Chapter Twenty-Three
As the first days of the week passed by, I didn’t see him.
I mean, even though I heard him strumming at night… I never saw him outside the apartment complex - or anywhere else for that matter.
But did I even want to see him? Maybe not seeing his face around was for the better. After all, I was happy and being around Nash always complicated things.
I guess it was better if I just didn’t see him.
Once Thursday night rolled around, there were only a few employees left at the Black Star. Melanie had left earlier, and there was only one other girl waitressing with me. Chris was at the bar, like usual, and Jim stood beside him.
For a weekday, this night was slower than usual. I look around the room, watching the few people seated around the room.
“You can leave, Addy.”
My eyes meet Jim and I shake my head, “It’s only a little past eight.”
“Exactly,” he sighs, “I doubt there will be anyone else coming in.”
“I don’t mind Jim,” I say but he just silences me.
“No, really Addy, just take the rest of the night off.”
I open my mouth to protest again, but I see how serious he is and walk to the back. Jim usually doesn’t let me leave early, so I just decide to go with it.
Before I leave, I put all of my supplies away and make sure to grab all of my belongings. Also, I give Chris a quick kiss goodbye and tell everyone else goodnight.
When I push the back doors of the Black Star open, a brisk wind meets my skin. I let out a shiver of surprise; I couldn’t believe that it was already starting to get chilly in Ohio, and it was only October. This was nothing like Florida weather.
As I walk home, my mind drifts to the call from my dad and I can’t help the pang in my chest. Even though he did do me wrong, he is still my father.
But I don’t think that I can ever forgive him for all he has done.
The emotional pain he inflicted has left too many scars that can’t be healed.
Once I am inside the warmth of the apartment building, my mind drifts to how soothing a warm bath sounds at the moment. My heart speeds up and I gasp from shock at a dark, unexpected figure on the stairs.
I stop in my tracks, not wanting to startle the person, whom I assume is sleeping. However, when I slowly make my way to my door, the clack of my boots alarms them.
Biting my lip, I slowly turn around and connect with icy, blue eyes.
“Nash?"
After not seeing him for the past month or so, I find it strange to look at him now. Nash almost seems like a stranger.
I take a step closer but he doesn’t say anything - just looks down, shaking his head. His hands are clasped in his hair and soft sniffles and heavy breathing are the only sounds filling the void silence.
Finishing the walk over, I sit down next to him. Not knowing what to do, I awkwardly clasp my hands in my lap, listening to his breathing calm down.
After what feels like a few minutes, I break the silence, “Are you okay?”
He shakes his head.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
Another shake.
YOU ARE READING
Reckless (Reckless #1)
RomanceI was never one to be impulsive and daring; yet somehow, it all changed when I met him. Before that light came into my life, I was a careless soul. I forgot what it meant to live, and how living was so precious. Once he entered my dull life, the rus...
