Nate (A Texas Jacks Novel) (31 page)

T
HE PAST FEW WEEKS HAVE
flown by without much excitement. The last exciting thing to happen was my dental appointment— when Nathan was really sweet to me. The group met up a few times at
Texas Jacks
, and we still see each other— it’s just not as frequent as it has been for the last few months.

Halley, and I, had medical training seminars out of town recently, while Nate and the guys are working a lot of extra hours to finish a major project for their company. If they aren’t working, then they’re home keeping a low profile so they can recuperate. Unfortunately, my time with Nathan has been cut down to half of what it was.

Naomi’s been around, but it seems like she’s taking this opportunity to have one-on-one time for herself. She said she needed to reconnect with life outside of our group. I can understand that.

As for myself, I haven’t had time to go home for family dinners, much to my family’s dismay. I can honestly say that if I haven’t been busy with work, or out of town for training, then I’ve been home—retreating to my old ways.

I feel so disconnected, not just with my friends— with their busy schedules, but with Nathan as well. I can't pinpoint exactly what's going on with him, but I feel like he's pulling away. Ever since our last date, he hasn’t asked me out again. Nor has he invited me out to the track when he’s racing. I understand that his job is really demanding at the moment, but still, something's not right. I mean, it's not like we don't see each other, or call, and text when we can. It just feels off kilter, and I can't shake this feeling.

I think that’s why I’ve retreated into my shell again. But this time, being around the family, isn’t even enough to pull me out of my weird funk. I miss my family a lot, but I miss the connection I have with Nathan even more so. It’s put me in a downer of a mood—when I let my head have space to it, which is more often than I would like.

It’s Saturday night, and once again, I have no plans with a single soul. It’s just me, and my DVD player. What a sad, lonely existence I’ve been living in lately. Thank heavens for work, which keeps me busy. My sisters, and mom, try to keep me up to date with the family, as for Halley and Naomi —they still drop in at random. I guess I’m not completely alone, it just seems like, for the past three weeks, everything has changed.

I pop some popcorn, put one of my favorite movies in the DVD player, and settle in to what I know will be a crying fest soon. I’m still hopeful Nathan will call and ask me to go out, or invite himself over.

About an hour into
The Notebook,
I hit pause to answer my cell. I’ve been lying in the middle of the floor, feet propped up on a chair while watching the movie.

“Hello?” I sniffle into the receiver, hoping like crazy Nathan will be on the other end.

“Are you watching that movie again?”
Go figure
, I can’t even hide that I’ve been crying— with one clogged word, from Halley.

“So, what if I am?” I volley back, feeling bummed it wasn’t who I was secretly wishing for.

“Get your butt up, right now! Go wash your face, and make yourself pretty. We’re going out. I’m tired of our lame groups’ existence lately. It’s time for fun and for once, I don’t want any of the Stooges tagging along.”

“Halley, are you okay?” I sit up, snatching a tissue off the floor, amongst the mess of popcorn, to wipe my eyes and nose with.

“Why wouldn’t I be? I’m bored. I’m
restless.
Work has kept me busy. So, I’m declaring this a girl’s night out.
Is that a problem
?”

“No.” I climb up onto the couch, getting comfortable with a throw blanket. “I’m bored, too. Though, I’m curious as to why the guys can’t come along.”

“Do they always have to?” she replies with irritation.

“Are you having problems with Holt?”

“Mr. Non-Commitment? Who,
him
? What’s new there? Anyway, why can’t a girl hang out with her two best friends, without inviting the guys?”

“Sorry. They don’t always have to be with us. I just miss Nate, that’s all.” I heavily sigh. “I miss the whole group, in general. You know? We had a lot of fun together, before life got in the way and ruined it. Now, I’m back to being a fuddy-duddy again.”

“That’s exactly why you need to pick your butt up off the floor and get ready!”

“How did you even know I was hanging out on the floor?”

“A lucky guess. Now, quit stalling. Are you in or not?” she asks matter of factly.

“Fine. I’ll go get ready. What about Naomi?”

“We’re both on our way to you now, actually.” she laughs.

“Thanks for the warning.” I huff. “I hope you’re prepared to wait. I haven’t even showered today. It’s been a lazy, pajama day.”

“Stop yapping, and get ready. We’re almost there.” She hangs up on me.

I stretch fully out on the couch one last time, then toss my phone onto the cushion next to me, before I head down the hall to start getting ready—knowing that when I get out, they’ll be in my apartment waiting.

About 45 minutes later I’m all dolled up and ready to paint the town. I’m not completely feeling it, though. The thoughts of seeing Nathan still plague my mind. It’s a good thing I’m getting out of the apartment. I know it’ll be ten times better than sitting around, crying my eyes out. I’ve missed my best friends, and our nights like this before the guys came along with the added complications of feelings.

“I vote for
California Pizza Kitchen
!” Naomi smiles at me when I walk back into the living room.

“Nice! I second the vote.”

“CPK it is! Let’s go before something else happens in our lame lives.” Halley mutters.

I lock up and make a beeline for her truck. I don’t know about them, but I’m starving. Even popcorn wasn’t enough to curb my hunger.

It takes us about 45 minutes to get where we’re going. It’s been a long time since we’ve been here, and I can’t wait to dig into their BBQ chicken salad. It’s one of my favorites.

“Guys suck.” Halley pouts a bit later over a slice of pizza.

“Tell me about it,” I mumble in agreement around a bite of salad.

