Page 14 of Kid
“Okay.” I replied, my voice soft without me meaning for it to be.
I walked around the back of my car to open the driver’s door.
“Good talk.” I tapped the hood of my vehicle.
“I don’t care, you know?” Nella called.
I paused to look at her over the roof of the vehicle.
“Why are you really doing this?” Nella called. “I know you’d never chose me. I mean, I’m older than you. And I’m not a cougar—I’d have to be cute first—right?”
“Nella, I could tell you that you’re cute.” I told her. “I could tell you until I’m blue in the face but if you don’t see that in yourself there’s nothing anyone else can do.”
“I’m not talking to anyone else.”
“You’re talking to me.” I pushed. “And I get it, but the same thing applies. I can’t make you see your beauty.”
She cleared her throat, blinked back the tears I saw glistening in her eyes and looked away from me for a breath. Finally, she returned her gaze to me and it seemed as if she was back under control.
“I don’t even know why—” She exhaled loudly.
“If you want me to react, Nella,” I said. “You can’t come at me sideways. I’m going to need you to come correct.”
“Correct.” Nella sniffled and nodded. “I—I don’t—I don’t even know what that means.”
I looked off down the street for a moment then back at her. “I need you to come honestly. I don’t need you to see things happening and react like some spoiled teenager. I can’t read your mind.”
When she said nothing, I moved to get in the car again.
“I don’t care, you know?”
“Okay, Nella?” I paused. “Don’t care about what?”
“I don’t care that you chose her.” She swallowed again. “That you call her yours. Of course, you picked her. I mean, look at her. She’s perfect.”
Before she continued, I closed the door but didn’t move from where I was standing. Instead, I rested my arms to the roof of the car and tilted my head, waiting to see where this conversation was going.
“I don’t care that you let her into your circle to meet your brothers.” Nella went on. “I don’t care that you took her home and did everything you were supposed to do me, to her. I don’t care.”
I bowed my head—not really sure what was happening or what to make of what she’d said. Nella lifted her chin proudly when I met her eyes again and I nodded.
“Do you want me, Nella?” I asked her.
She gasped softly and took a step back.
“See, I can’t tell with you.” I continued. “Sometimes I look into your eyes and it’s like you’re undressing me and other times—like now, you can’t even look at me. You don’t have to answer, but know this—any woman who wants me must know how to tell me.”
I paused, waiting for her to say something—anything.
“I’ll never assume.” I went on. “So, tell me. What’s your deal?”
“My deal?”
“Do you want me or not, Nella?” I growled lowly. “That’s a simple enough question, right? It has a yes or a no answer.”
“I don’t want you.” Her voice trembled.
“Glad we had this talk.” I pulled open the door, tossed myself behind the wheel and pulled away from the curb after starting the ignition.
