Falling Down (sequel to The Game of Chance)

Chapter 18

Taylor's Perspective

After the three of us explained things to my dad, he insisted that we stay with him for the night, as it was getting late and it'd be safer than me going back to Nathan's flat anyway. It didn't take much persuading on Nathan's behalf, honestly, he was more than happy to be staying somewhere other than in the building next to Luke's. Max, on the other hand, had been a bit reluctant. I didn't think he really wanted to stay with us, but he knew Nathan would need help if I had another nightmare and neither of them trusted my dad very much at the moment.

Max sighed, clapping a hand on my shoulder. “I'll go move the van.”

I nodded and cleared my throat as he walked outside. Nathan was leaning up against the wall, staring down at his feet as we waited for him in the foyer. I stared at him, a deep frown on my lips, knowing something was on his mind that he wasn't telling me about.

He sighed and glanced up at me. “Why didn't you tell me you knew it was him?”

I swallowed harshly, avoiding his gaze. I had hoped he didn't hear that part of my explanation to my father, but I should have known better. Max and Nathan had let me tell the whole story, right from the beginning, and listened closely to everything I had said. I had slipped up and told my dad about Luke's spontaneous visit to the cabin, not a bit of doubt in my voice when I said that he was the one who did it.

Nathan stepped forward, bringing a hand to rest lightly on the side of my face. I sighed and looked up at him, guilt tugging at my chest as he returned my stare. He rubbed his thumb in gentle circles on my cheek, his lips pressed into a firm line. “Is it because you thought I wouldn't believe you? Taylor, you know I-”

I shook my head quickly, using my hand to knock his hand away from my face. “It's not that...”

His gaze was unwavering as I tucked my bottom lip between my teeth, my nose burning for what felt like the hundredth time. I breathed in deeply and stuttered, “H-he-”

His eyebrows pulled together as he reached out hesitantly, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me against his chest. I could feel myself trembling at his touch, but wrapped my arms around him anyway. He sighed into my hair. “Hey, it's alright. You're okay.”

I shook my head again, coughing weakly. “He said he'd hurt you if I told you. He – he threatened to kill you, Nath. I couldn't let anything-”

I trailed off, a loud sob scratching at my throat. Nathan's chest heaved as he pulled me tighter against him. He smoothed his hand gently over the hair on the back of my head. Pressing his trembling lips to my forehead, he mumbled, “He's not going to touch us, alright? Nothing could keep me away from you.”

I nodded slightly, clutching my hands together behind his back and pressing a chaste kiss to his neck. “I love you, Nath.”

He breathed in deeply, pulling away slightly to look down at me. He smiled gently and met his eyes to mine. “I love you, Taylor. I always will.”

I smiled weakly and collapsed back into his arms, grasping tightly to the material of his t-shirt, feeling safe for the first time in days.

“Y'alright?”

I jumped slightly at the sound of Max's voice as he stepped through the front door and I turned to him, wrapping my arms around myself. Nathan chuckled and circled his arms around my waist, leaning over to rest his chin on my shoulder. “We're fine. Right, babe?”

I smiled at the feeling of his warm breath on my neck and nodded, curling my hands around his wrists. It felt good to be back in his arms again.

Max raised his eyebrows at us, a small smile pulling at his lips. “Well, that's great and all, but where exactly am I sleeping tonight?”