Silent No More (18 page)

Needing a distraction from my harsh words to Nick,
I grab my water and my Kindle off the counter to head out to the deck. Reading
will help relax me since Nick wants me to rest. 

Taking a seat on my chaise lounge, I sit my glass
of water on the table and turn on my Kindle. I begin reading
The Dark Prince
by S.L. Jennings. It’s
the second book in her series. The first one blew my mind, and I can’t wait to
start reading this one. A little supernatural is what I need to get my mind off
reality. 

* * * * *

By the time noon gets here, I’ve spent an hour
reading and relaxing on my glorious deck, looking out at the ocean. My ribs
still hurt like a bitch, but I’m becoming accustomed to the breathing and not
moving in certain ways. Turning my Kindle off, I sit it on the table and get
off the chair to walk into the house.

Locating my phone, I don’t have any missed calls
or text messages from Nick, but I do from his sister.

In the mood for company?

Something tells me she has spoken to her brother.
I sigh then shoot a text back to her.

Sure, bring
Starbucks.

I’m not
allowed to leave.

Sergeant’s
orders and all! :)

I set my phone on the kitchen counter, but she
quickly replies, so I picked it back up.

Be there in 30!!!

I place my phone back on the counter and walk out
of the kitchen. I haven’t collected my mail in a few days, so I walk out front
to retrieve it. Once I’m back in the house, I shut the door, but don’t lock it
so Nikki can come in.

I toss several magazines on the couch and take the
rest to the kitchen. Standing by the trash, I toss anything looking like junk
straight in the garbage without opening it. The rest are bills so I stick them
in a drawer until I can take them to Jenny to handle.

I grab my phone and walk out of the kitchen to go
to the couch. I can at least read a magazine while I’m waiting on Nikki. Really,
I should call Nick to apologize. I just can’t bring myself to do it. Maybe he
is right. Maybe I really am stubborn.

Getting comfortable in the corner of the couch, I
bring my feet up tucking them underneath me and grab one of the magazines lying
on the cushion. I toss my phone on the couch next to me.

I’m about to open the magazine in my lap when my
phone chirps telling me I have a text message. I notice it’s an unfamiliar
number as I open the message.

It’s James

We need to talk…PRONTO

I drop the phone in my lap and my body freezes.
How did he get my phone number? I don’t want to talk to him. I didn’t want to
see him yesterday, let alone ever again.

No.

Leave me alone.

I grab my phone again, looking at the message once
more, hoping I imagined it, but no, I didn’t. I bite the corner of my bottom
lip to stop the tears at the back of my eyes. I won’t do this. I won’t cry
again. Not over him.

I quickly delete the message and throw my phone in
Niko’s chair. The dogs must have gone outside at some point, because they are
not on the oversized chair any longer. Having a doggy door leading out to the
deck comes in handy.

Pushing the magazine out of my lap, I bring my
knees up to my chest and hug myself, causing pain to pierce my ribs. I ignore
the pain as images of my seventeenth birthday flash before my eyes.

It was the worst day of my life. It was the day my
innocence was stolen. How can someone be so cruel, so evil? 

“Shannon?” I hear over my left shoulder. I release
my arms around my legs and look over to see Nikki walking in the door.

“Hey,” I say.

“I knocked. Didn’t you hear me?” she
questions. 

“No, sorry, I didn’t.” I respond as I get off the
couch. Walking into the kitchen, she places a large white paper bag on the
counter. From the smell, I know it’s food. She hands me a Grande cup of coffee
and I take a sip, wishing it had something much stronger than coffee
inside. 

“Sergeant’s orders,” she says while taking the
contents out of the bag out and handing me a white Styrofoam container; I laugh
at her use of my joke earlier.

“Thanks,” I tell her while opening the counter. It
smells wonderful. I realize I’m very hungry.

“Nick said you like fried chicken salad and that
you probably haven’t eaten.” She hands me a fork. I take it and then open the
small container of honey mustard and pour it all over my salad.

“Should I assume you know about our fight?” I ask
and take a large bite of my salad. Mmmm.

