We get into a stare off before I hold up my empty cup and thrust it his way. I’m absolutely shocked when he actually takes it from me and refills it, though, he only pours soda in it, forgetting the vodka. Though, something tells me this is his way of an apology for being an ass earlier.
Nate places the drink down beside me and I don’t miss the way every eye in the room remains glued to us. “Is there anything else you need?” he questions, not giving a shit about who’s watching the show.
I shake my head and grab the pizza before taking a bite. He watches me chew before swallowing and taking another bite which is when I notice I didn’t hesitate. Pride flashes in his eye before he winks and walks away leaving me to my pity party.
An hour later, he returns and I haven’t moved from my spot on the counter. “Alright,” he says, grabbing me and hoisting me off the counter. “Enough of this sulking bullshit. I’m taking you home.”
“No,” I say, pulling my hand back out of his. “You stay and have fun. I’ll take myself home, just give me your keys.”
“Like hell,” he laughs before taking my hand again and leading me through the big house. We get outside and we walk down to his car with his arm over my shoulder. “Are you ok?” he questions once we’re away from the prying eyes.
“Yeah,” I say with a sigh. “I just need to sleep it off.”
“Ok,” he murmurs as he unlocks the car and opens the door for me.
I slide in and a moment later he’s getting in on the driver’s seat and pulling away. As he drives down the street, I can’t help but think about what Brooke had said. I’m an idiot for getting involved with him, and she’d be right. What was I thinking? This guy beside me, while he’s been great for the past few weeks, was the guy who tormented me and made me feel small.
I still don’t even know why I was the lucky girl who deserved that kind of attention from him but let’s be real, it completely sucked.
I curl in on myself and bring my knees up to my chest as I turn and look at him. “What are we doing, Nate?” I question.
“What do you mean?” he asks. “I’m driving you home.”
“I mean you and me? We’re hooking up and sleeping together when two weeks ago, you hated me and I hated you because of it. We’re not together but most of the time you treat me as though we are, but then you had some girl all over you tonight and all I can think about is that I’m going to be the one to get hurt. Again.”
He starts shaking his head. “What are you trying to say, Tora?”
“I think we should stop…. Whatever this is.”
“I’m sorry, babe,” he says. “But that’s not an option.”
“Yes, it is,” I argue.
“No. It’s not,” he says as he pulls over on the side of the road so he can look at me. “Look,” he says reaching out and taking my hand. “I know I’ve been an ass and I know I haven’t treated you fairly, but if I could take it all back, believe me, I would. I know I don’t deserve you, but just… bear with me ok. I’m going to make it up to you.”
“What do you want from me?” I ask, confused as why he even bothers with me. I mean, I’m nothing special.
He lets out a sigh and I see that whatever he’s about to say is hard for him to get out. “I don’t want anything from you, Tora. I just want you. I always have, ever since we were twelve and you were running around the pool in a bikini.”
“What?” I say as my brows lower in confusion. “That doesn’t make sense, Nate. You started being an ass when we were twelve. Why would you do that if you actually liked me?”
He shakes his head, not prepared to give me an answer and I let out a huff as I sit back in the seat. “I need answers, Nate.”
“I can’t give them to you,” he tells me. “I’m just… I’m sorry, ok. I wish I could take it all back. I hate myself for hurting you like that.”
I sit in silence, unsure of what to think or what to say, all I know is that I need to be alone right now. “Can you just take me home?” I ask as I look away from him.
He’s quiet for a moment and I feel him wanting to hash this out but he lets it go. “Ok,” he murmurs before turning back in his seat and pulling back out onto the road.
A few minutes later he pulls into his driveway and comes to a stop right by the front door. I unbuckle my seatbelt and a moment later, I watch as he goes to do the same. I reach my hand out and stop him. “Don’t,” I tell him. “Go back to the party. I just need to be alone,” I say. “Besides, all your adoring fans are waiting for you.”