Chapter 6
CHAPTER 6
NATHAN
T he carousel whirled in front of him as Nate lingered in its shadow. The laughter spilling from the merry-go-round starkly contrasted with the turmoil that still churned inside him from the day’s revelation.
The proximity to a space where he’d spend a blissfully happy moment helped soothe the pain. He conjured the image of Ellie’s smiling face, of her tinkling laugh. The vivid image managed to curl the corners of his lips.
He stared down at the bag, still clutched in his fingers. He couldn’t wait to give her the gift.
Seeing her earlier in the park had been a turning point for him. After he’d spotted his brother with his former girlfriend, the familiar surges of upset, inadequacy, and anger churned within him. So did the burning desire to push the pain away with a bottle.
As he’d wandered through the park, each step had been a battle against the whisper of temptation that clawed at the edges of his resolve. Memories of darker times, of seeking oblivion in a bottle, clashed with the image of Ellie’s radiant smile.
Her laughter, echoing in his mind against the backdrop of the carousel’s music, was the only thing that steadied his hand. She became his lighthouse in the tempest, guiding him away from the rocks of despair.
His feet had driven him to the carousel. It had provided a meager balm for his nerves, but had stopped him from drinking, but then…
Then, Ellie had appeared and changed his day. The urge to drink disappeared, though he still couldn’t bring himself to return to the office. He didn’t want to see his brother. So, he’d avoided the office for the afternoon and also dinner for the evening.
Instead, he’d spent time alone, assessing his life and the most recent developments. As night fell over the park and lights bloomed to life, he made his way to his car.
He tossed the bag onto the passenger seat and climbed behind the wheel, firing the engine. As he navigated away from the city to the sprawling mansion the Kingsleys called home, his mind clung to the memories of Ellie.
He slid his eyes sideways to the bag, his lips curling at the corners as he anticipated making new memories.
As the house came into view, he sucked in a breath, his jaw clenching again as the image of his brother’s smug smile taunted him.
If he slipped past the living room and headed straight to his room, he could avoid everyone.
He eased the car to a stop and tossed the shifter into park before he grabbed the bag and climbed from the inside.
With a quiet click, he eased the door open and slipped into the foyer, his eyes darting around. He spotted no one. With a wince, he eased the door closed behind him and tiptoed across the marble floor toward the sweeping staircase leading up to the second floor.
As his fingers wrapped around the polished wooden banister, a voice called out to him. “Nate?”
He slid his eyes closed, his posture stiffening as he recognized his father’s voice. Footsteps shuffled toward him.
With a sigh, he spun in a slow circle to eye the man. “Dad. What’s up?”
His father flicked his eyebrows up. “I have the same question for you.”
“Nothing much. Just…running some errands.” Nate lifted the bag in his hand.
His father’s gaze lingered on the bag, a silent testament to the countless unspoken worries etched over the months of Nate’s struggles. As he scrutinized Nate’s face, searching for signs of a son he once knew, the air between them thickened, filled with a history of arguments, disappointments, and fragile reconciliation. “Why don’t you come into the living room?”
“I’m really tired, actually. I was going to head upstairs–”
“I’m not asking,” his father answered.
Nate clenched his jaw, feeling annoyance build within him. He knew exactly what this was about. He tried not to blame his father, but deep down, he couldn't help it. Begrudgingly, he shuffled behind him into the living room.
His posture stiffened as he spotted the uniformed officer waiting there. “Are you joking?”
“No, son, I’m not.”
Nate scoffed as he shook his head. “Seriously?”
“It’s a tough time. You’ve been disappearing again. You missed dinner last night. You left for lunch today, didn’t come back for hours. You sneak into the house–”
“I didn’t sneak.”
“Oh, so you weren’t trying to avoid me? ”
Nate heaved a sigh as he flicked his gaze to the floor. He had been avoiding them, but not for the reasons they thought. And he had no desire to bring up what he’d seen earlier today. Nor to explain that he was seeing someone this early in the relationship. He didn’t need the lecture.
“Why don’t we–”
“I’m not drinking,” Nate shouted, his voice sharper than he intended.
He slid his eyes closed and shook his head. “I’m sorry. I’m just…it’s a little insulting.”
