Always & Forever (Nick & Bailey #2)

18. Nick

Well that was fucking stupid, Nick thinks as he awakens. He hadn't had a cigarette for a year, and chain smoking five in a row only had one effect. And his nausea is just now starting to cease.

After leaving Bailey at the library, he stopped at the first gas station he came across and picked up a pack of Camels. He thought they would help him calm the fuck down.

He had never had to use as much restraint as he did with Ken today. The fact that his stepdad was even in the same breathing space as Bailey made Nick want to throw her in a bath and scrub the dirtiness off her. After he ripped Ken's smile off his fucking face, of course.

He drove around for an hour until he knew he needed to either lie down or vomit out his driver's side window on Main Street—so he came home. He was grateful that he didn't run into anyone on the way to his room. His adrenaline eventually crashed, and he must have fallen asleep because when he opens his eyes again, the sky is dark.

He wonders what woke him up until he hears a soft knock on the door. "Nick?" It's Bailey's voice.

He had been awful to her. It's not like it was her fault that Ken showed up instead of Nick's mom, and yet when she tried to touch him, he pushed her hand away.

There is one person on this fucking planet that he wants to be touching and be touched by all day, everyday, and he pushed her away because his ego was bruised.

Why did he even let Ken's words affect him? That dude is an alcoholic dickhead, and his opinion should not matter to Nick. And yet, what he said about Nick was kind of true, and Nick reacted, not well.

It's time to apologize. "Come in."

Bailey opens the door slowly and her effect on his mental state is instant. As soon as he sees her, he is calm again. She walks to the bed. "Can I lie with you?"

He hates that she feels she needs to ask. He nods and repositions his arm so she can rest her head on it. "Are your parents home?"

She curls into him and lays her leg on top of his. "No. They went to visit Grandma, but they'll be back soon I think. You've been in here awhile. Based on the imprint lines on your face, I'm guessing you fell asleep."

"Basically passed out," he swallows the lump in his throat. "Listen. I'm sorry, Bailey. And I know I say that way too fucking much. I was an asshole, and I had no right to be. You literally did nothing wrong. He is just always able to get a reaction out of me, and I hate it. I hate him."

"I do too," she says softly before snapping her head up to look at him. "Which is why we're not going to talk about him anymore tonight. Okay? Tomorrow you can get everything off your chest that, if I were you, I'd be dying to get out. But tonight, we're done."

"Deal."

"Good. Now get up. We're going out."

"I don't really feel like—"

"I don't care," she interrupts. "Ian told me to leave you alone, but that isn't my style. I have something planned. Now get up."

"You asked Ian?" Nick feels a grin forming on his face. "For advice?"

She nods. "I know, right? I also saw some pigs flying this afternoon while you were sleeping. But it shouldn't be surprising that I'm not actually following said advice."

Nick resigns. "You're not going to let me stay here, are you?"

"Not a chance. I'll meet you downstairs in five." She leans up to give him a quick kiss before enthusiastically rolling off the bed. She's excited about something. This should be interesting.