Here we go.
I pat Callie’s leg, but she’s pissed.
“Just as you helped Aviva raise me to be the same. They love him because he is theirs, and all I want is for you to do the same for me. Welcome him because I love him and he loves me. Nico, what more could you want?”
“Callie, baby,” I try, but she’s not listening.
“Nico, please,” Aviva tries, but Nico is just as wound up as Callie is.
“You don’t even know what love is, Callie. You’re just fucking around.”
I hold up my hand. “That’s not true at all. We are very much more than that.”
No one is listening to me, though.
“I don’t know what love is? Are you kidding me? I told Aviva to give you a chance because I believed you loved her and me. But I don’t know anything about love? That’s bullshit, and you know it, Nico.”
He pauses for a second before he starts in again. “Fine, maybe you do, but I want you to choose someone who deserves you!”
“Who is that? Please, tell me who you think that person is? Because I don’t think your vision of that guy even exists.”
“I’m sure if we wait ten years or so, he’ll come around.”
My jaw drops with Aviva’s. “Nico, come on!” Aviva scolds, but Callie, she’s fuming.
“That is the stupidest shit I’ve ever heard!” she hollers, her eyes wild. “This is who I choose. This man. This strong, gorgeous, kind man.”
“You deserve better!”
“I know what I deserve, and it’s him!”
“So, what is going to happen when he gives you up like he did his career?”
“Um, what?” I ask, but I don’t even know why I’m talking at this point.
“Are you serious? He didn’t give anything up. He chose his mental health, and I add to it, not demolish it like hockey did!”
“And what if he can’t handle you and the regular problems of a relationship? Then what?”
“Then we will decide that together. You don’t know shit about him!”
“I know he won’t add to your life,” he sneers, and my heart is jackhammering in my chest as they go back and forth.
Aviva covers her face, groaning, and then everything slows down. I see Callie and Nico yelling at each other, but I can’t hear them. I only hear my heart slamming into my chest. My palms are sweaty, and I feel a bit light-headed as I look between them, still unable to hear anything but the pounding of my heart. Sweat drips down my neck, and the lump in my throat is starting to suffocate me as everything Nico says comes at me at once.
What if I can’t handle our relationship? What if it’s too hard and I’m too weak?
But then I hear Callie’s voice from earlier. I want to be with you.
Then my dad’s voice. Anything you do, I am proud of.
Followed by Owen’s. You’ll never do anything without me.
I hear them over and over again, filling my head with their affirmations. And then all at once, I’m back in the room as Callie and Nico continue to yell back and forth. I glance at Aviva, who is trying to calm the situation, but she’s also trying to get Vance under control since he is now crying. It’s a clusterfuck, and I’m done.
I swallow hard, and I remember who the fuck I am.
Evan Michael Adler.
If I won’t allow my mind to ruin everything I have worked for, I sure as hell won’t let Nico Merryweather.