“But you can understand, right? You understand why I’m concerned?” His father narrowed his eyes at him.
Nate flicked his gaze out the large window overlooking the manicured front lawn, darkened now with the carefully placed trees only blobs on the horizon. His nostrils flared as he huffed out a breath.
“Come on, Nate. There are patterns of behavior we have to be concerned about. And you’re exhibiting all of them. You’re quiet, secretive–”
“I’m not secretive,” he said, his voice raised.
“Nate…” His father paused, pressing his lips together. “Come on. You’ve been disappearing for hours.”
“Like twice. That’s it. I just…something came up today and–”
“Okay, okay,” his father said as he bobbed his head up and down. “Let’s just…prove that.”
Nate ground his teeth as he bit the inside of his cheek.
“If you’re not hiding anything–”
“I’m not,” he snapped.
“Then this is just a formality,” his father said with a shrug.
Nate’s jaw clenched as the uniformed officer stepped forward with breathalyzer. “Take a deep breath and blow into–”
“Yeah, I know the drill,” Nate answered, annoyance edging his voice as he held up a hand to stop the officer’s spiel.
He placed his lips on the device and blew into it until a beep sounded. The officer glanced at the reading and flicked his gaze to Charles. “He’s clean, sir. Zero alcohol.”
“Thank you,” Charles said, flicking a hundred-dollar bill toward the man with a nod.
“Happy now?” Nate asked as the officer strode from the room.
“I’m ecstatic, son. Really proud of you.”
“Yeah, but not proud enough to believe me.”
“Son…” Charles started.
“No,” Nate said with a shake of his head. “Just stop. I don’t want to hear it. I’m…look, I get the concern, but I’m not drinking, okay? And sometimes I need to live my own life.”
Charles puckered his lips. “You’re my son, Nate. I just want to be sure you’re living safely.”
Nate slid his eyes closed, allowing the mortification that he felt during the conversation finally pass. “I’m going upstairs.”
“Nate,” his father called as he spun on a heel and strode from the room. “Nate!”
He kept going, taking the stairs two by two as he climbed them before he navigated to the quiet solitude of his room, locking the door behind him.
Tossing the bag onto his bed, he sank onto the mattress with a sigh. He supposed he’d deserved what had just happened, but he still hated it.
He tugged his phone from his pocket and toggled it on. He typed a message to Ellie and sent it on its way. So, how was the rest of your day?
He flopped back into the soft duvet as he hoped for a response from her. He swallowed hard as time seemed to slow. Each passing second without a response from her triggered his fears that his past would haunt him again.
Finally, his phone chimed. He snapped it in front of his face, his arm hovering in the air as he checked it, finding a message from Ellie. Interesting. How was yours? Did it get any better?
He smiled up at the screen as he typed: It just did.
A knock sounded at the door, drawing his attention and removing the smile from his features as he stared at it. He didn’t want to deal with his father, and he was certain that was who was on the other side. Likely with a half-hearted apology coupled with another explanation about why he’d done it.
“Nate?” Maddie’s voice called.
He breathed out a sigh of relief as he climbed from the bed and crossed to the door, unlocking it and pulling to open.
She flicked her eyebrows up as she stared at him through her eyelashes. “Hey, can I come in?”
“Sure,” he answered as he stood back and motioned for her to come in.
She wandered across the space and plopped on the bed as his phone chimed again. He checked his messages, a half-smile crossing his features as he read Ellie’s latest message. Really? I think you’re a flirt. I bet you say that to all the girls.
“Is that Ellie?” Maddie asked as she toyed with a frayed portion of her jeans.
“Yeah,” Nate said with a chuckle. “You didn’t say anything did you?”
“Nope. Do you have a picture of her?”
Nate typed back a message. Not even close.
He snapped his gaze to his sister. “I don’t. But maybe I’ll get one soon.”
“Did you get her surprise?”
He nodded as he picked up the bag and tossed it onto the bed next to her before he threw himself across it. “Check it out and see what you think.”
Maddie grinned at him as she dove into the bag and pulled out the carousel. She wound it and let it whirl around as she held it. “Aw, it’s so cute, Nate. Does she like merry-go-rounds?”
