“For real. He’s all broken up inside though. I worried I wouldn’t know how to help him. Or even make it worse. I’m not exactly sensitive.”
“You do good with Winnie.”
“Yeah, but she’s weak though. With Nick, he’s strong in some ways and weak in others. I just didn’t know if I could handle the weak stuff. I’m not a sweetie like you.”
“But you did right by him?”
“I think so. He loves me, so I must be doing okay.”
“You sound nervous.”
Sighing, I both loved and hated how well she knew me. “Nick is difficult to read sometimes and I don’t have patience.”
“No, you really don’t, but he knows that about you.”
“True.”
“Don’t try to control what happens, Bailey. You fear being hurt or embarrassed, so you try to bend everything to your will. With Nick, that won’t work. People don’t bend. They run or break. Just relax and know he’s the one.”
“He really is.”
“Then it’ll work out despite his problems and your lack of patience.”
Rubbing her belly, I grinned. “My man is hanging with your man. He’s getting his dragon touched up.”
“Aww, we should have you over for dinner. I love double dates especially with such great friends.”
I squinted at her. “You want something?”
“Feed me,” she said dramatically. “I’m gorging myself for three here.”
“Sure, Jabba.”
Even laughing, Lark struggled for a minute to rest on her side. Once she was comfy, she turned on the television and ignored me while I warmed her a can of low salt soup. Pregnancy definitely looked like a whole lot of trouble just to create a person who would scream at you for the rest of their lives.
Leaving Lark later as she napped, I returned to the apartment with a plan to be patient. Yeah, I wouldn’t push Nick for anything he wasn’t willing to offer freely. Zen was my new thing.
Nick sat on the couch, but jumped up when I entered. His face was still bruised, but the gash over his eyes wasn’t as puffy.
“Bailey.”
“Nick,” I said, trying to keep things light.
When Nick frowned, I realized maybe he didn’t want light. I told myself to just roll with whatever he wants.
“How is Lark?” he asked, looking edgy now.
“Giant, but adorable.”
Nick smiled tightly. “Aaron seems worried about her.”
“He should be. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if the twins eat their way out of her soon.
Finally, Nick stopped standing awkwardly near the couch and walked to me in the kitchen.
“Are you mad?” he asked when I just stared.
“No. Are you?”
“Why would I be mad?”
“I don’t know.”
Nick stepped back and studied me. “Should I leave?”
“Do you want to leave?”
“No.”
Finally, I rolled my eyes. “I hate Zen. Pushy is my new thing,” I announced. “You’re mine and you’re staying with me. Fuck, I’ll even chain you down to keep you here. Is that a problem?”
Nick took a step forward and kissed me softly. He still seemed edgy, so I kissed him back with more intensity. I wanted him to know where I stood.
“I love you. Fuck anyone who thinks that’s a problem,” I said once our lips separated.
“Who would have a problem with it?”
“I don’t know. People, I guess. I’m just saying that I’ll kick people’s asses if necessary.”
Nick finally laughed “You’re acting weird.”
“So? Is that a problem?”
This time he rolled his eyes and walked out of the kitchen. “I’ll tell you later.”
“Tell me what? I don’t do secrets. Is that a problem?”
Nick flopped onto the couch and stared at the TV playing football. Joining him, I felt awkward now about ditching my Zen plan so fast.
“I said I loved you and you didn’t say it back,” I whined. “I’m feeling insecure. Coddle me please.”
Nick extended his hand to me and I caressed it until realizing he wanted me to look at his wrist. When I realized what was written on his flesh, I lost the ability to think.
Zen. Pushy. None of it mattered. My man had my name on his wrist. Just like Pop did with Mom, Cooper with Farah, and dumbass Tucker with Maddy. Nick wouldn’t mock something so important to my family. By having my name tattooed on his wrist, he was claiming me.
“Are you happy? I can’t tell from the look on your face,” Nick asked.
Staring into his worried green eyes, I only smiled. “It’s beautiful. I’d really like to fuck your brains out now as a reward.”
Nick grinned. “Your smile is reward enough.” Yet he stood up and tugged me to my feet. “I wouldn’t mind a shower though.”
Walking into the bedroom, I lovingly held his wrist and looked at those letters. With each one, Nick took a step away from the darkness of his past and towards the future we could enjoy together.
Chapter Twenty Eight ~ Nick