Page 6 of Cruel Embers
Stepping out of the shower, I grab a towel and answer my phone. If I ignore it, she’ll ring again, or it’ll be the one time I don’t answer, and what if that's the time her husband does take it too far? As much as the situation with me and Naomi is fucked up, I could never forgive myself.
“Nathan,” she says, her tone sultry, and I want to hang up straight away.
“Are you okay?” I ask.
She sighs. “I’d be better if I got to spend some time with you.”
I don’t understand why she always likes to play mind games.
“That won’t and can’t happen.”
Naomi makes a scoffing sound. “What, because I’m married?” she questions, making me grind my jaw.
She knows why. We’ve been over this countless times. “Yes, and because you lied to me.”
“But we’re good together. You know we are. We can move past this, surely.”
“No, we can’t. Listen, I was in the middle of something. I’ve got to go.”
Before she even has a chance to reply, I hang up. The urge to turn off my phone is strong, but I’m weak when it comes to her.
Leaving my phone, I return to the shower. I know at some point I need to start looking for somewhere to rent, or I’m going to end up moving back in with my mum.
And as much as I love my mum, a guy needs his space. Let's just say after my deadbeat of a father was finally out of the picture, I was severely outnumbered by women, the youngest boy to three older sisters. I think it's probably why Ethan and Henry are more like my brothers than my cousins. But since they’ve both fallen in love, things have shifted.
The truth is, I was smug there for a while, thought I’d found myself theonetoo. What a damn fool I was. I’m ashamed I didn’t see her for what she was, yet I can’t seem to break free from her either. I haven’t so much as kissed her since I found out that she’s married, and yet the way she talks to me as though I’m all she wants is a complete head fuck.
Eventually, I pull myself out of the shower and dry off before pulling on some clean clothes and collapsing on the bed. I close my eyes, and as much as I could do with a power nap, I can’t. I promised my mum we’d have lunch today.
The phone vibrates next to me and I feel around for it before opening my eyes to read the message.
Tinker Bell: Don’t suppose you know if Sophie does custom orders by chance?
Smiling, I tap out a quick reply.
Me: Leave it with me. I’ll see what I can do.
Pushing myself up, I go downstairs and grab my coat, keys, and wallet. I’ll swing by Sofia’s and grab some cakes on my way to Mum’s. And I can ask if Sophie might be able to bake us something special for the baby shower. She’s Charlie's other half, and he’s the owner of the bar Olly manages when he’s not working at the gym.
I climb in my car and turn on the ignition, loving the roar of the engine. I know the guys give me shit over my choice of vehicle, and yes, I am fully aware a German automotive company owns it. But this little beauty right here was made here in the Oxford plant.
When I went to pick it up, I even did a tour of the factory. What can I say? I’m a bit of a motorhead when it comes to Mini’s.
My phone buzzes from the cupholder, alerting me to a text.
Tinker Bell: Oh, okay, thanks.
I laugh at her response and can’t help myself.
Me: Believe it or not, I have my uses *eggplant emoji*
Tinker Bell: *eye roll emoji*
And just like that, I feel a little lighter.
ChapterFive
NATHAN
