Chapter 9 Nova
Nova
I had another nightmare of Trent coming here and causing a scene, but I’m trying not to think of him. It isn’t easy, though.
After showering, I put on a pair of leggings and a shirt that reaches past my butt. When I glance down, I notice the bruises on my bicep are starting to fade a little.
Ugh, I wish they would disappear quicker.
Letting out a sigh, I look through my clothes before pulling a crocheted cardigan out and putting it on over the shirt. I push the sleeves up my forearms while I walk to the door, and as I exit my bedroom, I see Easton coming down the hallway.
“Morning,” he whispers, gesturing with his hand for me to walk ahead of him.
“Morning,” I reply, hurrying down the hallway and stairs so I don’t hold him up. When we reach the first floor, I ask, “Would you like some coffee?”
He shakes his head. “I had too much the past weekend. I’ll prepare a smoothie for myself. Thanks, though.”
I let out a chuckle. “Without coffee, I’d become a serial killer.”
The corner of his mouth lifts in a hot smirk while his eyes flick to me, and it has my stomach doing cartwheels. Today, he’s wearing a pair of black jeans and a matching T-shirt that spans tightly over his chest and muscled biceps.
He looks so handsome I can’t help but stare at him like a lovesick fool.
“You can’t even hurt a spider, never mind kill someone,” he mutters with a tone of amusement in his deep voice.
I watch as he gathers all the ingredients for the smoothie while he continues to say, “Remember that one time you and Rachel screamed your heads off because there was a tiny spider in the kitchen?”
I do. Even though Easton laughed at us, he got rid of the eight-legged demon.
“But you begged me not to kill it,” he reminds me.
“Yeah, I remember. It wasn’t tiny. That spider was the size of a small dog.” I chuckle as I take a mug from the cupboard.
The sound of the blender fills the kitchen for a few seconds, and when Easton pours the smoothie into a glass, he asks, “Are you still scared of bugs?”
“Yeah.” I stir my coffee. “Especially if they have wings.”
He takes a seat at the island, all his attention focused on me. “Tell me about the past ten years. What have you been up to?”
Taking a sip of much-needed caffeine, I shrug. “Nothing worth mentioning.”
He raises an eyebrow. “What work do you do?”
My life is totally insignificant compared to his, and it makes me feel super self-conscious.
I sit down across from him and place my mug on the marble surface. “The last job I had was at a pooch parlor.”
It feels as if Easton’s gaze burns into me, and I shift on the stool before I mutter, “I liked it. It was nice to work with animals.”
They’re not mean like most of the humans I’ve met in my life.
“The last job?” he asks. “You don’t work there anymore?”
I shake my head. “The business was struggling, and with me coming here, I figured it would be better to hand in my notice.” Feeling uncomfortable from having to talk about myself, I quickly add, “I’m going to start looking for a job here in LA soon.
” I nervously glance in the direction of the stairs.
“I just want to be here for Rachel while she needs me. But until I find a job and a place to stay, I can help Frances with the cooking and cleaning.”
Easton’s eyes narrow on me, and my anxiety skyrockets, fear tightening my muscles. My voice quivers as I try to explain, “Money’s a bit tight right now, so it will be difficult to pay rent while I’m here. But if it’s a problem, I can find a job this week.”
His features grow serious, and a frown forms on his forehead.
Whenever Trent had that look, it was usually followed by a burst of anger, which always led to a world of pain.
My heart thunders in my chest, and my shoulders hunch forward. I wrap my arms around my middle to protect myself from whatever pain is about to be unleashed on me. Breaths burst over my lips, and panic threatens to overwhelm me as I plead, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“Morning,” Rachel suddenly says.
My head snaps in her direction, and seeing her walking toward me makes an instant wave of dizzying relief wash over me. She places her arm around my shoulders and pulls me into a sideways hug while asking, “What’s wrong?”
I quickly wrap my arms around her, taking desperate breaths of her soothing scent.
Rachel’s here. She won’t let anyone hurt me. I’m safe.
“I’m not sure.” Easton gives me a worried look. “We were talking about Nova’s previous job, and it somehow derailed. She thinks I expect her to pay rent.”
God, I’m so glad she walked in on the conversation when she did. Why the hell did I say all of that and have a panic attack? Easton must think I’m crazy.
Rachel gives me a comforting smile. “You’re doing me a huge favor by being here. You’re practically family. I don’t want to hear anything about you paying rent.”
She brushes her hand over my hair, her eyes sharpening on my face.
She’s definitely going to insist that I go for therapy now.
