Unofficial First Girlfriend

CHAPTER 22

I watched as Nick made his way across the diner and passed through the saloon door. I locked the diner's door, turned off the lights, and followed him to my dining table. He leaned against the kitchen counter and glanced at the sink. I remembered I wasn't able to wash the dishes after having dinner with Naiah.

"What do you want me to cook for you?"

"You're drunk."

I shook my head.

"I smelled you the minute I walked through the door. I don't want some drunken girl to make a midnight dinner for me."

"I still have a few cans left in the fridge."

He smiled and gestured a hand towards the fridge. "That, I won't say no to."

I opened the fridge and took out three cans of pre-mixed vodka. I handed him one and pulled a chair for me to sit on.

"What are you doing with the car?"

"Just took care of a few things, visited some relatives. You know how it is before I leave for Paris."

Ah, of course.

"Then I thought I'd slow down for a bit. Then surprisingly, you called," he added.

"How's the proposal?"

"Really? I thought you didn't care about it."

I rolled my eyes. "I was trying to have a small talk."

He waved off his hand and said, "Don't worry about it. I want to know what happened."

I toyed the can in my hands, trying to buy myself some time. Meanwhile, Nick opened his and took a sip.

"We have the whole night, you know? I'm willing to wait for an answer."

"I think Clark's having an affair again."

"What?" he asked, creasing his eyebrows. He slammed the can on the table and leaned forward. "How can you say so?"

"I read the message. Slutty Sara was asking when he's coming over..."

"And?"

I shrugged. "He denied everything and walked out."

I hate this feeling.

"I feel so stupid, you know? He had promised that it was over and nothing was going on. Sure, we didn't have any problem in the past year or so. Then he goes on a one-week job caravan, and now they're communicating again?"

Nick shushed me. "Calm down, Mace. I think you two really need to talk things out."

"How the heck are we supposed to do that if he walks out on me in the middle of an argument? You know what's the worst thing? Naiah heard it."

My pulse began racing again, and I clenched my fists. Naiah hearing us argue was the last thing I wanted to happen.

"But I'm sure you took care of Naiah. She's going to be fine at your mom's."

"How'd you know she's there?"

He smiled smugly. "I know you."

I stood up and walked around the dining room with the light starting to flicker above us. I crossed my arms in front of my chest and halted in front of the stairs.

"I thought it was over, dude. This is like my worst nightmare, you know? More than two years have passed, and I'm still hurting. And the worst part is, they're still talking to each other."

"We still don't know the whole story. I can't believe I'm saying this, but maybe, Sara was the one who's taking the initiative. We're not sure that Clark is actually cheating on you again."

Cheating again.

I didn't think I would hear these words.

"Her phone number was saved on his phone."

Nick clicked his tongue before standing up. "Well, that certainly adds up to your suspicion."

I hate this feeling.

I shut my eyes and tried to clear my head but it was impossible to do. All I could think of was Sara's message and the obvious possibility that my boyfriend was cheating on me again.

I had forgiven him two years ago after I found out about the affair, mainly because I wanted to protect Naiah, and I wanted her to grow up with a complete family. It wasn't an easy thing to do. I had to fight off my insecurities and had to trust Clark again.

But after that incident, it was never the same for us. It was what changed us.

It was what changed our relationship, but I stayed because of Naiah.

"Hey, hey, Mace," I heard Nick mumbling and felt his hands touch my shoulders.

I opened my eyes to see him standing in front of me. His face remained calm as his eyes searched my face.

"Calm down," he whispered, and I realized I was shaking.

I started to sob, and my body rocked as I burst into tears.

Nick enveloped me in a warm embrace and stroked my back. "Ssshh..."

"This isn't the life I dreamed of, Nick."

"I know."

It was ironic that the guy I was dating—the father of my child, was the very person who was making me feel like this. I had thought he was the guy who I could spend my life with and who would be with me as I follow my dreams. But here was Nick, the guy I never dated—the best friend I always had, making me feel safe.

"If that son of a bitch still doesn't realize what he's doing and what he's wasting, then he's a bigger piece of crap than I thought he was," he whispered. "Any guy would be lucky to have you."

I craned my neck to look up at him and sniffed. "What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about the smart, talented, and passionate girl I know. The Macey I knew, and I believe that she's still in there somewhere. Don't let Clark make you think that you're some kind of trash."

"Is that some kind of words of encouragement or what?"

"Mace, if you found out that Clark is cheating again, you don't have to feel alone. Your family's there. Naiah. Sab and Bryce too. And I'm here for you. I'm always here for you."

I stared at his face and breathed heavily as I watched his eyes dart down to my lips.

I pushed myself up on my toes and smacked my lips into his.