Page 37 of Fireworks
“Nice of you to show up.”
Asher hated being up early in the mornings if he didn’t have work to get to. Shooting him a dirty look, I joined Brandon on the couch. Leaning in to kiss him on the cheek and I whispered Merry Christmas, he grabbed my hand and offered me a sip of his coffee.
“I’m okay. I’ll go get my own in a few. So are the Kings going to be here soon?”
My gaze drifted toward my parents, knowing they’d answer me in a much less sarcastic tone than my brother. Just as my mother opened her mouth to answer, the front door opened, and Mrs. King’s jovial voice fills the house.
“Merry Christmas everyone!”
Getting up to greet her, Nate wasn’t far behind, holding a tray of cookies and a few gift bags. For a moment, my heart forgot how to beat as our eyes lock into an intense gaze. He walked through the door, his gaze never breaking from mine. Yet, he walked past me without saying a word. An unnatural heaviness fell over my chest as everything seemed to slow down around me. I could see everyone happily saying hello and hugging. Brandon politelytalking with my father in the corner. The worst part was Nate not even turning to look back as he made his way past me. Without warning, everything sped up as if there was an invisible fast forward button being pressed. Brandon’s hand is on my shoulder, and I heard his words in my ear.
“Everything okay?”
Shaking my head, I responded quickly. Hoping that he suspected nothing.
“Just need some coffee.”
I had known Nathan King my entire life, literally. I had never had him act like I was completely invisible like this. Enduring years of ridicule from both him and my brother was annoying, but I tolerated it because I didn’t have a choice. Him ignoring me hurt. Especially after he was the one who kissed me again the other day.
How the hell did he turn it on and off? One minute he is lusting over me and the next I’m nothing more than a speck of dust on a lampshade. I knew I hated him and I pushed him away, but that didn’t mean I wanted to be treated like this.
Pouring myself a cup of coffee, I hoped the caffeine would give me the energy to make it through this day. I couldn’t wait to be back on campus. Away from everyone and everything I was being put through right now.
“Hey Brandon, I don’t think you got to meet Nate yesterday.”
Asher’s voice rang through the air as I watched him introduce the two men. Nate held out his hand and was cordial while the three of them started talking about football and how the team was amazing this year. I guess there was a downside to going to the same school my brother did. Both he and Nate still had connections to my school life even if it was indirectly. Walking up behind Brandon, he wrapped his arm around my waist as he always did when I stood close. The minute I joined them; Nate excused himself.
“I’m going to see if your mom needs help with anything.”
Leaving me to listen to my brother drone on about his old days on the field. My eyes watched Nate as he crossed the house, never once meeting my gaze.
“I’ll be back in a minute. I forgot my phone upstairs.”
Kissing Brandon on the cheek, he barely acknowledged me as he continued talking about sports. Slipping away, I made my way up the stairs two at a time to retrieve my phone. By the time I was at my bedroom door, I could feel the burning in my eyes. Why the hell did I care so much that he was ignoring me? I was with Brandon, who was such a great guy. Our meet cute was like something out of a romance novel and he made me feel so special. On top of everything, he also never pressured me into anything after finding out that I was still a virgin. He told me it didn’t matter to him, and he wasn’t with me for that. He loved spending time with me and watching me light up when I would talk about my classes. Guilt flooded over me as I sat down on my bed.
Brandon: Hey where’d you go? Nate’s mom is looking for you.
Katie: Be right down, sorry.
Checking my reflection in the bathroom mirror before I went back down, I splashed cold water on my face. It was a desperate attempt to wash the sadness that had spilled out onto it. As my foot hit the bottom step, Mrs. King rounded the corner, nearly causing me to fall backward onto my ass.
“Hi. Sorry I didn’t see you.”
She placed her hands on mine, whispering.
“I have something I need your help with, but we have to be quiet about it.”
I nodded, unsure what she could need my help with. Following her out to her car, she unlocked the doors, and we both climbed in.
“Katie, I need you to be honest with me. I promise I won’t be mad. I need to know the truth.”
My eyes widened as I fear what she may ask me about right now. Lying to her, especially to her face, would be impossible. I also did not know what the hell she could ask me about that we needed to leave the house to discuss. Swallowing down hard, I nodded, afraid to know what the next sentence was going to be.
“Nate has been sneaking around a lot. It started during the summer. I’ve asked him what he’s been doing and where he’s been going, but he tells me it’s nothing. A mother knows when their child is lying. Do you know what he’s been up to?”
I think for a minute before speaking.
“No, I don’t know. He has said nothing to me. Have you asked Asher?”