“You would assume right along with your trip to
the ER this morning,” she says as she begins pouring what I’m assuming is ranch
dressing over her salad.

“Does he think I’m a bitch?” I ask on a sigh. He
has every right. I shouldn’t have been so determined to do things my way.
Sometimes, I don’t think before I open my big mouth.

“No, but I do.” She laughs, but the tone suggests
she is serious.

“Thanks for the honesty,” I say back
sarcastically.

“Shannon, what kind of friend would I be if I
wasn’t dead honest with you?” She takes a bite of her salad. 

“The type that is probably biased seeing how Nick
is your brother.” I’m cramming this food down like I haven’t eaten in several
days.

“I can’t argue with that, but you aren’t the one
who had to watch him get his ass kicked this morning,” she says with a sad look
in her eyes, one that only a sister would have.

What?

“Excuse me? What do you mean? What happened?” I
spit out, dropping my fork. My appetite just vanished. 

“Everything is cool now. He’s fine,” she tells me,
but I’m not feeling reassured.

“Explain, Nikki,” I demand. My mind’s a jumble. I
feel slightly sick at the thought of Nick being hurt.

“He came in this morning before I got there.
Apparently, he picked a fight with a guy he and Jase can’t stand. I walked in
during the middle of the fight. He was letting Carson beat the shit out of him.
Nick wasn’t putting up a fight. I could tell he was letting it happen. I
stopped it immediately.” She kept talking, but I couldn’t hear what she was
saying. Why would he do that to himself? I don’t understand. It hits me. I look
up at her.

“Me. I’m the reason, aren’t I?” It’s not really a
question. I already know the truth.

“Yeah, but don’t think it’s your fault because
it’s not. That was all Nick and his fucked-up-ness.” She finishes the rest of
her coffee and tosses the cup in the trash.

“I didn’t know why he did it at first. It took me
and Jase over an hour before he would talk.” I sit in the chair just staring at
her. I don’t really understand why he would do that.

“Was it because of last night or the fight?” I
ask. Surely not because I pissed him off.

“Last night,” she says. “He’s pretty pissed at himself
for hurting you.” She looks away like it is painful for her to tell me.

“Nikki, it was an accident. He’s not at fault. He
told you the truth, right?” I question, wondering just what he told her.

“Yeah, kinky sex with my brother. Please don’t go
into details. I really don’t need any more images going through my head than
what are already there.” She has a disgusted look on her face. The same look
Stacy gives me when I eat something she doesn’t approve of.

“I have to go and see him. He has to stop thinking
he hurt me,” I say as I get up to search for my phone so I can leave.

“No!” Nikki says as she reaches for my elbow. “He
would probably kill me if I let you leave.”

“I need to speak to him, plus I said some things I
didn’t mean this morning,” I tell her, pulling my arm away. I walk over to the
chair to retrieve my phone.

“If you think he was bossy this morning, then wait
until you leave. You haven’t seen anything yet. Just send him a text to come
here instead of home tonight. Trust me, it’s better that way.” She crosses her
arms like Nick often does when he is serious.

“Fine,” I concede.

“Thank you. Now, I have to go. I’m supposed to
report back that you ate and are resting.” she snorts out.

I roll my eyes. “Whatever,” I say as she walks out
the door. I go back to the couch and decide to send Nick a message. 

I’m sorry!

Please come
home after work.

I hit send and then realize I said home indicating
our home, not mine. Great.

I lay down on the couch, pulling a throw blanket
over me and place my phone on my stomach. I’m actually a little tired and
decide to close my eyes waiting on Nick’s response.
 

When I wake up, I feel rested, but a bit lonely.
Then I remember I sent Nick a text before I dozed off. I yank the cover off and
search for my phone finding it tucked underneath me on the couch.

Looking at the time, my mouth falls open. I’ve
slept for over five hours. I guess I was more tired than I realized.

Then I realize Nick hasn’t responded to my text
from hours ago. It’s weird. He always responds immediately. I type out a quick
message and hit send.

