Page 80 of Fault Lines
I straightened. “I’m not kicking you out of your own bed, Nate. I’ll be comfortable on the couch. Really.”
“But I wouldn’t be Olivia,” he shot back, and it was the first time I’d heard him use my full name. “My mother raised me to be a gentleman—to take care of women, make sure they’re safe and comfortable. That includes you.”
I couldn’t help it—I grinned. “Guess chivalry’s alive and well, huh? Fine. I’ll take the bed. Your mother would probably haunt us otherwise.”
“That’s totally fine by me.” He flashed a dimpled smile, the kind that made my heart twist. For one dizzy second, I wondered what it would feel like to kiss that dimple.
Where didthatcome from?
Get it together, Olivia.My marriage was barely hanging on, and now here I was fantasizing about Nate, of all people. Was I really that much of a mess?
I tried to lighten the mood. “In that case, goodnight, kind sir.”
He tipped an imaginary hat. “G’night, m’lady. If you need anything, you know where to find me.”
He shut the door and I could hear him rustling around out in the living room. I crawled under the covers of his bed and immediately melted into the mattress. The sheets were cooland smelled like him—a woodsy, comforting scent that was so different from the spice and heat of Cam.
Sleep found me quickly, but it wasn’t the peaceful kind.
I dreamed of Cam and Lacey. I was in the room with them, invisible, watching as he lay between her legs and whispered words into her ear—the same words he used to say to me. I screamed at him to see me, to remember me, but he turned away, lost in her. They couldn’t hear me. Or didn’t care.
Someone shook my shoulder. “Wake up, Livi!”
My eyes flew open to see Nate’s worried face, his hands still gently cradling my arms. It took a moment before I realized I’d been screaming. Tears were flowing, renewed by just enough sleep to bring everything back.
“It was awful,” I sobbed. “They were together. I watched it happen, but they didn’t even notice me. Why is he doing this, Nate? What did I do?”
Nate pulled me toward him and let me cry into his shoulder, holding me until the panic faded.
“He’s the problem, Livi. Not you. I know it hurts, but it’s not your fault. You’re just the one who gets hurt, and I hate that for you.”
“What if he leaves me?” The words were shaky and small. “What if he decides she’s what he really wants?”
He brushed the hair back from my face. “Then he’ll be the biggest idiot in the world. And even if he realizes it someday, I hope it’s too late for him. I hope you’ll see what you’re really worth by then.”
I hesitated. “Will you stay with me? Just for tonight? I know it’s a lot to ask, but I can’t stand the thought of being alone.”
“Of course I’ll stay.” He climbed into the bed, pulled the covers over us, and wrapped me up in his arms, warm and solid behind me.
“I’m really sorry for being a train wreck tonight. I ruined your evening.”
“Not at all. The fair was amazing, and I loved every second of it. Yeah, I wish things hadn’t gone sideways, but not because of me. It’s hard being betrayed by someone you trust, and I get it more than most. Our stories are different, but the hurt’s the same.”
I relaxed a little, rolling over to see him more clearly. “I really am glad I met you,” I whispered, brushing my lips against his almost before I knew what I was doing. “I think… I think I want more. Being with you, it feels right. I want to be closer to you.”
He let out a breathy, almost embarrassed laugh. “If you knew what that did to me right now…” His eyes sparkled, and I found myself smiling, too.
He tucked my hair behind my ear. “I want that with you, more than anything. But tonight’s not the night. You’re hurting, and I won’t be that guy. I want to wait until you really know what you want, not just because you’re in pain.”
“I promise, that’s not it. I just… I feel good with you. Not numb. Real.”
He smirked. “So I’m your rebound, huh?”
My face fell, wondering if he meant it.
He caught my hand. “Livi, I’m kidding. I want to be your support, not a distraction. But your heart’s got enough on it tonight; I don’t want you to wake up tomorrow and regret anything. Besides”—he gave me a look, half serious, half playful—“you’re the only one keeping the rules anymore, even if he isn’t. Isn’t that worth something?”
My brow furrowed. “Why should I, if he already broke them?”
