Chapter 2: Chapter Two

Nate POV

"Jealous are we?"

I Ignored Daniel's comment. My eyes focused on the girl filling up my glass with even more tequila. I could see her looking at me from under those lashes; her lips wet from licking them as she walked over here.

Honestly, I was not sure why I even agreed to come to Daniel's birthday. He wouldn't have cared if I hadn't shown up, but I didn't want to be rude. Dan was a good friend of mine when he wasn’t being a prick.

George wasn't the only one pissed at what happened between Loretta and me. Dan made sure to make my life a misery by constantly reminding me of what I'd done. But sometimes I wanted to pound my fist into that shit’s face.

"Why would I be jealous?" I replied casually, even though I was finding it borderline impossible not to look over at her standing near the bar.

"Shut the fuck up Nate. No one cares about this petty game you're playing." Good gracious. Did anyone else want to join in bullying me today? I hadn’t even had the chance to take a breather since I arrived. Not like I deserved it anyway.

"If you're just going sit there and drool over her then please leave because I swear to god that girl does not deserve this shit." George said, then grabbed my shot and shoved it down his throat.

"That was mine," I groaned. I hold up my finger at the girl. She eyed my now empty glass and rushed over, filling it to the brim.

Dan let out a light laugh before muttering quietly. "So was she."

When I heard it, I felt a pain in my chest. I glared at Dan, his words were so right, and I knew that, but could he at least shut up about it for one minute.

Tired of this conversation, I stood up and grabbed my phone, sliding into my pocket. If I stayed around these two any longer, I was afraid of coming out with the truth. Many times, it had crossed my mind, but I held back.

"Leaving so soon?" he said, smirking. He was taunting me, clearly getting too comfortable in his position. I didn't let him have the satisfaction and walked away; my head held high as I passed many of the people here.

I searched the room. I needed something to distract me from the beauty standing not too far from me. Her beautiful dirty blonde hair was framing her face perfectly as she spoke to Tammy. My fingers twitched at my side as I noticed the familiar guy standing to her right.

I watched him carefully. His hand rested on the table, dangerously close to Loretta's small waist. I turned my head; I wasn't going to stay any longer and see something that was going to push me to the edge.

I found a woman sitting quietly at the bar. She seemed out of her comfort zone, not fully enjoying the night. She didn't seem to be giving any attention to any of the men that came over to flirt. I was in desperate need for company but not to flirt.

I decided to make my way over, my first sentence already running through my mind. But I didn't get the chance as the one woman I swore to avoid tonight stepped in front of me.

"Nathaniel," she spoke softly. Her hair fell over her shoulder. Those clear beautiful eyes stared up at me.

I clenched my fists. "You look like you've seen a ghost," she said, her lips turning up into a smirk. She was either completely out of her element right now or incredibly drunk because there was no way she had the courage to speak to me right now.

I knew her well.

"Go back to the girls Loretta, and stop fucking drinking," I growled into her ear as I moved her body aside. Loretta surprised me by pulling on my arm. The moment her fingers touched my skin I wanted to pull them up and kiss them.

But I couldn't. Fuck, but I wanted to.

"Still a controlling asshole I see. Fuck you Nate," she spat, pushing my arm away and slipping past me. I struggled to hold myself back from pulling her into my chest.

I let her go, watching her head back to the women. I watched from the corner of my eye as Tammy weaved her arms around her waist.

I needed to get out of here.

Dismissing my original plan on talking to that woman, I made a quick exit through the back doors and into the cold air outside.

I unlocked my phone and sent a message to Dan.

I'm leaving, happy birthday mate.

Loretta's POV

I was out of my element. Why did I even think that talking to Nate was a good idea? I had thought that the alcohol was going to help me be strong in front of him, but it wasn't.

I pulled away from Tammy when Angela came over.

"Guys I'm going to go home. Cameron's driving me." Angela hiccupped with a grinning Cameron behind her. I must admit, seeing Angela drunk was probably the funniest sight. She was so unstable; I swore I saw her talking to a table earlier.

"Mate, good luck." George slapped a hand on Cam's back, looking towards Angela with a funny expression.

Angela suddenly straightened her posture and walked up to George like a woman on a mission. His face transformed into a scared one when Cam stepped back, allowing his wife to give George a piece of her mind.

"Um Cam what is she doing?" George asked, looking a bit frightened. I can genuinely say that George was the definition of shitting it.

