Paige's POV
I've always been burdened by the guilt of the night I spent with a drunken Nick Dobbs, but now that he's back with my sister that feeling is a hundred times stronger. I get a pang every time I see him; every time she mentions his name; every time they're together. Nick means something to Brooke - to me he was just a convenient outlet for my anger with Austin. Plus, he was wasted. Is it possible for a girl to take advantage of a boy?
Sure, he went along with it, but sometimes I wonder if he remembers a single second of it. It's not like I could ask - I don't want to pry open old wounds.
He and Brooke were broken up at the time anyways.. I try to justify it but I simply can't. I made a mistake that I can't take back.
Speak of the devil, Nick and Brooke burst into the house, water beading up and rolling off the their raincoats, laughing, and lips locked in a passionate kiss. I give them a moment, but when they don't notice me, I clear my throat,
"Keep your hands to yourself, Dobbs."
Brooke lowers off her tiptoes and brushes out the wrinkles in her bright blue raincoat. Nick has to wipe the smile off his face, distracting himself by brushing his wet hair off of his forehead.
Her cheeks are flooding with pink - ever since she and Nick got back together, she has been really shy about PDA. Especially in front of me and Josh. She swallows,
"I'm gonna go put on some dry clothes.."
Nick and I both watch and Brooke scampers upstairs to her bedroom, closing the door behind her.
As soon as he hears it shut, Nick turns to face me, "I think I'm supposed to follow."
I snort and roll my eyes at him.
"But, in all seriousness, can we talk really quick?" I notice his expression go from joking to straight and know that, for once, Nick Dobbs means business.
Voice lowered, he continues, "That night.." So he did remember!
"-Was a mistake," I cut in, feeling an embarrassed blush rising to my cheeks. I was hoping I could pretend it never happened.
Nick allows his grey-green eyes to lock with mine, filled with a worry and fear that sends chills up my spine, "Just.. I was drunk, okay? And you were kind enough to drive me home. That's all anyone ever has to know."
I nod, a nervous lump growing in my throat,
"Okay," I agree, but deep down in my gut, I know that in this town, secrets always surface.
