I can't love you

Eight

After the party it was time for Nick to race.  Nick was leading me to the car through a large crowd of people.
    "Sit in here, I'm gonna go get Jenna and Lion to keep you company." He spiked, opening the door for me.
   I gave him a slow nod and watched him jog away from the car and back into the party.
   Nick was taking forever.
And Ronnie pulled up to the starting line, revving his engine.
   Mario ran up to the car and opened the door.
"Noah, you'll have to forfeit Nicks race. If he isn't here by countdown they'll give the win to Ronnie.
     Although I was buzzed, but I was still very aware of everything around me.
    Once the countdown began happening, Nick still hasn't arrived so I climbed into the driver seat and put my seatbelt on, starting the car and revving it.
    Once the flare gun was shot I put it into gear and stepped on the accelerator.   
    Nobody knew I could race.
Not even Nick.
   Everyone was cheering for me. 
Even the other mafias apart from Ronnie's.
    I tuned out the cheering and shouting and kept pushing forward, nearing the finish line. Which I crossed.
    Nick came running out of the party, completely sure he had lost the race but when he saw everyone crowding around me he sprinted.
   He pushed everyone out the race and opened the passenger door.
    I got out, thinking I was in trouble but he cupped my face and kissed me, hard and passionately.
    My eyes widened in surprise before I melted into his touch and kissed back.
    Nick pulled away and watched everyone start going back into the party.
    "How did you... when... Noah? You're 17. When did you have the time to learn this?" He said while helping me into the passenger seat.
    "My dad was a nascar driver before he went to prison." I say, Nick looking over at me with soft eyes.
   "You saved my respect Noah. Thank you. I'm going to collect the money then we can go home. Okay?" Nick said, letting go of my hand.
    I only nodded.
    I waited in the car and finally Nick came back.
"I won 10k. Here's half." He said, placing money that was held together by a rubber hand in my lap.
    I looked at Nick, my jaw nearly dropping.
"That's alot of money." I gasped, holding the cash between my hands.
    "Why do you think I come every weekend? We gotta get home now. I'm sure you're all tired from being worked up by my car." He joked, beginning to drive home.
    I guess I had fallen asleep on the way home so Nick carried me inside and placed my share of the money in my nightstand drawer.
    "Stay." I quietly whine before he reaches for the doorhandle.
   "Are you sure?" He asks, taking his shirt off.
"Yeah. Please? Alcohol gives me nightmares." I say, turning onto my side, giving Nick puppy dog eyes.
    He smiles, like his usual douchebag self and climbs under the covers.
    "Go to bed now." Nick spoke, turning my television on.
   I tried to turn away from Nick in attempt to fall asleep but he pulled me closer to him.
   It made my stomach fill with butterflies and a pit of wrongfulness.
    I felt safe in this moment, like I was completely invincible.
    It was relatively easy for me to fall asleep with Nick in my presence.
     When I woke up in the morning Nick was still there.
   Since I was still in the dress I had fallen asleep in I climbed out of bed and began searching my closet for something comfortable.
    "What are you doing today?" Nick asked, sitting up.
    "I think I'm going to catch the bus to the mall and buy some things." I said while grabbing a pair of cargo pants and a black cropped shirt.
    "Why can't I drive you?"
"Because you always seem so busy." I replied choosing a pair of shoes to pair with the outfit.
     "I think the converse look better than the Jordan's." He chuckled.
     "Im gonna go shower." I say, walking into the bathroom.
     I press play on my phone, praying that a good song would come on so I could hurry up and shower.
   Nuestra canción - BrunOG

I was mostly satisfied with the choice and undressed myself before climbing into the steaming hot water.
    After I showered and changed into my outfit I began doing my makeup, very lightly, allowing my freckles to show through.
   "Ready yet? I've been watching you do your makeup for like an hour."
     I took a deep breath and finished applying my lipgloss.
   "Now I'm ready." I responded quietly, getting up and following Nick downstairs.   
    When we arrived at the mall I tucked the money into my purse and followed Nick inside.
    "Can we take a photo?" I ask as we stand in the elevator.
    Nick rolled his eyes.

"I wasn't even ready." Nick complained, running his fingers though his hair before we exited the elevator.
     We walked around the mall, Nick was holding all of my bags and by time I was finished shopping we were practically starving.
    "You eat sushi right?" He asks while grabbing my hand.
    I blush as he holds my hand tightly while walking through a crowd of people.
    "Yeah. I eat sushi." I quietly replied.

*later back at home.*

"I gotta do some grocery shopping since our butler is also on vacation." Nick said while grabbing the list off of the kitchen counter.
"Have fun." I replied, starting dinner.