Chapter Ten
Nash
She is beautiful.
I’m staring into Lucy’s wide, icy blue eyes and I don’t want to look away. She releases a breath as I lift her to her feet. Her face is flushed, but I don’t know if it’s because of what she saw, or how it made her feel.
“Thanks for catching me. I mean, you are the reason I almost fell, but thanks anyway.” Lucy stumbles over her words as she smooths out her shirt.
I chuckle. “Didn’t mean to run into you. I wasn’t watching where I was going either. I was heading to check on you, see if you needed anything before I went to bed. You didn’t answer your door when I knocked, so I was heading to the bathroom when you ran into me.”
Lucy’s eyes glance down at me, and she just now notices I’m not wearing a shirt, only sweats that hang low on my hips. She licks her lips, and I can’t help but watch the movement.
Bowing her head, she replies, “I actually got up to get some water, but I’m okay now. Just gonna head back to my room. Try to get some sleep.”
Tilting her chin up so her gaze meets mine, I respond, “Alright. Can I walk you back?”
“It’s only like thirty steps, Nash. I think I’ll be alright,” Lucy says with a grin, brushing her hair behind her ears.
“I know, but I’m heading that way too.” I turn around and hold out my arm.
“Such a gentleman,” Lucy teases. She loops her arm through mine, and we start walking. We stop in front of her door, and she hesitates to walk in. “Do you—never mind. It’s none of my business.” Lucy takes a step into her room, and I touch her arm gently.
“You can ask me anything, Darlin’. Can’t guarantee I’ll know the answer, but—” I trail off and look at her face, trying to decode the feelings flashing across her eyes.
She glances down the hallway, nibbling her bottom lip between her teeth. “Are they like… together?”
She looks back at me, and I see the curiosity written all over her face.
Motioning my hand to the room, she nods and leads me in.
Lucy sits up against her pillows, tucking her legs to her chest and resting her chin on her knees.
Her dark hair hangs down the sides of her face.
She looks at me, and I can see the twinkle in her eyes from the moonlight shining through the window.
I sit at the end of the bed, feet on the ground, and take a deep breath before answering her question.
“Before I explain this to you, you have to understand something.” I rub the back of my neck, wondering how I’m going to explain this.
If I even should. “We all met when Ren and I were fifteen; Cole was fourteen. Ren grew up in a big family. He has seven siblings, so he got lost in the mix quite a bit. He grew up loved, but only in passing. When he got older, he went out looking for the connection he was missing when he was younger, with anyone. It’s not my story to tell, but if you want to know more, ask him.
He’ll tell you all about it.” I look at Lucy and can see her connecting the dots to Ren’s personality.
I clear my throat and bring my gaze towards my feet. Nerves fill my voice when I continue, “Cole was a year younger, but he was an angry little shit.”
“I see nothing has changed,” Lucy responds dryly, rolling her eyes.
Looking up at her, I let out a chuckle. “I wouldn’t say that.
He may still be angry, but he’s a lot more in control than he used to be.
” Lucy shoots me a doubtful look. I put my hands up in front of me and smile.
“I swear. When we met, he was gettin’ in fights with kids a hell of a lot older and bigger than himself.
He had a rough childhood. His mom fell into a deep postpartum depression after he was born and never really recovered.
She didn’t like to leave her bedroom while he was growing up, so he’d make sure to bring food in for her just so she would eat.
He tried his hardest to get her to live, so when she passed, he was hurt. That hurt turned into anger.”
Lucy’s eyes widen before narrowing. “Who was taking care of him? Where was his father?” I can feel the anger rolling off her body.
I give her a small smile before shaking my head.
“He was working. He worked as much as he could, and when he wasn’t working, he was busy drinking and taking out Cole’s mom’s death on him.
He blamed Cole for her depression and didn’t see all that Cole was trying to do to help her.
He was only eight when she passed.” I take a deep breath.
“How did she die?” Lucy asks in a whisper.
“She did it herself. Cole came home from school one day and found her. I don’t know all the details. He keeps a lot to himself regarding his mom, but I’ve pieced some things together over the years.” I sigh, my voice quiet.
Lucy’s eyes shine with unshed tears as she takes in the information. I can feel her heart breaking from here. She wipes away a stray tear before looking back at me.
“So, to answer your question, no. They are not together in the traditional sense. They find comfort in one another, the same way Ren and I do sometimes. Cole gives Ren the attention and punishment he craves, while I give him the emotional, softer physical support he needs. We’ve all tried relationships with different people, one-night stands here and there.
No one wants to stick around when they realize the dynamic between us, though. ”
Lucy’s eyes light up at the admission, and she grins. “So what’s your backstory then, Nash?”
I grin back at her and shake my head. “I don’t have one, Darlin’.
Grew up ordinary. Normal parents who loved me unconditionally.
Played sports throughout school. Graduated at the top end of my class.
I just ended up fallin’ for my two best friends somewhere along the way.
” Silence falls between us and I stand up from the bed, heading towards the door.
My hand is on the handle when Lucy speaks again.
“I don’t think you’re ordinary, Nash. I think you’re pretty great.” She gives me a warm smile, covering herself up.
I give her a smile in return. “You’re not too bad yourself, Darlin’.” Walking out of the bedroom, I close the door with a soft click. Turning back to my room, I doubt neither Lucy nor I will be getting any sleep tonight.