Page 221 of Steeling Her
“Just go, you idiot.” He pushes me out while he laughs.
“You smiled, so it was funny.” I point back at him as he keeps pushing me out of the room and into the hallway.
“That was a sympathy smile,” he counters, but I know it wasn’t true. He’s smiling, whether he wants to admit it or not. “Now, get up to bed.” He pushes me up the stairs. “I’m starving.” He starts to walk down to the kitchen.
“Let me make you something,” I offer.
“No, you’ll start asking questions, all of which is none of your business. It’s between me and Carter.” He shakes his head, continuing to walk away and thinking I won’t follow him. I do anyway.
“She’s my best friend and you’re my brother, so I deserve to know.” He stops himself and turns around to get right into my face, smirking down because he’s much larger than me.
“No, you don’t. It’s past your bed time. Go back to your room, young lady.” He nods down the way I just came from.
“No, it’s my house.” I pout and fold my arms across my chest.
“Is it? Wow, I didn’t know you make millions of dollars a year, Haley? You can start paying me back by then, if that’s the case,” he teases me smugly, and I growl at him for being so . . . Nick. I hate it when he does this. He has an answer for everything.
Smug bastard.
“Fuck you.” I stick out my tongue. “Now, tell me!” I plonk myself down on one of my island seats and listen intently to what he will tell me about their conversation.
“No. I’m not telling you anything, Haley. Respect that. What we discussed has nothing to do with you. It’s between me and her. Whatever happens, happens; good or bad. You might be my sister and her best friend, but it’s none of your business. That’s final, so drop it.” He starts to fish around the refrigerator for some leftover food.
“Fine.” I hate it when he’s right. He really is, I just want to know so I don’t step on anyone’s toes.
He ducks around the shelves to find something appetizing to eat. “There’s some leftover lasagna on the bottom shelf if you want it. Make sure you heat it up on a high setting for two sets of five minutes. We don’t want our star quarterback out because he has food poisoning, do we?” I say in a cheeky tone. He sends me the middle finger, knowing that he hates being called the star quarterback. Our dad used to call him that all the time and it used to drive Nick nuts, now more than ever.
They haven’t spoken to each other in years and it really upsets my mom. He never goes home unless he knows dad isn’t in the house, and dad never leaves the house. He’s missed so many special occasions because of it. My dad should never have gotten involved with him and Carter. It took me a while to realize just how much they adored each other. They really understood one another, even if I denied it initially. They suited one another well.
“Have you spoken to mom?” I broach the question lightly.
“Last week,” he mutters, trying to cut out a piece of the lasagna from the tray.
“And?” I push him for more information.
“And what? We talked.” He shrugs. “I don’t know what you want me to say, Haley.” He licks the sauce off his finger and places the food into the microwave. He switches it to four minutes and I roll my eyes.
He never listens.
“Five minutes, Nick. And I’m just asking, no need to be so touchy.” I squint my eyes back at him.
“I’m touchy because I know what you’re trying to do, Haley. You do this every time. No, I haven’t spoken to Dad, and I won’t. I’m not wasting my time with that idiot—”
“He’s our father, Nick.”
“He’s no father of mine. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here lonely and without the woman I love. If he hadn’t have stuck his goddamn nose in my business, I would have been the happiest man alive. Instead, I’m the fucking loneliest and most miserable man on the goddamn planet. All thanks to him.” His words don’t shock me. He’s said this so many times. What upsets me is how consistent he is with his view on our dad. Whether he likes it or not, he is our blood.
Yes, what he did was wrong, but he’s human. He makes mistakes too.
“Leave it, I don’t need this shit tonight, Haley,” he warns me as we wait for his food to cook.
“Okay, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.” I drop my head down to my hands. I know it’s a touchy subject, but all I wanted to know was if there could be a chance for reconciliation between him and my dad. It doesn’t look to be anytime soon. Plus, Nick has to be one the most stubborn guys I’ve ever known. It’s a family curse.
“You didn’t upset me. I just hate talking about him. I want to improve the situation with Carter, and I don’t want him getting wind of it. I don’t want him anywhere near her. Is that clear, Haley? Don’t tell him about what’s happening,” he warns me. I can tell he’s very serious about it.
“Okay, I won’t.” I hold both of my hands up in surrender.
“Don’t tell mom either. Or Ellie. Let this unfold naturally. Please, for the love of God, keep it to yourself, Haley. Please,” he begs me and places both hands in prayer to emphasize his point.
