Chapter 22
Chapter Twenty-Two
Romeo
My gaze is focused on the beauty sleeping in our bed; something is off with her. When she came back from the restroom earlier tonight, she was different. Her shoulders were tight, until she got drunk.
I asked my mother if Nell had said anything. She told me no, but she found it odd that Nell would make toasts about men being not all that they seem and that men know what to do and say to get what they want.
It got me thinking about what could have happened but nothing came to mind, so I let her be, but I had the hope that if something was wrong she would come to me.
When I joined them at the table, Nell told me that I was good at games, and that she should have known. Nothing that came from her mouth made sense.
Then she proceeded to call me a handsome angel as I laid her in our bed. That was two hours ago, and she has not yet stirred.
My skin feels tight, and my emotions are all fucking jumbled from what I was already feeling, and now her words. They do say that alcohol can be a natural truth serum.
Pushing to my feet, I walk to our closet, and pull out a pair of swim shorts. The gym is the usual place that I go to ease some tension or I fuck, but since my current woman is passed out in bed, that is a no go.
A few laps in the pool might help.
Slipping into the shorts and then pulling a soft T-shirt over my head, I slip my feet into my sneakers, collect my phone and room key, and exit with one more look at Nell.
The hotel is quiet; it is strange to see it so empty. A stark difference from the daytime.
Stepping out into the pool area, I select a table where I can leave my items and then remove my shirt and toe off my sneakers.
Closing my eyes, I tilt my head up and take it all in: the smell of coconut, and ocean salt permeates the air, and I breathe it in, letting my body relax. When we first made plans to come here for the wedding, I thought it would be simple.
We’d arrive, and play it off as a great coupling, but then Nell had to worm her way under my skin, showing me what it could be like to settle down. She has left her mark on me, which is something I never thought would happen.
Stepping to the edge of the pool, I take a deep breath and dive in. Holding my breath, I keep my hands together, slicing through the water, until I surface then I swim. Doing lap after lap. Twisting, pushing off the wall.
With each lap I can feel my head clear, my body slowly relaxing from the emotional rollercoaster it seems to have been on since we arrived.
After my tenth lap, I pull up out of the water, resting my forearms on the wall and catch my breath. Pushing my hair out of my face with one hand, I look up at the hotel, seeing the balcony that leads to the room Nell and I share.
After catching my breath, I can’t help but think over the words she said to me, that I am good at playing games. Fuck, she must have been real drunk or something definitely happened.
Pulling in more oxygen, I swim more.
Swimming and running used to be my teenage self’s favorite things to do when I needed to clear my head. That was before I found that fucking helps too, but few girls my age wanted to just have sex for the fun of it.
Older women were a thing for me for a little while, until I was caught sleeping with a married woman, and her husband would not believe me when I told him that I did not know she was married.
He beat the shit out of me, so my uncle dealt with him.
Pulling myself out of the water, I sit on the wall, my feet and most of my calves submerged.
“I knew it was you swimming. I remember how your body looked when you swam.”
The voice startles me, and I swing around to look at Daniella approaching me.
She gives me a sheepish smile, yet I can see the seductive way that she walks toward me. She’s dressed in a silk kimono that stops high on her thighs and a bikini underneath; she came out here for a reason.
The lights behind her give her this angelic look that once caught my attention.
A time when I thought we were happy flashes in my head, taking me back to when I believed I would marry her. My gut tightens seeing her like this now, the woman I used to love.
Fuck. I straighten my spine and watch as she comes closer, dropping elegantly next to me and slipping her bare feet into the water.
“Why are you down here and not up there with your girlfriend?” she asks, but I do not miss the slight tone change when she says ‘girlfriend.’
“She is sleeping off the shots she did with my mom and aunties. Why are you down here?” I eye her with suspicion.
She rolls her eyes at me, nudging her shoulder with mine.
“We were friends once, Romeo. Then lovers.”
“Then you ruined all of that by cheating.” I can’t keep the snark out of my voice.
She ducks her head, her hair casting a curtain around her face. Most men would fall for the act and make sure that she was okay, but I have seen this all before with her.
