Reckless Soulmates

chapter 8

Zeke

I took a step up to Nick's front door and knocked softly on it.

Harper was out of town now. I only had three months to prove myself worthy to Nick.

Nick

There's a knock on the door during the end of 13 Going On 30. I honestly don't want to see anyone by the time we were at this stage. Leo went out and got me cookie dough ice cream and I've been half-heartedly eating it ever since. Harper's sweater was keeping me warm and the scent of it was the only thing keeping me from sobbing.

Luke got up to answer the door, stepping over a snoring Leo. When he opened the door, he backed up. Oh?

"You can't be here--what the heck--get out."

"I just want to talk to him, I know he's hurting."

"You're lying right through your own yellow teeth Isaias."

"My teeth aren't yellow--"

"Maybe they aren't but Harper warned me about what you said--"

I got up and stood behind Luke, breaking their argument. Zeke stood at the front door and I couldn't help but be utterly surprised.

"Nick," Zeke said, "I just want five minutes. Please."

I pulled my sweater sleeves and fought my tears. I pushed past Luke and Zeke and went out the door.

"Really?" he asked, shocked.

I held up five fingers, indicating he had a time limit.

Zeke

We're walking down the streets, his hands far into his sweater sleeves. Must be Harper's.

Nick tapped my shoulder and gave me a look.

Right. I have a time limit.

"Nick," I started, "I just want to thoroughly apologize for the way I've treated you. Obviously I'm not homophobic in any way, because of when I kissed you. Nonetheless, you didn't deserve the treatment you were getting, and I'm sorry about that. If I could, I'd go back and fix everything."

He nodded and kept his head towards the ground. I needed to get him away from Harper, but slowly.

"I just want to be friends."

Nick looked up. Yes, thank you.

"Really," I continued, "I want to start over."

I saw him wipe away a few stray tears and smile at me.

"Here," I chuckled, "I'm Zeke Isaias, and I'd like to take you out. I'd really like to get to know you."

Nick nodded at my request and a threw a friendly arm around his shoulders. He flinched but I waved it off. I was expecting that anyway.

But this was a start. A good start.

Luke

Zeke brought Nick home in under five minutes and when I saw his arm around Nick, I slapped it off.

No way is he ruining Narry. I will fight 'till I die. Not even; I'll haunt him when I go to hell because let's face it, I'm no saint. Hopefully Jesus doesn't know about the smut...

"Okay, so tomorrow I'll pick you up?"

Zeke said it and I leaped into action. Nick nodded towards him but I went in front of him.

"You. Me. Outside. Now."

I grabbed his jacket sleeve and dragged him to the front of the driveway.

"What?"

"Just what the hell do you think you're doing?"

Zeke groaned and wriggled out of my grasp.

"I'm trying to mend things with Ni--"

"Harper warned me about you trying to make a move on him and I'm not going to let you!"

"Who said I was?"

"You're lying through your damn teeth and you know it Zeke!"

"Fine," he said, annoyed, "I'll prove it."

He walked away from me and I swear I would've punched him if I didn't want him to call the police on me.

"I'm coming at three!" he called back and I flipped him off. Damn home wrecking asshole...

Nick

It was four am, two days after Harper left when my laptop woke me up. There was a Skype notification blaring from the speakers and I picked it up.

Harper's Skyping me!

I cheered in my head, forgetting how tired I am and looked over to Luke, who I just had to detach from my waist. Luke and I had been sleeping in the same bed for awhile, and although Harper's irreplaceable, I hated sleeping alone every since he came into my life.

I accepted the call and in a couple short seconds I could see my Harper's beautiful face again.

"Nick!" he shouted. I was sporting the largest grin but it slowly began to fall as I saw Harper crying.

Harper what's wrong? I typed in the little chat box.

"I just can't believe I'm seeing your face again god I have missed you so much!"

I've missed you too I don't think I've smiled 'till now.

It looked like he was in a hotel room and it seemed to be a nice one at that.

"Nick, have I woken you up?" Harper asked. I nodded, thinking he probably saw my bed head.

Yeh...

"What time is it there?"

Four in the morning.

"Oh my god, go to sleep baby, I love you okay? Just sleep for me."

I nodded and he gave me a warm smile.

"Sweet dreams, okay? I'll call you later."