Page 113 of Steeling Her
“I know that now . . . I spoke to Nick about it and he told it from your side . . . I get it. He really does like you.” I blush and look down at my hands at Haley admitting this to me. I already know he likes me, he’s told me before, but hearing it from his sister makes it real.He actually likes me.
Haley continues on with her speech, “What I’m trying to say is . . . I’m sorry I said all those things to you. I didn’t mean them, I was just so angry at the time, and I already have no filter.” I chuckle along with her, and we end up sitting silently and smiling at each other. “I forgot that you know what it feels like to suddenly be pushed aside by someone so they can get to your brother . . . or brothers in your case. I realize that you had it twice as bad as I did, and I didn’t think about that.” I nod back, appreciating that she sees it from my perspective now. I never meant for all of this to happen.
“I’m sorry you had to find it out that way. I would’ve rather told you about it, but I didn’t know what was even happening between us. It’s all so new to me. We didn’t want to hurt you. It was never my intention to hurt you, Haley. We got so caught up in each other and I couldn’t help myself.” I bite the inside of my cheek, hoping she doesn’t take it the wrong way right now.
I like her brother, she needed to know that, but not the way that it played out. It wasn’t really fair to her. I get why she snapped, I was on top of him and kissing him. It wasn’t exactly a welcoming sight for her.
But I do really like him. So, I finally tell her, “I like Nick, a lot . . . too much, actually.” I laugh.God, I sound so desperate right now, it’s sad. “I’m sure you understand what I mean.” I watch her head nod, making her blonde strands bounce.
“Look, it’s going to take time until I’m used to seeing you both together . . . but I promise I won’t make any comments. I hope we can go back to being friends though? I kind of miss you.” She tilts her head while scrunching her pretty face up making me laugh again.
“I would like that, Haley! I would like that a lot, I’ve missed you too. I miss you dolling me up so I can look decent, but I miss our talks. Even when I’m with Danielle, I miss us all sleeping in the same bed with each other.” I hug her tight and she responds with that same squeeze, letting me know that she feels the same.
“We should do it tomorrow night, but only in your bed; it’s by far the comfiest!” She throws her body back on her mattress and spreads her arms out to stretch.
“Deal! I’ll make the food too.” She grins knowing that what I’ll cook will put a smile on both her and Danielle’s faces. It always does. “But right now, I need to shower and get ready for this date tonight . . .” I panic a little when I look at the time on my phone. I have an hour and a half to get ready. Time flies by quickly between unpacking and talking to Haley.
“You do that, you’re running low on time at the moment.” She shoos me out the door and towards the bathroom. She starts the shower up and I grab my towel that’s on the back of the door and place it on the heating rack for when I step out.
It only took me roughly twenty minutes to shower, wash, and shave my body. I walk out to my room and see Danielle lying on my bed on her phone.
“That was quick!” She stands up to give me a hug and I do the same despite being all wet.
“I was in there for twenty minutes, I think?” I shrug, not really knowing how long I really spent in the shower. Normally, I’m all good to go if I think I smell fine and I’m shiny and smooth. I’m still not done, I need to get dressed and do my hair and makeup for tonight. Which I have no idea how to. I’m so bad at this stuff. I haven’t worn makeup in a long time. I shouldn’t even be a girl, I’m so crap at it.
“Sit down, I’ll do your hair and makeup.” Haley stalks back in and dives on Danielle, who bellows out an outrageous laugh into the open space. I sit on the chair in front of the mirror as she brings in her suitcase of beauty products and hair tools. I’m reminded of the night I sat just like this, when she did my makeup for when I was going to the gala for my dad; the night Nick found out who I am—who I really am.
It’s all coming back to me now. Compared to back then, where we are now is amazing. If you told me that I was going to be taken on a date by Nick, I probably would’ve fainted.
Instruction after instruction, I listen to Haley as she tells us about what’s happening to her and TJ and how much she’s loving the fact that she’s now the girl he’s dating. However, she said that he hasn’t officially asked her to be his girlfriend yet and I can tell that it’s slightly bothering her.
I can hear that sigh leave her mouth. I know she’s not sure what to do about it. I don’t envy her. Right now, it sounds like she’s in a limbo with him, but you can tell by the way he looks at her that he’s enamored by her. I mean, we all knew she was obsessed with him from the start, and it’s not just on her end. Plus, she says what she likes anyway. She’ll tell him how unsatisfied she is soon enough.
As Haley finishes up, I can feel my body start to shake a little and the nerves are really kicking in right now. My body is jittery.
***
Nick
I’m sweating right now. I’m sweating so badly that I’ve changed my shirt twice, hoping that I don’t smell.
I’m so fucking nervous, and it’s nearly time for me to go and get her. I shake my arms out along with my neck, mentally giving myself a pep talk about how I’ve prepared for this night. My entire body is heightened to any sounds or slight movement because I’m so on edge at the moment.
Checking the time for the one millionth time tonight, I know it’s time to leave or I’ll be a little late. I don’t want her to think that I’m late might because of something like talking myself out of this; I will never talk myself out of dating her, ever.
I’ve got her now, and I don’t plan on letting go anytime soon.
I slide my keys off my desk and make my way towards the door, checking if I’ve got my wallet and license.Check and check, time to go. Just as I close the door, TJ comes out and smiles at me.
“You look good, man! Good luck!” he tells me. I leave out the main entrance, not without an assuring pat from Reggie and a squeeze from Cas. She gave me some advice when taking her out; some of it is stuff I already plan on doing, and other things I never in a million years would’ve thought would be nice to do for a girl.
Cas hands me the white bouquet of roses I had bought for Carter for tonight, knowing now that they’re her favourite. Once I get into the car, I place the flowers beside me in the passenger seat and sit there staring at the wheel, gripping it with full force and making my knuckles turn white. A smile graces my face and grows with every second, and then I hear a large laugh coming from in front of me.
TJ, Reggie, and Cas are all outside watching me smile like a total fool in the car alone. I send them the finger to tell them to fuck off and leave me be with my nerves, then make my way to collect my girl. I’m excited for this date and yet so nervous. This is another reason why I didn’t want to date; first, the effort; second, the nerves. But with Carter, it’s all so worth it. All of this is not real effort for me, because it’s something I want to do for her.
I reach her building in no time and smile up at their floor. I’m watching a ton of girls walk inside to get to their rooms. I have this overwhelming feeling in my stomach, the one that won’t leave me alone. My black pants and tucked-in white dress shirt suddenly feel a little tighter right now because I’m getting too hot. I reach across for the flowers and kick the door open, only to curse at myself because I left a mark. I just got it all cleaned yesterday before driving back, mainly for this date.
I take a deep breath and start to walk towards the building confidently. Pushing my shoulders back and making my stride that little bit longer, I’m trying to trick myself into calming down.
