Page 14 of Let’s Be Real

The front door swung open in the middle of us arguing, and Nate strolled in, a distracted crinkle in his brow. He placed his messenger bag on the kitchen island, his gaze ping-ponging over us in the living room.

“You got him up?” he asked.

“He forced me to.”

Adrian scoffed. “The two of you are a pair of mother hens, I swear. I’m perfectly capable of getting myself out of bed.”

We both knew he could get out of bed. Once he was out, though, getting himself upright was questionable. The doctors had had to make a large incision in his abdomen to clean out all the infection, and his recovery was slow going.

Nate came into the living room, rubbing the back of his neck. He looked tired. Completely worn out. The bags under his eyes were carrying bags.

I wondered if he’d had a hard day or if this was the product of another sleepless night.

He was always awake when I got home from work, which was usually well after two a.m., then he was up with the rising sun to go for a run before spending the day in the office. I didn’t think he ever got a full night’s sleep. Some nights, I doubted he slept at all.

“What are you up to?” Nate perched on the opposite end of the couch from us.

“We had a meeting with our realtor and—”

Adrian cut me off with a snap of his fingers. “This is perfect.”

I whirled around to look at him. “I don’t like your tone. You’re up to something.”

“Shut up.” He waved me off, turning his attention to his brother. “You’ll go with Sammie to her sister’s wedding.”

My heart fluttered even as I said, “No.”

Nate inhaled sharply through his nose. “What are you talking about?”

Adrian pushed himself slightly more upright, grimacing the whole time. “Douche and Sammie broke up.”

“Will,” I translated for Nate. “Will and I broke up.”

“Ah.” Nate nodded. “Sorry.”

“It’s fine. Honestly, I haven’t given it much thought. I think that means I’m not heartbroken.”

I should have cared a little, right? We’d been together for six months. That wasn’t nothing. But I truly hadn’t thought about Will at all over the last week. Had I been that detached, or was I so used to breakups my mind and heart moved on without any effort on my part?

I wasn’t sure either option was great.

“Sam needs a date to her ghastly sister’s wedding,” Adrian went on. “Her family treats her like Cinderella. They’re much better behaved when there are witnesses.”

“They’re fine. Really,” I said.

“How did I get brought into this?” Nate asked.

“I’d do it, but Sam’s forbidden me.” Adrian sneered. “She says I’ll make things worse.”

“That’s true, but mainly, it’s that you’re in no condition to go anywhere.” I turned back to Nate. “Ignore him. He’s high on pain medication and has no idea what he’s saying.”

“I know exactly what I’m saying,” Adrian proclaimed. “This is the best idea I’ve had in a long time. Your family couldn’t possibly have anything negative to say about Nathan Wells. He’ll blind them with his manners and dashing good looks.”

Nate’s gaze toggled between me and Adrian. “I see what you’re saying about the pain medication. Is his dose too high?”

I snickered. Who knew Nate could be funny? “I’ll let you two hash it out. I need to get dressed for work.” I stood, smoothing my sweats over my legs, and smiled at Nate. “Two a.m. nachos?”

He tipped his head back, the corners of his mouth hitching. “How could I miss them?”