Chapter 9 Nova #2
When I walk to the sink, I hear her mutter, “Shoot, the pancake burned as well.”
“That’s what you get for laughing at me.”
We throw the burned food in the trash and drop the pans in the sink before getting clean ones from the cupboard.
“Let’s try again,” Rachel says, putting a dollop of butter in her pan. When I join her at the stove to fry more bacon, she asks, “So, you’ll look out for Nova, right?”
“Yes.” Seeing the pleading look in Rachel’s eyes, I add, “I promise.”
I hear movement, and a moment later, Nova joins us in the kitchen again. She looks a little pale, and when she smiles, it’s strained and doesn’t reach her eyes.
Knowing something bad happened to her and seeing her pale complexion makes the worry I already feel double in my chest as I ask, “Are you okay?”
Nova nods as she picks up her empty mug, taking it to the sink. Suddenly, there’s a burst of laughter from her. “You burned the food.”
The corner of my mouth lifts. “Rachel distracted me.”
“Don’t blame me,” Rachel playfully grumbles.
When Nova walks back toward us, she teases, “Maybe I should take over making breakfast.”
Wanting to include her, I say, “Come take over from me before I burn everything.”
I only move enough to make space for Nova between Rachel and me, and leaning my hip against the counter, I can’t help but admire her beautiful face.
What happened to you?
I take in the nervous way her teeth tug at her bottom lip and the anxious expression that keeps her from looking relaxed. My eyes get stuck on a faint scar above her eyebrow, and it makes me wonder how it got there.
Wanting to know everything I’ve missed in her life, I ask, “How’s your grandfather?”
She shrugs. “Still a recluse and grumpy as hell. I haven’t seen him in a long while.”
I shake my head. “And Verona? What’s changed?”
Her gaze darts nervously to my face before she flips the bacon. “Everything’s still the same.” She looks at me again, and this time, a shy smile tugs at her mouth. “When your first movie came out, they put up a huge screen on the football field. The whole town came to watch.”
I’ve gotten used to the fame, but hearing that my hometown celebrated my first movie makes warmth trickle into my chest.
When Nova places the bacon that’s ready on a paper towel so she can fry another batch, I steal one and nibble on it. It’s crispy, just the way I like it.
Usually, I couldn’t care less, but with Nova, I’m interested to know her opinion of the movie, so I ask, “What did you think of Infinite Assassin?”
Her gaze darts between the pan and me for a few seconds, and a blush creeps up her neck. It makes her look even more shy and awkward.
Making my own assumptions about her reaction, I ask, “Did you hate it?”
“Oh God, no!” she exclaims, her eyes going wide.
“It was good, and you were great, and it was . . . really good.” Looking more flustered by the second, she rambles, “It was all every woman in town talked about for months. You know . . . because you did that shower scene . . . and . . . there were abs, and your chest was all wet . . . and—”
Rachel lets out a bark of laughter and pats Nova on the back. “Please stop. I don’t want to hear about my brother’s bare chest.”
“Sorry,” Nova mutters, looking downright miserable as her face flames up with embarrassment. “This is why I never talked about Easton during our calls.”
“Mmmh. Do you have a thing for Easton?” Rachel teases her best friend.
Nova freezes for a moment, and her eyes widen again. She actually looks guilty. I give her a questioning look that has her cheeks turning bright red, and she starts to shake her head.
“Nononono! Of course not.” She quickly places the rest of the cooked bacon on the paper towels, then hightails it in the direction of the sink. She sounds panicked again as she hurries to say, “He’s your brother. I would never cross that line.”
Her strong reaction hits me square in the chest, and it’s quickly followed by a wave of disappointment.
“I’m just teasing you,” Rachel says with a chuckle.
I force a smile to my mouth and grab another piece of bacon to eat.
Why am I disappointed that Nova will never cross the line?
Do I want her to cross the line?
I glance at her again, and noticing her flushed cheeks and parted lips has my cock hardening at the worst possible time.
Fuck.
I turn away from the women and keep myself busy by grabbing four plates from the cupboard.
“We can eat at the island,” Rachel mentions. “Nova, will you go get Lainey?”
“Sure.”
My eyes follow Nova as she heads toward the stairs, and I take in her slender body that’s a little too skinny. I find the way she moves really attractive, and it’s only then that I take notice of the cardigan.
“Is it cold in the house?” I ask.
“No. Why?”
“Nova’s wearing a cardigan,” I mention.
“Oh.” Rachel carries the pancakes to the island before looking at me. She lets out a sigh, then whispers, “I’m only telling you this so you won’t think she’s being weird.”
I take a step closer to my sister, giving her my undivided attention.
“Nova’s been in abusive relationships, and the cardigan is to cover bruises on her arm.”
The fuck? Is that how she got the scar above her eyebrow?
“Relationships?” I ask for clarity. “More than one?”
Rachel nods. “Those bastards did a number on her.”
A frown darkens my forehead, and I glance in the direction of the stairs again. Knowing men hurt Nova makes anger bubble in my chest.
“She’s too kindhearted for her own good, and that made her an easy target for the bastards in Verona.” Rachel crosses her arms over her chest and lets out another sigh. “Anyway, she’s probably terrified of the male species right now, so be careful around her.”
I nod, and as I continue to move the food, plates, and cutlery to the island, my thoughts revolve around Nova and what she’s been through.
Fuck, I should’ve brought her to LA after she turned eighteen.
The thought has me feeling a deep sense of guilt and regret for leaving her behind, especially knowing we were all she had.
I hear a commotion, and Lainey comes rushing down the stairs, shouting, “Yay! Pancakes.”
When my eyes land on Nova, who’s right behind Lainey, a protective feeling toward her pours hot and fast into my chest.
Her gaze meets mine, and a shy smile tugs at her lips. Again, I notice the anxious expression on her face.
I’ll prove to her not all men are assholes.