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Reluctantly, I save her number, only so I can avoid her later, of course.
PRINCESS SLUT!:Honestly, I don't know what else I can say. I'm sorry I was so grumpy with you after I came to bail you out. I was so angry when I found out you had gotten into a fight that I didn't even stop to ask why you did it. I just assumed you were an asshole.
Gabe:I AM an asshole.
PRINCESS SLUT!:Well, you were my guardian angel that night, so now it's time for me to be yours! Forget the bail money. My parents won't even miss it. They'd have to pay attention long enough to notice what I spent anyway. I'll just say I spent it on driving lessons if they ask, which they won't.
Gabe:I can't let you do that.
Princess:The peace of mind and knowing that I never have to wonder what could have happened if you hadn't seen what those bastards were doing. It is worth a lot more to me than a few hundred dollars could ever be.
Gabe:Okay, thanks.
I put my phone back in my pocket and can't help but grin. This girl is nothing like I originally thought. She pretends to be all sweet and charming, but in reality, she's more like a little gremlin. She's sweet and cute during the day, but at night she turns into a little demon full of cuss words and attitude.
I finish my joint and beer, making the most of the silence and solitude, until a scream from inside breaks it. I jump up, not caring as the bottle hits the floor, and rush in to find Nate, hoping and praying that the guys from earlier haven't come for revenge. Yanking the door open in a panic, I calm slightly when I see that Nate is asleep and alone. I turn to leave when he shouts again, this time much quieter.He must be trapped in a nightmare. After all, battling my own demons, I've had my fair share of nightmares over the years.
I walk over and sit on the end of his bed.Trying to wake him up is useless; he's too deep in sleep, tossing and turning, obviously fighting an inner monster.I reach out to stroke his hair, as I did when we were kids, remembering how our mother used to soothe us in the same way. After a moment, he calms down, and his movements become less erratic. I want to get up, but I hear his breathing become heavier and more unsettled again as he reaches out for someone. I stroke his head again until I'm sure he's fallen asleep before grabbing a pillow and lying down on the floor of his room. At least I can be there for him when he wakes up. I lie on the floor and stare into the surrounding darkness. My mind can't help but wander back to all the nights I stayed awake holding him or stroking his hair while he slept, too afraid Dad would come in during the night and hurt him. The sadistic bastard learned early on that threatening to hurt Nate was the only sure-fire way to hurt me. What he did to me was never important. After all, my life meant nothing to me, but watching him hurt or threaten Nate broke me and my heart that much more.
Then my mind wanders to all the nights Nate had to spend alone with the Jacksons. Did he still have nightmares? Did anyone comfort him? Was he doing okay? Then my blood boils as I think of the cause of it all... HER!
I spend the next few hours lying in silence, arguing with my own brain. Trying to decide what's right. The angel on my shoulder is begging me to give her a second chance for the sake of my relationship with Nate. But the devil on the other side, who has been responsible for almost all of my decisions since I can remember, tells me that I need to get revenge on Izzy. That she needs to suffer and feel all the pain that I do.After all, Nate's friendship with her and her perfect family has done far more damage to me, him, and our brotherhood than our father ever managed to.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
ISABELLA
Iwake up to several missed calls and some disturbing messages from Nate, all of which are him basically telling me he isn't good enough and that I deserve better. Panicking, I video call him straight away.
Thankfully, he answers on my second attempt. As soon as I see the bags under his eyes, it's clear that he’s had a difficult night.
"Nate! What happened? Are you okay?"
"No, not really. I'm a monster, Bella," he admits.
His voice is all hoarse and croaky, nothing like his usual smooth and sultry tone. This one is full of a sadness I remember well, the kind of tone that only comes after a night of crying or shouting.
"I don't know what’s happened, babe, but I'm here to listen. Talk to me, please." I beg.
"You deserve better, Bella. I'm sorry. I'm sorry I can't be the man you deserve," he says sadly before his face disappears from my screen.
I try to call him back, but he doesn't answer. Instead, all I get is his stupid answering machine message.
I know from the background of his call he is at home in bed, so I pray he’s not planning on leaving. I don’t waste any time. I need to get to him, so I call a taxi.
I rush to get ready, not even bothering to shower. Instead, I brush my teeth, throw my hair into a messy bun, and pull on a pair of joggers and a vest top.
I look at my reflection, briefly considering attempting to put on some make - up, but decide against it. Nate needs me now.
I'm just running down the stairs when I hear the dogs barking, alerting me to the taxi out front.
"Morning, dear," my nana says from somewhere, but I don't stop to find out from where.
"Gotta go; I'll explain later," I shout as I run through the door.
"Here's the address," I say in a panic, giving the driver the location and postcode.
"Drive quickly, please," I beg as I try yet again to call Nate, but his phone still appears to be off.
