Page 58 of The Tomorrows After You
Even if I told her how I felt, I had no real way of knowing if she wanted the same things.
Frustrated, I flipped the TV off and retreated to the darkness of my bedroom.
The next morning, Iexpectedto find her awake already, but she stillhadn’tcome out of the lanai. Usually, shewasout here by nowcomplainingabout my shitty coffee and being a royal pain in my ass at the breakfast bar. Her empty seatcrackedmy chest open, and I alreadywantedthis day to be over so I might steal another chance to talk to her.
Closing myself in the confines of my bathroom, apprehension ran through me. I splashed water on my face. I glared at the stranger in the mirror and suppressed a disgusted scoff.
I wish I could see more of that smile.
I had trimmed my beard down, but it still didn’t feel like enough. I dug through the drawers until I found what I was looking for.
Twenty minutes later, I finished getting ready and was pulled out of my spiraling thoughts by the buzz of my doorbell. I frowned. No one ever stopped by here.
My irritation grew when I saw the police car parked in my driveway like it belonged there.
I pulled the door open for Jeremy Blackwell and crossed my flexed arms in front of me, leaning against the doorframe. If he was intimidated, he sure didn’t show it. Jeremy’s wide smile mocked me.
“Good morning, Riot. How are you?”
Igrumbledat the niceties.“What can I do for you, Jeremy?”
“I’m here to talk to Nicolette. Is she home?” He grinned wider and something in me turned a little cold. Defensive. I puffed up to block the view of his craning neck.
“I haven’t seen her up yet so I’m not sure. I can take a message and let her know you stopped by when she wakes up.”
“She’sawake,”Nicolettemutteredgroggily behind me, taking a sip of coffee. Shegrimacedwith distaste and Iwantedto smile. Shepausedher next sip when her eyeslandedon my face. Her hairwastousledin a knot on top of her head and I couldn’t help but rake my eyes over her body in those tiny pajamas again.God, the womanispure torture.
Something deliciouscrossedher face, almost like a smile, more like intrigue. Our eyestangledand my heartskippedabeat. Irana hand over the lower half of my bare face, self-conscious of the very short stubbleI’dleftbehind.
Nicolette’s head tilted to the side. I wanted her to know I’d done it for her. Because she had said she wanted to see my smile and even though I had obligations with Katie today, I wanted her to know my smile was all hers. It wasn’t much, but it was all I had left to offer.
“Oh good!” Jeremy’s voice severed the moment. “Hey, sorry to just drop by but I was in the neighborhood and figured it was too nice of a day for a text message.” I tried to compute that but just frowned. “I wanted to ask you, Nicolette, if you’d let me give you a ride to the carnival later this morning? I ran into Katie last night and when she said she and Riot were going together, I didn’t want you to be left high and dry.”
Heflashedanother smile with a subtle wink at me and Iwantedto break all of his beady little white teeth.
I can’t explain whatinfuriatedme more; the idea of Jeremy fucking Blackwell taking Nicolette anywhere, or the fact that hemadean in-person stop to ask her like he was marking his territory.
My molarsgroundtogether, notwantingto turn around to see her expression. I shouldn’t care. I couldn’t care. But still, Ilistenedfor her response,holdingmy breath.
“Oh, um, you don’thaveto do that, Jeremy. I don’t mind walking.” The way the pitch in her voicewentdown when shesaidwalkingdid something funny to my chest.
“Nonsense, you’re a co-chair. Besides, Iwantto. I’d beluckyto walk in withNicolette Parkeron my arm.” He flashed another cheesy grin.
The rushing of blood in my ears might have drowned out her answer so I turned around. Her gaze dropped when my eyes landed on her. There was a sadness that wasn’t there a moment ago and my fingers hummed to hold her. She felt stuck, but there was also gratitude. She knew his flattery was phony, she was too smart not to. But still, he’d made her feel like a priority and Ifuckinghated everything about this moment.
“Okay, yeah, therearesome crates Ineededto bring to one of the vendor booths if you don’t mind.”
My spirits plummeted.
Was that the only reason she’d asked me to take her yesterday? Mixed emotions warred inside me. But the overwhelming one was despair. She was going to be gone soon. And I wanted her here. It didn’t matter that she’d be riding in Jeremy’s cruiser today. I’d let her ride with Jeremy every day if it meant he was driving her home to me.
“I’ll let you two coordinate,” I said, stalking away. But I’ll be damned if I didn’t eavesdrop on the rest of their conversation.
“Great!” Jeremy exclaimed. “What time should I pick you up?”
Nicolettehesitated.Half past go fuck yourself.
“Maybe eleven-thirty?”
