Chained In Your Love

Chapter Nine~Mistake

Miley

"Finally, your home. I was ready to call a search team."

"Shut up." I push pass Darren and walk into my apartment.

"Mom! " Niles And Caleb said in unision and raced towards me. I extended my arms and hugged them both. Kissing their foreheads.

"Hope your not mad, their up this late?" Darren said behind me. "They didn't want to sleep without you. "

"It's okay." I push Caleb's hair back. "It's not a school night. "

"Boys, you guys should change into your PJ's. Like you promised. " Darren said walking over to us.

"Okay. " they grunt as I let go of them. Niles and Caleb disappeared into the back room. Leaving Darren and I alone.

"Hope they didn't keep you up all night." I say throwing my jacket over the couch.

"Nah.. I love those boys. I love babysitting when ever you need it." He smiled a wide smile.

I return the smile. "Thanks Darren. I don't know what I would do without you or Lea. "

"Well, that's what friends are
for." he says, making me laugh. There was a knock at the front door of my apartment. I make my way over to the door.

"Who could that be at this time of night?" Darren asked.

I shrug. Who wouldn't it be. Lea, Shannon, Lance collecting the rent?

I pulled the door open to find Nick.

He stood there with a curious look on his face. His hands jammed into his pocket, his eyes lowered and examing behind me into the privacy of my apartment. Where my children were, with Darren.

Realizing how bad this looked, I stepped out and closed the door behind me. "What are you doing here?" I push hair behind my ears.

"I followed you home." He looked over my shoulder. "Is someone else in there?"

My heart sped up. "Umm." He waited for my answer. "No." I finally said.

He looked at me as if he didn't know me. He knew I was lying. "Miley.." he pushed past me and went to open my door. "Move."

"Nick wait.. " the door flung open and the living room was empty.

"See no one here." I say turning to him.

"Miles? " Darren called from the kitchen. "Do you want dinner or did you eat with Lea at the diner?"

I froze at his words. I slowly turn to Nick. He took deep breaths. His chest rising up and down in silence. He kept his glare on me. "Who is that?" his voice was low and serious.

"I.." All I could do was stutter.

"Miles? " Darren's voice was getting closer and his footsteps getting louder. Darren walked out into the living room.

"Oh," He looked from me to Nick. "You have a friend over? "

"I'm not her friend." Nick kept his gaze on Darren. "Who are you? "

"Then what are you?" Darren tested.

"I'm her boyfriend. Who are
you?" Nick's patience was running short. I could tell he was pissed.

I looked away from him and turned to Darren who was giving me a confused look. He was probably wondering why I didn't tell him about Nick returning and us being together. As far as he knew, Nick was still in WoodsField and a deadbeat father to his two unknown children. And to Darren's mind, dangerous. Maybe if he knew this was Nick Darren would get some signals.