Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

Chapter 167

It Might Be Everything

I scoot back and sit cross-legged on my bed, picking at the fraying edge of my blanket

while Nikki just watches me.

There's a soft smile on her lips, like she's trying to decide if she should start this conversation. I'm floating somewhere between exhausted and just empty, trying to keep

my mind focused on the present.

Nikki sighs and tilts her head at me. "You know I called you five times yesterday?"

I blink and look over at her, offering a crooked little smile. "It was fifteen times, actually."

Her eyes widen. "Really?"

I can't help but laugh, but it comes out like a tired sigh.

"Fifteen times?! Are you serious? That's fucking annoying. I get why you didn't

answer

me."

That draws an actual laugh from me. "Did you think I was dead or something?"

"I did!" she says, dramatically slapping her hand over her heart. "I was about two minutes. away from driving over and breaking the door down."

"You wouldn't have made it past the guys, plus I was sleeping all day," I tell her, my voice

soft but teasing.

Her mouth twists into an exaggerated grimace. “I was worried about you."

The corner of my mouth twitches again. I can't help but be grateful she's here, that she

cares enough to check up on me.

She shifts onto the bed, turning so she's fully facing me. "But seriously... are you okay? Yesterday was a lot."

I lower my gaze, studying my hands in my lap. I can feel my shoulders start to tense. "Yeah, I'm better today."

She watches me carefully. "You don't have to pretend with me. If you want to talk about

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It Might Be Everything

it, I'm here."

My knee bounces once, betraying me. "I don't know. It was stupid, right?

She shakes her head immediately.

mean... maybe, maybe there's more going on? More than just Zaid and

1 freeze.

much she can push me. We're friends, well, she's my only friend. But how much do

other?

this cracked, complicated version of me, wondering if this is it. If this is my chance to finally

I exhale slowly.

going on," I admit. And then, before I

out.

I tell her everything.

tried to keep neat and tidy in my head but always end up spilling all over the place. I tell her about the way they each make me feel different. Safe.

about the guilt, the confusion, the fear of being judged, and how I hate the stares because they remind me of Florida, of

time I stop talking, I feel like I've finished all the oxygen in the room. My chest is heaving a little. I realize I'm gripping the blanket so

her to hate me, to think less of me. But I also don't want

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It Might Be Everything

open. For a long second, she says nothing. And then she stands up

my god,"

as I start shaking my head. "I know.

look. "But seriously, girl. Three?! You've got three

face in

belly laughing. "And Jake?! An

makes me smile in the middle of the emotions I'm

"I can barely handle one! I don't even know how to text back half the time! You're out here managing three

my pillow

yelling, Jake can probably hear you,"

too. I can't help it. Her

down beside me. "I have to

drop the pillow

a lot." She's breathing

like you're going through

you freaked out yesterday. And threw up. I get

I frown.

constant sleeping? Makes

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It Might Be Everything

my chest. "Wait. What do

me like I've grown another head. "I thought this

telling me."

my chest. "Of

her head.

"Nikki."

as she wrings her hands together. "Do you have pregnancy tests