CHAPTER THIRTY

LORENZO GRAYSON\VADIM KERZHAKOV ©

Winter had already set in and the air outside was cold.

It cut through my coat as I stood by the car, my back resting against it.

I looked up at the clear night sky and for a moment, my thoughts drifted to my mother.

I pulled my hands out of my pockets and reached into my coat, took out a cigar, and lit it.

All of a sudden, a light drizzle suddenly began to fall.

I dropped the cigar to the ground and crushed it beneath my shoe.

I was about to head back inside the bar when I noticed Nick leaving through the front entrance.

His shift must have ended.

Before I could think much about it, the drizzle turned into a downpour.

I quickly got into my car before I got soaked and glanced at the dashboard clock.

It was almost midnight.

Then Kyle's words echoed in my mind.

“...he works hard every day, trying to take care of his little sister.”

Through the rain-covered windshield, I watched Nick. He held his bag over his head as he hurried back under the shelter of the bar's entrance.

Even from a distance, he looked worried. Every few seconds, he glanced at the time on his phone.

I started the engine and drove toward the entrance.

When I pulled up beside him, I rolled down the window and Nick looked over.

His hair and clothes were damp, and he was shivering from the cold.

“Get in,” I called over the sound of the rain.

He frowned immediately and shook his head.

“I'm fine,” he said, looking away.

“I'm asking nicely,” I replied and he let out a loud scoff.

“You'll hit me again or what?” he asked and I let out a tired sigh.

Without another word, I stepped out of the car into the rain.

Nick immediately took a step back as I walked toward him.

I reached for him and brushed the rainwater from his shoulders.

He shivered the moment I touched him. His clothes were soaked through.

Before he could protest, I slipped off my coat and draped it over his shoulders.

Then I pulled him toward the passenger side and made sure he got inside.

I hurried back into the driver's seat, dripping wet from the rain and pulled onto the road.

“Where am I going?” I asked and he stayed quiet for a few seconds.

Then he pulled my coat tighter around himself and pointed ahead.

“That way,” he said. The rest of the drive was silent afterwards.

The only time he spoke was to tell me where to turn.

Rain tapped against the windows while the engine hummed softly beneath us.

I switched on the heater and warm air slowly filled the car.

Neither of us said a word. Then, out of nowhere, Nick broke the silence.

“You still haven't apologized.” he said and I let out a quiet scoff.

“Wow,” I said. “That's a great way to thank me for helping you.”

Nick turned his head and looked out the window.

“I didn't ask for your help.”

I glanced at him for a second before returning my attention to the road.

“I don't have anything to apologize for, kid.” I said and his head snapped toward me immediately.

“What?”

I ignored him and he sighed.

“You can just drop me off at that junction.” he added and I kept driving.

As we moved through the streets, something about the route caught my attention.

The roads looked familiar. I'd driven through this area before, I just couldn't remember when.

“Do you still feel cold?” I asked. I could see him shivering even with my coat wrapped around his shoulders.

He didn't answer and I let out a quiet sigh.

“You weren't planning to ask for money when you saw Alina...” I paused and rephrased my words.

“When you saw Professor Douglas and me making out.”

Nick scoffed and turned fully toward me.

“Why would I?” he asked as he pointed at himself. “Do you seriously think I care about that?”

Before I could answer, he looked away and turned back to the window.

“You can fvck all I care but what hurts the most is you insulting me.“

His voice was quieter now. For a moment, my chest tightened.

“Why would you think that of me?” he asked as he finally turned to face me.

“Why would you think I'd blackmail you?” His words shook slightly as he talked.

He looked away and pointed ahead. “You can pull over. My house is over there.”

I heard him sniff quietly. Without a word, I pulled the car to the side of the road.

Then he nodded to himself as if trying to gather his thoughts.

“Thank you,” he said softly.

It sounded like it took effort to get the words out.

He opened the door and stepped into the rain.

I stayed where I was, watching him through the side mirror as he slowly walked toward the house.

Before I could think, I got out of the car and followed him. The rain had reduced into a light drizzle.

“Nick,” I called and he kept walking as if he hadn't heard me.

“Nick, wait.” This time he stopped and turned around.

His eyes met mine.

“Why does it have to be you?” he asked, his voice thick as he sniffled.

“Why does it have to be you who looked down on me?“ he added and I let out a slow sigh.

Then I closed the distance between us and pulled him into a hug.

He froze for a moment.

“Fine,” I said quietly, my words coming out as a whisper. “I was wrong. I insulted you.”

I paused.

“And I regret it.”

For a few seconds, neither of us moved. Then he slowly pulled away from my arms.

He avoided my gaze and cleared his throat, pretending he wasn't affected by the apology.

“Thank you for tonight, sir,” he said softly, lowering his head.

“Sir?...” I started to say. Then a familiar voice cut me off.

“Uncle!”

Both Nick and I turned toward the house. A little girl stood at the doorway, waving excitedly.

And suddenly, everything clicked. This was the reason the street and house felt so familiar.

It was her. The stubborn little girl I had taken to the hospital after she got bit by a dog. Mira, if I remembered right.

A chuckle escaped me.

“I was wondering why this street looked familiar.”

Mira ran straight toward us through the light rain.

The confusion on his face was impossible to miss as Mira's arms wrapped around my leg.

“Uncle, how have you been?” she asked brightly.

Nick immediately took my coat from his shoulders and wrapped it around her instead.

“You'll catch a cold, Mira,” he said, gently pulling it tighter around her.

The concern in his voice made me smile. Then he looked back at her.

“How do you know him?” he whispered. Mira's eyes lit up.

“He's the uncle who took me to the hospital after the dog bite.“

Nick froze. Slowly, he looked up at me, with surprise filling his face.

“You're that uncle?” he asked. “Oh my! How should I repay you?“

I ignored the question and simply ruffled Mira's hair.

Now I see where her stubbornness comes from.

“How can I repay you for your help? Thank you so much,” he said, bowing his head politely.

I glanced at the time.

“Both of you should head inside,” I said. “You’ll catch a cold out here. It’s already midnight, and you have school at dawn.”

“Uncle, will I see you again?” she asked, looking up at me.

Before I could answer, Nick stepped in quickly.

“Come on, let’s go inside,” he said.

He gently took her arm and helped her toward the house.

“Goodnight, sir, and thank you for tonight,” he said, bowing his head before heading inside.

I stayed where I was for a moment and watched them disappear into the house.

I returned back to the car and drove off. A small chuckle slipped out of me as I rested my elbow against the window.

For the first time that night, I felt a bit of relief settle in.