Irish Oxytocin

The Promise | 33

❁ Chapter 33 ❁

Nolan's Point of View

The night of prom went a lot smoother than I was stressed about.
Cora and I rolled into the guy's hotel room after our moment on the balcony, and everyone was already drinking more. There were bottles everywhere as everyone danced around the room.
I think deep down, we all knew it would be one of the last times we'd all be together at once. I hadn't been here long enough to understand the full potential of love they all shared with one another. But from all their eyes, I could see how devastating it would be to say goodbye.
Ethan and Chase pushed me to roll some joints on the table, and I did what I was told. Half of us were either wasted or high off our asses. It was accelerating to be together in an exciting atmosphere.

No one dared to speak of the last month. They never made me feel unwelcome, either. Even Daniel, whom I sang karaoke with at around four o'clock in the morning. I felt relieved to be home.

We spent the next weekend at the hotel pool, paying for margarita after margarita.
I'll never forget this weekend. It was probably one of my favourites since I even arrived in America. But once it was over, it was time to prepare for the last day of school. Graduation was in only a couple of days, and it was time to say fair well to all our friends.
I decided that I'd split off from the group before we returned back to school. There was something I had to do.

I dropped Cora back at home, before leaving for my neighbourhood. I was hoping Gran was awake, because there was a much needed apology she deserved.

I pulled up to the house, and parked in my spot. I sat there leaning my head against the wheel.
What if she didn't want to see me? Where would I go if she shut me out?

Did Riley even understand that I was gone?

I took a deep breath and pulled my keys out of the ignition. I hesitated before I swung the driver's door open to hop out. Standing patiently at the door as I fumbled to put in my keys was the hardest part. I felt my heart beating out of my chest as I noticed all the lights in the house were on.
I slowly creaked the door open and popped my head through. The lights were off in the hallway, so I took it as the okay to come in.
I flipped my shoes off as I wheeled my bag into the house. I had brought some belongings from my room in Dublin.

As I shut the door, I heard a small gasp wither through the darkness. I stopped in my tracks as the light flickered on.

"Nollie?" A quiet voice cooed from behind me.

I leaned my head against the door and shut my eyes.

Just then, larger footsteps stomped out of the kitchen.
"Ri' sweetie what're you doing?"

Gran walked over, and suddenly the footsteps stopped.

My heart was probably the loudest thing in the room.

"Nolan?" She choked out.

I took a deep breath, and opened my eyes. I slowly turned around and shook my head.

"Hey, Gran," I whispered.

Gran was pale with shock. The dish towel fumbled out of her hands as Riley gripped the fabric of her pants.

"Are you really home?" She whimpered.

I felt tears blur my vision and I collapsed to my knees.

"Granny, I'm so sorry," I sobbed in front of her.

She began to cry too, before stepping forword to come to me. She fumbled to her knees and held me tightly.

"My boy," she cooed in a tearful cry. "You're home."
"I'm so sorry I left. I'm so sorry I gave you short lived calls, and never said goodbye. I couldn't be here anymore. I'm so afraid Granny. I didn't know where home was," I choked at her knees.
She hugged me and rubbed my back.
"I know baby I know. It's okay. I'm here."