Insatiable (UNDERGOING REWRITES)

Chapter 42 : Nolan Daniels

I couldn't sleep.

Julian was curled into my side, his nose pressed against my ear, his breath warm against my neck. He had one hand fisted beneath his cheek, the other resting against my chest. His dark hair spilled around his head, and his eyelashes fluttered against his cheeks. He was still so beautiful, and finally looked peaceful.

I should be able to sleep.

It was the phone call from my sister, Jasmine, that kept me awake. The ginormous drop of news she gave me.

My heart was still thumping, my mind racing. Even after Julian did all he could to keep me calm and collected, I was still going out of my mind. He reassured me he would be there for me, with me, no matter what. Nothing was ever going to change the fact that he loves me. I knew that. But after everything we've just been through––no, everything Julian just went through, it seemed like the universe was trying to pull us apart more than keep us together.

Julian said I was an idiot.

And then he showed me just how much he loves me, universe be damned.

I let out a long breath, reaching a hand up to scrub against my face. A few days worth of stubble now coated my face. I had grown too lazy to deal with it, and Julian said he kind of liked it. That was enough for me to keep it for a few days more.

Suddenly feeling thirsty, I gently pried myself from Julian's side. He let out a small wine before turning over and curling back into the covers. I watched him another moment, half making sure he didn't wake up, and half just because I could watch him and know he wasn't going anywhere.

I grabbed my phone from the nightstand and left the bedroom, closing the door behind me. Ezra had whisked Caleb off to gods knew where after my best friend told him of the news––that instead of waiting half a year to move to L.A. with the doctor, Caleb was joining him once the semester finished.

While I was incredibly happy for the two and knew Caleb needed this, I would miss him like crazy. Before they left tonight, he said we would talk more about everything, officially catch one another up on the craziness of our lives the last few weeks. I didn't mind not knowing everything about Caleb's life like I once did. He was happy and healthy and loved...what more could I ask for?

I did feel guilty though...for not telling him about the call with Jasmine. Usually, he was the first person I would go to about anything, but especially this life changing. I had Julian now, another person who loves me and cares about me. Who one day, might want to spend the rest of our days together, officially.

A smile grew on my face at that.

It came falling down all too quickly though as I thumbed through my phone, making my way to the kitchen and filling a glass of water. I leaned against the counter and stared at the name on my screen.

With a sigh, I called her, bringing the phone to my ear and waited.

My eyes wandered around the kitchen, dark except for the small, neon green numbers on the stove and microwave, showing what time it was. I was about to hang up, try again in the morning when I realized how late at night it was, when I suddenly heard her voice.

"Nolan?"

I straightened. "Brooke."

We were silent. I had no idea what to say. Do I speak first? No, she should, right? Should I pretend not to know anything? No, that's stupid, she knows Jas would talk to me about it.

"Nolan, I can practically hear you overthinking through the phone."

I couldn't help but chuckle. "Yeah, sorry. I just..."