Chapter 337: Who Is Nathan?

Kayla’s POV

Holly and Nathan both pursed their lips and gave us identical judgmental looks, like we were the unreasonable ones.

I turned to Nathan, trying to regain some control. “Just give me your address. We’ll drop you off at your house and then, you shouldn’t contact me again.”

Nathan opened his mouth to protest, but I cut him off firmly. “Either that or you walk home. Pick one.”

He quickly shut his mouth and started walking towards the back seat of the car without another word. He opened the door and got in. Holly turned to follow but David stopped her.

He snatched the keys from my hand, his jaw tight with that protective jealousy still radiating off him. “I’ll drive. Mr Nathan, front seat with me.”

Nathan climbed out of the back and moved to the front passenger side without complaint, but the tension in the car was thick enough to chew.

David kept shooting sideways glances at him, grip white-knuckled on the steering wheel, clearly ready to play bodyguard the entire ride.

I sank into the back seat beside Holly, who was still quietly giggling to herself about her ridiculous interview.

This was going to be the longest car ride of my life.

And somewhere in the chaos, I still couldn’t figure out why Nathan’s quiet little smile in the rearview mirror made my stomach flip again.

Caden. Caleb. Court. Fake husband.

Yeah… the Chinese takeout better come with extra fortune cookies, because I needed all the luck I could get tonight.

Because what the hell is all this? What have I gotten myself into?

Halfway down the road after Holly and I had talked nonstop about things happening in LA and how Ava is managing with the kids, the silence in the car had grown so heavy it felt like it was pressing on my chest.

Nathan cleared his throat suddenly, the sound awkward and way too loud in the quiet space.

“So…uh, the weather’s been pretty crazy lately, right? One minute it’s sunny, next minute it’s pouring. You ever notice how it always rains right when you forget your umbrella?”

I blinked. All of a sudden?

What kind of random small talk was that?

But Holly, bless her chaotic soul, actually perked up in the seat next to me. She leaned forward a little, eyes bright like he’d just said the most fascinating thing ever.

“Oh my gosh, yes! It’s like the universe has a personal grudge against me. Last week I stepped out looking cute and bam…rain ruined my hair in two seconds flat. I swear it’s targeted.”

Nathan chuckled, sounding relieved someone was playing along. “Exactly. And don’t get me started on how the traffic lights always turn red when you’re already running late.”

Holly nodded enthusiastically. “Right? It’s like they sense your panic and decide to test your patience.”

David’s grip on the steering wheel tightened even more.

He glanced at Holly in the rearview mirror, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Holly, won’t you get some rest? Didn’t I wear you out enough during our flight back?”

Holly’s eyes went wide. “David!” she exclaimed, her voice shooting up an octave. “Why would you announce that in front of a stranger?!”

David didn’t even flinch. “Finally. Now you know he’s a stranger. So will you keep quiet and maybe talk to Kayla about things women talk about? Or should I go on and tell the stranger how your legs were trembling after I ruined you countless times?”

Holly’s cheeks heated up instantly, turning a deep shade of red that made her look like she wanted the car seat to swallow her whole.

She sank lower in her seat, muttering something under her breath while shooting David a death glare.

I couldn’t hold it in. A laugh burst out of me before I could stop it. “Oh my God, you guys are literally animals? Inside a plane?! Really?! Holly…why am I not even surprised?”

Holly shot me a look that was half satisfied, half proud of herself. “You know me, girl. The next one will be in a more bizarre place. I have a full list in my bucket list, thank you very much.”

Nathan hit David’s shoulder lightly, grinning like he was trying to ease the tension. “Man, you’re a lucky guy for bagging a girl like her.”

David still sounded hung up on his jealousy, his tone sharp and possessive. “Thank God you know that I am her man. Finally!”

The car went quiet again for a beat, the awkwardness creeping back in. David cleared his throat this time. “So…what’s your house address, Nathan? We’ll drop you off first.”

Nathan exhaled slowly, staring straight ahead through the windshield. “I actually have a confession to make. I’m…homeless right now. I lost my job a couple weeks ago, and my landlord sent me out. No notice, nothing. I literally have no place to go right now.”

My stomach dropped. I felt a pang of sadness hit me hard, even though I tried to shove it down.

Get your shit together, Kayla. The guy could be lying for all you care. You don’t know him. Don’t start feeling sorry for strangers who pop up out of nowhere.

Don't take in strays!

David didn’t miss a beat. “Don’t you have a family member around? Friends? Colleagues? Someone you can crash with for a night?”

Nathan shook his head slowly, looking down at his hands. “I'm actually a loner. And my family is way back in New York. No one I can call right now. I was kind of hoping Kayla could…”

He didn’t finish the sentence, letting it hang in the air like a half-formed question.

David’s jaw clenched visibly. “You can crash at my place tonight. Or better still, after dropping the ladies off, I’ll take him to a hotel or lodge or whatever you like.”

Nathan shifted in his seat. “I don’t want to inconvenience you, bro. Besides, I have a wife, Kayla, so why would I stay somewhere else—”

“Because my woman will be sleeping over at Kayla’s place,” David cut in angrily, frustration clear in his voice, “and the last thing I want is to leave a total stranger with two women I am supposed to protect.”

I really felt sorry for Nathan now. The poor guy looked defeated, shoulders slumped.

My mind flashed back to that lady at the mall who had been calling his name. Maybe she was his landlady? Or one of his debtors chasing him down to either marry her or pay back with huge interest?

The thought made my chest tighten even more. Poor guy.

Just then, before Nathan could respond, flashing lights appeared in the side mirror. A police officer pulled us over.

David muttered a curse under his breath and slowed the car to a stop on the side of the road.

We all sat there in tense silence as the officer approached the driver’s side.

Through the rolled-up glass, the officer signaled for David to roll down his window.

The moment David did, the cop leaned in slightly, clearing his throat like he was about to ask for license and registration or whatever the usual drill was.

But then, for some reason, Nathan was looking out the other side of the window, face turned away like he didn’t want to be seen.

I heard him curse silently under his breath…low, sharp, and full of frustration.

It got me alert instantly. Is he running from the law? Is he a criminal? A killer? Drug dealer? Who the hell is this guy?

The officer’s eyes scanned the car and landed directly on Nathan. His expression changed in a split second.

“Captain?” he said, sounding shocked.

Wait…captain? As in a police officer?!

My heart slammed against my ribs as I stared at Nathan, waiting for everything to click into place.