Nash Grier

Chapter 18

Los Angeles was a unique city. Never faltering to the life around it. People went about the day through crowded traffic and streets with an unnatural calmness.  Fortunately I've learned throughout the weeks, to focus on my music when I run instead of the people and cars. Whenever I focus on what is around me I get star struck and clumsy.

For once I didn't need any distractions. I am sticky with sweat from my run, and my mind is spinning with thoughts of what Nash had done,  for me.
The doorman waving his hand in my face snapped me back to the present. I took my headphones out and smiled. He tipped his hat. "Your mail is here, ma'am." I thanked him and went to go get my mail. It struck me that rent is due today. I desperately hurry to my apartment and open my bills. I just stare at the paper in front of me. Shit. I can't afford this on my own. I mean, I can but it will take a huge chunk of my money. Josh payed half and so did I. Now he isn't here and I don't expect him to send a check every month. I want to call him and work everything out, I miss him and I need my best friend back.
Each ring reminds me how far we've grown apart.

"LeAnna..." He says blankly.
"Josh. I need you. I miss you, when are you coming back?" I hold my phone tight.
He sighs. "Look, I can't come back. I'm sorry, I just need to do things for me, for once."
"Come back for me, please."
"Everything I've done has been for you, the reason I moved out there in the first place was for you. My whole life has been about making you happy, look what that got me. Are you still wasting your time waiting for Nash?" He spits into the phone.
"Yes, there are things you don't understand. I'm not waiting anymore, we are together." I whisper. Why do I care what he thinks about Nash.
He laughs. "Well, you see, I can't come back and continue to waste my time with you. I need to move on."
"Please, at least just be here for me." I beg.
"You mean, the same where you've been there for me?" And the line goes dead.
I slam my phone down and look up to see Nash standing in the doorway. As angry as I was it didn't stop me from being thrilled to see him there. He was wearing a suit that screamed sex. While I stood here in a sweaty in sports bra and shorts. "What's the occasion?" I grab his tie and jerk him down to kiss me. He raises an eyebrow. "Miss me? And I had a meeting, I was offered a lead role in a movie.." He looks at me waiting on a reaction. "I did....that's good I guess, will you have to leave?" I step back to look in his eyes. "Yeah, for around five months." He said grabbing my hand and rubbing his fingers over my knuckles. I know how this goes. He will leave and the distance will break us or cause issues. I sigh and walk over to my living area. "Oh...when do you leave?" I swear if it's tomorrow I will kill him. "Not for another month baby."  My chest expanded on a deep breath , my body still tense. He sat next to me and wrapped me in his arms. God, I will never get used to his touch. "Can I take you out tonight?"
"I would love that" we both smile and he gets up to leave. "You are a romantic Nash" I smile and bite my lip. "I'll show you romance," he smiles and picks me up to straddle him while he stands by the door. I give him a kiss and jump down. "Be ready at six, okay?" I nod and smile while he puts a piece of hair behind my ear. He leaves.

It's October and still pretty warm in LA. I chose a lightweight linen sheath dress and straightened my hair and teased it too give it more volume. My long bob has grown a little. I accessorize with a pair of gold hoop earrings that went well with my nude pumps and kept my makeup light.
Everything in my life has changed. Daniel is no longer in my life or a threat. Nash and I were stronger and most importantly together. I don't have to worry about my past driving a wedge between us. He knows every dark part of me and wants me anyways. He is the light at the end of the tunnel. Sure, I've lost my best friend but eventually we had to go our separate ways. I miss him but he needs space and I respect that.

I still have about an hour before he picks me up so I decided to fire up my computer and look him up. I want to watch his "vines" or whatever it was that made people fall in love with him. Apparently vine lost its popularity a few years after it started but there were tons of videos of Nash still available on the web. I feel like a complete stalker. I laughed for a solid fifteen minutes when I first saw him. He was so young, still attractive, although I have to say he has come a long way. He was nothing but skin and bones back then. Hard to believe how much muscle he has put on. It's weird seeing him so goofy and carefree. I can tell how his career has impacted and shaped him, even changed him. I smile at the ones he made with family. He never talks about them. I wonder why. I make a mental note to ask him.
I managed to watch all his videos. In His last video he was nineteen and he talked about how he was going to stop posting due to his acting career. I read the comments and people, well girls, were pissed and very upset. I smiled at how much he made an impact on them. As if on cue I hear a knock. I open the door. He was wearing a button down shirt tucked into slacks. He looked incredible. "Zayummm you look good," he raised an eyebrow and I busted out laughing. "What's all that about?" He was laughing.
"I managed to watch all of your 'vines'. I have to say, it was the most entertaining thing I've seen" I smiled and grabbed his hand.
"Oh, well I'm glad you could get a glimpse of my past." He looked embarrassed, it was cute.
"I can see why so many people adored you," I squeeze his hand as we step into the elevator.
"I only want one person to adore me," he looks down at me and kisses me.
"I do adore you," he laughs and we reach the lobby.

He took me to a pretty casual but nice diner. I wasn't expecting that. "I used to eat here when I first moved here, before things got crazy with my career. It's nice to come back every once in a while to be reminded where I started" he must have noticed. I didn't mind, I kinda liked it. I just feel overdressed. "It's perfect, I should have wore jeans and sandals." I laugh and we walk to a booth to sit at. "You look perfect," he smiles and leans across the table to kiss me. He seems a little uneasy for some reason.

The waiter came and got our order but he hasn't said much.
"Are you okay? Did it upset you that I watched your vines?" I say and look in his eyes.
"What? No. I'm glad you saw them and thought they were funny. It's not that. I've just...never mind. I'll tell you later. I don't want to ruin the date." He said and looked down. Ugh.
"Well the date won't go good if you aren't talking so just go ahead and tell me" I smiled softly.
"Okay, umm. I lied to you." He looks nervous. "I start my movie in a week." He says running his hands in his hair.
"Oh. Well umm okay. Nash it's okay. It's your career. I get it. Just....just don't let the distance get between us. Please don't." I say and grab his hand across the table. "Nash, I also have to say something. I can't afford rent on my own. I'm not asking for money, I'm just letting you know I need to move"
"Move in with me." He says without a second thought.
"Are you sure? I can afford my own place Nash. I mean, I would love to move in with you but I don't want you to regret it." I say. The waiter brings our food but I can't eat.
"I'm leaving and I want you to live with me, it's an unavoidable situation. You would move in with me soon anyways." He said and started eating. What was that about? It was silent for a moment and I started to eat. I can tell Nash is still feeling uneasy.

After he pays for the bill we leave. I tried to pay but he refused. We step outside and it feels amazing. I close my eyes and welcome the breeze. I open my eyes and he is staring at me.
"Will you spend the last week with me, I want to get away with you while I can." I can tell he is upset about leaving for the movie. He grabs my face and kisses me hard but with passion. It always feels like the first time with him. "I would love that."