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Kylie:What happened?!?
Me:It’s a long story.
Kylie:Start typing. I’m going to go hide in the bathroom in about three seconds. I need a distraction from my crazy-ass family, so don’t spare any details.
I told her everything. The demon attack, Nathaniel getting hurt, falling asleep in his arms, the way he’d reacted when he woke up this morning.
Knowing it would take her a while to read all that, I tucked my phone back in my pocket and surveyed the contents of the fridge. Nothing looked good. Really I wanted Asian takeout, but I had promised I wouldn’t leave the damn house. Also it was only ten in the morning, and I couldn’t think of any Asian restaurants that were open for breakfast.
I couldn’t even drown my feelings in ice cream because I’d already told Nathaniel ice cream was reserved for really bad days, and I didn’t want him thinking he could affect my day enough that I’d resort to eating dessert.
My phone buzzed, and I closed the fridge without taking anything out.
Kylie:I’m so sorry, honey. Let him stew for a while. If he wants to give you the cold shoulder, fine. You don’t need him. You were fine before he came around. He’ll get his head out of his ass at some point, and then you’ll get the satisfaction of watching him beg for forgiveness.
Me:*eye roll emoji* My life is not a romance novel.
Kylie:Maybe not, but I’ve seen the way he watches you when you aren’t looking. Why do you think I’ve been pushing for you to sleep with him?
Me:I’m a job to him.
Kylie:Keep telling yourself that.
Kylie:I can only reasonably hide in this bathroom for a few more seconds before my family starts to suspect something’s up. I’ll talk to you as soon as I can.
Me:Don’t worry about me. Have fun and enjoy the shower.
Kylie:*laughing emoji* Fun? Really? I’ll be lucky if I don’t kill someone before the end of today.
Kylie:Love you. And I miss you already.
Me:Love you too. Let me know if you need saving. Or if you need help hiding a body.
The rest of the day went by in relative silence. Nathaniel barely spoke to me, and when he did talk, he sounded formal and oddly polite.
He didn’t take his sketchbook out all day. Whenever I looked his way, which was way more often than I’d planned on, he was staring off into space with a depressing expression on his face. He looked as miserable as I felt.
After dinner, he picked up one of the books I’d left in the living room for Kylie. I’d started leaving the books I thought she’d like on the television stand when I was finished with them. This one was pink with a picture of a guy’s chest on the cover, though he was wearing a shirt, unlike the hockey player. Every once in a while, Nathaniel’s lips twitched like he found the book amusing despite his best efforts not to smile or laugh today.
I didn’t stay to watch him for long. I was done being in the same room as him. Done with today. I just wanted the day to be over so I could start fresh tomorrow, go to church and see my family without my bodyguard, and pretend my life was still normal for an hour or two.
I grabbed a romantic comedy of my own and lay on top of my bed while I tried to lose myself in the book.
* * *
I didn’t remember fallingasleep, but I must have because when I opened my eyes, the clock read one a.m. The book I’d been reading was lying on the bed beside me, and I was still fully dressed and on top of the covers.
I also had the distinct feeling that something wasn’t right.
I sat up in bed, breathing as quietly as I could while straining to hear anything out of place.
Everything was silent.
Feeling to make sure my stake was still at my side, I slid off the bed and crept out of my room and down the short hall to the living room.
Nathaniel was sprawled on the couch, and for a second I froze, taking in the sight of him. He was wearing only a pair of sweatpants, leaving his bare chest and tight abs on display. My eyes tracked over all his golden skin in the moonlight coming through the windows. Why did he have to be so beautiful?
His face tightened in a look of pain, and I swear I felt it in my chest, that same feeling I’d had in my bedroom that something was wrong.
