His Reverie (Reverie #1)(61)

“No way can you tell them,” I say, my voice stern. “That would be the worst thing ever.”

“You know, I really don’t think it would. I believe they’d appreciate my honesty.” She grabs me and hugs me tight. “I’m sick of pretending we’re not together. They won’t hate you, Nick. They’ll see all of your good qualities just like I do. They’ll fall in love with you too.”

I reluctantly put my arms around her when I really should be pushing her away and telling her she needs to listen to reason. “Reverie…look. There’s something I—”

Michael bursts into the stables, his cheeks glowing red like he just ran a marathon and his expression panicked. “Dude, you need to get out here quick.”

Reverie steps out of my embrace so fast it’s like she was never there. “What’s wrong?”

“Your little neighbor is here. The hot one.” Michael waves a hand as he tries to come up with her name. “You know who I’m talking about. Umm…Krista!” He snaps his fingers. “She’s outside.”

Panic slams into my chest like a punch to my heart. “Krista’s here? Where?’

“I found her at the front door, waiting for someone to appear. Thank Christ no one ever answers it. I asked if she was looking for you and she said not really but I somehow convinced her to come with me.” He jerks his thumb toward the front door. “She’s waiting for you.”

My stomach drops like I’m in free fall and I swallow hard. I can hardly look at Reverie but I can feel her anger radiating off her in heavy waves. She doesn’t like that Krista’s here.

I don’t like it either. Because I’m pretty damn sure I know the reason for her sudden appearance.

“I’ll be right back.” I look at her, see the way she’s standing there with her arms crossed in front of her chest in a defensive pose, her back ramrod straight. Her expression is stoic but I see the pain and anger in her eyes.

“Why is she here?”

I glance at Michael who’s still waiting for me. “Can you keep Krista occupied for me? Please? I’ll be out in less than five, I promise.”

“Dude, you better make it two. That chick is chomping at the bit to talk to one of the Hales.” He sends me a pointed look before he exits the stables.

I turn back to Reverie, wanting to approach her, to comfort her, but I have a feeling she’d just push me away so I don’t move. “I don’t know why she’s here,” I lie, feeling like a complete jackass.

Reverie throws her hands up in the air. “Come on, Nick. Is she wanting to see me? So she can tell me all sorts of sordid little details about your past together?”

“No.” I shake my head vehemently. “I think…” Shit. “I’m pretty sure she wants to tell your parents about us.”

Reverie’s mouth drops open. “How does she even know that we’re together? Did you tell her?”

“No. She saw you come out of my apartment. Said she recognized you from when you were on your dad’s show a long time ago. She used to watch it and always loved the dresses you wore. Crazy right?” I sound panicked. Maybe because I am panicked. I feel like all my worlds are colliding at once and I can’t stop the wreck from happening.

The skeptical look on Reverie’s face says it all. She doesn’t believe me. “I don’t want you talking to her.”

“I have to, Reverie. I have to stop her. Do you want her to go to your parents and tell them about us? That you spent the night at my apartment?”

Reverie’s eyes fill with horror. “That’s why we should’ve told them in the first place,” she whispers. “Then we wouldn’t have to worry about this.”

I go to her and grab her by the shoulders, pulling her in for a quick hug, but she fights against me. Something she’s never done. I release her, my heart cracking at her rejection. “Let me talk to her and get her out of here. I’ll come back and then we can talk. Okay?”

She lifts her chin, my stubborn, innocent princess. “I don’t want you talking to her, Nick. I mean it.”

“I don’t have a choice! How else am I going to stop her? You know your parents would flip out if they found out what we’ve been doing.”

We’re both quiet for a moment, my mind racing with what I should say to Krista to get her to leave us alone. I’m sure Reverie is mulling over everything I just told her and she doesn’t look too thrilled with it. But what can I do? I don’t know how I’m going to make this work. How I’m going to keep everyone happy.

“She’s just trying to get her claws back into you,” Reverie finally says, her voice hushed but fierce. “This is some sort of excuse for her to see you again.”

“I don’t think so. More like she’s doing this to get back at me for dumping her.” I have no idea what Krista’s intent is. She’s pissed. I know that.

“Whatever.” Reverie waves a dismissive hand. “I would really prefer if you didn’t talk to her.”

“I don’t have a choice.”

She sends me a pointed look. “We all have choices, Nick. You talk to her and well, you’ve made yours.”

I’m incredulous. “You’re going to break it off if I talk to Krista? I’m doing this to protect you. To protect us!”