Page 11 of Michelle
7
NATE
I'd hoped for something to happen between Michelle and me, but I couldn't have imagined the bond we would share so soon after meeting. But it's locked, and I am ready to throw away the key.
Later in the evening, Michelle and I clean up the mess in the kitchen but find our way back to her room and the arms of one another. It feels incredible holding her in my arms as she sleeps. It feels like she's always been a part of my life despite how recently we met.
I don’t want to fall asleep. I don’t want to miss a moment of experiencing everything right now—like the way her body feels so right pressed against mine or the soft sound of her snores that I’m sure she will fight me on the fact if I ever bring it up with her.
My phone beeps in the pocket of my jeans. I want to ignore it, but it's already so late. It could be an emergency. Carefully, I pull my arm out from beneath Michelle's head, and she only stirs briefly before settling back into the pillow. I pull out my phone and see that it's a message from Steph. Tobey got into some chocolate, and she's at the emergency vet.
I jump to my feet and start pulling on my damp clothes scattered around on the floor. I type out a quick response to Steph to let her know that I'm on my way. Tobey is my family, and I need to be there for him.
“Hey, babe?” I whisper to Michelle.
Her eyes flutter open, and a contented smile spreads across her face when she sees me.
“Hmm,” she moans as she stretches her arms above her head. “Don’t tell me you are ready for another round already.”
"Michelle, I need you to focus," I say in my best no-nonsense tone. "My ex just texted me and said she was at the hospital with Tobey. I need to go, but I didn't want you to wake up and find me gone."
She sits up, holding the sheet against her chest. “Do you want me to go with you?”
“No, I’m okay. But I have to go now. I’ll call you when I know something.” I kiss her quickly on the forehead and turn to head towards the front door.
I have a two-hour drive ahead of me, and I don't have time to waste. I get in my truck and speed out of town. It's early enough that I doubt many cops will be out looking to catch speeders.
My stomach clenches, and I tell myself that everything is going to be okay. It has to be.
MICHELLE
I can't believe he has a kid, and he didn't tell me. But then again, the only chance he really had to tell me about him was that first night when we all had dinner. I don't know why I feel so uneasy about this news; it's not like I don't like kids. But maybe it's because suddenly, there is a whole new level to this relationship that I wasn't prepared for. Being with Nate isn't just being with Nate. It's being with Nate and his son.
It's hard to concentrate all morning and afternoon as I try to busy myself with tasks to keep my mind off what is consuming my mind. Nate's until has a plumber come out and look at the kitchen faucet, and I work on a project for work that isn't due until next week, but I might as well get it completed. I even stop over next door to try and get some more information about Nate and his son, but she isn't home.
I'm sitting on the back porch with a glass of wine when Nate gets home. The sun is already starting to set, and the sky is a deep dusky orange and red color.
"Hey," Nate says as he walks out his back door and jumps over the small wall that divides us.
“Hey.”
“I’m sorry, I couldn’t call to let you know what was going on. I was already on the road when I realized I don’t have your phone number in my phone. I tried calling Charlotte, but she’s away on a bachelorette trip.”
“Don’t worry about it,” I say as I stand up and give him a quick kiss. “You had a lot going on.”
"Yeah, it was a scary few hours, but he's doing good now. I helped Steph take him home, and I didn't want to leave until he got settled."
“You should have stayed.”
"I didn't want to impose on Steph. She's already been through so much today."
Nate runs his hand over his face, and he slumps down in the chair next to mine. I can see the exhaustion in his eyes. He was up early, and emotions were running high for him. But what I need to tell him is something I've been thinking about all day, and I can't hold it in now that he's standing in front of me.
“Nate, I think we need to take a step back.”
Confusion creases his brow, and he stands. "What do you mean step back?"
“This is all happening so quickly. There is so much we don’t know about each other, and what I’m feeling is stronger than what someone should feel after so little time together.”
