Page 76 of Until Now
Chapter Forty-Four
THEN
“I need someair.” I push through the crowd without looking back. The alcohol courses through me. The air thick and the music too loud. I need fresh air. I can hear them yelling for me, but I don’t care. I need to be anywhere but here right now. A couple blocks the door — the boy’s mouth open so wide it looks like he’s trying to swallow her face, but he’s too busy enjoying himself to notice she isn’t even kissing him back. She offers me a grateful smile when I push him aside to open the door, he offers an obscene gesture I return before stepping outside. “Fuck,” I mumble taking the a large breath. The air is thick, humid, but I don’t care. Anything is better than inside the small house.
I stumble reaching for the railing of the steps, plopping onto the first step. My eyes close as the concrete cools my skin, but there’s something warm against the side of my thigh. My fingers graze warmth, it’s something covered in… fabric? What the hell?
I jump from the steps almost falling, but something catches my wrist. A hand. A warm hand, the skin rough and worn, sends a trail of heat blazing across my skin. “You’re okay, I gotcha.”
“I’m sorry,” I giggle, the alcohol still coursing through my veins. It’s not funny, but it is. “I didn’t mean to sit on you.”
“Y’alright?” His voice warm like a warm blanket.
“Bene, bene. Needed some air, troppo caldo.” Christmas lights hanging on the porch illuminate his face. He’s handsome — sharp jaw, slight stubble, freckles, buzz cut… But, it’s his eyes that draw me in. Even in the dark, I can tell they’re gorgeous.
“Nina?”
“Hmm?”
“Your name is Nina?”
“At your service.” My attempt to curtsy falls flat sending me stumbling again, but I catch myself just before I fall into him. I adjust my dress — the olive green garment leaves very little to the imagination, tanned skin exposed beneath thin spaghetti straps and a v-neckline. The dress hugs my body like a glove, like it had been made for me, because it was. Looking up to thank him for helping me, I recognize him. “Hey! I’ve seen you before, you’re in some of my classes. You’re cute.”
He laughs and I swear my insides melt.
“What’s your name?” I sink back onto the step.
“Nick.”
“What areyoudoing out here?”
“Wondering why I came out tonight.”
“Non sei l'unico,” I whisper more to myself than him.
“You seemed to be having a good time.”
“Watching me?” A flirtatious smile.
“Not exactly.”
“Well, I didn’t see you. I definitely would’ve danced with a cutie like you.” I laugh because it’s true. Had I seen him inside, I definitely would have stuck by his side. “You just need to learn how to have a little fun. If you want, I can teach you.”
“I’ll keep that in mind for next time,” he says, twirling car keys on his finger.
“You’re leaving?”
“Gettin’ to be that time.”
I stand from the stairs and trip on my heels. He catches me, again. “We’ve got to stop meeting like this,” I giggle.
“You sure you’re okay?”
“Peachy.” After a long deep breath, I straighten my dress and stare at the door. I really don’t want to go back inside. I rode with Teagan, and Lord knows she won’t want to leave yet. I refuse to ask Lee, he’ll want to stay the night, and I just want to be left alone.
“Gonna be okay in there?”
“Of course! Not a party without Nina Villa, is it?” He studies me for a moment, like he understands what I’m really saying. I’m sure he’s heard the rumors, who hasn’t? But, the way he looks at me, it’s like he sees beyond the mask I’ve perfected. Like he sees the lie. “It was nice to meet you… Um…”