A Bit Of His Story
1325 Words
[Noel’s POV]
For the rest of the evening, I sit silently while Nick and his friends talk idly, and when it becomes increasingly difficult to keep my eyes open, Nick gets up and comes to stand in front of me.
“You’ve had a long day,” he murmurs, reaching out and gently taking my hand while the three who are still present make noises that cause my cheeks to flush pink. “Why don’t you get some rest?”
“Yeah,” I yawn, knowing that there was no point in arguing with him. “That might actually be a good idea.”
Smiling, Nick wraps an arm around my waist and begins to lead me upstairs where my room is located. Once we reach, he helps me to the bed, and only when I’m sitting does he kneel in front of me so that our gazes meet.
“You alright?” He asks, catching me by surprise. “You’ve seemed a bit out of it since earlier.”
“I’m fine,” I lie, not wanting to be a burden. “All of this is still just a bit overwhelming.”
Growing quiet, I wait while Nick processes what I’ve said, and by the look in his eyes, I know that he isn’t exactly buying what I’m selling, but he doesn’t push much either.
“Alright,” he finally says, running his hand along my cheek and pushing some hair behind my ear. “Get some sleep then.”
Nodding, I let another yawn escape me, and only after Nick stands up and heads toward the door do I curl up on the bed and pull the blanket tightly around me.
“Good night, angel,” Nick announces when he reaches the room's threshold. “If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call.”
“Thanks.” I smile. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
Satisfied with my response, Nick leaves, and it is only when his footsteps grow faint and disappear entirely that I let my eyelids, which suddenly feel heavy, drift close.
I’m not fully aware of when I fall asleep, but before I know it, soft light dances against my eyelids, rousing me and forcing me to slowly sit up and take in the room around me while trying to remember exactly how I got there. And when I once again remember what I’ve done, I feel the reality of my decision crash into me. However, my shock doesn’t last long before it is replaced with a feeling of unease as I remember what has to be done today.
“Am I ready for this?” I ask myself, remembering the beating I received from my stepmother only a few days ago. “Will they take this lying down?”
I was certain that they wouldn’t, but I couldn’t just let them have their way either simply because I was afraid of facing them.
And what about Hunter? I ask myself silently. Will he also be present today when we go over there? Since he was with Joelle, it was only natural that he would be there, right?
No. Just because they were together, it didn’t mean that he would be there. Was my way of thinking just a deep-rooted need to see him despite his betraying me?
“What the hell is wrong with you, Noel?” I grumble, pulling my knees against my chest and resting my head on them. “Even after all this, you still want to see that bastard, and why?”
I don’t get the chance to think too hard on this before a knock sounds, and my door opens to reveal Cassidy carrying a tray of food.
“Oh!” She gasps, her eyes widening as she takes me in. “You were awake?”
“Yeah,” I respond, watching while she crosses the room and sets the tray of food she is carrying down on the bedside table. “But you didn’t have to do that.”
“Of course I did,” she counters, plopping down on the bed beside me. “It is my job to make sure that you’re well taken care of.”
“Job?” I repeat, sitting up. “Why on earth would it be up to you to take care of me?”
“Because big brother Nick asked it.” She shrugs. “Whatever his command, I will do it.”
Frowning, I take in her words while once again realizing that I don’t know much about the man that I was now calling my husband.
“You must really respect him.” I say, testing the waters. “To be so willing to do whatever it is that he wants.”
“Of course I do,” Cassidy smiles. “He has helped not only me, but even Evan, in so many ways.”
“Is that so?”
I don’t know why, but hearing her say something like that leaves me feeling like I may have gotten ahead of myself thinking that he helped me because I was special. Man, I really was being ridiculous.
“How long have all of you known each other?” I ask, trying to ignore the unpleasant feeling that is starting to grow in me. “If you don’t mind me asking.”
“Not at all,” Cassidy responds. “It’s been about ten years now. Just like Nick, Evan and I were disciples of Devlin. Back then, we were quite a handful and got into a lot of trouble, but anytime we found ourselves in too deep, Nick would come to our rescue. He even saved me when I made a huge mistake and almost died.”
“You almost died?” I gasp, my eyes widening.
“Yeah,” she sighs, seeming to not be fazed in the slightest. “I thought that I was invincible, and to prove that, I rushed into danger without a second thought, but that’s all in the past.”
“You’re right,” I murmur, wondering whether or not it was okay for me to push for further explanation, but before I get the chance to do so, the man we were just discussing strolls into the room.
“Cassidy,” he says, eyeing her and making it clear that he heard everything. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“I’m sorry!” She gasps, jumping up. “I’ve wasted your time!”
“Wait,” I yelp as she begins to move. “You didn’t. It’s fine, you don’t…”
“You need to eat,” she counters, giving me a smile. “You and Master Nick have to go to meet with your family, don’t you?”
“Yes,” I squeak, remembering what was to come.
“Then I’ll see you later.” She announces, before heading out of the room, so that all that is left is Nick and me.
“Sorry about her,” he says after a pause. “She’s really chatty.”
“She’s fine,” I counter, wondering once again whether or not Nick wanted to keep me in the dark about his past. “She’s quite refreshing, honestly.”
“Refreshing,” he repeats, seeming to mull over the word. “And then what am I?”
“What do you mean?” I ask, eyeing him curiously.
“What do you consider me? Am I also refreshing, or do you not feel the same way about me?"
"W-why would you ask that?"
"Because," he says, moving toward me and taking a seat on the bed so that I can feel his heat against my body. "Every time you're with me, you look ready to run away and," he continues, giving me a smile that makes my heart skip a beat. "You're more willing to ask others about me instead of asking me yourself."
- Writer
