Chapter 10 Nora #3
He’s pretty close to Daniella, their mom, and usually at events you can find him hanging out with their dad, Kurt, and his uncles.
Mostly in the garage with a beer talking about hockey, since that’s the family’s favorite pastime and all four Sterling boys play in some capacity.
Even Tommy plays, though he doesn’t play professionally like his brothers.
But Freddie and I don’t usually talk about much, other than the “how are you doing, how’s life, how’s my asshole brother treating you?”
Well, before, it was more or less how is my brother treating you, but now…
“Thank you again,” I say carefully as I take another sip of my coffee. “For the coffee, and the clothes and—”
Freddie dismisses me with a wave. “Don’t have to thank me for doing what a man should be doing.” He licks his lips. “What my brother should be doing for you.”
I hear the tinge of anger in his voice and tense.
I can’t look at him because the words cut me to my core. He’s right, Brett should be taking care of me, of us—not fucking women in our bed on our damn anniversary. Not ghosting me completely then telling me it’s over.
Like it’s the most simple thing in the world. Like I didn’t matter…
Like we didn’t matter.
“Nora.” Freddie’s voice is harsh, commanding. “Nora, look at me.”
I don’t hesitate. I do as he says, looking up from my coffee at his dark, forest-green eyes. At his darker, masculine features. I can see some of the similarities to Brett—but the differences are more evident when you really look.
Like the way Freddie’s eyes look darker, or the way his facial hair is trimmed, neat and perfect. The round swell of his broad shoulder and that pronounced vein in his neck…
Another wave of heat hits me as my insides turn to lava under his gaze.
“What he did…” His voice borders on sharp and brutal. “Cheating on you, like that…” He shakes his head. “Bastard is lucky I didn’t go over there and slapshot his dick into next season.”
I watch as his jaw tightens, anger emanating from him. Something about that calls to me. Makes me feel good.
I know that’s messed up. Watching Freddie Sterling get all pissed off should not make me feel good in the slightest, but…it does.
“Don’t,” I say, shaking my head. As much as I’m pissed off right now with Brett over what happened, I also don’t want any trouble. At least, not until we talk. And I know we need to, but…
“You said you’re staying at your brother’s, right?” he asks, clearing his throat.
“Yeah. Michael’s on vacation until Friday, and I’m watching his cat.”
Freddie nods. “You need a place to stay? Until you get back on your feet?”
I watch his expression, his dark gaze holding mine. His words shouldn’t make me feel on the spot, but they do. Because I realize all at once, I don’t have a place to stay. Home was Brett’s and now…
Now we’re over, and where does that leave me? Not just in our relationship, but…
I should call him. If only to figure things out.
This relationship wasn’t just some fling to me. We were building a life—at least, I thought we were—and now that life is gone.
I should probably call my brother. Tell him what happened.
I’m sure he’d be okay with letting me stay with him until I figure something out.
I could look for an apartment again, maybe, but that will take some time.
I’m sure Abby would let me stay for awhile too, on her couch, but my brother’s house is a three-bedroom ranch and Abby’s apartment is a tiny studio loft.
“Um…I’m okay, I think,” I say, not very confidently. I vow to call my brother after my last appointment today and fill him in. Freddie’s words settle on me, and I know I need to not only start processing all of this, but…I need to make a plan. I need to figure things out.
“You think?” he says carefully.
I nod, feeling strangely vulnerable as I realize I’m going to have to figure something out. Sooner or later, I have to reach out to Brett.
The thought makes me panic. After what happened, I’m not sure I can even look at him without falling apart. Because it was clear in that one moment, that everything I thought we were, everything we were working for, was a lie.
My life, the love I thought we had…
Freddie holds his hand out. “Give me your phone.”
“What? Why?” I ask, panic lacing me.
He opens and closes his palm, nodding to it. “What did I say about arguing, princess?” His voice kicks up a notch, and that bold command travels through my brain to my heart and to my damn pussy.
I carefully set down my coffee and grab my phone, slowly reaching to hand it to him. His fingers brush mine once more, and the moment, the slight movement, feels like it lasts longer than it should. My fingers slip over his rough knuckles, and I note how warm his touch feels.
Or maybe that’s just me…
He starts typing away on my phone. “If you need anything, Nora…” His voice drops, low and deep. “If you need anything, you call me.”
He hands back my phone, and I gingerly take it from his hands.
“Do you understand?” His voice is solid, unwavering. That air of command is deeper, stronger. It’s not a question, though it’s framed as one.
It’s an order.
And my stupid heart skips a beat, because of the way he says it.
Like it’s a fact.
Like he’d do anything for me, even though it doesn’t make a lick of sense, all things considered.
My mind wanders, those intrusive thoughts trying to force their way in. Thoughts about just what Freddie Sterling would do for me if I asked.
No, Nora. Bad idea. Don’t go there. Not only is he your ex’s brother, but he’s a lone wolf, and you know that.
I do know.
I know Freddie Sterling was engaged once years ago.
I remember when it happened. I didn’t know him then, or any of the Sterlings, but I heard the town gossip when Freddie and his fiancée called off their engagement.
Heard the rumors whispered in the salon about Vicki George and her affinity for hockey players.
Though no one seemed to know what really happened, there was plenty of speculation.
I never had the heart to ask what really happened, but Brett mentioned once that Freddie’s ex—Vicki—tried to take advantage of him, to babytrap him or something.
My mind wanders to that conversation, seeing it in a new light now.
“This is why we use condoms, Nora. Because I know I can trust you won’t try to do that sort of thing.”
I bite my lip, my stomach tying in knots, because I believed him then. I believed it really was about trust.
But now I know it was a lie. Just like everything else.
I don’t have to know the details of what happened to know that whatever did happen is the reason Freddie mostly keeps to himself.
And maybe on some level, I understand that. I don’t think anyone wants to be alone, but no one wants to be heartbroken either, and some people break more than just hearts. Some people destroy everything in their path, including you.
Freddie holds my gaze and in his dark eyes, I see something I’ve never noticed before. Something I recognize all too easily, these days.
Pain.
It’s almost like he wants me to need him. And I’m not quite sure how to feel about that.
“Yes, sir,” I say, my voice soft, barely a whisper.
Freddie licks his lips, that twinkle in his eye returning, replacing the sadness and pain.
“Good girl,” he says as he rises from his seat. “I have to go, unfortunately. I’ve got practice in an hour and I need to drop these off, so…”
“Right,” I say, swallowing hard. I can’t take my eyes off of him, those words hitting me square in the chest, making my heart race.
Good girl.
I’ve never felt this sort of inkling, this need to hear those words. It’s like they settle something within me. Something I didn’t know existed. Something new and dark, and mysterious.
“Um…thank you again,” I say, my faculties coming back to me.
“Anytime, princess,” he says with a smirk as he gives me a solid wave before he turns his back on me and heads for the door, leaving me to my own devices, feeling more confused than ever.