“Yes…it was a good birthday.”
Chapter Seven
Nico
Ididn’t sleep worth fucking shit last night. Put aside the fact that Carly and I slept on a full, a bed that I could barely fit on by myself. Also disregard the fact that her parents’ bedroom which was right across the hall from us had a reverberating snoring that was so loud, I was convinced the whole goddamn place was coming down.
No, neither of those things are the reason I didn’t sleep well. My main issue was simple and absolutely fucking infuriating. A pair of bright green eyes practically haunted me all night. Each time that I’d drift off to sleep, there they were. Over and over. New places, new dreams. Yet, the smart mouthed redhead was ever present. Ever enraging.
I don’t know why I told her Carly, and I had broken up. What did it matter? We were back together now, or at least in our own way. Maybe I didn’t like that my side of the story wasn’t considered in her version of…whatever she thinks of when she thinks to that night. I didn’t like that I was painted as a cheater in her mind, a player. I thought that maybe if she knew the truth, that sour judgmental look that pinches her face when she even glances in my direction would fade and maybe I’d see the smallest glimpse of the woman I’d met Friday night. Which believe me, I’m still trying to understand why the fuck I care in the first place.
Running a hand through my hair, I decide to give up on sleep at six thirty in the morning and go for a run. Jogging always helps clear my head. Big breath in, big breath out. You push forward, you fight, and you gain distance with every move you make. It’s poetic if you think about it, but really I just see it as a much needed outlet so I don’t lose my shit on someone or something underserving.
I change into a pair of shorts and slip on a t-shirt and some running shoes before I head out the door. As my legs begin to stretch out, and my pace quickens, instead of peace overcoming me, I feel chaos. A million thoughts and moments play in my mind. All revolving around that same fucking redhead. Goddamnit. What the hell is happening to me?
Pushing myself to run faster and harder, I attempt to outrun her. She’s consuming my head and no matter how desperately I want her out, it’s as if she’s making herself nice and comfy. Like last night, Carly and I started to get into it once again and I wasn’t in the mood. I told her I needed some air and escaped to the kitchen. I wasn’t even in search of anything except space.
Carly was laying into me, saying that I’ve been a grumpy ass this whole trip. She wanted to know what was wrong, why I was so quiet at dinner. I couldn’t tell her the real reason, though. I couldn’t tell her that I handled our twelve hour breakup by sinking myself inside her little sister. So, I fled, only to run into Cassi fucking Fischer. It’s like my mind can conjure that woman and she appears at the flick of a wrist.
As I circle back the way I came and approach the Fischer household, I feel relief. After a shower and some coffee we will get all packed up and head to the airport. We will go back toBoston and Carly and I will…I don’t really know from there. I’m not sure what to do with her at this point. I’m tired, I know that. I’m sick and fucking tired of her entitlement and attitude. I’m sick of being seen as a meal ticket and not a goddamn human being. Is that really how I feel, though, or am I just trying to justify my actions of the other night? Because somehow it doesn’t feel as bad if I slept with my ex’s sister as it does if I slept with my girlfriend’s sister. Semantics and all but sometimes they really fucking matter.
Wiping the sweat off my brow, I blow out a heavy breath and make my way up the front driveway of the house. Pushing inside, I kick off my shoes and set them to the side before walking into the kitchen. There I find the coffee machine and fire it up before pouring a glass of water. Mary told me to help myself to anything around the house and normally, I wouldn’t take anyone up on such things. Hell, the very concept of depending on anyone or taking anything that is anyone else’s feels…wrong.
I know that’s how families operate and they are just being kind but the idea is so foreign from me I’m more than uncomfortable in how to take it. I struggled releasing enough control to ride in a car while someone else drove. That’s why there was no way in hell I was letting Henry pay for dinner last night. Regardless if Carly and I work out or not, I don’t like the idea of my name being marred with negativity like not paying my way…or being a sleazeball in sex club. Fuck, why can’t I let that go? I’m starting to fucking annoy myself.
A knock comes from the front door that has me curious. The house is overall quiet, it seems the whole family is the type to sleep in, which means they are definitely not expecting company. You’d think a delivery or something would know that it’s too early to knock and would just leave whatever they have at the front door.
Walking through the hall, I come to the foyer before opening the front door. I recognize the face on the other side of thethreshold immediately and for some unknown reason, I’m not pleased in the slightest to see him again.
“Can I help you?” I ask stiffly.
He gives me a friendly smile as he holds out his hand for me.
“Hey, Nicholas, right? I don’t know if you remember me from last night. I’m?—”
“I remember,” I cut in. “What do you want?”
Alec looks taken back by my directness but shakes it off easily as he holds up the flowers that have been dangling by his side.
“I’m here to pick up Cassi.”
“Cassi?” I question with furrowed brows. “She’s not?—”
“I’m here, I’m here! Sorry, I couldn’t find the right shoes,” she says as she steps into the foyer, effectively shoving me out of the way.
I can’t stop my gaze from taking her in. From her white canvas shoes to her light blue jeans and cropped white tank top accompanied with a leather jacket. She looks…different. Different than I’ve seen her. She’s not dolled up in an expensive red gown that is practically painted onto her, nor in a pair of leggings and a baggy shirt with her hair piled on top of her head. This looks is more simple, casual, and somehow it’s become one of my favorites.
One of your favorites? You shouldn’t have a single fucking favorite. Not only is she way too young and way too off limits she’s…no. No favorites.
“You look perfect,” Alec says, smiling at her like a fucking jackass. “These are for you.”
“Sunflowers? They are my?—”
“Favorite, I remember,” he fills in with a smile that seems to turn Cassi to goo.
Are you fucking serious?
“I’ll just go put these in some water and then I’ll be ready to go,” she says.
