Trapped: the Truth (Book 2)

Chapter 11

On our way to meet Steph, Nate, Lizzie and Nick, Chris is quiet - too quiet. He has been like this since we woke up. What is going on with him? Did I do something to offend him? He is completely focused on the road as if I am not even here.

I am concerned now. "Are you okay?" He does not answer me. "Chris?"

He snaps his head at me. "What?" His voice is hoarse and he looks very tense. His knuckles are pale with the forced grip he has on the wheel.

"Are you okay?" I repeat. I am getting worried about him. Is this a wolf thing?

"Yeah." He seems to relax a bit now but I can feel he is still on edge for some reason.

I want to know what is going on in his head. "I can tell something's on your mind."

He is focused on the road again but at least he answers me. "Nothing's on my mind." Why is he lying to me?

I try again. "You don't have to hide anything from me." I know I might be pushing his buttons but I really want to know what is going on in his head.

"You really want to know?" he snaps a me. His voice is raised now.

"Yes." My voice comes out weak but clear. His expression scares me but it does not take away my curiosity.

He runs a hand in his hair, keeping the other on the wheel, before he speaks. "I don't like the fact that Nate has feelings for you."

I am stunned. He seemed fine with this fact yesterday. What changed now? Did Nate call him?

"You were fine with it yesterday and I told you he is just a friend and that I love you." I do not know how else I can reassure him.

His worry is unreasonable.

He parks the car in the parking lot of the diner, where we are meant to meet our friends, and he turns in his seat to face me. "I had a dream... nightmare actually, of the two of you together - laughing, kissing and mocking me." He is basing his worries on a stupid dream? He should know better than that. He is usually the voice of reason. What happened to him? Why is he being like this?

"It was just a dream. You know me better than that. You know I will never betray you." I love him so much but he cannot see that right now. He is too blinded by the dream to see it.

"It felt so real." His eyes start to tear up and his expression is a mixture of anger, worry and hurt.

I have no idea what to do.

Chris speaks before I can say anything. "I need to have a talk with Nate. I cannot let this go."

Now I really am worried. "Please don't do anything stupid," I beg.

"I'll try to be civil." Is that a promise? It does not sound like it.

I have to let him face this fear otherwise we will never move forward. "Fine, but I will be coming with you." I want to be the peacekeeper in this situation in case a certain volcano erupts and destroys everything.

Chris locks the car and we head into the diner. We spot our friends straight away. Apparently, we are the last to arrive. Even Lizzie arrived before us. She is the one who is always late. We walk toward them and Chris approaches Nate as I walk close to him.

"We need to have a chat outside," Chris tells Nate in a low voice. His expression is neutral which leaves Nate completely oblivious to what this is about.

Nate nods. "Sure." He follows us outside the diner. Nate finally notices my worried expression and looks back at Chris. "What's going on?"

I open my mouth to explain but Chris beats me to it. "You're interested in Emma and you go telling her behind my back? I thought we were like brothers." His voice is rising.

I intervene before the whole diner comes outside to see what is going on. "Calm down."

"I wanted to tell you but I didn't know how," Nate says calmly. I have no idea how he remains so calm when Chris looks like he wants to beat him up.

"You could have told me any way you liked," Chris spits out through his clenched teeth. "The point is that you went behind my back." Chris's breath is quickening and his fists are clenched by his sides.

I put my hands around his arm to try to ease his anger. "Please don't do anything stupid," I whisper to him hoping he will listen to me.

"I have no intention of breaking up the two of you," Nate explains, still calm. "I know how she feels about you and how you feel about her and I respect that. I just couldn't keep my feelings bottled up." I admire Nate for the way he is handling the situation.

"See?" I ask Chris. "You have nothing to worry about." I step in front of him to gage his attention and hold his face between my hands. "He is not a threat."

His eyes connect with mine and I feel him start to relax. His eyes no longer hold that fury that was present seconds ago.

"Now, can we go inside to eat? I'm hungry."

He nods slowly and I grab his hand to pull him with me. I give Nate an apologetic look before we head inside and he nods in understanding. I feel sorry for him. I never thought Chris was capable of this type of confrontation. Now I know to never let anyone cross him in any way.