N A S H

"Ugh..." I groaned, pushing the sheets off of me in the bed. My fist was wrapped up in bandages, and it still burns.

I brought it to my chest from the edge of the bed, glancing over to Bree's side. But she was gone. I pressed my fingers to my lips as I grew more awake.

Where is she?

Oh right.

I bit my lip as I inched up, stretching my back as the memories flooded back of kissing her.

I covered my face, going into thought about it. I did that. No taking it back, I did it on my own accord.

I looked at myself in the mirror, still in my black shirt from last night. But instead I had on black basketball shorts.

Well, at least it didn't escalate. Should I have drank last night?

And where is Xian..? Oh, if he's still hitting on her... I clenched my jaw and rushed out of my room, glancing around for any sign of life.

"Hi." Bree stepped out of the bathroom, drying her hair and looking up at me with the familiar red glow on her cheeks. She was dressed now, looking much brighter than she did yesterday.

She had back on the red crop top and jean shorts. I know she only has limited clothes.

"Hey.." Is it going to be awkward?

"How'd you sleep?" I asked as she laughed."Not much. You were..." She looked away and my heart twinged like a bee sting. What did I do?

"Nothing bad, just you were out like a light and I stayed up watching TV." She shrugged, holding the towel close to her body.

"So, any work today..?" She asked, scratching her cheek."I'll have to let you know." I forced a soft smile, reaching for the towel."Do you want me to put this with the ones Coal will wash..?"

She smiled and nodded, her fingers brushing against my hand. She did her makeup too, that pretty pink lip gloss on her lips. This is going to drive me crazy again...

Her cheeks began to darken with red as she looked down."So..." She began, biting her lip.

"What changed?" She asked, leaning against the bathroom counter. She was straight to the point and something about that made my bones tense. I stared at her for a moment before just looking away.

"You said we were friends." She tapped her nails against the counter, waiting for my reply.

How do I even put it into words?

"I don't know..." I gulped, seeing her brows furrow."I mean we are." Oh, that was definitely the wrong words.

Her stare sealed that into certainty."Well- I don't know..." I pinched the bridge of my nose, sighing.

I can't just say Xian was getting ready to hit on you. I didn't do it for that I just wanted her.

I do want her.

Her brows furrowed before accepting the answer."Okay.." She glanced back in the mirror, returning to fixing her hair.

I could sense her frustration as she tried to fluff it only to brush it back down. But I don't see what's wrong.

"You look good. I don't think you need to do anything else.." I whispered, not sure if what I was saying was okay.

She glanced back at me, before beginning to grin. The happiness glimmering in her eyes felt rewarding. But, in an instant, it faded a little.

"Thank you, bestie." She rolled her eyes, making me cringe. Maybe I should just walk away.

I just need to find maybe contact Mr. Clyde about the job. See what else I need to do. I looked at her plump lips again, it was like I could feel them again as I reminisced.

"I'll go call Mr. Clyde." I cleared my throat, beginning to walk away."Hey Nash." She started, making me turn.

"Yeah?"

"When this is over.." She tapped pink glitter eyeshadow onto her eyelids."Since I had to destroy my phone, do you think you can get me a new one?"

I froze before just staring at her. Her tone was teasing but still, the words made me feel a bit guilty. "You said you'd pay my therapy bills, that's more expensive than just a phone real quick.." She smirked, looking over her shoulder at me.

"I'll get you a phone..." I sighed, shaking my head. I went back to my room and grabbed my phone, flipping it open and calling Mr. Clyde.

"Hello?" He was quick to answer, his scratchy voice worse than usual.

"Hey, I was wondering if you had anything for us to do today? I sent you those files." I cleared my throat, going through my clothes.

"Oh, yes! I'm so glad you called. I need you to go find that kid again, Cyrus." He was giddy.

"He's at his art class. Get him alone. Use that information you have against him. Corner him and do not let him go. Take Xian with you if you think you need him." He instructed, making me hiss through my teeth.

