to let his words affect me, even though they are. “I’m sure you felt you needed to do just that. Matt told me some things today like you went to my parents. I never got a message or knew you ever stopped by.” I can’t help the tears from escaping, wondering if things would be different today if I had known.
Remembering back to that day, Micah’s grin is held at bay when he lightly bites his lower lip. “Yeah, your father was not at all happy when I showed up on your doorstep. He was beyond furious for some reason.”
“I know the fucking reason, you prick!” Nick shouts, and I can’t help but jump.
My quiet moment when the room felt like it was just Micah and me came to a crashing halt. It pisses me off because Nick is dying to tell him my secret and I can’t hide my displeasure.
“Nick! Shut your mouth before you say things you can’t take back.” I’ve never raised my voice to Nick, but he is pushing me to my limit.
Liza takes a few steps closer to me, questioning. “What the hell, Elsa? What are you hiding? It’s obvious Nick knows.” She shifts her eyes between me and Nick, waiting for one of us to answer.
My chest constricts and I’m struggling for every breath. I hate the idea of my past being aired out publicly and it may push me back to the one place I’ve fought so hard to escape. My head starts spinning, and I’m quickly losing what little control I have. Unable to stay upright, Nick takes a hold of me before I hit the floor.
“Nick,” Micah says with his hand idly on Nick’s chest. “If you know something I should know, man up and tell me. It’s pretty evident witnessing Elsa faint, that there is more here than meets the eye.” Micah sounds angry and he knows Nick is hiding something. Micah was never one to let things lie, he will keep pushing if he wants to know something bad enough.
Liza, for once, called me Elsa, and that is not a good sign. Micah is pressing Nick, who like a rabid dog, is dying to one up Micah and tell him what he knows. I have to stop this madness right now. I need to clear my head and find a way to get everyone settled down and out of my apartment.
Tilting my head toward Micah, I aggressively unleash my anxiety. “NO! NO! NO! Listen, Micah Taylor, you left me. Whatever I lived through or had to deal with, I did it on my own. I had no one. I did the best I could, and it doesn’t matter what the hell you want right now, you’re not getting it!” I’m so angry, my lips curl, and my nails bite in my palms. I need to stand firm. I cannot fall to pieces, at least not yet. And not in front of him.
Pleading with me, Micah holds out his shaky hand. “What are you even saying? Please tell me?” His eyes float desperately looking for any answers he can get.
My limit’s reached. Raising the checkered flag, I’m done. “Out, I want you all out of here. Better yet, I’m going to my room. I can’t deal with any of this right now. I’ve got to work tomorrow.” Directing my stare at Nick, I need to warn him. “If you open your mouth about me and my past, I assure you, we will be finished! My feelings, and my past, they are mine. No one else’s.”
Reaching for my arms, Nick shows his defiant side. “I’m not leaving, Elsa. So get that thought out of your head.”
Holding her hands up, Liza’s poor body trembles. She’s wrecked. “Elsa, what the hell do I do here? My best friend, who I’ve seen crushed over some guy, just happens to be my boyfriend. What do I do?” Her eyes dart around the room at each of us. She’s searching for answers, I simply can’t provide.
My heart breaks even more seeing my friend so distraught. Lost in my head, I realize I’ve not considered what she must be feeling. “Oh Liza, what happened with me was a long time ago. He’s with you now and honestly, he hasn’t done anything wrong here, not to you. You can’t let this affect you and him. Neither of you.” Swinging my eyes to Micah, I say. “None of this changes because of me. I’ll learn to deal with it.