The Grey

Chapter 16 - Nick I Like You

                                                  *

                                       Nicks P.O.V

                                                 *

We're at our favourite hang out spot just outside the city. We always end up finding ourselves here at least twice a month.

I know this was supposed to be a boys day out. A well deserved boys day out since we've been working nonstop since we got home but seeing Sadie so upset cut me deep and I needed to do something to try lift her mood.

Folios fishing down at the river unsurprisingly, whilst Noah and Jolly are sitting in fold away chairs next to where Folio is. Margo's joined Sadie and I on the picnic blanket basking in the sun.

"It's so peaceful here." Sadie says crossing her legs looking over to the boys down by the river.

"I know what a dream it would be to own a place like this." Margo says and Sadie nods in agreement.

"It's very different to London. I'm so used to tall buildings, angry people on tubes and smoke filling my lungs. I forgot to see the beauty in small things like this. Sitting in the grass with my friends watching the world go by." Sadie sighs happily.

"Are you still working?" Margo asks Sadie who shakes her head in response. There's so much that's changed since I saw her in London, she seems happier but still guarded. I know she always said she was gonna come out here to visit but I never expected it to be so soon. Something must have happened.

"Nah, I quit."

"Woah, go you. What you gonna do?" I ask Sadie who shrugs in reply.

""I wanna see what happens, I'm here for a few months and then I'll either go home or I'll move onto another country. I wanna live freely. I don't wanna do what I was doing in London. I wasn't happy. We'll see what happens." Sadie smiles at me softly that I can't help but smile back at her.

"I'm gonna go see if they caught anything." Margo says standing up, brushing down her dress making her way over to the boys.

I lay back on the blanket and Sadie does the same. I take her hand in mine and sigh up at the sky. I feel like we're doing a dance around the obvious feelings that are present. Every time I'm near her I find it hard to breathe, completely intoxicated by her. Even her skin grazing mine sets me alight.

"You seem different." Sadie whispers to the sky.

"So do you." I reply turning to face her but she keeps her eyes up. "Why didn't you ever reply?"

"I didn't know what to say... I did something really silly when you guys left..." Sadie sighs finally turning to me.

"What did you do Sade?"

"I'm having déjà vu... I thought it would be better if I wasn't here.." She mumbles and I swear I can feel my own heart ache.

"Oh Sadie, babe... I'm so sorry that you ever felt like that. I'm so sorry I didn't try to do more." I take her hand to my mouth and gently kiss her fingers.

"I don't feel like that now. I was just really fucking low. The lowest I've ever felt. I really am starting to feel better." Sadie says as I let go of her hand and she strokes a few strands of hair away from my forehead.

"Good, I hope you never feel like that again." I smile at her as she rests her hand on my cheek, her face inches from my own. "Sadie..." I whisper, I don't want her to do anything that she's not comfortable with. I now know that she's so fragile I don't want her to do anything that she might regret. "I don't want you to do something that you might regret..."

"Nick I like you. No matter what head space I've been in I've always known the way I feel about you." Sadie says unable to look me directly in the eyes.

"Oh Sadie I-"

"You don't need to say it back when you don't mean it I just needed to get it off of my chest. I haven't been able-" I cut her off pressing my lips to hers. She tastes sweet like honey. It takes her a second to register what's going on but she welcomes my mouth against hers parting them slightly letting my tongue glide against her own. Her hands make their way to my hair as she lays back allowing me to take control. My tongue explores deeper, as she pulls me into her. I'm getting lost in Sadie as a small moan escapes her bringing me back to our surroundings.

"Ay! Ruffilo knock it off, y'all got an audience!" Folio shouts over to us as I pull away from Sadie scowling over at them.

"Yeah! That's my fucking blanket dude!" Noah shouts over and I can't help but laugh.

I look down at Sadie who's blushing her fingers touching her lips where mine just were.

"I'll see you back at the house Sadie." Margo says as she quickly walks past us with Noah.

"Okay, love you!" Sadie giggles a reply.

"Love you too." She calls back and they head for Noah's car.

"No guessing what they're getting up to." I chuckle looking back at Sadie, she wraps her arms around my neck bringing me close to her again.

"Hmm... no idea." Sadie smirks as she presses her lips against mine once more, gently this time.

"I guess this means more than friends?" I smile at Sadie stroking her hair.

"I think so... definitely more than friends, but what are we?"