Are you
ignoring me?

 I wait on the couch and five minutes goes by
without a reply. I’m starting to get pissed.

HELLO

 I realize that sounds a bit bitchy, but he
should have answered me when I sent the first message. My phone chirps.
Finally! 

I’m not ignoring you

I accept your apology

That’s it? 

Ughhh. I quickly type out another message and hit
send.

Well? Are
you coming over tonight?

I’m gripping my phone a little too tightly.
Luckily, it’s in a life-proof case so there is no chance of cracking it.

No, I think you were correct.

We need a little time apart

“No, I wasn’t,” I say, pouting out loud. I was mad
and I lashed out at him. Does he not know women at all? It’s what we do. 

No I wasn’t
please come over

Not tonight. It’s not a good idea

What the hell?

YES, tonight!

I know
about the fight

Calm down, I tell myself. I’m starting to get as
irritated as I was this morning. I want to see him. I need to make sure he is
okay.

My sister has a big fucking mouth

Yeah, Nikki’s going to be mad at me for that one.
I’m going to see Nick tonight, so either he can come here, or I’ll drive to
him. I doubt he is going to like the latter. I send him a quick text back.

I’m getting
into my car.

I’ll be at
your house in 10.

Perhaps I shouldn’t be provoking a tiger by
telling a white lie, but as long as the end result is getting him here, then
I’m okay with that.

My phone rings in my hand.

“Hello?”

“You had better be on the fucking couch when I get
there,” he yells, and then the line goes dead. I chuckle and immediately regret
doing it. A sharp pain shoots through my ribs.

I toss my phone on the couch and get up. I need to
pee and brush my teeth before he gets home.
Damn
it! I said it again!

Entering the bathroom, I pee first and then wash
my hands. After I’m done brushing my teeth, I head back into my bedroom and
crawl into my bed. I’m not tired, but my body does ache. Niko jumps off the bed
as I turn on my back and position myself up against the pillows in the middle.
He trots out the room and Charmin follows. Apparently, there is no love for me
from those two. 

Thirty-five minutes go by and Nick isn’t here yet.
What the hell is taking him so long? He didn’t tell me he was on his way, but I
did assume that. Just as that thought is out of my head, I hear the door open
and close, then the sound of plastic bags being set down.

Moments later, Nick enters the doorway to my
bedroom. He fills it, placing his arms on the doorframe above his head. He’s
staring at me and I’m looking back at him. He’s wearing the same suit from this
morning, but his jacket is open, no tie, and the first two buttons from his
shirt are undone. I’m reminded of the first night I met him at Quaint.

“Thank you for wrapping my ribs this morning. It’s
helped,” I tell him, trying to go for a sweet appreciative look. I’m mad as
hell at him. Not for this morning. I’m over that, but for getting himself hurt.

He releases the doorframe and walks into the room.
When he gets to the bed, he reaches his hand out for me to take. Placing my
hand in his, he pulls me out of the bed and I’m standing in front of him. He
tugs me forward into an embrace, wrapping his arms around me.

“I’m sorry I was a bitch this morning.” I wrap my
arms around his waist and look up. I immediately notice the cut above his left
eye. Other than the cut, I don’t see any other marks that would tell me he was
in a bad fight. His sister made it sound, or rather said, he was getting his
ass kicked. He certainly doesn’t look like that’s what happened. 

“I’m sorry I hurt you,” he says on a sigh.

“Nick
−
” I start
to say, but he cuts me off.

“Well, I did…hurt you that is.” He bends down and
kisses me in the center of my forehead.

“Fine, you’re sorry and I forgive you. If you let
it go and forget about it, then I’ll forget about your fight today. I won’t
even ask about it.” That’s a fair deal. Now, he just needs to take it and move
on.

He’s looking down at me with his eyebrows
scrunched together. His expression tells me he is considering it, and then he
takes a sharp breath and exhales.

“That’s a lot easier said than done.” He releases
me and takes a step back looking at me. His eyes glide down my body, and rest
on my side. He can’t see my ribs, but I know that’s what he’s thinking about.

