With the back of my arm, I wipe the tears that drip down my face. It’s overwhelming to take all of this in.
It makes me realize how much time I’ve wasted caring what other people think of me. Worried they’d think I’m a geek or uncool. Worried I wouldn’t fit in. Worried I wouldn’t be the perfect girlfriend for Ezra, a man who couldn’t give two shits about me.
Seriously, screw that.
Is this what they call an existential crisis?
My phone buzzes with a text from Roxy. She started texting me first thing this morning. Paige gave her a heads-up about the tree episode.
Roxy: You’re sure you’re okay? You nearly died, girl. Don’t die! That’s crazy!
Me: I swear I’m fine. Thanks for checking on me!
Roxy: Let us know if you need anything. We love you!
It’s funny how people in a solid relationship refer to themselves as part of a couple. Let us know if you need anything. I want to be an us.
Someone knocks on my bedroom door.
“Need help packing?” Nick asks as he pokes his head in. “I can carry your bags to your car.” He has dark circles under his eyes. Did he get any sleep last night? He hasn’t shaved today, and that scruff on his strong jaw makes me want to rub against him and purr.
“Thanks. That’s really sweet of you.” Surveying the damage again, I sigh. “Do you think my landlord will let me come back to get more of my belongings later? I can’t take everything right now.”
“If he doesn’t, we’ll break in and get it.”
I laugh, knowing that he’s probably joking. “Who knew you were such a renegade?”
He smirks. “It’s true. I keep it hidden pretty well, but apparently, it comes out for you.”
Biting my bottom lip, I try to restrain my smile. “If I haven’t told you yet, I really appreciate everything you did for me last night.”
“Couldn’t let you get mauled by that tree. It reminded me too much of that old movie, Poltergeist. Ever seen it?” He shivers. “I’m a grown-ass man now, but that film still gives me the creeps.”
Snickering, I grab a bag out of my closet and throw a few things in there. “Think you could carry those textbooks for me?” I point to my desk. “I can carry maybe two at a time and make a few trips, but if you want to help…”
“Got it.” He grabs the whole stack at once. It makes all of his muscles bulge and strain against his t-shirt.
We haul my stuff to my car before I find Paige and give her a huge hug. I whisper in her ear, “If living with Marcus turns out to be a mistake, come bunk with me, okay?”
She nods. “Are you sure you’re going to be all right?”
“Nick said he’ll follow me to the motel in his car and carry my things into my room so I don’t hurt myself, so don’t worry about me. You and I will grab lunch later this week.”
She whispers back, “I still think you should make your move on him.”
“You mean move in with him.”
“Do I?” She laughs.
I’m still thinking about what she said when I pull into the Riviera Motel twenty minutes later. Nick and Hazel park next to me. He gets his daughter and meets me in front of the office.
“Hazel, cover your ears,” he tells his daughter. When she complies, he points to the side of the building. “This place is a shithole. There’s a drunk passed out over there.”
“It’s not so bad for the price.”
He shakes his head. “I didn’t save you from an oak tree just to have you mugged. I don’t like this place, Abby.” Grabbing my shoulder, he looks into my eyes. “Stay with me and Hazel. We’d love to have you.”
My heart races at his nearness, and it takes me a second to process what he says. “That’s asking a lot, don’t you think? Do you really want me crashing on your couch for the next ten weeks?”
