If I Can't Have You || (N.M.)

Chapter 3

He was sitting at the edge of the bed when I walked in, having put on a shirt in my absence.

"Cal?" I called his name softly.

He looked up at me with tight lips and I could tell that he was bothered.

"Who was that?" he asked tautly.

I played with my fingers as I responded, "Someone I used to know."

There was a beat of silence before I continued, "He and his daughter needed some place to stay for the night."

Calvin stood up and rubbed his hands against his pants before letting out an annoyed exhale.

"That's just great," he mumbled to himself. "Perfect timing. Right as I was about to make love to my girlfriend."

The phrase "make love" made my stomach churn. While Nate showing up was an inconvenience for Calvin, part of me was glad that he did, even with his current circumstance. If he hadn't came when he did, I'd probably be miserable while Cal had his way with me.

"You know what," he shrugged, "I'm just gonna go."

He brushed past me to get to the door and I followed behind to see him out. I was caught off guard when he stopped in the living room, causing me to bump into his back and stumble.

Looking up at him I saw that he was boring his eyes into Nate who was sitting on the couch with a now wide awake and whimpering Miracle in his arms.

Nate glanced up only for a second before continuing to tend to his daughter. It was the only acknowledgement they had given to each others' presence since he had been here.

"Alright," Cal said a bit more loudly than necessary. He grabbed me by the waist and planted a gentle kiss onto my lips before telling me goodnight.

"See you tomorrow," he called as be walked out the door, "I love you babe."

"Love you too," I grumbled.

I already knew what Calvin was getting at, trying to make Nate jealous when it wasn't even needed. Nate wasn't here for me.

I locked the door before walking back to the living room where Miracle was now giggling in Nate's lap as he smiled down at her.

"I told you there's no need to cry baby girl," he cooed, "Daddy's got you."

I couldn't stop the small smile from forcing itself onto my face. I had to admit, Nate made a pretty cute dad. But I had to snap out of it and be straight forward.

"The couch reclines," I interrupted their moment. "You can turn on the TV and watch what you want. I'll go grab a blanket and pillow for you."

I went to the hall closet to grab the covers and heard the television cut on. Expecting to find him leaned back watching ESPN once I returned, I was surprised to see Bubble Guppies flashing across the screen.

Nate was standing up in front of the couch while Miracle sat up and had her eyes fixated the TV, infatuated by the silly animated characters.

I tossed him the blankets and waited for a thanks that wasn't going to come.

Just as I was going to turn back around and head to my room he stopped me.

"Wait."

I stood still but didn't face him. Part of me wanted that thank you, part of me wanted a sorry for what he'd done to me, and part of me just wanted to get as far away from him as possible.

"Can you show me the bathroom? I forgot where it is."

I sighed before pointing him around the corner and watching him tell Miracle to sit tight while he went away for just a second.

"No Daddy," she whined as her bottom lip trembled, "Stay!"

"I'll be right back baby," he assured her before going off in the direction I had shown him.

As soon as Nate turned the corner, Miracle got up and went to go chase after her dad.

"No no no," I scooped her up to keep her from running off. Not even after a second in my arms she began to wail her head off.

"I want down!" she cried.

I tried my best calm her but nothing would work.

"Nate please come back," I groaned under my breath.

As soon as I said the words, I felt him come up beside me and take Miracle from my hands.

Silence followed.

She had stopped crying just like that and I stood there dumbfounded.

Nate smirked at me as he bounced up and down with a sniffling Miracle resting on his shoulder.

"Looks like she likes you."