idiots to lovers | ONC 2021 | completed

13. the night

Chapter 13

"You never listen to me," I say, crossing my arms over my chest as I glare at Kevin.

"Are you hearing yourself? You're the reason why we're here in the first place. All of our problems are a 'you' problem!" he retorts, clenching his jaw.

I scoff bitterly. "You're the one who dragged me here, and now you're saying I'm the reason why we're here? I would have been fine without a therapist."

"If it weren't for her, we would have been done already. You're a lot to handle."

"Because you're not? We have to do everything you say. Otherwise, it's never a good time. You flirt with everything that has a hole, and you always compare me to the others."

The therapist is quietly listening to us as we destroy her communication exercise. From listing three things that we like about each other, we're now arguing about our flaws. It's torture when all I want to do is cuddle him and feel his kisses on my forehead—but this is the last time. We're telling her the truth next time we meet her and put an end to our crazy prank. My essay is basically done, and I'm sure he's near the finish line too.

Kevin's emerald eyes harden, and I'm melting nonetheless. "You're indecisive, jealous, insecure, and you think that everything I say is an attack on you. You always want to be the victim when there's no reason to be."

"Let's try changing things up," doctor Santiago says, grabbing our attention. "Instead of pointing fingers, start with I. Nöelle, you go first."

I frown. "How can I start with I when I'm talking about Kevin?"

"You first said that he doesn't listen to you. You can try saying instead something like I don't feel heard from you, alright?"

I nod, shifting my natural black gaze to Kevin. "I don't feel heard from you," my cold tone from before falters, just phrasing it like that. "I see you flirt with many girls when we're not together, and I feel compared by them."

Holy shit. I feel like shit even though it's all fake.

Kevin grabs my hand, lacing our fingers. "I always listen to you. I admit, there are times where I prefer having my way one or another, but it doesn't mean that I turn deaf when you say something. If you—if I've ever given the idea of flirting with others, I'm sorry. I love you, Nö, and I would never do something like that."

We were ready to cut our heads off, but now I don't even want to fight anymore. I push Kevin's hand away, only to wrap my arms around his neck and hug him. Kevin takes a deep inhale before hugging me back, his warm, big muscles pulling our bodies closer. My heart speeds up as I take in his sweet cologne.

A timer goes off, and we pull away, exchanging shy smiles.

"I guess that's all the time we have for today," doctor Santiago cuts in, "Next time you fall into an argument, try remembering to start with I instead of you. That's your added homework. Also—Nöelle, thank you for teaching my daughter all those tricks in the ice-skating rink."

My eyes widen. "Your daughter?" I ask in feign shock.

The therapist nods. "My husband filmed you and her ice-skating together. Plus, she told me all about it at dinner."

I freeze.

"She told you the way Nö teaches?" Kevin nervously asks.

"Yes, and that the price to pay was to keep a secret she didn't tell me."

My shoulders drop, relaxing. I can't wait to come clean—Can the doctor even sue us when she finds out the truth? Hopefully not.

The phone from her desk rings, and I take it as a sign to stand up. Kevin follows me, and we bid farewell to doctor Santiago before getting the hell out of there. I wait for us to be outside before addressing the matter that's making me more anxious.