I can't take Xian.

I punched him in the face yesterday, so I don't think we can have a casual job today...

"I can handle him."

"Did you guys fight again? Take Coal or worse come to worst that girl then." He sighed, shuffling papers over the phone.

"It's in 2 hours, 2 PM. Go get ready and corner him after he is done working." Mr. Clyde was stern. I took a deep breath.

"Yes sir."

Do I want Bree to see that..? I don't think Coal will agree even if I beg, because he doesn't want to be near anything Rodger is doing.

"Well- actually, take duct tape in case he doesn't cooperate. Worse come to worst, take him." He switched, flipping a page.

"Call me when it's done." He hung up, leaving me in my thoughts. Should I even ask Coal..?

He walked past my door with the basket of towels.

"Oh hey, wait- take this." I gave him the towel, meeting his tired eyes. He has dark circles, I've never seen him like that. We had him stressed out last night.

"Thank you..." He sighed, seeming to know I was about to ask something.

"Can you help me with getting information from Cyrus..?" I asked, seeing his eyes widen.

"I'll do your chores if so," I said, taking the basket of towels from him. But he shook his head, taking them back.

"No- I'm not getting in that mess. Going to that party was a mistake, I'm not seeing Rodger or his stupid art boy..." He frowned, starting to the laundry room. I groaned and chased after him.

"Please Coal, I can't take Xian... And Bree doesn't deserve to see that.." I begged, but Coal snapped around.

"Nash, I want to be able to help you. But I can't. I will not get close to Rodger." He was much more stern than I had ever seen him.

I know that he isn't going to cave. I exhaled and nodded."Fine."

He walked away, leaving me alone in the hallway. Well, besides Bree in the bathroom still doing her hair.

Would she be able to help me?- No that's stupid. She isn't someone who's going to threaten. She doesn't even need to see this.

I don't know how it may even go.

"Nash.." Bree muttered, approaching me again.

"What was that about?" She asked, finally finished styling her hair."The job..." I bit my cheek and she nodded.

"What is it? Stealing more info?" She was so naive, it made my heart hurt.

"Blackmailing," I confessed, watching her face detort.

"It's just to get him to give us information on what's going on- it's okay. It's going to be fine, we won't hurt him if he is compliant." I panicked, only for her eyes to widen more.

"And if he doesn't what are you going to do..?" She asked and I huffed.

"I... I'll bring him here. Don't worry he'll be fine.." I reassured her, to which she crossed her arms.

"I'm getting ready to go, Mr. Clyde told me to take Xian, but I'm not doing that..." I explained, placing my hands against my chest.

She closed her eyes and chewed the skin off of her lip. Curling her nose, she pressed her fingers into her arms, leaving pale indentations.

"Ugh... Take me. Let me see how this is done." She stared at me. The breath I was taking in halted as I processed.

I didn't expect that. I don't think she's seeing how serious this is.

"Uh, you shouldn't just be there to watch, so just stay." I shut it down, waving my hand down.

She leaned against the hallway wall."Well- then I'll be... Lookout." She suggested, fixing her shirt.

I furrowed my brows."You don't wanna see this." I went to walk away but she clung to my arm.

I paused and looked down, feeling her skin against my hand. She stared up at me."Bree, you don't wanna get any more involved..." I pulled my arm away, brushing against her stomach.

It's still addicting to feel her skin...

"Haven't we already argued this..?" She asked, furrowing her brows.

"I'm serious, it won't be pretty. This is nothing like stealing information." I looked away, still feeling her eyes on me.

I held my breath before sighing. Sometimes she seems to just run by the fuel of her morbid curiosity.

"I'll be home soon." I don't think I want her to see this at all.

-

I sat in my car, careful to not make a peep as I watched to see when Cyrus would leave. He parked in the same area except this time it was scarce. Except for him and me.