“My father used to physically and mentally abuse
my mother,” he tells me. I tense up at the mention of his dad, remembering the
text message from him earlier today. The one I ignored and deleted.

“What?” I question. My eyes are wide. He obviously
needs to tell me this, but I’d rather not hear anything concerning that man.

“I’ve hated my father for as long as I can
remember. Nikki and I had to watch too many times, him hitting her, kicking
her, saying things no one who loves their wife would say.” His eyes are red and
he looks up like he’s trying to hold back unshed tears.

“Nick, you aren’t like him,” I attempt to reassure
him. 

“I know that…at least, I think I do, but…,” he
trails off.

“No 'buts'. You. Are. Not. Like. Him.” My voice is
a little ragged at the end. He isn’t anything like him. I don’t want him to
ever compare himself to that fucked-up man.

He looks back down at me and blows out a breath of
air. “I hope you like Chinese. I stopped and got dinner before I came.” I
remember hearing a bag when he came in a few minutes ago.

“Then let’s go eat. I’m starving.” I walk past him
and head out of the bedroom.

“You ate lunch, right? My sister brought you food
today, didn’t she?”

“Yes. I just didn’t finish all of it.” Hopefully,
he will leave it at that. 

Or maybe not.

“Why?” he asks. His eyebrows are pulled back in.

“Does it really matter?” I answer vaguely as I sit
down on the couch. The plastic bag with food is sitting on the coffee table in
front of the couch. Nick takes a seat on the couch next to me.

“Because Nikki told you about this?” he says
motioning to the cut above his eye. I nod and he clenches his jaw.

“Don’t be mad at her,” I say to him as I lean
forward to grab the bag of food and pull cartons out. 

“Too late, but that’s okay because she is way
overdue for a little brother/sister bonding,” he says sarcastically. I look
over at him. He catches my confused look. “You don’t have siblings, do you?” he
states while grabbing a carton of Kung Pao Chicken. I grab the Sweet and Sour,
digging in with a plastic fork. Nick gives me a questionable look.

“What?” I ask him through a mouthful of food.

“You’re supposed to eat that with chop sticks.”
He’s giving me a “you can’t be serious” look.

“Not me. I can’t use those things,” I tell him,
pointing to his chopsticks. They are too complicated.

“I can teach you,” he offers.

“No thanks. This fork works just fine,” I say and
take a large bite. The food is so good. This is comfort food to me.

“Whatever!” He rolls his eyes. We continue eating
in a comfortable silence.

Once our meal has been devoured, Nick gathers the
trash and takes it to the trashcan in the kitchen. I’m comfy on the couch so I
remain seated, but grab my cellphone when I hear the “pinging” sound, telling
me I have a text message. Leaning forward, I retrieve it from the table.

I WON’T BE IGNORED

I gasp when I read the display. Quickly, I swipe
the screen to open the message. I know it’s from Nick’s father. It’s the same
number I deleted earlier. I quickly do the same, deleting the message from my
phone like it was never there. Go the fuck away, damn it.

“Is something wrong? Are you hurting?” I hear Nick
say. I look up to him walking back into the living room carrying two beer
bottles. As he reaches me, he hands one to me and I stick my hand out to take
it from him.

“No,” I respond, then bring the cold bottle to my
lips. I don’t think one beer is going to be enough. I guzzle the liquid until I
need air. Releasing the bottle, I swallow and then take a deep breath.

“Easy there, killer. There’s only a six pack in
the fridge.” I don’t think it’s going to be enough either. I sit the half
bottle of beer on the table and then crawl onto Nick’s lap. He proceeds to take
a sip of his beer, and then places it next to mine.

“Are we okay?” He nods as he places his palms on
both sides of me, cupping my hips.

“It’s been a really long day and I want to take a
shower. Join me?” I quickly nod my head. I’m amazed at how at ease I feel when
I’m in his arms. He scoots to the edge of the couch and I move my arms up and
around his neck. Nick stands with me, and as I wrap my legs around his waist,
he walks to bedroom.