His Reverie (Reverie #1)(50)

My phone rings from where I left it on the kitchen counter the night before and I jog over to answer it, grimacing when I see who the caller is.

“What do you want?” I answer, my voice low.

“Ah, there you are. I’m guessing you slept in with your little love bug?” Krista’s voice is extra sweet, edged with obvious sarcasm and a hint of anger.

“Fuck off.”

She laughs. “I love it when you talk dirty.”

“I’m serious, Krista. Stay out of my business. We’re not together. We haven’t been together for a long time.”

“Do you think you can just use me whenever you want, then toss me aside when you find someone prettier and sweeter? Because she looks terribly sweet, Nicky. So sweet she gave me a toothache when I first saw her. Does she know about your past? About your time in jail? I mean, we know you weren’t guilty of any crime, but spending that much time locked up with criminals has to affect a person and not in a positive way. I bet she’d be shocked to hear that story.” Krista continues laughing and I grit my teeth, wishing I could reach through the phone and strangle her.

“Leave her alone. Stay away from us.” I hang up before she can get another word in. I toss the phone on the counter like it burned me, biting out a curse before I turn to see Reverie standing in the hallway, her damp hair pulled into a ponytail, wearing yesterday’s sundress, clutching her hands in front of her.

Shit. How much did she hear? Hopefully none of it.

“Hey,” I say softly, starting to approach her. “You ready to go?”

“Who were you talking to?” She shifts from one foot to the other, nibbling on her lower lip.

“No one,” I say dismissively.

“You sounded pretty angry for it to be no one.” I stop right before her and she tilts her head back, her gaze meeting mine. “Who was it Nick?”

“I told you. No one important,” I insist, nerves eating at my gut. She must’ve heard plenty. I don’t want to tell her the truth. She might freak out.

“It was Krista,” she says quietly, her expression emotionless. “I heard you say her name.”

Dread sweeps over me. “Why did you ask when you knew all along?” I thrust both hands in my hair and hold the back of my head in frustration. I’m pissed. Frustrated. Not at Reverie but at myself. And Krista. Everything’s coming to a head and there’s nothing I can do to stop it.

She flinches. “You don’t have to yell at me.”

“I’m not—” I drop my hands and blow out a harsh breath. I can’t deny I’m yelling because I totally am. “Look, I need to get you home. Are you ready?”

“Why did you tell her to stay away from us? Is she threatening you? Threatening me? I’m not scared of her and you shouldn’t be either.” She reaches out and grabs hold of my hand in both of hers. “Is there something you’re not telling me? Be honest with me, Nick. That’s all I want. All I ask for. Please.”

I stare at her, my stomach churning. I can’t tell her the truth. Not like this. She’ll hate me. Or worse, be disgusted by me. Disappointed. “There’s nothing to tell,” I lie.

She’s eerily quiet as she studies me. “Why did you tell her to leave us alone then?”

“Because she’s a jealous bitch who’s mad that I found someone else,” I practically spit out.

“Why is she jealous? I thought you two broke up a while ago.”

I blow out an exasperated breath. I can’t keep hiding this from her. She’ll keep badgering until I give her something. “Fine, you wanna know my little secret? I hooked up with Krista over a month ago. It was nothing. It meant nothing. But I guess she thought it meant we were together again. I don’t know.”

Reverie’s eyes widen and she drops my hand, taking a step back. “You had—you had sex with her a month ago?” Her voice is small, her eyes wide.

I feel mean. Backed into a corner and I don’t like it. I don’t want to hurt Reverie’s feelings but she’s giving me no choice. “Yeah. I made a mistake. I do that sometimes you know.” More like a lot of the time. As in right now. “Sorry to shatter any illusions you might’ve had about me but guess what? I’m not perfect.” I’m reminded of our conversation last night, all the perfect talk and what she said. Just a big sham if you ask me. None of us are perfect, least of all me.

She flinches again, the hurt expression on her face unmistakable. “You don’t have to be so mean about it,” she murmurs.

I can’t win for trying, I swear to God. I immediately feel like shit. “Are you ready to go or what?”

“Let me grab my purse.” She lifts her chin, looking both defiant and sad. I ache to draw her in my arms and tell her I’m sorry. Bury my face in her hair and breathe deep her sweet unique scent. Let it wash over me and ease my anger over Krista.

And how scared I am to tell Reverie the truth.

But I don’t. Instead I go to my room, throw on some clothes, slip on shoes and grab my keys.

28

Dear Diary,

(July 28th, 3 p.m.) I don’t know what to say. What started out as an amazing night turned into the worst morning ever. I thought what Nick and I shared last night meant something to him. I know it meant something to me. We practically had sex. I’ve seen him naked. He’s seen me naked. We did things to each other that I’ve never, ever done to anyone else. It was the most amazing experience of my life. I had zero regrets. None. I know what we did was a sin but when you love someone so much, it can’t be wrong.