“I know that I hurt you, Romeo. It is the biggest regret of my life, what I did.”
“It is in the past, Daniella; we have both moved on.” Her breath hitches.
“But what if I do not want to move on? I miss you.”
“A bit late for that. I am with Nell now.” My voice is harder.
She looks at me with glassy eyes, sorrow all over her face. Her hand settles on mine and I snatch it away, and her eyes widen at the sudden movement.
“We were so good together. I remember all the good times we had.”
“Until we didn’t.” I cut her off. “We have been over this, time and time again. Whenever you find yourself single, you try to get back with me. You are a beautiful woman, Daniella, but on the inside you can be ugly and hurt people. Maybe try working on yourself. You do not need a man in your life.”
“If you find me beautiful, why won’t you be with me?” She begins to cry, and I force myself not to roll my eyes.
“It is what’s on the inside that counts for me.”
“Clearly.”
“See, that right there. That is your ugly showing. Nell is fucking perfect for me. If she will have me, I plan on keeping her for a long time.”
She sighs, sniffling. “I just miss you, Rome.”
“Romeo,” I correct her.
“What?”
Her look of confusion makes me want to laugh.
“Only Nell and my family call me that.” Her eyes widen once more to my correction.
She stares at me for a long time, like she is trying to work out something in her head about me, or us. I don’t give a flying fuck what she wants to find out. We are never getting back together.
I have Nell.
“I don’t get it.” She looks away, watching her feet glide back and forth through the crystal clear water.
“Get what?” I play along.
“What is so special about her, Romeo?”
I arch a brow at her, even though she cannot see me.
A noise makes us both look to the left, and we see staff starting their late-night decorating for Valentine’s Day, which is also the day of the wedding.
Hearts and flowers are hung and placed everywhere, and it makes me think of Nell. She is the hearts and flowers kind of woman.
I will have to get her the perfect gift for our first Valentine’s.
“Romeo?” Her fingers touch under my chin to pull my gaze to hers.
Before I can answer, a crashing sound comes from above us, and we both look up, leaning our bodies back. Nothing stands out, and my gaze locks on the balcony that is attached to my room, but I do not see anything, or anyone. No lights on, so Nell must still be sleeping.
Shaking my head, I look back to Daniella.
“Nell is kind, sweet, and makes me feel things that no one ever has.” She lets out a soft gasp.
“I am sorry if that hurts you, but it is the truth. Meeting Nell was unexpected but I am glad that I ran into her that day. Things just feel different with her; she makes me fucking smile and forget about the clubs, Dani.”
A soft look crosses her face when I use the name I used to call her.
“She really makes you forget?” I nod, smiling.
“She does.”
We sit in silence for a short time, watching the staff decorate. I think she is reflecting on what I have just told her, and maybe it is sinking in that we do not have a future.
She lets out a big sigh. “Then I can only wish you both well, Romeo. I am sorry that I was a bitch to her; will you tell her that I am sorry?”
“Maybe you could tell her yourself. Plus, you should thank her, because I wanted to kick you off the island for hurting her, but Nell made me call my uncle to stop you from being sent home, as you are Mia’s best friend.” Her eyes flash wide at my admission.
“Fuck. I was a huge bitch to her. I will find her tomorrow before the wedding, if I can. If not, I will chat with her at some point.”
“Good.” I give her a pointed look. Then she climbs to her feet, water splashing over my thighs.
“I am going to try and get some sleep. Good luck, Romeo. Night.”
“Goodnight.” She walks away.
I sit for a little while longer, working through my feelings for Nell. The sound of the staff talking and laughing makes me think of my staff back home.
They are a crazy bunch, but I think they would love Nell. She would fit right in with them. They may work for me, but I do consider them work-family, and I will help them out whenever I can.
Slipping into the water, I complete my laps, letting the water soothe my body, dragging away any tension that is left behind. I lose myself in the swimming, until I climb out and head up to my room. I find Nell still sleeping but now she is practically hugging the edge of the bed.
Brushing away a strand of hair off her cheek, I smile down at her before heading into the bathroom to shower, then climb into bed. Sleep takes me quickly, as I spoon behind my girl, feeling happy and settled.