I read over the information I had written down. All the blackmail, from his family to the money he stole, to money laundering currently.

I have been reading over it and I think I have memorized it.

I sat down the paper and glanced toward the building.

Cyrus began to walk this way, making me hurry out of my car. I adjusted my shirt, taking a deep breath.

I have my gun on my hip, in the waistline of my jeans. I started walking toward him, I wasn't going to run. I'm not going to give him any reason to panic and try to run if I can help it.

But, Cyrus's eyes already grew fearful. He looked more exhausted than usual today, even in his movements. I don't know if he is going to be very compliant...

"Hey." I didn't bother to smile, I think it would freak him out more.

"Hello..?" He replied, the only thing in his hands was the familiar sketch pad. They began to shake in my presence.

"Can I talk to you?" I asked, feeling his paranoia grow."Why?" He gulped, pressing the book against his stomach.

"It's important. Just come on." I motioned, but he seemed frozen in place.

"No- why are you here..?" His paranoid eyes kept switching between my car and me, then toward my hands. I kept them at my sides, my stare was unwavering.

"Because I need to talk to you." I reiterated and his lips parted, making me notice the missing skin on them.

"Ugh-.. I know what you're doing." I lowered my voice, the deep tone rattling in my chest. I could feel the paranoia flood into him.

"What..?" He backed up just a little and I shook my head, stepping toward him. He whipped out his phone, keeping his left foots base from touching the concrete.

Shoot what is he doing? Is he calling the police..?

His shoulder began to rise and fall and with the small turn of his ankle, he got ready to run.

I panicked and grabbed both his wrists, yanking him back with a small pop from his arms. My knuckles began to burn as the bandages pulled from my force.

He winced, groaning under his breath. Even with the pain I had inflicted, he tried to loosen his arm to elbow me. But I grew rougher and tugged his arms down by his wrist.

"Agh..!" He yelped, glancing back at me with anxiety-filled eyes. His phone was now on the ground with the contact name open being Rodger.

He was going to call Rodger after he ran from me?

"Stop, you're only hurting yourself." I warned, he was weaker than I could've expected."It won't help your case to fight me."

"Please- I don't know what you even want..!" He whimpered, trying to squirm away but that only made me restrain him more.

"I'm not even doing anything." He lied, trying to block the start of my interrogation.

"I'm trying to do this the easy way. I don't have any reason to hurt you if you just relax and talk..." My words made him stop thrashing around. I kept my restraints tight as I glanced around for anyone else.

I might want to get us out of here before others see me restraining this innocent-looking guy.

"Come on..." I dragged him toward my car, doing my best to keep him restrained as I opened my backseat's door.

I can't believe he was going to call Rodger on me. I can't just let him go now. We can't just talk... This just had to happen.

I shoved him into my backseat and grabbed the duct tape on my floor. Cyrus tried to flee and flail as soon as he noticed, scratching my cheek with his jagged nails.

I jerked away, feeling the cold burn.

He froze, looking up at my face where he scratched. He made a whisper of disbelief.

I grabbed his hand and jerked him close to get the other.

"Why are you doing this..?" Cyrus whimpered."You're insane!" He raised his voice, making me rip the duct tape with a snap.

"Don't yell," I demanded, looking down at his ankles. I don't know if I should restrain him entirely.

A bit of guilt crept up on me as I met his eyes. I know he's scared. But it's just the job. Have I gone soft..?

"Do you think you can cooperate calmly?" I asked, but his frown shifted into a scowl, going to kick me.

I grabbed his ankles and sighed."Wait no- stop!" He shifted back from any amount of anger to fear, thrashing around more.

I didn't want to have to do this. I tied his ankles and shoved him to the floorboard."I'll just wait until you calm." I sighed, shutting the door.

I sprinted back to grab his phone, a new crack in the screen from the fall. I hope he isn't expecting a new one too.

