Chapter 12 #3
Taking a deep breath in, I hold it for three seconds, then let it out.
“We already went through the initial minutes,” I sigh.
“Okay. When he pulled out the knife, I wasn’t sure why he had it.
My first thought was that he was gonna stab me.
My head was still pounding from being drugged, and I was so scared.
When he sliced my tank top, I think my mind went blank for a minute. ”
“You’re doing good. Tell me more about what you were thinking,” Seb encourages.
“After my brain unfroze, he was tearing the remnants of my shorts off, and my top was gone. I was in shock. I don’t remember if I did anything at that point except try to cover myself.”
“Now he is locked up and you are safe.” Seb repeats the words we say after I relive another snippet of that night.
“Right. I am safe, and I never have to see him again. By next weekend, he will be in some form of prison, serving years of his sentence. He can’t reach me.”
“Correct Sunshine. How are you?”
“Okay. I can’t believe the trial is this week.”
“I know. Are you meeting Mr. MacLeod soon?”
“Yeah, tomorrow night after dinner. Are you still staying here with me while Zander and the guys go to the courthouse?”
“Yup. I have no desire to be there. Holly is still undecided. I asked her today.”
“I told her she could hang out with us if she wants to on Wednesday. Hey, did you ask Nick to trace that text?”
“Not yet. He’s out for a few hours, but I will later.”
I get an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach thinking about Nick out with another girl. I don’t know why. It’s his life, and he’s one of my best friends.
Focusing on anything else, I ask him what he heard about the tournament while in the official’s tent.
It’s almost all positive. A few younger fighters were complaining about fighting outdoors, but the majority liked the change from the indoor cages.
Markus has twenty new students starting, and the sporting goods store sold out of some items they had, so they were happy.
The officials seemed satisfied, although some were complaining about the sun.
“So mainly positive reviews, then. That’s good. ”
“It was a success, Sunshine. Many people asked whether this was going to be an annual event. We should talk about it.”
“We can after we get through this week.”
“Alright. I’m gonna get my homework done. Want me to stay on the line with you?”
“No, it’s okay. I’ve got homework to do too.
See you tomorrow, Hurry.” As I’m plugging my phone in, I get two texts from Alex with the pics from the tournament.
They’re really great, and Nick looks so happy.
I feel like a pirate, hoarding his smiles like hidden treasure in my heart. They’re so rare.
I set the phone down and begin my homework. Zander calls from the living room to come out as I’m answering biology questions. Pulling on my slippers, I walk out to see what he wants and find Nick standing at the island. “Hey,” I say.
“Shortie,” he grunts.
I look over at Zander on the couch with a raised brow. “Nick said he needed your help,” he shrugs.
Turning back to Nick, I wait for him to speak, but he just rolls his eyes.
“Your eyes are going to get stuck at the top of your head one of these days from all the eye rolling,” I tell him as I notice his backpack on the floor by his feet.
I don’t think he’s going to tell me what he wants with Zander within listening distance.
“We’re going to do homework, Zander,” I call.
“Bedroom door stays open,” he says back.
I walk towards my room as Nick follows me with his bag.
Kicking off my slippers, I get comfortable on the bed and restart my homework.
After a minute, Nick joins me on the far side, sitting against the headboard without his books.
I know he’ll talk when he’s ready, so I continue what I am doing.
“Can we go for a run?” he finally asks me.
I look over at him. “Now?”
He nods as I notice him tapping his leg with his right hand. He’s still restless. “Okay Grumpy. Let me get changed. Where are we running?”
“On the road,” he replies.
I nod and go into my closet to change clothes. Once I’m geared up, he follows me out to the living room as I stop to let Zander know what we’re doing. Nick keeps going right outside.
“It will be dark soon,” Zander comments.
“I know, but he needs this, and we’re staying on the lit streets. I have my phone with me, too.”
“Okay,” he nods. “Be safe.”
