Page 84 of Piece Us Together

His face softens with relief. “I didn’t either.”

“It’s like the world goes on pause when we’re there, you know? It’s not anything to do with him, even. It’s just that nothing else matters but us when we’re there. It’s nice.”

“Right…” Nolan looks away then, his teeth working at his bottom lip. I replay what I said, trying to figure out what he didn’t like about it.Was he hoping I was struggling with leaving Hunter instead of just leaving the freedom of being at his house? Is Hunter why he didn’t want to leave?

Is Hunter why I didn’t want to leave, if I’m being honest with myself?

“Maybe it was Hunter a little too,” I admit without even thinking.

“Yeah?” He perks up, his blue eyes wide with hope.Fuck, he actually was sad about Hunter.

Fuck, was I actually sad about Hunter?

“He’s a good guy,” I argue. I don’t even know who with or why I’m arguing.

“He takes good care of us,” Nolan adds.

“You.”

“Us,” he says a little harder, his eyes narrowing. “I’m not blind, Mais. He takes care ofus.”

My face burns. I look out the windshield, my heart hammering in my chest. “I don’t need to be taken care of. I—I let him, when we’re there, but it’s not something I need or anything.”

“It could be.”

“But it’s not.”

“Do you think I’m weak for needing it?” he asks.

I look at him so fast I get a little dizzy.Or is that just the impending panic?“You know I don’t think that. Hell, you’re fucking strong for asking me for what you needed, and for letting me bring you to Hunter and give this whole thing a try. You’re one of the strongest men I’ve ever fucking met, Nolan.”

“Butyou’reweak for needing it?”

It’s only then that I realize his previous question hadn’t been asked with hurt in his voice. It was asked as a challenge. I had missed it.

Good play, baby. Good fucking play.

“It’s not about that. I just—I don’t need it.”

“Okay.”

“I don’t.”

He smirks. “Sure. Okay.”

“Nolan.”

“Maison.”

I laugh, letting my head thud back against my headrest. “I don’t need it, but I like it, alright? It’s fuckingnice. Is that what you wanted to hear?”

He flashes me a cheeky grin. “It’s a start.”

“Get out of the car, you goof.” I playfully tug the hem of his hat over his eyes before turning the car off and getting out.

We’re laughing softly, flushed and happy and stupidly in love, when we enter the house.

I should’ve known better.