Chapter 8
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
Somehow we live inside
Somehow we live inside
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
Somehow we live inside
We want more than this world's got to offer
We were more than this world's got to offer
"What are you writing?" his voice shook her out of her thoughts and she looked up into his sparkling blue eyes that seemed to hold some unknown deep passion. She smiled as she gave his hand a small squeeze – never have let it go.
"Just some words that I think could be a great song…" she explained and he looked at the words written on the notepad on her lap. She watched his face for any expression and a slight smile slid over her face as the frown he had ceased and a smirk took it's place.
"Pretty good…" was all he said before he turned back but she felt him pull her hand tighter in his. His fingers played with her knuckles and she had to bite her tongue to control her laugh.
Lucas watched this little game going on between them from his place in the passenger seat. It was cute – this flirting – and he was sure it was something both of them needed. Unfortunately Chris Keller was still in the picture. They needed to get other transport and fast.
OoOoOoOoOo
"Well…I think we should book into this place for the night. Tomorrow I'll take you the last of the way." Chris spoke as he stopped the car in front of the motel and everyone climbed out. They all seemed to agree…it was past 10pm and not one of them wanted to drive all night.
"That's a good idea." Hales said softly as she tucked her hands under her arms. Nathan had let go of her hand as soon as they had stopped and she felt emptiness take over her as she stood in the cold night air. Chris excused himself to get the rooms as the rest of them took out their bags. Chris returned a while later – a smirk planted on his face.
"Well we have a problem. There are only two rooms available. So I take it the brothers sleep in one and me and Hales…" he didn't get to finish the sentence when Nathan jumped in – standing behind Hales.
"There's no way that that's happening Keller." He spoke and Hales had to try her best not to let the sigh of relief slip out of her lips.
"Chris and I will take the one…Hales and Nathan you take the other one." Lucas stated as he threw the key at Nathan before he forced Chris to walk with him towards the room.
Hales and Nathan stood in silence for a few seconds before they finally regained their composure and made their way into the room. Unfortunately there was only a double bed and Nathan sighed as Hales sat down on it.
"You can take the bed…I'll sleep on the floor." He said thoughtfully and threw his bags on the floor. He walked towards the bathroom and was closing the door when he heard her soft voice.
"No…" he opened the door and peered at her with a questioning gaze.
"Hales really it's no big deal…I'll take the floor…you're the guest." He said through his teeth but still she shook her head.
"I don't want you to sleep on the floor…" her voice was soft in the huge room and for a moment Nathan thought he hadn't heard right. But Hales' eyes showed he had heard right.
"Why?" he stammered – surprised at her sudden offer.
"Because…I feel safe with you." Hales said and with that they both knew the conversation was over. Nathan went to take a shower and Hales pulled out her notepad and started writing.
An hour later both of them had showered and they were lying next to each other on the double bed – staring at the roof. They hadn't said much to each other after they had agreed to share the bed – each one in their own thoughts.
"Why don't you like Chris?" Hales suddenly asked and Nathan sighed.
"It's a long complicated story. You should get some sleep…tomorrow's flight is going to take a lot out of you." Nathan tried to brush it off but he had never met a girl like Hales…someone who didn't take no for an answer.
"I want to know…I won't sleep until you tell me." She stated and a laugh escaped his lips.
"Acting like royalty already…" he chuckled and Hales was glad that it was dark so he wouldn't see her blushing.
"Ha ha ha very funny…now come on Nate…tell me!" she urged and Nathan felt his blood boil as she used his childhood nickname.
"Okay fine you win." Hales cheered and Nathan gave a small smile.
"When we were younger…well you know my dad died when Lucas and I were 10. We moved in with a far long family member for the rest of our school years…well because our mother had died a few years before my father. So when we got to this Aunt…we found she had a son…Chris. The first few years were fine…I mean we were three boys trying to grow up in the time of the rebellion against the palace. We played together and generally got along great." Nathan sighed…this part was always the hardest.
"But then we all got to the age where girls started getting in the picture. I was the first to get a real long-time girlfriend… Lucas…well you see how he is now…he's always been like that. But Chris…he just couldn't get the girls. Generally the biggest problem wasn't that…it was the fact that he wanted a specific girl…my girl." Hales gave a sigh as Nathan sat up and leaned on his elbow – looking down at her. She could see tears that were underlining his eyes but would not be shed.
"But she loved you right? I mean…she…" Hales stopped – not knowing what to say.
"We loved each other…yes. But one night she came to visit me and I was on a trip with Lucas. But Chris…Chris was there. I don't exactly know what or how it happened but I take it that night she and Chris…well you know…slept together." Hales didn't even try to hide her shock but Nathan continued before she could say anything.
"She must have felt ashamed because she broke up with me a while later. Two months later she committed suicide. In the suicide letter she apologized and explained everything…saying how sorry she was for what she had done and that she truly did love me. But it was the last part…the last part of the letter that forever cemented my hate for Chris. She was pregnant… pregnant with his child. She knew it and she said that was why she did it…because it made her remember everything she ever did with Chris and made her feel worthless… And you know how Chris reacted? He saw her as a good fuck. He didn't give a shit. Soon after Lucas and I moved out of the house and I haven't seen Chris again until now." Nathan breathed out and he noticed tears were flowing from her eyes. He slowly let his hand come over and wiped away the tears with his thumb. She closed her eyes at the contact and he felt her breath hitch in her throat.
"Hales…" he breathed out – this time more hoarsely. Still she didn't look at him.
"Hales…look at me…" he asked and she opened her eyes as he gave her a smile. Slowly he lowered his head and placed a gentle kiss on her mouth. Within seconds her whole body responded. Nathan pulled her closer with his arms and Hales swung her arms around his neck.
"Good night guys!" Chris yelled as he passed the room – slamming his hand against the door – shocking Nathan and Hales out of their kissing. They stared at each other as they broke apart and moved away from each other.
