Page 36 of Too Sweet
He nods, glancing in the rearview mirror, his face a picture of embarrassment. “Sure thing.”
I exit the car, cross a narrow pathway, unlock the door, and click-clack down the hallway into my bedroom. The gift I chose for Nico’s birthday waits on my nightstand. He doesn’t deserve it after how he acted, but getting it took time, effort, and many favors. Despite how big of a jerk he’s been, I want him to have it.
When the triplets invited me to his party, I pulled all the strings to get Nico Aerosmith’s first LP in mint condition, signed by the band. You can get one online for a few hundred dollars, and I’m sure he already has one in his collection but working in the industry comes with its perks.
The LP on my nightstand, wrapped in pink paper, came straight from the band with a personalized dedication.
Moments later, I’m back standing by the car, holding the door open. Nico’s eyes meet mine, his face full of contradictions. He’s angry, worried, and... I’m not sure what I see there, but it wraps itself around me like a thick, fluffy blanket.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t make your party last night.” I hold the gift out for him. “Happy birthday.”
“You got me a gift?”
“It would be rude to turn up empty-handed.” I wipe the last tears from my eyelashes, waiting for him to take it. “Almost as rude as you not accepting it.”
He grabs it immediately, frowning like he doesn’t know what to say. “Thank you.”
“Goodnight, Nico.”
The cab stays on the driveway as I kick my heels off in the hallway and sit in front of the piano, playing every song that soothes me until late into the night.
TEN
Nico
I HACK THE BACK OF THE PASSENGER SEAT with my fist when Mia disappears inside the house. Her tear-stained face lingers at the forefront of my mind. I’m so uncomfortable in my own fucking head I wish I could rip it off.
Knowing that my twisted personality: the jumping-to-conclusions way too fast, and the hot-headed temper are why she’s upset drives me insane.
I never want to see that girl cry again. I never want to see her chin quiver and those big eyes fill with tears.
“Are you gonna go after her or...?” the driver asks.
The headrest on the passenger seat has split in two under my fist, and the concerned, frightened look on the guy peeking in the rearview mirror tells me he’d be more than thrilled if I got the hell out of his car. He can’t be older than me, but he’s half my size. I doubt he’ll try his luck at forcing me out.
I pull a wad of cash from my wallet to cover the fare and damages. “Nineteen-oh-six Port Ramsey Way.”
“That’s too much, man.” He taps the meter, where the fare isn’t even twenty bucks yet. “Besides, she already paid.”
“Then you’re getting paid twice. The rest is for damages. I don’t have the energy to argue. Take it and get me home, alright?”
“Yeah, alright,” he hums, turning the radio up loud enough that I make out “Scrubs” by TLC but not loud enough to stop him talking. “You want to break a window or two? Slash a tire? You know... get your money’s worth and unwind.”
I leave it without comment, ripping the pink wrapping paper off the gift. My head hits the back of the seat when I pull out the LP Mia got me. I’ve got this album at home, but I sure don’t have it signed by the band withDream on, Nicowritten across the front.
I’ve no idea how she made this happen. It must’ve cost a small fortune and a lot of favors unless she’s friends with the band.
Even trashing the whole car wouldn’t put a dent in my foul mood now. I’m sure Mia didn’t mean it that way, but this gift, the thought behind it... fuck. It feels like she purposely extracted every last ounce of humiliation from this situation, trying to put me in my place.
A job well done.
I thought I had her all figured out.Twice.But I was wrong both times. She’s nothing like Kaya, and she sure isn’t as spineless as I pegged her for since she managed to put this dent in my confidence.
I grab my phone, letting Toby know I won’t join them inQ. Then I text Cody.
Better he finds out from me than Mia.
Me: I made your girl cry.