Tears filled his eyes as I walked back to the driver's seat. I opened the door and started the engine, blocking out his questions with the radio.

"Please.! Just what do you want to know??" He begged, trying to lean up from the floor.

"Your job with Rodger," I stated, pulling out of the parking lot under the bridge and back to the main road.

He whimpered, returning back to the floorboard as his cries faded out. I guess he's just accepting his fate...

I wonder what he thinks I'm going to do with him right now.

-

I got back to the house and now I was just sitting outside of my car, staring at Cyrus in my floorboard.

He looked so tired he wasn't even trying to fight now, just gave in.

"Do I have to stay here..?" He asked, struggling to lift his head to face me.

"Mm, would you rather be in a chair inside?" I raised my brow, standing up.

"Is it a comfy chair..?" His voice was growing more exhausted as he spoke, almost becoming vapid.

Why is he getting so weak? I can't do anything if he passes out on me. I looked toward the house and sighed.

I guess I'm going to have to get Xian.

I shut my car door and began walking away, hearing him yell out to me, only to fade out.

I opened the front door and saw him on the couch, his nose was bandaged and his left eye was black.

I met eyes with him, both of us tensing.

"Nope." Xian spat, standing up and walking away. I gawked for a moment before just groaning.

And Coal already said no...

All I have is Bree.

Or I could just lift him myself?

I took up the second option, rushing back outside and opening the door to a distraught Cyrus.

"I thought you were going to leave me in here to have a heat stroke..!" He panted, which I ignored, grabbing his arms to drag him out.

He groaned as I got him out, trying my best to carry him stable. His restrained legs hit the gravel, he didn't even try to fight now nor stand.

"Where's your friends..? Can't they help so you won't just drag me..?" He whispered, making me scoff."They aren't gonna help." I tried to be gentle enough with him. I did promise I wouldn't hurt him...

"Nash- Nash??!" Bree exclaimed from behind me, making me jump and drop him."Ow-!" He yelped, landing on the side of his face in the gravel.

"What the hell are you doing??" She stared at me in shock and I put my hands up.

"Please just listen.." I gulped, Cyrus lifting his head."I'm not hurting him... I promise you.. I kinda panicked and got here..." I whispered to her. She approached us while scratching her cheek, looking down at Cyrus before crouching to his level.

"Are you okay?" She asked, making him give me a quite dumbfounded look."Your boyfriend is kidnapping me..?"

"I'm getting the info I need out of you." I snapped, seeing her eyes widen.

"Bree- can you help me?" I asked, pinching the bridge of my nose."Just grab his ankles I'll carry his upper body."

Her eyes remained widened, before she backed up a little."Sometimes I forget how crazy your life is.." She gulped, looking around before leaning down.

"I know." I grabbed his upper body, taking most of his weight as she lifted his ankles.

I walked backward, looking behind me instead of at her. Her eyes are filled with so many emotions, that I can't do it right now.

We got him through the front door and she kicked it shut with her heel.

"Oh, you're home-oh my gosh, you took him hostage??" Coal panicked as we got him onto the couch.

"Well, it's either that or he calls Rodger on me." I said, seeing Cyrus's blue eyes flicker around.

"Do you need anything..?" Bree asked, scratching her arm as she tapped her foot in sync.

"Some water and freedom would be nice." Cyrus's expression was still exhausted and fearful despite his snarky words.

Bree glanced at me and I shook my head."Water, but besides that you're staying here." I leaned against the couch's side, looking at Coal's shocked expression.

He acts shocked as if this is the first time this has happened...

Bree went to go get the water and Coal grabbed his keys from the table.

"I'm going out. I can't.." He opened the door and slammed it shut, making Cyrus flinch.

"Are you gonna do torture until I spill..?" He interrupted, making my head snap toward him.

"All you have to do is tell me what I want to know and you know, prove you won't go run to Rodger and cry wolf." I crossed my arms as Bree rushed back in with the cup of water and a straw.

