Chapter 31
Chapter Thirty-One
A smile spread across my face as my gaze scanned the living room of the one-bedroom apartment one more time. I'd never truly lived on my own before, even though living with Emmett was equivalent to living alone.
"I think it's perfect." The words came out breathless, carrying the weight of possibility—of finally having a space that was truly mine.
Justin stood against the kitchen counter, his expression carefully neutral, but I recognized the hesitation in his stance. "What do you think?"
"Honestly, Olivia –" Justin pinched the bridge of his nose, a gesture so reminiscent of Nick that my stomach clenched. "I think you should talk to Nick before you make this kind of decision."
I blew out an exasperated sigh. I didn't want to talk to Nick. I didn't want him to feel suddenly guilty for not wanting me to live with him anymore. I wanted to make this situation easier for him. I was tired of being a burden to everyone. It was time for me to learn to live my own life. To become independent. "I don't know what happened, but I know he's not going to be happy about any of this."
"I know your loyalty lies with Nick." The guilt gnawed at my conscience even as I forced a smile. Every showing felt like a betrayal, but what choice did I have? "And I feel bad about asking you to do this, especially behind his back, but I don't know anyone else who could help me with a background in real estate."
"Olivia," he sighed. "I'm happy to help you if this is the decision that you and Nick made, but I don't think he's going to want you to move." He was right; Nick wouldn't want me to move, but it was out of obligation and not because he wanted me there. Emmett stayed because he was obligated to, and I'd worn out my welcome. Now he won't even answer my calls. I didn't want that to happen to Nick and me too. "If you like this apartment, let's talk to Nick, and if you still want to, we'll put a deposit down."
"Fair enough." I traced the crack in the kitchen tile, already planning where I'd put a welcome mat. Justin's phone chimed, and he pulled it from his pocket.
"Shit." Justin's phone nearly slipped from his fingers. He looked up, the color draining from his face. "Nick's going to punch me in the face again." I dug my nails into my palms. "Why, what's wrong?"
"Kat just texted me that Nick has his entire security team searching for you." He groaned.
"Why would he do that?" My fingers twisted the hem of my sweater, a nervous habit I thought I'd broken years ago.
"Probably because he doesn't know where you are, Olivia." Justin snatched his coat from the chair as his phone started ringing. He didn't bother answering it, already checking his watch for the third time in as many minutes. My heart stuttered. Nick had always been protective, but this felt different—excessive even for him. "We need to go."
"I understand he doesn't know," I snapped. "But that's not a reason to send out a search party." There was something he wasn't telling me. Nick and I hadn't spoken in a week. Justin and I had gone out apartment hunting three times, so why was he worried now that he didn't know where I was?
We were in the car and racing toward Nick's house within minutes. Justin swerved the car into the driveway, waving as he passed security. Nick was already standing on the porch when he parked the car.
"What the fuck?" Nick's footsteps thundered across the driveway, fists already clenched at his sides. Justin backpedaled, hands raised in surrender. "I can explain."
"Nick." The name caught in my throat as I wedged myself between them. My palm found his chest, his heart hammering beneath my touch like it had so many times before. But this wasn't like those other times—the barely contained fury in his eyes sent ice through my veins. What wasn't he telling me? "Stop it. Nick, please."
"Where have you been?" Nick's voice dropped to that dangerous whisper. "I had my entire team out searching for you."
I wrapped my arms around myself. "Why?"
Nick raked both hands through his hair, messing up his usually perfect style. "Olivia, where have you been?"
"She asked me to help her find an apartment." Justin stepped back, putting the car between himself and Nick.
His gaze swung between us like a pendulum. "No." He braced a hand against the hood of the car, as if the ground had shifted beneath him.
"Nick," I started.
"Olivia, we need to talk." Nick's fingers found mine—not a gentle grasp. "Inside."
Without looking back at Justin, he yanked his tie loose. "I'll see you at work tomorrow."
He guided me toward the house with the careful determination of someone handling fine china that might shatter.
"Sit down." Nick gestured to the couch where we'd spent countless movie nights, his hand trembling slightly. He pulled his phone from his pocket, thumb hovering over the screen. "I need to call and let them know you're home and safe." His shoes left scuff marks on the hardwood as he turned. "Please stay here." The 'please' caught in his throat, rough with something that sounded like fear.
Nick's footsteps faded into the kitchen, each step measured and controlled like when he was trying not to lose his temper. I melted into the leather couch, the speech I'd rehearsed a hundred times on my way home dissolved on my tongue like sugar in rain.