“I understand, and I appreciate the apology. Thank you. I better be getting back. Nate doesn’t like to be away from me for too long.” I wave as I turn away.

“Do you really think you’re enough for him?” she says, the pleasant facade gone, her voice full of spite.

“I know I’m enough. But thank you for your concern.” My own voice drips in honey by comparison. My plan being to kill her with kindness.

“Not buying it. You’re too nice for him.” She says nice like the word is poison, then continues in her pursuit to rattle me. “What are you going to do when he gets so angry he trashes the room? Or what about when he loses himself during sex and pounds into you with abandon? You know how rough he likes it.” What? Her eyebrows raise in question as her lips curl into a vicious smirk.

My pulse spikes as I try to process her words. That’s not Nate. She’s lying. He doesn’t… Memories come to mind of his trashed room when the mess with Liv first started, and the way I always felt like he was holding back something during sex. As if he was treating me like glass.

Liv laughs, and the sound reminds me of a villain. “Didn’t know about either of those things, did you? Or maybe you’re only now seeing the signs. Don’t worry your pretty little face. He’d never hurt you, but you’re too innocent and naïve to keep him interested long term.”

With that, she storms into the bathroom and slams the door, leaving me frozen in place until I hear Nate calling my name.

I’m replaying her words as he reaches me and pulls me into a hug, kissing the top of my head. “God, I’m so sorry, Little Bit. I didn’t know she’d be here, and I’m so fucking angry she is.”

I hug him back but hold off replying in case I blurt out what I really want to say. Are you really angry about it? You don’t seem to be trashing the place… Stop it. She’s lying. She has to be.

We walk back to the room hand in hand, and the rest of the dinner goes by relatively smoothly. I spend the time talking to Nate’s gramps and his partner and feel genuinely welcomed by them. The warmth they both show me does a lot to ease my concern, and by the time we retire to the living area, I’m feeling better about everything. I used the word retire because that’s exactly what I was told we were doing. It’s a whole different world here.

Emily and I are chatting about embarrassing Nate stories when he gets up to grab more drinks. I laugh, because I know he’s really walking away from the current story I’m sharing, not wanting to be around when I reveal the punchline. Another fifteen minutes go by, and we’re still on the same topic. Turns out Nate’s done a lot of embarrassing things. When another five minutes pass, and he’s still not back, my eyes scan the room involuntarily.

“He’s taking his sweet ass time with those drinks. Let’s go find him,” Emily says with an understanding smile as she grabs my hand, pulling me to my feet.

“Sorry about Liv being here,” she says, once we’re out of earshot of the family. “She’s lovely once you get to know her. I promise.”

I smile because it’s the right thing to do. Plus, she doesn’t realize she’s wrong. I’m sure Liv is lovely to her.

“Oh my God. I forgot to tell you about the time, Nate…” she trails off with a frown when we hear voices in the kitchen. Nate and Liv, to be specific.

“Even your mom wants us together, Nate. She knows Cory’s not the one,” Liv yells, causing Emily to gasp. The words aren’t as shocking to me, considering what she told me earlier. She’ll say anything to win Nate back.

I roll my eyes, about to interrupt, when Nate’s mom calls from behind me. It’s not loud enough for Nate and Liv to hear, but Emily and I turn.

She’s standing with perfect posture and an unfazed expression. The look on her face alone has me cringing. “Liv’s right, you know. Those two belong together. You’re a lovely girl, and I wish you every bit of happiness, but it’s not with my son. It’s only a matter of time before he and Liv work things out, for good this time.”

I stare at her, bewildered. Was that real? Tears form in my eyes as my breathing increases.

“What the Hell, Mom?” Emily hisses beside me. “Nate doesn’t want Liv. He loves Cory. Liv doesn’t want Nate, either. She’s got a boyfriend.”

“Nonsense. Of course she wants Nate. Why else would she be here trying to win him back? And watch your language, young lady.”

“I really hope you’re wrong, Mom. And you better have nothing to do with it,” Emily seethes before turning to face me. “Come on, Cory. Let’s see Nate, to set things straight. He needs to learn the truth.”

She pushes open the kitchen door, and we both stop at the sight in front of us. A sight that makes me wish I’d stayed home.

Tags: Katherine Jay Romance
Source: readsnovelonline.net