It’s been a week since Nathan found out about me and Isabella, and he still hasn’t spoken to me. He’s barely acknowledged I exist, except for that one time when he punched me. But hey, at least he hasn’t punched me again, right? Progress, I guess. I dunno.
I drag myself downstairs, the soreness in my face reminding me of the last conversation I had with Nathan. The bruises are still there, but I’ve gotten used to it. It’s the silence that’s harder to handle.
Logan and Austin are sprawled out on the couch when I walk into the living room. Logan’s flicking through the TV channels, barely paying attention to whatever’s on. Austin’s tossing a hockey puck in the air, catching it like it’s second nature. As soon as they hear me, both of them glance up at me, their eyes taking in the state I’m in.
Logan raises an eyebrow. “Jesus, you look like shit.”
I grunt, dropping down onto the couch. “Thanks. Feel like it too.”
Austin shifts, clutching the puck in his hand. “You talked to Nathan yet?”
I shake my head, running a hand through my wet hair. “Nah. Won’t even talk to me.” I glance between them. “Has he said anything to you guys?”
They both exchange a glance, and Logan shrugs. “Nothing. Every time we bring up the subject, he either checks out or walks away. He’s pissed, man.”
I exhale sharply, leaning back against the couch. “Yeah, I know.”
There’s a knock at the door and I push myself up from the couch and make my way to the door. When I open it, the last person I expect to see right now is Isabella, but there she is standing in the doorway with that soft smile of hers that always makes everything feel better.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, surprised.
She shrugs. “Wanted to see you.” She hesitates, eyes flicking past me toward the stairs. “Can I come in?”
I step back, nodding fast. “Yeah, yeah, of course.” Once she steps inside, I shut the door behind her and glance down at her, my brows pulling together. “Your brother’s upstairs, though.”
Isabella nods. “I know, but…” She gives me a knowing look. “We don’t have to hide anymore, right?”
A real smile breaks through, the first one I’ve had in days, and I pull her into me, kissing her softly, savoring the feeling of finally being close to her again. We haven’t seen much of each other—given the situation—and I missed her like crazy.
It’s like she’s the missing piece of me I didn’t know I was searching for. When she’s in my arms, everything else fades away, and for the first time in a long while, I feel like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.
I try to show her everything I feel in that kiss, cupping her face, my fingers threading through her soft curls as I deepen it, letting her know just how much she means to me.
Before I can pull away, a pillow smacks me square in the head. I break the kiss, glaring up, my expression darkening, but Austin’s grinning like a jackass.
“I’m happy for you guys, and everything. But my room’s right next to yours,” he calls out. “Don’t be too loud. I need my beauty sleep.”
Logan snorts and shoves Austin, his grin teasing. “Cut them some slack, man. They’ve been in hiding long enough.”
I roll my eyes, grabbing Isabella’s hand and pulling her toward the stairs. “Come on,” I say, flashing them a smirk. “Let’s go before they start launching more stuff.”
We don’t stop until we’re in my room, the door clicking shut behind us. Isabella leans against it, watching me carefully for a moment before sighing.
“You okay?” she asks, her voice low and soft.
“Yeah,” I murmur, giving her a lopsided smile. “Just tired. It’s been a long week.”
She steps closer, her hands finding their way to my chest. “I don’t want this to keep being an issue. I hate that Nathan’s mad at you.”
I shake my head, pulling her closer. “Hey, this is my issue, not yours, baby. We’ll figure it out. We’ve been best friends since freshman year.”
She doesn’t look convinced, her eyebrows tugging together and I brush a curl behind her ear, staring into her eyes. “I don’t regret this, Bels. I don’t regret a single second of being with you.”
She smiles, her arms swinging around my neck. “I don’t either.”
For a few long moments, we stand in silence, just breathing each other in, but then her eyes flick over my shoulder, and her brows bunch. “What’s that?”
I follow her gaze, noticing the basket of stuff I’ve been collecting. “Oh,” I murmur, turning back to glance at her. “That’s just some stuff for you,” I say with a shrug.
