Page 67 of Dark Obsession
Chapter 23
Nate
Not seeing Jenna all day Sunday almost killed me, but I knew she was going to spend some time with her family. I had to pray that her visit wouldn't put her in proximity with Ashley. Surely Ash wouldn't be hanging out with the Webbs after what she did to Darek. Surely not.
I slept most of the day away and woke up Monday morning on the couch, covered in sweat from a nightmare I had.
Jenna had been in my face, screaming at the top of her lungs, losing her shit. She uncovered everything and wouldn't let me explain why or how I was involved. She wouldn't hear me out.
"What the fuck do you expect, man?" I ran my hands over the top of my head and closed my eyes as I sat on the couch, leaned over, dripping sweat. "Your time is almost up with this girl. Love can't save you from what the fuck you are."
"Nate. You up, man?" Mikey. "I lost my fucking key."
"Lost it or gave it to the highest bidder?" I reached for the door and paused. Mikey didn't lose shit. Not ever. "You stop by the bakery this morning for me? I'm not letting your fat-ass in unless-"
"Blueberry, dude. They were out of your favorite." His voice was tight.
Fuck. Our code word was blueberries.
"I'm naked, man, cock hanging out and all. Let me grab my pants." I jogged to the bedroom and pulled a shirt over my head before getting my gun. I walked back toward the living room as my heart raced. Was Ashley really coming over to my place to threaten me? Fucking bitch. "I'm coming. I-"
"We're already inside, Nate." Erik stood behind Mikey, who sat in his favorite chair. The gun pointed at the back of my best friend’s head lifted and Erik motioned for me to sit down. "Have a seat. Let's chat."
"All right, man. Just let Mikey go. You know that fat fucker ain't got nothing to do with all of this."
"Naw... but it's sweet of you to suggest." He smiled, the devil's spawn standing in my goddamn living room. "He should hear this, you know, in case you need a witness."
"All right. Sure." I sat down and put my gun on the table in front of me. Getting in a quick draw fight with Erik Bertinelli was a no-win situation. There was no way I would come out on top.
"Tell me what your plans are for the Webb girl." He moved around Mikey and sat down on the other chair in the living room before leaning back. Seeing him relaxed and comfortable while pointing a gun at me had my blood boiling. Sorry piece of shit.
"Why do you care?" I crossed my arms and leaned back.
"Because she's growing on me. I kinda like her. She's got this naughty side that someone needs to-"
I came up off the couch. "You sorry fucker. You know I'm in love with her. Say one more goddamn thing and we'll both be dead on this floor."
Mikey was on his feet, and Erik stood and lifted his gun toward my face.
"In love with the girl whose brother you killed in cold blood for money? What a conundrum. Seems to be your MO, doesn't it? Hurt those closest to you."
"Is this about us, Erik? You got involved in this shit because you're still bent over by me not joining you? This has nothing to do with you. Stay the fuck out of it." I growled loudly and took a step toward him as he calmly clicked his safety off.
Mikey moved in between me and the gun, facing me. "Stop it. I care too much about you to see you get your brain splattered all over a fucking wall for a girl. Stop it."
"Move Mikey. This isn't just about Jenna. It's about my fucking freedom." I shoved my friend to the side. "Pull that trigger or get the fuck out of my house."
He moved the gun an inch to the left and pulled the trigger, hitting my ear with the bullet. I didn't flinch. It grazed me if even that. Mikey dropped to the ground, curled into a ball and started screaming like a little girl.
"Don't tell me what the fuck to do. You are nothing to me anymore, Nate."
"I was like a brother once." I reached up and wiped the blood off my ear. "Those days all long gone now? One ‘no’ and all the shit we went through is part of the past? Locked up in the space where your black heart used to beat?"
"What are you going to do with Jenna? Answer the question."
"I don't know. I'm not going to hurt her." I pulled my t-shirt up and pressed it to my ear as I ignored the stinging. "I can't hurt Ash either. She's been beside me since you walked away."
He nodded and pulled the gun down. "I like her."
