It must be love

Chapter 11

Ava

The drive back home was quiet, I was burning to ask Nigel a bunch of questions like how he knew the waitress and why was he suddenly so distant but I didn't want to pry. He had come back from chasing after the woman, upset and agitated then said that we had to leave. He had been quiet since and hadn't said much either than a mumbled "Sorry for ruining the evening" and an "I'll get the door for you" when we got to the car. He seemed like he was in a foul mood so I didn't bother starting a conversation.

Minutes later we parked outside my mother's house and we just sat in the car, neither of us saying anything or making any move to get out. I sat there conflicted on whether I should say something or just get out and thank him for the evening. After a few minutes he made the decision for me as he sighed then turned to face me and murmured, "She and I were best friends during college."

I nodded not wanting to say anything else because of how deeply far away he looked, I wanted him to get it all out and not have me interrupting him at every second. I also tried not to think about how hungry how I was since we left without eating. Nigel soon continued speaking after heaving another long drawn out sigh.

"We went to a party one night and instead of looking out for her, I got high as a kite and started screwing around with some girl I even don't remember." He let out a humourless laugh shaking his head, “In her time of need, I wasn't there for her. It was all my fault, if I had stayed with her none of it would have happened." His voice cracked and I gently took his hand in mine.

"What happened?" I whispered after he kept silent. His hand tightened around mine and he took a deep breath before replying hoarsely, “She was raped.”

I sucked in a breath and sat there in silence. I was torn, I felt bad for him having to see his friend go through that situation and blaming himself. I also felt sorry for Shelby, no woman should have to go through what she went through. I was also mad on her behalf, how dare a man think he had the right to violate her that way, dammit!

"I'm so sorry" I said at a loss for wiser words. We sat in heavy silence for what felt like hours when in reality I'm sure it was a few seconds. The weight of his last words a heavy cloud in the air.

"I haven't seen or talked to her since I found her the morning after, this was over seven years ago. She never answered my calls or texts after that. The last I heard was that she had moved to Ohio to stay with her aunt.” He paused “The guy who did that to her was sentenced to 15 years. Her dad, who is a judge was the one that decided his sentence after the jury found him guilty. He made it known that he faulted me and wanted me nowhere near his daughter when I asked about her.”

"I felt guilty for months on end, I couldn't sleep or eat, all I thought about was her. I drowned myself in alcohol and women, heavens knows how I got through that last year of College. Then I got my act clean and soon after met Tracy, Mikayla's mother.”

I sat still as he bare everything out to me, I wanted to hear all about Kayla's mother and what happened between them but the selfish part of me didn't want to hear about it because it made her real, whereas all this time she had just been a far off thought and someone I was mildly curious about.

"Tracy worked as an intern at the company but then we started dating. We were together for two years before Kayla was born, her family had turned their backs on her saying that she had ruined her life by having a kid and that she was too young. She also had a bad case of postpartum disorder, I tried helping her through it but then one night she just disappeared in the middle of the night with a note that said she was still young and wanted to follow her dreams of being a model.” He snorted, “I never even knew that she wanted to be one. Anyway, I haven't heard or seen her since apart from in a few commercials and on magazine covers.

My heart broke for him, he has had to deal with a lot, being a single father must have been a lot of work and I admired him for not giving up or pawning Kayla off to his parents, instead he manned up and took responsibility. I was about to say something along those lines but he beat me to it by chuckling and shaking his head.

“I'm sure this is the most depressing first date you've been on, I'm sorry that it all went downhill.”

I smiled slightly, “On the contrary, it was actually the best. I loved your company and how honest you have been with me, I like you Nigel.”

"I like you too Ava and I would like to see you again.”

"I'd love that.” I replied

He looked at his watch and sighed, "I have to go now.” he said apologetically.

"It's okay." I said and he climbed out the car and came around to open my door for me. I murmured a thank you and he walked me to the door. He gave me the best goodnight kiss ever then walked back to his car and I watched as he drove off.