Angela continued to advance towards George until she got close enough to jab her finger in George's chest.

"Okay baby, that's enough." Cam finally picked Angela up, saying a quick goodbye as he took Angela outside.

"Girls, you ready to leave?" Dan walked up to us at the bar, proudly wearing his birthday badge like a little boy. I had brought it as a joke. I hadn't expected that he would willingly wear it in a bar like this.

I grabbed both my bag and Tammy's and followed Dan through the room to leave. I was glad that Dan hadn't wished to extend the night to a club because I was tired, and after seeing Nate, all I wanted to do was curl up in my bed.

"Stay close to me," Dan whispered, grabbing my hand as we struggled to make our way through the room. I didn't hesitate to grasp his hand and let him lead the way.

"George mate, why the fuck did you stop?" Dan said impatiently.

My head felt slightly heavy. I leaned in on Dan's back, enjoying the warmth radiating through his jacket.

"It's Nate; he's been taken to hospital," George said, finally turning around.

I felt Dan tense. I picked up my head and stared at George who was looking at his phone.

"Fuck. Alright, c’mon Loretta." Dan pulled me with him as he hailed a taxi and we all got in.

When I sat in the car, I started to sober up. I thought that he was still in the bar. How the hell did he end up at the hospital?

I rushed inside the entrance to the hospital to find Michael waiting for us. He looked tired and stressed as he stood there in his casual clothes. "I'm sorry Loretta but he was asking for you," he said, pulling me into a gentle hug.

"Can we go see him?" I whispered as I gently pulled away. He glanced down at me, an innocent smile on his lips. Michael guided me to Nate's bed. When my eyes fell on Nate, a gasp left my lips.

He was lying with his eyes closed. A drip was connected to his arm as Kyle and Andrea stood by his bed.

Bandages covered his whole stomach. His face was red with bruises forming on his face. He was nearly unrecognizable, and I desperately wanted to be Kyle and hold his hand.

With his eyes still closed he said, "what is she doing here?"

"Son you were asking for her." Michael stepped towards the bed, looking him in the eyes. Nate shook his head; his fists tightened their hold on the bed sheets as if this was painful. Ny heart clenched at the small gesture.

"I doubt it, get out," he said with such venom that I had to step back. Dan quickly wrapped his arm around my waist. I sent him a weak smile before standing up straight. I guess I deserved that.

"Nate, don't be so rude." Kyle scowled at him, sending me a look of sympathy. I wasn’t the one who needed the sympathy.

"No, it’s fine, I was just leaving," I said, stepping around Dan who had his hands clenched at his sides. I started to leave the room. I don't spare a glance to Nate. If he doesn't want me here then who am I to stay around unwanted?

"Get well soon," I muttered as I left the room.

I heard George say something before he followed me out of the room. I inhaled deeply as I used my sleeves to wipe away my tears. I don't know how many tears I can shed for Nate. If he was calling me, why would he want me to leave?

Nate hasn't been making sense ever since our fight.

George walked out and gathered me in his arms, letting me cry into his chest. "I hate him," he grumbled staring directly at the door we just came out of. I could only cry further; I didn't want to cause a problem between them too.

"He's your best friend. Go back in there and talk to him," I said pulling away.

George grabbed my shoulders. "And who are you, a stranger? Loretta we were best friends before I even met Nate. I will always put you first, understand?" His voice had risen and was now capturing the attention of most of the bystanders.

I just stared at him, letting the tears run down my face. The moment was graciously ruined when Tammy suddenly started sobbing uncontrollably. "That was bloody beautiful," she said wiping away her tears, clearly still intoxicated.

We both looked at each other before erupting into laughter. "I think we need to take her home," I said, wiping the ears from my face. He agreed with me, grabbing his fiancée's hand and leading us all out of the hospital.

At the apartment, George clearly wanted to make sure that I was okay, but I forced him to take care of Tammy who was attempting to make her way up the stairs. Her body swayed left to right. 

"George, I’m fine. Tammy needs you right now." I pushed him in her direction. He reluctantly agreed and ran over to Tammy just in time to catch her from tripping over her heels. I watched with amusement and a little jealousy as he helped her up the stairs. 

I felt my chest tighten as I thought about Nate. I wondered if I was ever going to be able to not think about Nate. The fact that he called for me whilst in and out of consciousness was enough to have me hoping that Nate still wanted me in his life. 

If he really was protecting me, surely, I would be safer with Nate.