Chapter 64
NATHAN
How could my mother do this? She should have told me and I would have never let Kate come. If she even imagined that Mia is my ex, she would eat me alive. I sit at the table after her. I've been avoiding Mia's gaze, but it's hard. Why is she here? Doesn't she realize how inconvenient it is? Especially her, who has always been so sensible. I've always admired her, especially when she accepted our breakup. She didn't complain, even though I knew she still liked me, but I couldn't be with her anymore. It wasn't working, I needed freedom, even though I still had feelings for her. Our relationship had become boring. It had fallen into a routine, even though I once felt adoration for her, everything had become unbearable.
As if that weren't enough, Stephan continued to try to annoy me, shamelessly flirting with Kate. The conversation continued as we finished dessert. I wondered what Kate was thinking as she listened to my mother talk about my childhood and adolescence. She shouldn't be hearing this.
I never imagined that dinner with my own family could be torture. Back in the waiting room, ready to leave, I see Mia approaching.
"Hi!"
"Hi!" I respond, watching Kate talking with Ellie.
"Are you okay?"
"Great. And you?" I allow myself to look at her for the first time tonight.
"I'm okay. Well... I just wanted to say that I didn't want this to happen. I mean, your mother insisted that I stay here when I told her I was coming to New York."
"It's okay. She loves you. Don't worry. Actually, I'm leaving now." She nods. I say goodbye to Ellie, my father, and Stephan.
"Are you spending the night at her place?" Stephan whispers.
"Shut up," I say, but really wish that would happen.
"I'll stop by Ryan's tomorrow to talk."
"Yes. I know you have nothing better to do."
I approach Kate, who is talking to my mother.
"Can we go, Miss Collins?"
"Aren't you staying overnight?" My mother asks.
"I can't. I have work tomorrow and I have to take Miss Collins home."
"I can take a taxi," Kate says without looking at me.
"You don't have to bother, Mrs. Ryan. We can ask the driver to take her, or Stephan. Since you got along so well."
"Don't worry about it, Mrs. Ryan. I'll take her. See you later, Mom." I lean in to kiss her cheek.
"Okay. See you later, my love."
Kate says goodbye to my father before passing through the door. When I close the door behind me, I see her rushing down the stairs. It's cold, and she doesn't have a coat.
"Wait," I say. She doesn't stop. "Kate?" As she passes my car, she heads toward the gate. I have to run to catch up with her. I grab her arm.
"Where are you going?"
"Calling a taxi," she says, angry.
"I said I'll take you."
"No. Thanks." She tries to break free. "Let me go."
"What's your problem?"
"What's my problem? What's my problem? What's your problem? You idiot!" She's almost shouting.
"Damn it! Be quiet. We're still here."
"Let me go."
"Only if you tell me why you're mad."
"How could you?"
"What?"
"You damn cretin!" I could swear her eyes were welling up.
"Okay, you'll explain that, but in the car."
"I'm not going with you."
"If you don't go willingly, you'll go by force." Grabbing her hips, I lift her and put her over my shoulder.
"Put me down, Ryan," she says, hitting my back.
"If you scream, they'll hear you."
I put her down when we're near the car and open the door.
"Get in," I say. She doesn't. "Do you want me to force you?" She's starting to irritate me. She huffs, reluctant, but gets in. I go around the car and do the same.
"Tell me what's going on." She avoids looking at me, with her arms crossed over her body.
"I'm such an idiot."
"What the hell! Speak up, Collins!"
"You weren't going to tell me? Was it a game? You made a fool of me all night! While I was next to your little girlfriend." Damn it!
"Shit! Stephan, you son of a bitch idiot! I just thought you'd feel more comfortable if you didn't know while you were there."
"Why did you let me come? Did you want to laugh at me?"
"I didn't know she was here! And I wouldn't have come if I had known. Why the hell would I do that to you?"
"Take me home, Ryan."
"Kate... It doesn't matter! It was a long time ago!"
"Your past is none of my business. I don't care who she is, but I'm not going to let you laugh at me."
"Kate..." I rest my hand on her thigh.
"Don't touch me."
"Are you jealous?"
"Why would I be jealous of you? We have nothing."
"So this is just because I didn't tell you there? I was caught off guard, too."
"Take me home now."
"I'm trying to understand you."
"If you don't start the car, I'm getting out and getting a taxi."
"Okay."
I start the car. What the hell is wrong with her? Is she jealous of Mia? I can't think of another explanation. What does she think? That I want something with my ex? You don't have to worry, Collins. I don't feel anything for her anymore, except some fondness, in consideration of everything we've been through.
She continues to look out the window, pretending to ignore me.
"I'm sorry. As I said, I didn't want it to be uncomfortable for you. I swear I didn't know she'd be there. I'd never do that to you." She remains motionless and silent, which doesn't change for the rest of the ride to her house.
Before stopping in front of her apartment, I make sure that the doors are locked. She tries to open them as soon as I park and lets out a long sigh of irritation when she can't accomplish her goal.
"Open it."
"I don't understand. Why are you so angry?"
"I'm not angry with you."
"Then?"
"I'm angry with myself for going through with this." Damn, is she going to insist on this? Everything was going so well.
"Kate..."
"Your mother told me that she hopes you'll come back to her and that you two were the perfect couple." She says, staring ahead at nothing.
"That doesn't matter..."
"Can you open it?" I don't want the night to end like this. I can't leave her like this.
"Let's go to my place."
"Please, just open it." Shit, I could hear the sadness in her voice. She would never let me see her like this if she were okay, and damn, I felt bad for her.
"Okay." I unlock the doors. She gets out without saying another word. I consider going after her and even staying if she wants me to, but I give up because I can't. How many times do I have to remind myself that this was all just for sex? Shit! She was making everything so difficult. I can't let myself get involved, but maybe it was too late.
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