Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 92466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
She turned to face me. “Hi,” she said groggily.
“Did I wake you?”
“No. I was having trouble sleeping. How was your visit?”
“It was great. I love those kids, even if they’re not really kids anymore.”
“Yeah, it’s funny to think there’s only ten years between you and the twins,” she said. “It doesn’t seem like as big of a difference as it used to, now that they’re in their twenties.”
“How was Mimi after I left?”
“She cried a little more. I wish I knew what to do to make it easier.”
“You’re doing everything you can by being here,” I assured her.
“That’s true.”
“Is your mom coming at all?” I asked.
She shook her head. “I haven’t told my mother about Louise yet. I want to see if we can find someone so she doesn’t feel obligated to come back. After everything she went through with my dad, I just want her to be happy. And her fiancé, Joe, makes her happy.”
“Earlier, I spoke with this staffing agency Tina told me about,” I said. “Filled them in on Mimi’s needs. They’re working on finding us a permanent home-health aide.”
“That’s amazing. Thank you.”
I knew I’d be able to find help for Mimi, and soon, because I’d be willing to pay more than they were used to getting. Money talks. But that left me anxious about leaving Nicole. Julian would be waiting with open arms back in New York while I was forced to return to L.A.
“Is that why you were having trouble sleeping?” I asked. “You were worried about the Mimi situation?”
“Partly. But also, my stomach is upset for some reason.”
“What, did you eat some bad seafood or something?” I winked.
Her mouth curved into a smile. She knew exactly what I was referencing. Bad seafood was a running joke from our past.
“Not this time,” she said.
“Well, that’s good.”
Nicole turned around and within minutes seemed to be asleep.
As I climbed into bed, I tried not to analyze the fact that she’d so easily relaxed into sleep after I was back. Had she been waiting up for me?
I, on the other hand, was wired. I couldn’t stop thinking about her. Her little stomach-upset problem reminded me of the first time Nicole ever told me she had feelings for me.
As I nodded off, my mind drifted back to that day. At the time, it had been the best freaking day of my life.
CHAPTER 19
ATTICUS
PAST
It was anything but a typical Friday night down in Cassius’s basement. My nerves were fried because this was the first time I’d brought Kayla around. I’d only just started dating her. We’d hung out a few times alone, but never with my friends. More than anything, I was nervous about introducing her to Nicole.
I’d decided not to tell Nicole I had feelings for her before she left for college. I had a mad crush on her and always would, but it was better if we stayed friends, given the long-distance thing. She was such a good friend, and I wanted to make sure she stayed that way. That’s what I’d told myself at least—that I didn’t want to hold her back when she was about to leave home. Nicole was headed to the big city. And me? I was stuck in Monksville, still dreaming of some big break that would get me out of here and on my way to an actual music career. That was probably a pipe dream.
Anyway, I was pretty sure Nicole only saw me as a friend. She’d never given me any vibes that indicated otherwise. And I hadn’t had the balls to test it out. I’d never been afraid of rejection, but getting shot down by Nicole was something I didn’t think I could handle. That would make things awkward between us forever. So I kept my feelings inside.
We’d just finished playing a set in the basement—Cassius on the mic, Julian on guitar, and me on the drums. Kayla had been sitting next to Nicole on the couch the whole time, watching us practice. It seemed like they were getting along, which brought me some relief. But I still felt weird about it because the girl I was dating was talking to the girl I’d been obsessed with for so long. If Kayla knew my true feelings for Nicole, she wouldn’t have been so friendly. It wouldn’t be an issue for much longer with Nicole leaving for school in a month, though. I just needed to stay focused. It made sense for me to move on with someone else, rather than being stuck thinking about Nicole while she started her future in Boston.
After we stopped practicing, Kayla came over to sit on my lap. As she ran her fingers through my hair, I noticed Nicole looking over at us. Was she happy for me? Was she jealous? Was she just observing?
Cassius brought out some beer, and we all dove in. Well, everyone except Nicole. She looked pretty upset now, and that concerned me.