Now that’s done, I need to work on the next thing: telling Nate and Archie that I’m moving out and into my new home. While I love falling asleep in Nate’s arms and relaxing with Archie, I still need to learn what it’s like to be by myself.
When I walk downstairs, I find Nate cooking dinner and Archie watching a rerun of Friends. I gravitate towards Nate, placing a kiss on his cheek. I lean against the island as he moves about the place with ease.
“What are you making?” I ask, stalling for what I actually want to say.
He stops what he’s doing and rounds the island, picking me up. I let out a squeak as he sits me on top of it.
Archie groans from the living room. “Will you guys please get a room?”
Nate rolls his eyes. “We are in a room; this is the kitchen.”
“Oh, ha ha, very funny. The kitchen is open plan; I meant a room I can’t see into.” He shouts out the last part, and I have to cover my mouth to quieten my giggle.
Nate smirks. “Still a room!” He shouts back.
Then we hear Archie mimicking Nate as he turns up the TV.
Nate presses a soft but quick kiss to my lips. “So, what’s on your mind?”
I rear back slightly, my brows creasing. “How did you know I had something on my mind?”
He shrugs. “I can always tell. Use your words, tell me what it is.”
I look down, suddenly worried, what if I tell him and I don’t get the response I want or need? What if he decides that being with me is too much, or that my not wanting to live with him yet isn't something he’s willing to wait for?
He places his finger underneath my chin and encourages me to look up at him. “Hayleigh, I’m in this for the long haul, but to do that, we have to communicate with each other.”
I take a deep breath before I speak. “I want to move into my new home. Tomorrow.” I squeeze my eyes shut; if I can’t see the disappointment, it isn’t happening.
Nate’s lips glide over mine as he captures them in a kiss before pulling back and murmuring. “I’m going to miss being able to kiss you whenever you’re near. I’ll make sure my brothers are ready to help, minus Cole because he’s got his hands full at the minute.”
My eyes fly open. “You’re not mad or upset?”
Now he rears back, his brows drawing together. “Why would I be mad or upset? I’m happy for you, Hayleigh. It’s a massive achievement to buy your own place. Do I wish you could be here, with me? Yes, of course I do, but that’s not where you’re at right now, and that’s okay.”
“But Emmy moved in with Cas pretty much straight away, and Cole built Lacey a home. Don’t you feel…cheated?”
His hand pinches the bridge of his nose. “I don’t follow. What do you mean?”
I huff out a breath. “Well, they’re all shacked up, and they have their happily ever after, all I can give you is happy for now...” I trail off.Why am I like this? Why do I always push people away?I mentally high-five myself, in the face…with a chair.
I want to scream at myself. I want to tell Nate to ignore me. I have no clue what I’m talking about, but it’s like watching a car crash, knowing it’s morbid and awful, but also not being able to look away.
Nate steps closer to me and grabs both of my hands in his own. “Our timeline is our own; we don’t have to follow the same path as my brothers. Real life isn’t as simple as meeting the person you love, moving in and living happily ever after. Some people take time, some people never get there, and I’m not saying that’s us, because I firmly believe we will get there, but you have to do what’s right for you, Hayleigh.Youhave to give yourself time to grow, but I promise you I am not going anywhere. I will be here for it all.”
“Who’s going where?” Archie’s voice makes me jump as Nate throws him a dirty look.
I take another deep breath, knowing this isn’t going to go well at all. “Well, Archie. I have my new home now, and thanks to you guys, it’s ready to sleep in. So, from tomorrow I’ll…”
Archie’s bottom lip trembles, so I hop down from the island and walk up to him, wrapping my arms around his middle.
I whisper to him. “You can come round anytime.”
He sniffles above me. “I was just getting used to your fruity, smelling shampoo and being able to borrow your books anytime that I want. That’s all…”
I huff out a laugh. “Sure, it is, I wondered where my shampoo was going.”
Nate joins in the huddle, wrapping his arms around both of us.
