Nathan

––––––––

Nathan was standing by the fireplace when Sang walked in. He knew she was here, that she had arrived. Their car lights could be seen through the windows.

When Liam left to go meet them at the door, Nathan held his breath for long moments, exhaling only when it burned too much.

Waiting.

Hoping she was here.

When the door opened, he turned, finding her standing in the doorway.

Alone.

He hadn’t anticipated that. Where was Liam?

Her green eyes were wide. Her hair was pulled back into a bun on top of her head. She wore dark pants and a sweatshirt. There was a bruise on her face, around her cheek.

She was beautiful, like always.

He thought he was ready for this, but he wasn’t. The moment he saw her face, he lowered his shoulders, sheepishly flailing from his position. Excuses and apologizes flooding his mouth, stopping just before they came out.

She’d carried a book in with her, but she dropped it when their eyes connected.

She rushed at him, her arms open.

He turned to her, the fear, the turmoil in him slipping out once he realized she was coming for him.

She ran into his arms, pushing herself against him. Her face buried into his shoulder as her arms went around his waist.

He held her, his hands at her back. He took a step away from the fire, too hot at his legs. She clung to him as he shifted.

He breathed her in. Her cheek pressed to his chest. He buried his nose in her hair.

Relief flooded through him. It took over his body until he was weak against her, shaking, mind crazy.

How did she know? How did she always know just what he needed? Her touch, strong against him, telling him she’d worried about him, that she came because she knew all that happened.

She didn’t hate him.

She knew.

She didn’t have to say it.

He pulled back, and it was her lips that found his. Her lips that pressed against his mouth, searching.

Like she was asking for forgiveness.

She had nothing to ask for, but he kissed her anyway. He dipped his head down, kissing deeply. His lip was still healing, but he ignored that pain.

He loved her.

And in that one moment, that single moment with her, kissing her by the fire, all the other doubt he’d had about the plan, about if she wanted this, about how it would all work in the future. It all vanished. They’d been through this much together. He’d screwed up so much.

Yet she was here. Not a word about what had happened.

He lifted a hand, fingers moving through her hair to rest his palm against the back of her head. He held her to himself, all the fear disappearing.

He thought to stop it, but he didn’t want to let go. Not when he had her back in his arms.

He’d change this. He’d find a house for her. He’d tell the guys he was in. For as long as she wanted them to be together. That they’d make the team work. He’d take the fall for Erica, if he needed to. He’d live in secret.

Eventually the kiss did break, but they didn’t talk. They simply clung to one another, pressed into each other.

She buried her face into his chest. He hugged her.

He promised himself, and later he’d promise her.

This was going to be his first priority from now on.