Through Pain We Survive

Chapter 27

After AJ and Gwen returned home, Gwen went to lay down for a bit. AJ told Nate what had happened. He told AJ that he would help keep an eye over Gwen.

Going back to his room, Nate closed the door. Wanting to talk to someone about this, he texted Becca to see if she was free.

"Yeah, you want to call?"

"That'd be better."

When Becca answered, he smiled.

"Hey Natemare. What's up?"

"I just— I need to talk to someone I can trust. Please don't start worrying, cause I know you will, but the other night Gwen got a weird phone call saying 'Wednesday was just the beginning,' and 'I have much more planned for you.'"

"Oh crap! How did Gwen react?"

"We all thought it might have been a prank. But now I'm not so sure."

"Why do you say that?"

"When Gwen and AJ were out today, she got another call. Similar, but saying to watch her back, that the drugging was only the beginning. Gwen is terrified. AJ doesn't know what to do. All we can do is keep an eye out for her. Protect her."

"Wow. I'm so sorry y'all are going though this Nate. Do you need me to do something?"

Nate smiled again. She was always so thoughtful. "Thanks, Bex. I don't know what you could do."

Becca had an idea, but didn't want to say just get in case it didn't pan out. "Well, I'm sure we'll think of something."

"Yeah. Well, how have you been doing?" Nate wanted to change the subject.

"I've been okay. Nothing substantial has happened, really. Just—," she stopped herself before saying what she wanted to say- longing after a man I can't have. "Just the same as always."

"Well, at least that's a good thing. Maybe we can have you over again for a game night soon."

"That'd be awesome. I'd love to."

"Great. I can talk to AJ and see when he and Gwen would be up for that."

"Sounds great. Well, other than all that, how have you been?"

"I've been good. Sara and I are doing well. She has gotten a lot better."

Becca closed her eyes, trying not to let her emotions out. "That's good. I'm glad to hear that." She paused to steady herself. "How is work? Did Morgan ever reach back out to you?"

"Work is good. Umm, yeah, she did, and we're going to try to get lunch with her soon. Hopefully she will not see us in a bad light. How is work for you?"

"I doubt she could. You guys are great. Work is going alright. I've just finished up a project and am starting a new one."

"That's good! Good luck on this new one."

"Thanks. It's at least a fun project."

"It's good to enjoy your work. It's less like work then."

Becca chuckled. "Yeah. So, what are you guys going to do? With Gwen, I mean."

"We'll just have to be with her everywhere she goes so we can make sure nothing happens. She won't like it, but that's all we can do."

"If she needs a break from you boys, I don't mind having a girls' night sometime."

"That may be a good idea. I'm sure she'll be sick of us 'babysitting' her soon enough."

"I'm sure. With how she is, I can see her getting sick of y'all really quick."

"Thanks for the support." Nate chuckled.

"What are best friends for?" He could hear the smile, but also sadness, in her voice.

"You're worried, aren't you." It wasn't a question, but a testament to how well he knew Becca.

"You are too. You're just 'too macho' to let it show." She joked, but she could hear the worry in his voice too.

"They're my family. I don't want anything happening to either of them."

"I know. I just wish there was more I could do." Becca wanted nothing more than to be able to comfort Nate. It wasn't her place though.

"I know. Me too." He sighed. "I had better let you go. I have some editing to do."

"Okay, bye Natemare."

"Bye Bex."

Setting his phone down, he turned towards his computer and got to work.

After hanging up, Becca thought for a minute. Gwen had always been so kind and sweet. She wanted to protect her the best she could.

She wanted to talk to someone at the coffee shop to see if they had seen anything. But it had been over a week, maybe they wouldn't remember anything.

There was still the matter of the picture. Nate still hadn't gotten anywhere yet with figuring out who posted it. Becca wanted to research that too, but she knew it wasn't her place.

Sighing, she looked at her phone again. The conversation between Gwen and her a couple weeks ago crept back to her mind. How did she feel about Nate? He was a wonderful man. He was funny, thoughtful, kind, caring. He'd always been so patient with her. He told her how he felt years ago, and even with her not feeling the same way then, nothing changed between them.

But what about now? I can't wait to talk to him. I feel as though he's constantly on my mind. I smile just thinking about him. He makes me laugh even during my darker moments. Is... is this love? Am I in love with Nate?

Becca sighed again. She wanted to talk to someone about this. She needed to talk to someone. She sent Gwen a text, hoping it wouldn't wake her, but knowing she would respond when she could.

Needing to distract herself, she grabbed her controller and played a few of her favorite games.