Wild Nights With My Brother's Ex-Best Friend novel Chapter 81

NICOLE

Sebastian draws back. Shock is written all over his face. "What do you mean, it's over? What are you talking about, Nicole?"

I turn the water off and step out of the shower. He steps aside to let me pass, his eyes on me the whole time. My heart is slamming against my chest so fast that it feels like I'm running a marathon.

I know Sebastian is waiting for an answer but at the same time, the words are lodged in my throat and I can't get them out.

"Nicole," he says again, following me. He reaches for the towel in the rack and wraps it swiftly around his waist. "What's going on? I need you to talk to me."

"It's not going to work," I clarify. "Our relationship, Sebastian. I can't...keep doing this."

"I know my mother—"

"It isn't just that," I cut him off. "Something happened tonight, something I know you won't forgive me for. I can't forgive myself either."

His pause is almost unnatural. Softly, he asks me, "What're you talking about?"

"I got involved with someone," I reveal. "I'm sorry."

I realize how cold the words came out, but it's too late for me to take them back. Sebastian eyes me in disbelief before turning his body away from me, his hand on his forehead.

All I can do is stand and watch.

Later, I'll ask myself why I wasn't afraid that he'd hit me or something. But for now, all I do is stare back and wait for his response.

"When did that even happen?" he questions. "Are you lying to me to make this easier?"

"No, I'm not. I wish I were."

Disbelief is written all over his face. "What the fuck, Nicole?"

"I'm just trying to be transparent with you," I explain. "I know I'm not doing this right, but is there a right way to end a relationship? I don't know, okay? I just know that we can't be together anymore. I don't believe we're right for each other. You deserve someone who'll give you peace of mind. I'll never be that person because your family doesn't approve of me."

"Damn what they think!" he yells. "I've never once cared about any of that and I've always assured you that—"

"Don't lie to me!" I interject. "Yes, you cared. You cared a lot! And it hurt me to know how much you wanted it. But you didn't respect my wishes either in that regard. You only thought about yourself and what you wanted! And I'm sorry I didn't tell you that before, but I'm telling you now!"

He runs a hand down his face. I've never seen him this flustered before in my life. I clench and unclench my hands as I continue watching him.

"This can't be happening," he remarks. "I'm sorry, Nicole, but I can't believe this is happening."

"I'm sorry. About tonight. About everything," I admit. "I never wanted things to end this way. You're a good man, Sebastian. It's just that we're not right for each other and I'm tired of pretending that we are. We're worlds apart."

He hangs his head. Silence falls upon us, and neither of us moves. I fold my arms across my chest, counting each passing second because it's easier to focus on that than whatever's happening right here in the bathroom.

Suddenly, he asks, "Who is he? Who's this man?"

"I can't tell you," I admit. "I honestly don't think it matters."

His eyes meet mine. "It matters to me."

I keep my lips sealed. Sebastian starts toward me, and again, I don't flinch or even feel afraid that he might hurt me or react violently to this whole thing. I mean, I just told him that I cheated on him.

I do have a few savings. Maybe I can get out at the nearest stop and figure things out from there? But I'd have to pay my own ticket back home and I'd be on my own in a foreign place. I think we're headed to the Bahamas now—we'll be stopping at the Nassau port.

What can I do from there? We're in a whole foreign country?

Dammit, I knew I shouldn't have come.

I've just asked for trouble by doing this.

But at least I was honest with Sebastian. That's what I hold onto. I wouldn't stand it if I deceived him just because I needed a place to stay.

As for Roman...

The sound of the door opening and closing jolts me out of my thoughts. Sebastian is gone. I step into the room, look around, and sigh, feeling devastated. All this stress has me feeling sleepy—and I would rather believe that it's the stress than the sex I had with Roman that's putting me to sleep.

I throw myself on the bed, towel and all, and as soon as my head hits the pillow, all my thoughts move to the back of my mind and my eyelids grow heavy.

I'm asleep in a matter of seconds.

I manage to sleep through the night, and I know this because when I open my eyes, the room is flooded with light. A few minutes later, I realize what has woken me up.

It's the sound of banging at the door.

I rub my eyes while I sit up, then fasten the towel around me before heading to the door. I don't even ask myself who it could be. Maybe I'm so sleepy that I'm not thinking straight.

I open the door, and find Sebastian's mother peering at me, smoke practically coming out of her nose.