Never Give Up - Heidi Lis Page 0,41
civilized human beings. Suck it up, I have. If anyone is to feel blindsided here, it’s ME, but I’m cool as a cucumber, so d.e.a.l. with it.” I’m lying through my damn teeth, but I had to lie in order to survive this cluster-fuck of a night.
Continuing with my less than friendly attitude, I add. “Nick, set the table. Liza, grab the salad. Micah, just sit down and enjoy.” It seems to work because they all just nod their heads not arguing.
The four of us sitting down at the table is bordering on being as uncomfortable as a routine dental exam. Small talk proceeds, but to be honest, it’s merely just pleasantries.
“So Liza, how is work?” Nick asks.
Seriously? My mouth hangs open. He’s that uncomfortable he’s asking her about work?
The forced smile she gives in return is just as awkward.
“Good, thanks. How’s yours?”
He answers her so kindly, it’s sickening. I want to gag, but out of the corner of my eye, I can see Micah biting back a smile, and shaking his head. He’s trying to think of something to say, I’m sure of it by his expression.
“El, dinner was fantastic. I’m stuffed.” Micah replies with a rub of his stomach. Instead of leaving it at that, his eyes dance around and he’s biting his lip to contain a laugh. I fear he’s not done, yep, more is coming.
“Thank you for having me for dinner and cooking for all of us.” The kind words and sincere smile he gives me damn near melts my heart. “It’s a nice thing you did,” his happiness fades looking to Nick. “I know you have no desire to be sitting here right now, and to be honest, neither do I. It’s fucked no matter what way you look at it.”
Nick adds, “You got that right.” His remark less than subtle.
I don’t dare look anyone in the face. Instead, I stare at my barely eaten plate. My insides are in knots, my nerves are shot and to add insult to injury, Micah rubs my leg under the table. He’s sitting to my left, and the instant I feel his warm hand caress my leg, I damn near jump. The minute I make an attempt to move, he clamps his hand down forcing me to stay where I am.
No one notices my sudden movement. Liza’s busy rubbing her temples, and Nick is staring at the ceiling, cursing to himself no doubt. No one is looking at Micah or me for that matter. Thank God!
“Hey,” Micah says, leaving his hand resting on my leg. “It’s the truth. My world’s been turned upside down. We’ve all felt it, let’s not lie. Now, the question is, can we move past it all?” Pausing for a minute no one says a word, so he continues. “You three have been friends for a long time, and the last thing I want to do is ruin it. If I need to be the one who needs to leave, I will.”
“Now that is an idea.” Nick says, smacking his hand on the table.
“What are you saying, Ace?” Liza appears to be taken back.
A loud moan escapes Nick’s throat. “Can we all just call him by his name? It's stupid he’s going by Ace anyway.” The way he says ‘Ace’ is distasteful. I’m sure he did it to get a rise out of Micah.
“What do you mean stupid? What do you have to do with it?” Micah snapped back like I knew he would.
“Shit,” Liza said but her eyes linger on him wondering if he’ll answer the question.
He doesn’t get a chance to answer, because Nick keeps at it.
“Just seems silly to me, man. I don’t get it.” Throwing his napkin on the table, Nick sighs questioning Micah.
“Elsa has everything to do with it, Liza.” Micah says addressing Liza, not Nick. “After I left home, and went into the Academy, I started going by Ace.”
“Why?” Her eyes are full of curiosity.
Letting go of my leg, Micah’s rubbing the back of his neck. I can tell he’s nervous and like an idiot, I want to soothe him. Placing my hand under the table, I gently take hold of his thigh. An innocent gesture meant only to offer him some comfort. The look he gives in return is soft, but as uncertainty takes hold of his baby blues, they furrow with doubt. It’s then, I feel his hand covering mine. My heart can’t help but accelerate. He intertwines his fingers delicately with mine. Our hands seek