Page 45 of Until Now
“I’ve been a little busy.”
Steve looks between us and our hands that rest on top of the table. “I see that. It’s nice to meet you…”
“Nick.”
“Well, Nick. I hope to see more of you. Nin, the usual?”
“Just a glass of Cab, and he’ll take an IPA,” I order for us. When Steve leaves, it’s time to ask the question I’ve been holding back. “So, what made you decide to take me out on a ‘real’ date?”
“Well, I really have seen a different side of you.”
“You never gave me a chance.”
“And, I’m sorry for that. I’m sorry for a lot of my behavior. I want us to get to know each other. Who knows, maybe we walk away from this as friends or maybe more?”
“Maybe,” I say with a small smirk.
“But, I wanted to say thank you. You’ve done so much for me this summer, I wanted to return the favor.”
“It was part of our agreement, Fossette.”
“Fuck the agreement, Dee. I don’t care about that anymore.” Nick kisses the back of my hand. “I could walk away without a fucking cent and I’d be happy that I got to spend this time with you.” His eyes never leave mine when he says, “I think we both know we haven’t been pretending for a while now.”
My heart stops.
We haven’t been pretending for a while now.
Hearing him admit it makes my heart swell. Confirms everything I’ve felt. Every look, every touch, every word…
“You know, my brother had the biggest crush on you in school. Totally, in love with you. I thought he was seeing dollar signs and parties, but he always told me there was more to you. I guess, I just thought he was making shit up.”
Steve returns with our drinks. “We ready to order?”
“Just a few more minutes,” I say, taking a sip of my wine. When he’s gone, I turn back to Nick with a smirk, “In love with me, huh?”
“Apparently, you almost ran him over once.” He laughs when I choke on a sip of wine. “Some football game against Bridgeport, guess you just barely missed him in the parking lot.”
“I am so sorry.”
“Don’t be. He came home and told Mom how the Nina Villa talked to him after she almost ran him over.”
“Wait.” The pieces fall into place. “I think, I remember him. Kinda looks like you, but taller…shorter hair?” Nick nods. “He and I talked earlier that night before I almost ran him over.”
Senior Year. The Hills Academy Eagles versus the Bridgeport High Tigers. We crushed Bridgeport and our team was in the mood to celebrate. His brother had been walking through the parking lot without paying attention to where he was going and walked right out in between two cars into the middle of the road and —
SCREECH!
Alex jumped back from my Wrangler that had come to a halt mere inches from him. I sat behind the wheel, Teagan next to me, and Elizabeth in the backseat. We were dressed in cheerleading uniforms embellished with the word EAGLES. After a moment, my glare softened — recognizing him. There was no way I could forget that obnoxious Tigers spirit shirt from when I met him earlier that night — we had helped a Bridgeport girl who spilled red icee down the front of her white jeans.
“What, are you stupid?” Teagan shouted, ripping Alex’s attention from me. “Watch where you’re going!”
“Didn’t see you,” Alex said and took a step back, his eyes met mine again.
“Better watch yourself, Tiger,” I winked at him before speeding away.
Nick’s thumb grazes the top of my hand bringing me back to the present moment. “He never told me that.”
“Well, he ran into me right after I fought with my boyfriend, at the time. And—”