Sunlight peeks through the blinds as I try to calm my racing heart. I don’t often have nightmares, but given what happened last weekend, I’m not surprised I’m still freaked out by that carnival ride.
The whole dang thing almost tilted over. I’ve seen video of it. Nick rushed to stabilize the base and called for his friends to help. That’s probably the only reason I’m alive right now.
This is the second time the man’s rescued me. I’ve never wanted to play the role of damsel in distress, but I’m grateful I’m still on this planet to gripe about it.
I reach for my phone. No messages.
Hmm.
Sliding my finger across the screen, I flip to Nick’s thread. Since Saturday night, he hasn’t texted anything personal.
I put Hazel’s new vitamins on the counter.
I’ll be home late. Can you make sure Hazel brushes her teeth?
Did Hazel eat dinner yet?
If I scroll higher, he’s a different person.
Looking forward to seeing you, buttercup.
Wanna grab dinner later?
Too bad we have to be quiet tonight. *devil emoji*
When Paige texts a few minutes later, I decide I can’t brood about this all week. I need help figuring out what’s going on. I have a doctor appointment later today, but maybe we can squeeze in lunch.
I drive like a granny to school because as long as I keep my car in first or second gear, my clutch doesn’t slip. Fortunately, I take suburban streets and never need to hop on the highway.
Once I reach the cafeteria, I scan the room, hoping to catch Nick on his lunch break, but I don’t see any football players. Paige waves at me from across the room.
I join her at the booth, leaning over to hug her. “Hey, thanks for meeting up.”
“No problem. Want some of my taco salad?”
“I brought a sandwich, but thanks.” After I shrug out of my jacket, I pull out my food, but I’m too twisted up inside to eat. “I need your input. I think Nick wants to break up. Not that we’re together exactly. You know what I mean.”
“Not entirely.”
I lower my voice. “We sleep together. We’re friends. I take care of his daughter. I guess that’s friends with benefits, but we said we’d enjoy our time together before I’m done with school this December and leave for England. And he promised he wouldn’t explore any extracurricular activities with other girls while we’re doing what we’re doing.”
“But you have feelings.”
My eyes sting. “Yes. Too many feelings.”
She reaches across the table to squeeze my hand. “He was pretty upset Saturday night. He looked like Hercules, holding up that ride until the other guys joined him.”
Nodding, I look at my lap. “I feel bad I went on that dumb thing. He said it looked dangerous, and I thought Nick was just being Nick. He thinks everything is dangerous. I figured it’s because he doesn’t want Hazel to get hurt, but now I wonder if it’s something else.”
“Like what?”
I nibble on my bottom lip. “Maybe something to do with Hazel’s mom. We’ve only talked about Gemma once, about how they met, not about how she passed. Last year, when he transferred, everyone said she died in a car crash, but I don’t know much more than that.” I shake my head. “I’m probably grasping at straws. He just seems so remote this week.”
“Maybe the carnival triggered him somehow. Tragedy tends to stay with a person.”
“Yeah.” I peel back the label on my water.
“Do y’all still sleep together? Sorry, I know that’s personal.”