“What’s going on with you two? You’re acting like it’s the end of the world. The boys have a life, too. It’s not like they have to dedicate all of their free time to see us. So everyone’s busy with work? It’s okay to take a break from people sometimes.” Naomi arches a brow at us.

“Stop making a case for them,” Halley demands.

“Besides, it’s not like they don’t check in with us. Don’t forget, we
have
spent time with them. In fact, it wasn’t that long ago.” Naomi point outs.

Ignoring Naomi, Halley asks me, “Do you think the Stooges have even clued in that they’re breaking our hearts?”

“What?” Now I’m confused. “I don’t feel like my heart is being broken. What’s gotten into you, Halley?” Though, I do feel a sense of loss when it comes to Nathan which is something I’m not in the mood to talk to my best friends about.

“It’s not like they don’t have time to hang out with us, come on!” Halley practically leans across the table, looking between me and Naomi. Though, she gives Naomi more of her sour faced look. “I know we’re all busy, I get it. But we’ve found time before to be together. Now, what? Holt’s too busy to even call most days?” frustration runs deep in her voice. “Give me a break.” She sinks back into her chair, folding her arms across her chest.

“Wait,” I tilt my confused face towards Naomi. “I thought you said they at least called to check in?”

“Tucker does. We’ve gone out a few times.” Naomi tells me, and then looks at Halley. “Seriously, Halley, you’re making a big deal out of nothing. I think you’re searching for something to hold against Holt, since the relationship you semi have— by the way, isn’t going the way you want it to.” Narrowing her eyes at Halley, “Why are you asking for borrowed trouble?”

Halley shrugs one shoulder in reply, refusing to voice anything further. I can tell that her irritation has a new target in the form of our best friend, Naomi.

“I admit that I miss the guys, too. Especially Nate.”

“Are you two forgetting how much fun we had before they showed up?” Naomi arches her brows.

“Point taken.” I smile at her, trying to appease everyone so the conversation doesn’t get any more depressing. Also so they can’t question me about why I’m missing Nate.

“We’re just being silly, and it’s probably for no reason at all. Right, Halley? I look at Halley and in return, she scrunches her disappointed face at me.

“Fine. I’m probably being ridiculous for no reason,” she concedes, though it’s not convincing in the slightest.

“How about this, next weekend, we’ll plan to meet the guys at T. J’s. Agreed?” Naomi, the cool level-headed friend of our group, compromises. “Until then, we’re not talking about them. We’re having fun like we used to.” She sternly looks at both Halley and me. “I mean it!”

My phone buzzes right when dessert arrives. Looking down, I see it’s from Nate. I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face when I look up at the girls. “It’s Nate,” I share with them before accepting the call. No way am I letting this go to voicemail. They shake their heads at me, Naomi with a smile on her face. Halley on the other hand doesn’t look thrilled.

I decide to take the call outside for privacy, so I motion towards the doors, to them to let them know as I speak into the phone.

“Hey, cowboy!” I answer, stepping out into the warm breezy night air. I find a small curb to sit on while I take the call. It’s silent for a minute, and I wonder if maybe Nate accidentally hung up on me.

“Nate?” I call into the phone.

“Hey, this is Charlie, right?” A woman asks. Furrowing my brow, I pull the phone away from my ear, and double check the number. Nope, it’s not a wrong number. It’s definitely his phone.

“Uhh, yes.” I hesitantly reply. “Is something wrong with Nate?” I still can’t place who this woman is, and I’m trying not to jump to conclusions as to why she’s calling me from his phone.

“I was actually hoping you could come down to the house.” She sounds apprehensive. “He’s in a bad way tonight, and I think he needs someone other than me to take care of him.”
Whoa.
Who is this woman, and what’s going on here?

“Not to sound rude, but I’m not sure who I’m speaking with.”

“Oh! Sorry. This is Nate’s sister, Carianna.” Well, colored me shocked. I’ve never spoken to her before. Of course, I’ve heard of her name in passing and a little tid-bit about her. Though, I had yet to meet her.

“Would you mind coming over as soon as possible? I’m a bit worried about him.” Now I’m worried even more because of this weird conversation.

“Carianna, what’s going on? Is he hurt? What happened?” I’m such a worrier and this cryptic conversation is doing nothing to ease my nerves.

“I'm sorry. I'm not at liberty to say what's going on. It's his story to tell. All I can say is that he's not okay, and he's needs more than I can give to him. The guys called me over, but I think he would want you here more than me. Do you think you can come over? I can leave the spare key under the mat for you.”

Okay, what does she expect me to say, no? Not going to happen? Find someone else to take care of my man? Wait,
is he my man
? It sure feels like it, although we haven’t officially declared ourselves to each other.

“Carianna, I’m pretty sure Nate wouldn’t want me there.” I quietly admit to her.

“He would. Trust me. He may act like he wouldn’t want you here, but deep down he knows he needs you. He’s too scared to admit it. This will be good for him.” She tries to reassure me.

“I’m not sure you have the right of it.” I try again.

“Then make it the right way.” She quietly demands. “Charlie, trust me on this one. Nathan needs you.”

“I hope you’re right.” I sigh. I know he’s going to be so mad when he finds out his sister called me. “Alright, I’m on my way. I’m up in Walnut Creek at the moment, so it’ll take some time to get there.”

“I’ll stay with him for an hour then head out.”

“By the way, where are Holt and Tucker?” I ask, realizing that they hadn’t called me with worry over their friend.