Running From You

Chapter 38

NORA

"I'm home!" I yell as I enter the house.

Mads sticks her head out of the kitchen. "How was practice?"

"Good," I answer honestly. "But never mind that now. How would you feel about bowling and ice-cream?"

She looks a little surprised at the question. "I'd like that, actually."

"Great," I beam at her. We're in serious need of some sister bonding time. "Let's go."

"Where's Tyler?" she asks as she grabs her little crossbody bag.

"I don't know," I shrug, not really wanting to talk about him.

She gives me a searching look. "Did something happen? You guys looked fine this morning, but..." she bites her bottom lip, hesitating.

I sigh heavily. "We had a ... disagreement, of sorts. A fight." I hold the door open to her and follow her to my car I parked in the driveway just minutes ago.

"About?"

I start the engine and reverse out of the driveway and head to the local bowling alley.

"You don't have to tell me," Mads says quietly.

I peek at her and notice her disappointed look. "Look, I'm sorry. I guess I'm just not good at talking about stuff like this with you. Boys," I specify.

"I know," she gives me a small smile. "But you can, if you want to."

I hesitate, looking between her and the road. "I'm having a hard time trusting him," I finally admit after a long moment of silence. "I mean, completely. I do trust him a lot, I do, but I don't know..."

She looks at me patiently, waiting for me to continue.

"I... Something happened, weeks ago now. He betrayed my trust. And we talked about it and I decided to give him another change. And I meant that. And I want to trust him, I do, but there's just this tiny part of me that questions if I should."

"I can understand that," she says. "I mean, trust has to be earned."

"Right," I nod. "And he's been earning it for the last weeks. But today someone tried to get between us and I know what she was telling was a lie, but a small part of me instantly doubted Tyler. And he noticed and got mad at me for not trusting him," I shrug.

"He was probably just hurt" Mads ponders.

"I know," I admit. "And I get it. If he doubted my loyalties, I'd be pissed too, but..."

"But you don't have his history of lying."

"Yeah," I bring my fingers through my hair. "I just need time, I think. I've been lied to by so many people that trust just doesn't come easily to me."

Mads nods. "I'd be shocked if it did. But you two will be okay. He really cares about you, it's so clear," she smiles warmly.

"Yeah?" I smile, the thought warming my entire body.

"Oh yeah," she laughs. "The way he looks at you, like you're the most precious thing in the world... wow."

Heat creeps up my neck and I avoid her eyes. "We're here," I clear my throat, turning into a large parking lot.

"Loser does the laundry for a week?" she smiles mischievously.

"Deal," I shake her hand, grinning widely.