Better Is Terrifying

3 | Toast to Trust

CHAPTER THREE

NESSA'S POV

My heart was racing, I'd never been so scared. I silently prayed that Bryce didn't overhear anything or I'd really be screwed.

"Well, I was just telling Mr. Johnson to excuse me so I could clean up the mess," I lied, eyes fixed on the shattered glasses.

Rick chimed in, "As I said earlier, it's totally fine. Besides, not all trash can be cleaned up no matter how fast and hard you try."  His words dripped with intention, piercing my past. Rick walked back to the dining area.

"Are you referring to something else?" Bryce asked, suspicion echoed in his voice. As Bryce came, closer to me, I noticed he was only holding his car keys.

Rick shrugged nonchalantly. "Oh, I was just saying," Rick simply answered.

I swiftly changed the subject. "Babe, you didn't find the pain relievers, right?"

Bryce's concern was evident. "Nope. I'll have to go the pharmacy tomorrow but you still need to...," I cut him off.

"I'm actually feeling better."

It was a lie, of course.  No medicine could ease my emotional pain. The only cure is an escape--getting the hell out of here.

Brooke bursts into the living room, her voice bobbly. "Guess what I brought?!"

No surprise really--we knew she went to get wine.

Bryce smiled, playing the gracious host. "Seriously, you shouldn't have. You're our guests."

Brooke beamed, her pink jumpsuit radiant against the bottle of wine in her hands. "Oh come on! It's no biggie. Plus where  I come from, your neighbors are as good as your family."

Minutes after we'd all settled around the dining table, Bryce began a conversation that I didn't like cause it would give Rick the chance to expose me or at the very least, taunt me.

"So how long have you guys been in Chicago?"

"Oh, I've been here all my life but moved to Greektown four years back," Rick replied, popping a potato into his mouth.:

Brooke chimed in, "I grew up in the province but moved to Chicago five years ago. I gotta say, it's the second-best choice I've ever made." She gazed adoringly at Rick.

First of all, she didn't strike me as someone who grew up
In the province butnehstbfo I know?  Wait a sec, how could someone as vibrant and as carefree as Brooke fall for someone as conceited and self-absorbed as Rick? Rick must have fooled her. Whatever, it wasn't my business and I definitely didn't want to get involved. I'd love for Bryce and me to be as far as possible from them.

"By the way, these are really so tasty. I just really love stuffed potatoes. Mmm, so creamy," Brooke gushed.

"Yeah, no one can beat Nessa when it comes to making stuffed potatoes," Bryce praised.

I forced a smile, remaining silent until then.  Talking was the last thing I wanted to do. Instead, I listened, observed, and pondered the future.

Was Rick really serious about what he wanted? Would he spill the bins? Was I willing to give him what he asked for to save my marriage? Why the hell was the universe conspiring against me?

"Babe?"' Bryce's voice snapped me back.

"Yeah?" I answered, feigning nonchalance.

"Brooke was asking if she could get your recipe?"

"Umm, sure." I shrugged.

"Really? Thank yah!" Brooke exclaimed. She continued, "So, tell us about Portland. Is this your first time here?"