Page 14 of The Other Side of Together

I pause in the marble foyer under a chandelier big enough to pull the roof down on all the shiny things lining the foyer. When Holden brushes against me as he shuts the door, I tense, but follow him down the hallway.

Men’s laughter echoes from the living room ahead, the edges harsh and uncontrolled. I grip my bag strap as I step into Nick’s living room where a white cloud curls above the table and the smell of liquor burns my nose, like breathing gasoline.Poker night.

I pull the envelope from my bag and set it on a table, then turn to leave, but a chair scrapes the floor as Nick’s voice scrapes the air. “There she is. My girl!”

I glance over my shoulder as he sways around the table, stumbles, and reaches for the wall. He weaves toward me, a nauseating wave of alcohol reaching me before he does, but his smile is steady. “Want us to deal you in so you can destroy me like usual?”

My eyes roam towers of poker chips that remind me of my sophomore year when Nick taught me how to play. He brought all my favorite candy instead of money. His eyes were bright and clear back then, shocked when I won every round. They’re cloudy and dull tonight and it’s not even seven.

“I can’t stay.” I shake my head. “Brought something from Baba.” I point to the envelope then turn toward the glossy black door so far down the marble hallway, but Nick grabs the same arm he left his mark on last night, and I wince.

“Wait! Sorry.” He lets go and rubs the spot. “I’ve been out of my mind waiting for you to respond to my calls and texts. Can we talk?”

“I have to go—”

“Please.” His black eyes swirl, unsteady.

Talking to Drunk Nick’s not part of my errand tonight, but I’m afraid of his reaction if I say no, so I nod, rubbing my arm and following him through the room. Chaz is at the table dealing cards, a joint dangling from his lips. His eyes skim mine, and I wish cousins could speak eye language so he’d get my message and distract Nick, but Chaz looks away and Nick grabs my hand, tugging me upstairs.

When he trips on a step, he reaches for the railing, yanking me down with him. My hands land on his back and he twists toward me with a sloppy smile and laughs while his hands fumble around my waist.

“Don’t.” I fling his hands away and if he wasn’t blocking my way, I’d be back down the stairs and out of here. My mind circles back to last night and how he fumbled with me before the police scared him off. What did he think I was going to let him do in the alley? Or tonight?

He regains his balance, pulling me upstairs behind him, and I swear he’s sweating alcohol. I hold my breath.

“Close your eyes,” he slurs when we reach the landing, and even though I’m terrified he’ll try to kiss me again, I close them, my body stiff and jerky. I put my hand out in front of me as Nick pulls me forward until a doorknob twists and I snap my eyes open to see whatever I’m stepping into.

He flips a light switch and a chandelier drips from the ceiling over a giant bed draped in fur and silk and layers of velvety pillows. His arm wraps around my waist from behind. “It’s yours.” His breath in my ear is hot and sticky as my eyes jump around the room. “Ours. You’ll live here during culinary school. Just like we discussed.”

His words stun me, and my mind circles around themuntil I understand what he’s implying. A month ago, he mentioned that I could move into one of his three houses. I thought that meant one he wasn’t occupying. “I haven’t decided where I’m going to live yet.”

“We’ve known each other forever, Mei Li. It’s time to take the next step.”

“After last night, I’m not sure there is one.”

He takes a step back and looks at the floor, rubbing his neck. “Listen. I’m sorry. I don’t know where that came from and—”

“I do. This…” I wave my hand in front of him. “The drinking. It’s changed you.”

He nods. “I know. I’ve just been under a lot of pressure.” He reaches for me, pulling me to him. “I’ll do better, I swear. I’ll give it up if that’s what you need.” He leans in, his nose tracing my cheek and down my neck, his arms wrapping around me, pulling me tight against him. When his lips press against my neck, I stiffen.

“Stop.” I twist out of his arms. “You’re drunk.”

“Come on. It’s you and me, Mei Li. It’s always been that way. So why not make it official?” He pauses, his eyes meeting mine. “Unless there’s someone else.”

Marcus’s face drifts across my mind, and I mentally sweep it away so Nick won’t see it in my eyes. Or so, if we ever talk again, Marcus won’t see how Nick has my future in his grip, and that if he finds out I’ve been talking to Marcus, he could crush it all. No one gets an internship before they get accepted to culinary school. I’m lucky, no matter how I feel right now. Maybe taking this step is the only way to show him how grateful I am.

When his arms wrap around me from behind, I close my eyes and swallow. I have to forget Marcus, focus on Nick. But when his hand fumbles with the button on my pants, I grab it.

“I’m not ready.” My words strain against my throat, my heart thumping like it’s pushing me up and toward the door.

His teeth nip at my neck, and I squirm away and turn to face him. “Stop, Nick.”

He growls a curse. “What’s your problem?” Fire burns away any softness in his eyes.

“I have to go. My parents will wonder.”

“Wonder what? You’re eighteen. I’ve waited long enough.” He grabs me again, backing me against the bed until I fall backward onto the mattress. He hovers above me, pinning my arms to the bed as his lips scratch along my neck.

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