Maybe I should.
I pull back from her, and feeling downright awful for the way I spiraled, I mutter, “I’m sorry.”
She gives me another sideways hug, which feels very comforting, and after letting go, she helps herself to a sip of my coffee.
“Can I make you a cup?” I offer.
She shakes her head. “I’m feeling a little nauseated today. I’ll just have a slice of toast and orange juice so I can take my medicine.”
“Nova and I were talking last night, and we feel you should leave your medication in the kitchen where we can all get to it,” Easton mentions.
“Okay. I’ll bring the medication down after breakfast.” Rachel glances around the kitchen, then says, “We can keep them in the same cupboard as the vitamins but on the top shelf.”
Still feeling mortified, I avoid looking at Easton while I get up to make some toast.
When I take hold of the bread, Rachel’s hand covers mine, and she shakes her head. “Let me do it. I want to carry on as normal for as long as possible. I don’t want to think about dying every second of the day. I want to enjoy every moment I have left to the fullest.”
My heart clenches painfully in my chest. Nodding, I step to the side and watch as she pops four slices into the toaster. There’s a determined sparkle in her eyes that wasn’t there before. Certainly not last night after we got the awful news.
An affectionate smile curves around her lips as she says with a teasing tone, “Make yourself another cup of coffee. I know you need at least three before you’re able to function.”
“You know me best.” I try to chuckle but fail miserably.
As I walk back to the island to grab my mug, Easton gets up from his chair, and my body instantly tenses.
Stop! Easton won’t hurt you.
“While you’re at it, Rach, will you make bacon, eggs, and pancakes as well?” Easton asks, his tone mischievous.
She gives him a playful scowl. “Now you’re pushing your luck.” A chuckle bubbles over her lips. “Get the bacon defrosted while I make the pancake batter.”
It feels like everyone is putting up a lighthearted act, but the sorrow hanging over our heads is devastating and dark.
I clear my throat before asking, “What can I do?”
Easton points at the stool by the island. “Sit.”
Rachel adds, “Make yourself coffee and relax while the Rowes prepare breakfast for you.”
Easton lifts an eyebrow at his sister. “The Rowes?”
“Yep.” When he sets a carton of eggs down on the counter near Rachel, she pats his shoulder. “You’re helping, brother.”
I place a pod in the machine, and while the coffee pours into the mug, I watch Rachel and Easton. The moment is bittersweet, feeling like the old days when I used to sleep over at their place.
If this is what Rachel wants, I’ll do my best to keep the atmosphere light.
Easton
Rachel playfully nudges her shoulder against my arm while I’m frying bacon, then says, “Don’t burn the food.”
I look at the bubbles forming in the batter in her pan. “You just pay attention to the pancakes.”
I glance at Nova, who’s enjoying her third cup of coffee, and I’m relieved to see she looks calmer.
I’m not sure what made her react so strongly earlier, but it has my alarm bells going off. Sure, it’s normal for her to be awkward, but I’ve never seen her have a panic attack.
She looked scared of me, and it doesn’t sit well with me at all.
A sound comes from upstairs, and Nova jumps up from the stool. “Shoot! I thought my phone was on silent.”
When she rushes out of the kitchen, I stare at her until she’s out of my sight. Turning my attention to Rachel, I ask, “Did something happen to Nova?”
My sister glances at me. “Why?”
“She had a panic attack just because I asked her about her job.”
Rachel glances over her shoulder in the direction of the stairs before saying, “Yes, something happened. A lot of somethings.”
“What?” My tone is unexpectedly gruff, and the bacon is forgotten in the pan.
She shakes her head. “It’s not my place to say.”
“Was it bad?” I ask, trying to get more out of her as worry for Nova trickles into my chest.
Rachel hesitates, then nods.
Christ.
A hundred scenarios rush through my mind, and it makes my body tense and my jaw clench.
When we first moved to LA, I felt bad for leaving Nova behind, but she was a minor and in her grandfather’s care. Afterward, life got busy, and it’s been one rollercoaster event after another.
Rachel glances over her shoulder again before locking eyes with me. “Once I’m gone, will you look out for Nova? Please.” Her features draw tight with sadness. “I don’t want her to be alone.”
Nova’s been a part of our lives since she and Rachel met on their first day of elementary school. I know how much my sister loves her best friend, and honestly, some part of me has always cared about Nova too.
I nod, and just as I’m about to pull Rachel in for a quick hug to comfort her, the smell of something burning hits us.
“The bacon!” Rachel bursts out laughing while I move the pan off the stove.