Cover By _taliyahk_

Dedicated to midas-.

Question of the day: "What would you name your boat if you had one?"

"Was I too soft or the world was too hard on me?"

****

I watch Ian slowly walking towards me in my peripheral vision. "It's Ian." Nate says, his voice obviously not pleased.

Ian ignores him. "Hi." He says, breathless. An air of calmness surrounds the room when I see him.

"Hi." I smile. I don't know why the smile comes up, but it surprises he and me both. It doesn't surprise Nathan though, because he is scowling while looking at us. "Why are you here?" I ask, quickly.

"To check on you and... see your leg. Didn't know he lives here too." There's a sort of venom in Ian's voice when he addresses Nate.

But I ignore him. "Yeah, he sort of moved in here as time passed. We couldn't stay without each other." I smile at Nate and he just looks at Ian as if thinking of beheading him. So much for civility. What's with the bad blood between them?

"Your leg." Ian motions and stoops down and takes it in his hands, examining my leg with scrutiny of a determined doctor. Wow, ever heard of consent? I look at his focused features and notice a light stubble growing. I hope he keeps it. He looks good. "Can you move it?" He asks. I roll my eyes but try to and succeed to move it at least a few degrees till suddenly sharp pain shoots all the way up. I wince and he puts a hand over my leg again, telling me to stop. "It hurts?" I nod. "Did you put ice on it?"

"Yes, all day." I look at Nate and wink at him. "Nate put ice on it all day yesterday." I don't know who I am trying to reassure by constantly looking at Nate. Him or myself.

"Good." He stands up. Ian looks awkward standing like that, and I feel bad for him. So I say, "You can stay for dinner," when Nate speaks, "You can leave now." Way to be a good host, Nate.

Ian looks indecisive now. I glare at Nate, telling him to back off with my expression. I smile back at Ian and he mouths an "Okay."

That is the moment when some foul smell invades my nostrils. "Funny thing," I say, smiling sheepishly (That is actually my cruel smile) at Nate, "someone promised me they won't burn my utensils."

Nate's eyes widen in shock and he makes a run for the kitchen. I laugh and try to get up but to no such luck. Ian comes and helps me, putting his arms around my waist. I keep my eyes focused on the ground, continuing to ignore the sparks that his touch is eliciting on my waist.

"The lasagna is burned." I whip away from him the moment I hear Nate's voice. Ian's arms fall to his side and I look at Nate with the poker face I never knew I had. "What should we do now?"

"Let me order something." I start browsing through my phone, but I notice from the corner of my eyes that Ian is standing there uncomfortably. Again. "You can sit down if you want." My eyes are glued to the phone.

He hesitates. "No, I should get going."

I say, "No, stay. the moment Nate says, "I will show you to the door." Honestly, the way we are disagreeing with each other, makes me want to groan.

Ian looks torned now. "I guess I will listen to Nate this time. I wouldn't want to be a bother to you guys. Plus I have an early shift tomorrow. I should probably get some rest."

I shake my head and am about to say that he can rest here but refrain to do so. It shocks me that I was but to tell Ian to stay in a house where I live with my boyfriend. But in my defense, there's a calmness in the room when he is around. So none can blame me for wanting it to last. "Okay, you're probably right. I now nod.

"Great. Let's go guy." Nate says making his presence known to me. He seems so eager for Ian to leave.

Truth be told, it is weird how one word Ian speaks, and I forget all about my surroundings. I remain standing, putting as little pressure as possible to my injured leg, as Ian gives me a tight smile and leaves with Nate for the front door. I finish ordering the food and when I see Nate's still not back, I hear hushed voices coming from the front door.

The living room would have a clear view of the foyer if it weren't for the dumb pillars blocking it. I limp towards the foyer but doing that hurts so I stop near one of those pillars. From where I am standing now I can see Nate and Ian are having a rather heated conversation. I still can't properly hear them, so I try walking again.

"...you don't get it, alright? I am not like that anymore."

"Like what? She doesn't deserve someone like you in her life. You almost kill a man three years ago. And two days ago too..." that stops me in my tracks. I gasp, this revolution jarring me.

"What is he talking about Nate?" I ask but my voice comes out small. Nate doesn't hear me, but Ian sees me.

The front door is open, and Ian is outside on the porch, while Nate seems to be fuming. Ian shakes his head and taking his eyes off me. He begins to walk away, but Nate grabs him from behind. My eyes widen.

Nate's back is to me, but I can still imagine the fire in his eyes. Like that day in the club. All the emotions I kept buried since I saw him beat up that man come rushing back. Distress. Alarm. And most importantly, fear. I hadn't paid heed to those feelings as I thought they were just products of the adrenaline rush of that day. But now that they resurface, I feel like I am clutching my stomach for my life in fear.

But I'm not fearful for myself but for Ian. Just like I was for the life of that man Nate was beating up in the club. Before Nate can lay a hand on him, I push myself forward and put my hands on Nate's biceps, trying to stop him. But what happens next doesn't only break my leg, it breaks my heart too.

Since i promised that I'll update early......

Anyways, DO NOT murder me for this chapter. Ik some of you knew Zara had it coming. And if you don't know what I am talking about....Then...ig u'll understand in chapter 17.

And yes, we are close to 2k. And if you guys get me 2k before the Thursday....then there'll be a double update. So buckle up folks! A lot to do!

Have a nice day ahead and happy reading!