again? I forced my eyes up from my phone and they locked with his. Stupidly, I wanted to cry. Everything from our night in Seattle came back and clawed at my heart. I tried looking away.
NASHOLE: I said look at me.
R: Why are you doing this? Can’t we just tease one another like we normally do?
NASHOLE: Because I need you to look me in the eyes and see that I’m telling you the truth. I didn’t set out to hurt you. Give me until Halloween, and then I’ll tell you what you want to know.
His eyes seemed so sincere, but…God, this was difficult. What was right or wrong? Was he telling the truth or just a fantastic liar? When did kindness and offering second chances turn into becoming a doormat? Taking a deep breath, I sank deeper into the comfortable seat.
NASHOLE: Say something.
R: You want to tell me at your grand opening? Is that why you were so insistent that I come with you?
NASHOLE: Yes, but it’s also your birthday.
My heart stopped, and I glanced up at him again.
NASHOLE: Yeah, I asked Myles. This is the only time I’m going to beg you for anything, so eat it up. Take a screenshot or something. Please, give me till then, and don’t shut me out. I meant what I said. You’re mine. I meant it that night, despite what I said in the morning.
Closing my eyes, I couldn’t believe I was contemplating throwing myself into the crashing waves again. The likelihood of being smashed off the rocks was high, and yet….
R: Fine, but Nash…if you do the same thing to me again…I won’t be as forgiving. I’m not a malicious person by nature, but I’ll make sure you rot in hell.
He smiled wide.
NASHOLE: Fuck, I love your fire. It makes me so hard.
I lifted a brow at him.
R: I’m being serious.
NASHOLE: I know, and fair enough. Now, put a smile on your face. You’re about to meet your family.
I looked out the window and realized that we’d just pulled through a massive set of gates. The guards manning it reminded me of those at Wayward. Blacked out sunglasses, and most likely armed to the teeth under the unassuming suits.
“Wow.”
It was the only word that came to mind as we pulled up in front of a mansion that could’ve passed for a castle. It was so huge. Who needed this much space? What the hell did you do with it?
“Are ya ready, Snowflake?”
I looked at Myles and nodded. I was as ready as I was ever going to be. My mind blanked, my heart raced, and my stomach did an elaborate gymnastics floor routine.
All the vehicle doors opened at the same time, and one of the guards held out his hand to help me out. His face was hard as stone, but unlike the rest of the guards he wasn’t wearing sunglasses, and his eyes were kind.
The home—if you could call a mansion that—was right out of an episode of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous . The front doors opened, and my heart stopped beating. Kaylani squealed and bounded down the stairs with a pair of stunning black dogs right behind her.
She ran at me like a blonde steam engine, and in a blink, the fear fell away as she wrapped her arms around me.
And it finally hit….
I have family.