Silent No More(34)

“Actually, it’s already in the driveway. Shane and your friend Katelyn brought it by an hour ago,” he replies while petting Charmin. She is really a beautiful puppy.

So, Katelyn made nice with Nick’s friend? I snicker to myself.

“So why is your sister going to be there?” I ask.

He chuckles. “She’s an amateur fighter so she’s there more than I am,” he replies while sitting the puppy on the ground next to Niko.

“Do you fight too?” I follow him inside the house, closing the door behind me. The dogs stay on the deck playing with each other.

“Not in the sense you’re probably thinking. I mainly only train with Jase. He’s dating my sister, so getting to kick his ass five days out of the week is how I deal with my sister’s relationship with my best friend,” he replies with a smile. He doesn’t seem uneasy about it at all. Now the odd comment from last night makes sense. Jase really is off limits. I don’t have any brothers or sisters, but I imagine it’s weird for a sibling to be dating one’s friend.

“Where are my keys?” I ask. “I need to get my clothes out of my car and change,” I tell him.

“I already got your things out. Everything is lying on the counter in the laundry room,” he says, pointing to a room off the side of the kitchen.

“Thanks.” I walk up to him and wrap my arms around his neck. He bends down and kisses me on my lips. This man could kiss me for the rest of my life and I don’t think I would tire of them.

Mmm…

“I’ll be at Knocked Out for most of the day. Come by when you get done.” He isn’t asking, but I don’t care. I want to see him in action, and I want to spend more time with him. I don’t know where this is going, but I really like him.

He releases me and heads for the front door. He turns back to face me. “There’s a spare key under one of the cushions in the chair out front. Take it and lock up before you leave. Later, babe,” he says while closing the door behind him.

I walk into the laundry room, and find the bag with my blue jeans and fitted white shirt. I grab them along with my bra and panties, and head for the master bathroom to take a shower.

Walking in the bedroom, I lay my clothes out on the bed and walk into the bathroom. I turn on the shower to hot and wait for the right temperature. While I’m waiting, I strip and toss Nick’s clothes in the hamper.

Stepping into the shower, the water feels heavenly; I stand there letting the heat wash over my stressed body.

My mind replays last night. I can’t believe I freaked out like that. I can only imagine what Nick must think. I’m thankful he didn’t bring it up this morning. That isn’t a conversation I can have with him or anybody else for that matter. Some things need to stay wrapped up for forever, and that’s one of them.

I wash my hair and body using the products he has in his bathtub. Once I’m done, I turn the water off and step out, grabbing a large white towel from the rack. I towel off, discard the towel onto the floor, and then walk into the bedroom for my clothes.

After throwing on some clean clothes, I go back into the bathroom to look for a hair dryer, but there isn’t one, or if there is I can’t find it so I comb through my wet hair and part it on the left side. It will just have to air dry. I don’t have an issue with this. I let my hair air dry often. Sometimes just because, but most of the time because I’m too lazy to blow-dry it.

I still have Katelyn’s riding boots, so I make my way back to the laundry room for them. I put them on and head out the door. I locate the spare key and lock the door.

Getting into my car, I start the ignition. It’s obvious that Shane drove my car over; the seat is pushed all the way back and I have to adjust it.

I pull out of the driveway and head to the former apartment I shared with Luke. The life I had only a few days ago. I’m really dreading this and I’m praying he’s not home. I’m hoping he did the one thing I told him to do and isn’t there.

This is unlikely since its only 9:30 AM. He’s probably in bed asleep. He usually goes out with his friends on Fridays like I do after his rounds are over.

It takes thirty minutes to reach the apartment. His car is not in the parking lot and I say a silent prayer, thanking God. I turn the ignition off and head in. Unlocking the door, I walk in and all seems quiet.

I walk into the bedroom and confirm he isn’t there. “God does love me,” I say out loud. I quickly go to the closet and pull out my large luggage bag.

I grab all of my clothes first, leaving the hangers on them, and toss them in the luggage case before taking it out to my car. Once it’s shoved into my backseat, I head back in and finish packing the rest. It takes both of my gym bags to pack all my shoes. From the bathroom, I only grab my makeup, hair dryer and jewelry. My essentials and accessories are in their own containers, so I quickly tote everything to my car, placing them in the front seat and floorboard.