Us? What’s he talking about? Why does he have to dothis? Surely he understands why I don’t expect him to hang around for this?
“Nate, it’s been a long day, go to sleep.”
I feel instantly guilty.
“Okay.”
I know I won’t be able to sleep until I say something back.
“I’m … I’m glad you’re here. Happy?”
I think I feel him smile against the back of my neck.
“Yeah. Me, too.”
13
NATHAN
I’m tingling with nervous energy as I pull up to the house.
Waking up next to Evan in his bed again for the first time in years felt so right. Having breakfast with his family, laughing over his mom’s pancakes. I felt like myself again, like I was exactly where I was supposed to be.
But there was a niggling doubt in the back of my mind, reminding me that Evan is still keeping me at arm’s length. That he might still see me as just a hookup. And that maybe he’s right to be worried.
A few of the guys give me sideways glances as I open the door.
“Hey man, you might want to make yourself scarce,” Archer says.
“Why?”
“Nathan?” Priestley’s voice is like a slap to the face.Shit.
“Is he really pissed about the-”
“Sorry dude,” Archer slips into the living room as Priestley comes out of the executive office.
“Come with me.”
I follow him, trying not to let my head drop. Squaring my shoulders as I enter the room.
“Close the door, Nathan.”
I close it and head over to the chair in front of the big mahogany desk. Before I can take a seat, Priestley stops me.
“Did I say you can sit down?”
“Come on Priestley, this is ridiculous.”
“Really? So you think it’s okay to miss an important mixer without even calling to tell me you’d been in a terrible accident?”
I frown. “I wasn’t in a terrible accident.”
“Sorry, you must have been in the hospital then?”
I suck in a breath. I know what he’s doing. “No.”
“So you were getting laid?”
