There’s no need to keep going down that path. I get it and he isn’t wrong. Simple greetings were enough for me back then too.
“For the record, I’ve never heard you say anything that could be deemed stupid.”
He levels me with a look of challenge.
“I swear.”
“Maybe so, but if I’m being honest...” Nick’s demeanor shifts, and I grow nervous about what’s coming. He seems to be thinking it over, which only furthers my discomfort. “When Garrett died, I refrained from offering my condolences because my dad’s words were always in the back of my mind. The last thing I wanted to do was upset you.”
Not what I was expecting.
“You wouldn’t have, Nick.”
He grunts, dipping his chin. “One would think that due to my own... situation, I could manage to speak words of comfort, but having been in those shoes, I know there are no words that do justice for grief like that.”
His words sober me because he’s right. So many people meant well when they called or texted, but no words truly comforted me. Only Ava had that ability, because at that time, she was the only person I felt could possibly hurt as much as I did.
We’re quiet for a few minutes, each lost to our own thoughts and memories.
“Want another? Maybe water?” I ask again, jumping up from the couch. I need an escape from the emotional awkwardness that’s suffocating the room.
“Sure. I’ll have another Coke.”
An hour later, we’re sitting on the floor next to each other, chatting about life. I haven’t had this much fun in years, and it feels good. I’m not ready to call it a night, which is surprising considering the late hour.
We’ve veered far from topics of death and have been sharing stories from our past that have us both belly laughing. Who would’ve thought that I’d share a moment like this with my surly neighbor?
“I can’t believe Mrs.Hampson said that to you. I mean, I know she’s eccentric, but the stuff that comes out of her mouth sometimes.” My hand lands over my mouth as the cackles continue.
“You think that’s good? Once, I was called out to break up an argument between her and Nan Jenkins. She was angry because Nan had told her it wasn’t a good idea to burn full moon intentions on the lawn when it’s dry.” He lifts his eyes into his hairline. “When I agreed with Nan, she turned to the other Red Hatters and proclaimed that explaining something to an ignorant person is harder than making a camel jump over a ditch.”
I can picture the scene perfectly in my head, and it brings up a host of questions. Just what are those Red Hatters getting up to? Burning intentions on the full moon sounds more like something Corinne and Lanie would do. Not the likes of the Red Hatters. What on earth do they have in those cups I see them drinking from?
“She then turns to me and says, ‘Turkish proverb, dear. It simply means you’re a fool.’ ” He laughs, chest heaving. “The woman’s ruthless.”
I wipe a tear from under my eye. “I’ve been on the receiving end of Mrs.Hampson’s affinity for Turkish proverbs. At least yours didn’t include a rat and balls.”
He chokes on his Coke, eyes widening. “Do I even wanna know?”
“Doubtful.”
We both laugh before a yawn escapes me.
“I should get going,” Nick says, rounding up his cans.
“Don’t worry about that,” I say, placing my hand on top of his.
We share a look and the air in the room shifts. Nick’s pupils widen and my body instinctively leans toward him. His gaze falls to my lips and my eyes half close, waiting for him to step across that line.
“I should go.” He says the words again, voice thick and heady.
My eyes fly open and my stomach rolls.
Oh god. I’d practically begged him to kiss me. I might not have uttered the words, but my body spoke volumes.
I jump to my feet, grabbing the cans one by one and smashing them in the middle so I can carry more. “I’ll take care of this.”
He follows me into the kitchen with the trash I couldn’t manage, neither one of us speaking. When I turn around, he’s right there. In my space, sucking all the oxygen from the room.
