Ain't No Sunshine

Chapter Twenty-One

Nate

Hercriesareloud enough that I can hear them over the music pumping downstairs. Even in my hazy state, I could tell she was about to break, and she didn’t want me there. I wanted to stay. Every fiber of my being struggled to walk away, knowing she was hurting, but I had to. If there was any chance we could fix this, it had to start with me letting her be.

I don’t sleep on the couch like I said I would. It feels too far away from her. Instead, I curl up on the floor in Luke’s room across the hall, praying that he doesn’t bring anyone to his bed.

Despite being extremely uncomfortable, sleep comes easily, and before I know it, I’m being woken by the sun shining through the window. “Who the fuck left the curtain open?” I curse to myself.

“I did; it’s my room.” I look up to see Luke staring down at me. “Whatcha doing?” he asks, an amused look on his face.

I lift my head off the ground but immediately drop it back down. Fuck, that hurts. I deserve everything thrown my way, though. I should not have eaten those brownies. What the fuck is wrong with me?

Luke laughs as though he’s reading my mind. “You were pretty fucked up yesterday. Did you think this was your room?”

I close my eyes before answering him. It would almost be better if I’d just stumbled in here by accident. “No, I’m here on purpose. Cory’s in my room.”

“Well, shit. What does that mean?”

“No idea.” I say, but deep down I’m hoping it means something. It has to mean something, right?

“Then get off my floor and find out.”

I grunt and roll over onto my back. “What time is it?”

“It’s time to get the fuck out of my room.”

“Okay.” Jeez. I try to lift my head a second time, and thankfully, it feels a little easier than the first. It takes a minute, but I finally manage to stand and make my way to the door. Luke starts a slow clap from behind me, and I flip him off as I leave.

The house is quiet, so it’s safe to say it’s still early. Hopefully, early enough that Cory hasn’t snuck out. Pressing my ear to the door, I listen for movement but get nothing. I instructed her to lock up behind her and left her with the key, so I’m likely locked out, but I check the handle just in case.

When the door clicks open, my whole body deflates, knowing I’m going to find an empty room. Bracing myself, I push open the door and curse under my breath at what I find. Nothing, or more precisely, no one. The bed’s perfectly made, the curtains are open, and her shoes are gone. Fuck!

I sit on the bed and drop my face into my hands. My one chance. I’m a fucking idiot. I knew she’d at the party. I fucking planned for it. Dylan was on the money when he said I’d offered to host it for him, hoping she’d show. But seeing her fucked with my head, and I made mistake after mistake. And now, I’ve lost her again.

I bite the inside of my cheek to stave off the emotion trying to break free. Clenching my fists, I press them into my eyes and groan. I can’t cry. I don’t deserve to be upset about this. It’s my fault. God, I had—

“What’s wrong? Has something happened?” A small panicked voice asks from above me. She’s here. She didn’t leave. I almost don’t want to open my eyes in case I imagined it. “Nate, what’s going on?” Cory asks again as her delicate fingers brush through my hair.

My beautiful, caring, too-sweet-for-her-own-good, Cory. She should be yelling at me. She should be outraged at my behavior, and yet, here she is, concerned for my well-being.

I look up into her beautiful glistening eyes and see all my emotions reflected back at me. She’s hurting, just as much as I am, but she’s here. She’s trying.

“I thought you left,” I rasp, wanting to be honest from the get go.

A soft smile plays on her lips, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “Do you really think I’d do that to you?”

“No, but I deserved it.”

She sighs and then moves to sit on the desk chair in front of me. “You’re right; you did. But I’m guessing you’re feeling pretty sorry for yourself this morning, without me adding to it.”

“Why are you being so nice? I heard you last night. I broke you; I broke us. Why aren’t you yelling at me?”

“Because I meant it when I said we needed to talk, and I told you I’d stay so we could, no matter how hard it was.” That’s Cory, always one to keep her word.

I huff out a breath and then turn to look her in the eyes. “Where do I begin? I… Fuck, I miss you, Cory.”

“I miss you, too,” she whispers, then adds, “But that doesn’t automatically fix things.”