"Here.." She gave him a sip of it, careful to not spill it.

The way she's trying to be so kind and caring to him makes my heart feel like it weighs a ton. She's so empathetic to someone who can get us all in worsening trouble.

"So your name is Bree..?" Cyrus asked, clearing his throat as she sat the glass down."Yes."

"You talked to me at that party. You were trying to scrounge information out of me then.." He whispered, closing his eyes.

He seems so unhealthy. But maybe it is the drugs.

"I'm surprised you even remember it.." She glanced back at me, studying me.

I didn't know what to do, so I smiled. But she gave me a saddened look.

"Listen... I haven't slept in almost 24 hours, can you guys just let me... Sleep.." Cyrus begged, making me sigh.

"You need to talk."-

"Nash..!- Yes, sleep. We'll talk once you're not on the verge of passing out." Bree interrupted, grabbing my shirt tail.

I don't really appreciate her interrupting me. But as soon as I looked back Cyrus's eyes were already tugging down.

"Fine.." I huffed, grabbing Bree's hand and removing it from my shirt. She moved to my wrist and tugged me, struggling to drag me.

Her nose scrunched just a bit as she gave it her all to try and move me. I couldn't help but giggle for a moment.

Her cheeks flushed red and she tugged a bit harder.

I gave in and let her pull me, following her movements to the hallway.

"Can you tell me what happened..?" She whispered, continuing to my room. I paused, leaning against the doorway.

"I went to confront him and he tried to flee. He tried to call Rodger and that made me realize if I let him go, he was going to call him certainly so I panicked." I cleared my throat, watching her plop down on my bed with 2 bounces.

"He looks so sick." She commented, crossing her legs. I nodded, glancing at her neck.

Her hair spiraled down it as she examined my face. There were sparse freckles across it, each one complimenting the other.

"Do you know about the scratches on your face?" She asked, pointing to them as I approached the bed. I sat down next to her and looked into my mirror.

I had 4 scratches across my cheek. It actually bled a little.

"I don't approve of what you did." She blurted.

"I know."

I brought my hand to my cheek, wiping the dry blood off. She touched my cheek as well, examining the scratches.

"Does it hurt?" She leaned up, scooting closer to me. I inspected her, taking a deep breath as my heartbeat started to pick up.

I wish it wouldn't race right now...

"Not really..." My voice went hush as I felt her fingers leave my skin. Once again, it feels like ice once her warmth leaves.

"Well, clean it still..." She stood up, flicking my hair out of my face. I tried to remain more serious, but my lips tugged upward into a small smile. Unable to resist, I smiled..

She returned it, before picking up my shirt."Your room is messy. Mine is too at home." She changed the subject, throwing it into my dirty clothes.

"What was it like..?" I inquired, a sudden glimmer of joy overcoming her.

"Oh my gosh- it was so cute. Well, I shared it with my little cousin. Aunt C didn't have a big house.." Bree began to trail off, looking out of my window.

"Coal said you used to have an apartment in New York, right?" She returned to standing in front of me, looking into my eyes.

My throat began to feel like it had butterflies, which was uncomfortable."Yes... But, when this chaos started I was near the end of my lease anyway."

Bree hummed, studying my face. Am I wearing a funny expression? Bree placed her hand against my cheek again, examining the scratches.

"I'm surprised his nails were so sharp.." She hissed, leaning closer. I went to back up, but forced my body to put the brakes on. I want her touch, but I feel like I could combust.

I nodded, honing in on her lips.

I cleared my throat and turned my face away.

" I- we need to pass the time until he wakes.." I gulped, her fingers tracing my jaw again. I can't tell if she's doing this on purpose or if it's subconscious now.

I glanced back in the corner of my eye, her gaze was intense.

"Mmm... Okay, let's just find something to do." She grinned, letting go and placing her hands on her hips.

"Do you have any games?"

"I'll check.."

-

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