DARK DAYS

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

The next afternoon she knew who would be at the door before there was even a knock; she opened it to see a very sheepish looking Nate. “Hi,” he said hesitating.

Ana leaned in the doorway in her sweater and jeans casually, “Hi.” She returned easily. He was squirming and she didn’t really feel like bailing him out at the moment.

Nathaniel looked away and sighed, “I came to apologize, there’s no excuse for what I said last night or for knowingly picking a fight with Micah.  I was drunk and jealous…” He paused, “I’m sorry.”

Christiana nodded and stepped back letting him in, “don’t worry, I hadn’t considered you for sainthood or anything. I tend to inspire irrational jealousy in men.” 

Nathaniel winced, knowing that he was far from being forgiven; she wasn’t ever going to be the same around him. He had proved himself to be like everyone else, “I have been avoiding Micah, he’s going to inflict some serious pain when I see him.” He said stepping inside and sitting down on the couch.

Ana shook her head, “No he’s not. We talked, he’s not happy but not homicidal.” She sat beside him, “It’s time for all of us to stop pretending to be anyone or anything other than what and who we are.”

Nate asked reluctantly, “Are we okay?”

She laughed, “It’s not like we’re dating Nate, just enjoying each others company is all.”

“Right.” He said not knowing what else to say, and at the same time knowing there was nothing else he could say. 

Late the next night Christiana woke up around midnight; it was that I know I heard something, feeling that had her heart racing. She got out of bed quietly, and heard it again, yes definitely the front door closing. She walked out silently; she was leaning against the doorway when he turned around, “Hey.” Micah whispered, “I couldn’t sleep.” He explained.

Christiana nodded and turned to go back into her room, she had done the same to him many times. He followed her, “Sorry I woke you up, I was trying not to.”  He said closing her door behind him. 

“It’s okay.” She said with a yawn, “something wrong?” she asked climbing back into bed. 

Micah slid his jeans off, tossing them on the chair before climbing in beside her, “No, just regular pack stress. ‘When am I going to settle down? I’m 29 now you know… personal stability equals pack stability…’” he recounted, summing up a conversation he had, had to endure with George, the resident happily married pack member. 

She chuckled, feeling him wrap his arm around her, “You are getting old…” he bit her shoulder through her tee shirt, “Well you are!” she whispered defensively.

“Yeah, yeah.” He said quietly, “How’d it go with Nate?”

Ana shrugged turning to face him, “I think he was shocked I didn’t scratch his eyes out to be honest.” 

“You okay?” he asked.

Ana closed her eyes, “Just tired, someone woke me up.” She felt Micah kiss her softly, “I may forgive the rude awakening…” She murmured. 

Micah stroked her back, “Good to know.”