I join Nick on the front porch and stretch my legs, then we are off running. He gives me a few minutes at a jog, then picks up the pace. We run for the better part of an hour and finish in the backyard. I look at Nick and can tell he’s still restless. “Come on then, spar with me,” I tell him.
He scrutinizes me as I bounce on my toes. “Teach me, oh wise one,” I smirk.
Nick shakes his head, a small smile playing on his lips.
I’ve got him. The cooling night air carries the scent of damp grass as we practice the moves I’ve been learning in class, the thud of our bodies a counterpoint to the toads singing.
Then we move onto breaking holds, something I can only accomplish with my friends because of my aversion to touch.
Nick’s strength is immense and impossible to take down, yet he patiently adapts the techniques for my smaller frame.
Once, I manage to pin him while grappling, but it’s fleeting.
Only the faint glow of house lights illuminates the pitch black when Nick finally stops.
He’s calm now. His hands are still and splayed on the grass.
A quiet smile touches my lips that I helped him tonight.
“Why are you smiling?”
“No reason. I’m happy you’re calm now.” He raises his eyebrow in question. “When you’re not relaxed, you tap your fingers and your eyes roam around. You’ve stopped.”
“No one has mentioned that before.”
“Well, it’s true. Now help me up, Grumpy. I need another shower,” I say, holding up my hands. Nick gets up and pulls me up and over his shoulder, slapping my ass.
“Hey,” I yell, stretching to slap his butt, but I can’t reach, so I pinch his waist. He jumps with a grunt.
“Ooh, is someone ticklish?” I tease, digging my fingertips into his sensitive skin.
He squirms, doing this weird hop thing with his legs.
“Aha, I’ve found a weakness,” I declare, as a thrill courses through me.
Nick tries to counter by pulling me upright, but I wrap my leg behind his knees and he’s down.
I land on top of him, the warmth of his body instantly seeping into mine, and begin my relentless torment.
Nick chuckles, a deep rumble in his chest, but it’s short-lived.
He grabs my hands, holding them behind me.
“Well, that was fun while it lasted. You’ll need to be on guard now, Grumpy.
I’ll tickle you when you least expect it,” I grin, the scent of his cologne filling my nose.
His gaze is intense and hungry, making butterflies erupt in my lower belly as my smile fades.
He’s staring at my lips with a look I don’t wish to decipher right now, sending a shiver down my spine.
Heat floods my skin as I squirm, making Nick grunt.
Oops, I wasn’t thinking. I can feel him hardening under my butt, and I freeze, then jump up.
“I need a shower.” My voice is a little breathless.
Nick smirks, a slow, predatory smile, and gets up, following me to the patio doors. The cooling breeze is a welcome contrast to my flushed skin.
“Hey guys,” Zander greets. “Wow, you’re covered in grass and dirt. What happened?”
“Oh, I was practicing martial arts in the backyard with Nick. I got him pinned once,” I say excitedly.
“Good for you, darling,” he smiles.
“I’m getting a shower, then finishing my homework,” I tell Zander and walk down the hall.
Nick follows me into my room and grabs his backpack, swinging it over his shoulder. He comes over and picks me up for a hug. “Thanks, Shortie.”
“You’re welcome. Hey, talk to Seb when you get home. He needs you to trace the text he got this morning.”
He sets me down and nods, then heads out. I hear him say goodbye to Zander as I grab clean pajamas and go to the bathroom for my second shower tonight.
Zander pops his head into my room while I’m doing homework. “So, what was that about with Nick?” He asks.
“He had leftover energy from the tournament and knew I didn’t get my run in this weekend, so he offered to run with me,” I shrug.
Zander looks skeptical, but I can’t exactly tell him I suspect Nick chose not to have sex with a random girl tonight. You don’t tell your father things like that. He nods and tells me he’s going to bed. I take my pill at 11pm and finish my homework while waiting for it to kick in.