Nate nodded as he flicked his eyebrows up. “Yep. She loves them, and on our first date, we rode the one in the park. So, this works on two levels. Something she told me she loves and something to remind her of our first date.”
Maddie bit her lower lip as she slid the gift back into the bag. “That’s so sweet. I bet she’ll love it. She’ll probably give you a big kiss.”
“I hope so,” he said with a chuckle as he slid the bag away from them. His phone chimed again, and he checked it. Are you saying you’re not texting dozens of other girls?
“What’s she saying?” Maddie asked as she lifted her chin to peer at his screen.
Nate tugged it back to his chest. “Hey, that’s private.”
“But I want to see.”
“You don’t like it when Mom and Dad want to see your phone.”
She slumped her shoulders as she rolled her eyes. “Fine. I won’t look.”
She flopped back on the bed with a sigh as Nate typed a response. I am not, I promise. I know it sounds corny, but I really want you to know you’re the only woman I’m texting.
“Done?” Maddie asked, flicking her blue eyes to him.
“For now.”
She pulled herself up to sit, wrapping her arms around her knees as she chewed her lower lip. “Hey, Nate, can I ask you something?”
“Absolutely. What’s up? ”
She slid a lock of hair behind her ear, still gnawing on her lower lip.
“Maddie, what is it? Is something going on with you?”
She shook her head, shooting him a sideways glance filled with worry. He knitted his brow. “What’s up, Mad?”
“Please don’t get mad at me, okay?” Her voice was hesitant.
He rubbed her forearm. “I won’t get mad.”
She licked her lips before she set her chin on her knees. “Nate, are you drinking again?”
The question stung him. His sister had seen him drunk more than once, and he’d regretted that. It had frightened her even though he hadn’t been violent toward her.
“No, Maddie, I’m not.”
She sucked in a shaky breath as she nodded.
He gently grasped her chin between his thumb and forefinger and twisted her to face him. “Maddie, I promise I’m not.”
“Okay. I’m sorry, I just…”
“You don’t need to apologize.”
“It’s just that I overheard Mom and Dad talking, and they said you were like disappearing and stuff again and I just…I didn’t want you to be doing that again. You weren’t yourself when you were drinking.”
“I know,” he said. “But I’m not. You know where I’m going. I’m going to see Ellie.”
“Did you see her today?”
He grinned at her. “Yeah, I did. I saw her in the park. She was painting. And then…I just…Maddie, it’s really complicated, okay? And I needed some space.”
“What’s complicated? With Ellie? I thought you liked her?”
He pulled himself up to sit, balancing his elbows on his knees. “It’s not complicated with Ellie. There are just…other things going on, okay? Between me and Stephen.”
“Are you fighting again?”
“No,” he said with a shake of his head. “Not like before, but…I just…Maddie, I can’t explain, okay?”
“What happened between you and Chloe?”
Nate’s jaw clenched as she mentioned her name. “It’s complicated.”
“I’m not a baby anymore, Nate. I’m fifteen. I’m almost an adult.”
“You’re too young to understand. Just…stuff happened between us that…it was bad, okay?”
“What?”
Nate slid his eyes closed as he recalled those horrible moments. “Chloe…didn’t like me for me. She liked me because I was a Kingsley.”
“You mean…because we’re rich?”
Nate nodded at her. “Yeah.”
“Oh. I mean, she must have liked something about you, though, right?”
He shook his head, his lips tightening. “Nope. She…cheated on me. Look, Maddie, I don’t want to talk about it.”
She frowned at him but shifted to pull him into a hug. “Okay. I love you, Nate. I just want you to be okay.”
He pulled her into a tight embrace. “I love you, too, Maddie. And I’m fine. I feel better than I ever felt.” He pulled back and cupped her face in his hands. “I’m not drinking. Okay? I’m fine.”
“Okay. Just…promise me you’ll tell me if you’re having trouble. Like, you don’t have to tell Mom or Dad, but tell me. I want to help you.”
He smiled at her. “I know you do. But I’m okay. Now, don’t you have homework to do? ”
“School’s almost over. Although…can you help me with my final paper for biology?”
“Yep,” he answered with a nod. “Email it to me, I’ll take a look.”
