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? I

pinch. She shakes her head

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

1 freeze.

worried. It's like she knows, but isn't aware of how much she can push me. We're friends, well,

other?

starts thudding in my ears, and for a second, I'm not sitting here on my bed. I'm somewhere else, floating outside myself, staring at this cracked, complicated version of me, wondering if this is it. If this is my chance to finally be honest with

I exhale slowly.

then, before

out.

I tell her everything.

it feels. About the stolen moments, the looks, the touches, the feelings I've tried to keep neat and tidy in

being judged, and how I hate the stares because they remind me of

feel like I've finished all the oxygen in the room. My chest is heaving a little. I

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

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is hanging open. For a long second, she says nothing.

my god,"

My stomach twists as I start shaking my head. "I

judgment. Well... okay, maybe a little." She gives me a wide-eyed look. "But seriously, girl. Three?! You've got three guys?

bury my face

belly laughing. "And Jake?! An older

middle of the emotions I'm struggling

me, nearly doubling over. "I can barely handle one! I don't even know how to text back half

my pillow over

probably hear you," I mumble, even though

can't help it. Her

down beside me. "I have to catch my

drop the pillow to look at

lot."

snort. "You're acting like you're

freaked out yesterday. And threw up. I get it

I frown.

the constant sleeping? Makes

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It Might Be Everything

chest. "Wait. What

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

telling me."

heart hammers in my chest.

her

"Nikki."

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