She flung her arms around his neck with a grin. “Thanks, Nate!”
“You’re welcome. Now, if you don’t mind, I’m going to bed.”
“Bed or to text Ellie all night?” she asked.
“Out, Maddie.” He said in a firm, but soft tone as he poked a finger at the door.
“All right, all right. I’m going.” She scurried to the door, hesitating as she swung it open. “Hey, Nate?”
“Yeah?” he asked, his fingers brushing his phone as he waited to see if Ellie had texted him.
“Try not to wear out your thumbs. Save some charm for the actual date.”
He picked up a shoe and tossed it at her as she ducked into the hall and snapped the door shut behind her. With a shake of his head, he crossed to lock it.
His sister could see how easily he was falling for her. It made him nervous. Was he being a fool again?
Suddenly, her message didn’t seem too important. He was haunted by visions of how she might respond. Perhaps she would dismiss him as being ridiculous. That they weren’t serious. Or that she was texting a dozen other men.
His heart thudded against his ribs as he settled on the edge of the bed. He squeezed his eyes closed as he tried to drive his deepest fears from his mind.
With a long exhale, he turned on his phone, his heart immediately calming upon seeing her message. A one-woman man, are you? I like it!
He typed back a response. I’m turning in for the night. But I’ll leave you with this thought…I can’t wait for our da te tomorrow.
Her message came back quickly as he unbuttoned his shirt. I can’t either. Good night. See you tomorrow xoxo
The sweet ending to the message sent his heart soaring. He fell asleep with a smile on his face.
He found himself still smiling as the morning light streamed through his window. He leapt from his bed, eager to start the day. His mind drifted to the upcoming date.
He floated through his day, planning conversation topics, routes for a walk afterward, and the perfect location for their next kiss. It kept a smile on his face for almost the entire day.
After work, he raced home, changing into something more comfortable while his mind danced with plans and possibilities. He envisioned laughter, shared glances, subtle touches. He grabbed her gift, and hurried down the stairs.
But as he descended the stairs, the sight of his waiting parents was a cold splash of reality, turning his carefully laid plans into a jigsaw puzzle. His footsteps slowed, the smile sliding from his features. “Hey.”
“Hi,” his mother said as she studied him. “Going out?”
“Yeah, just a few errands.”
“Errands keeping you from dinner?” His father took a sip of his scotch. “We missed you at breakfast, too.”
“Yeah, sorry. I’m…really busy.”
“Are you?” his father asked.
Nate tried to keep his temper controlled, though his agitation built. “Yeah.”
His mother cupped his face with a hand. “Well, if you’re just running errands, could you be a sweetheart and take your sister with you? She’s dying to get out of the house for a little while.”
“What?” he asked, his forehead creasing. “No! I can’t take Maddie.”
“Why?” His father shrugged. “Some place you’re going where you can’t take your sister? ”
“Of course not,” Nate answered as Maddie appeared at the doorway to the living room.
“I don’t have to go–”
“It’s fine, Maddie,” his father said. “Nate’s happy to take you.”
Nate slid his eyes closed as his perfectly planned date slipped through his fingers, his heart a tumult of emotions, as he nodded. “Yes, of course,” he lied, his smile forced.
He motioned to the door, and she preceded him outside. “Nate, I’m super sorry,” she said with a wince.
As they stepped into the evening air, the uncertainty of Ellie’s reception to this unplanned change hung over him like a dark cloud. “It’s fine. I just…I’ll tell Ellie I can’t make it.”
“No,” she whined as she slid into his passenger seat. “Just drop me off at the library and go on your date.”
“I’m not doing that. Besides, Mom and Dad will probably call me to check in and if you’re not there, they’re going to know I ditched you. I just…I have to figure something out.” His mind stretched to find a solution. Bringing his sister along on a date wasn’t exactly what he’d planned. And with his former flame, Maddie’s presence would have resulted in a miserable night followed by a cold set of days following it. Even if he made it up to her with some fancy gift, she made it obvious she didn’t want to be bothered with Maddie.
She’d even referred to his kid sister once as the thorn in their side. Would Ellie feel the same way? Would this twist cast a dark shadow over the budding promise of their connection?