8

Drake’s POV

I woke up to the sound of crashing waves and strong breeze, followed by a weight on my body. I opened my eyes and yawned, then blinked out what was left of the sleep in my body and tried to stretch, only to find it hard to move my right side. I looked down and saw Lana’s head on my chest. Half of her body was resting on mine, snuggling against me like a cute bear.

I chuckled and cupped the back of her head with my free hand and pressed my lips against the crown of her head. I inhaled her sweet scent, loving how it made me feel relaxed. Something about her scent always made me feel therapeutic. I kissed her head again and pulled her closer to me to get more warmth from her body before looking for my phone in the bedroll. I found it and took it out then checked the time— 6:23 am.

It was still early, and I needed more sleep in a way. It would take an hour or two before everyone else woke up. I dropped my phone and pulled Lana closer to me, then closed my eyes to sleep. As I welcomed sleep, I heard whispering coming from outside the tent. I furrowed my brows to try to understand what I was hearing.

“Drake?”

I opened my eyes and looked at Lana, wondering if she was the one calling me, but she was fast asleep like a baby. I looked at the entrance of the tent and waited for whoever it was to say my name again.

“Drake.”

I gently moved Lana out of my arms and got out of the bedroll then walked to the zipped entrance. I unzipped the tent and my eyes widened at the sight of Nina.

“Nina?”

She smiled. “Hi… Did I wake you?”

“No but in a way. What’s wrong?” I asked and she wrapped her arm around her waist then bit her bottom lip.

She looked confused or sad, I could not tell but something was up with her. I glanced at their tent for signs of Paul but saw none.

“Nina?”

“Paul and I had a fight,” she said in a softer voice.

I didn’t know what to say about the sudden statement. I looked around to find Paul then looked back at her.

“Are you okay?”

“No… I just want to go away from here even if it’s for a few minutes.”

I ran my fingers through my hair. I didn’t want to be a problem for the two of them, but I didn’t like how hurt she was looking. So, I nodded and offered my hand to her. She hesitantly took it then I walked away from the camp site toward the car. I checked my pocket for the car key and felt it. Once we got to the car, I took out the key and unlocked the car then opened the passenger door for her. She got in and I went around the car and boarded it.

“Where do you want to go?” I asked as I fastened my seatbelt.

“Anywhere, please.”

“Okay.”

+++

We were parked in the parking lot of an abandoned mall. It was quiet and had no signs of humans except for us. It was a perfect place, which was also where I always came to when I needed a clear mind.

“Are you okay now?”

She leaned against the window and ran her fingers on the window.

“I don’t feel good in the relationship. I feel as if he just wants me for sex.” She dropped her hand and sighed.

Which was sort of true. Paul was not ready to settle down or be in a serious relationship. Between the both of us, he was the bigger player. I was even surprised when he brought Nina to the family house. I had a feeling he liked her, but I wasn’t too sure because he gave no signs of such.

“Is he playing me, Drake?”

I felt tongue tied at the question as I didn’t have anything to say to that. I didn’t want to be the type of man to rat out a brother’s business.

“Tell me the truth so I can stop being a fool. My friends already mock me for it and how I am not his main bitch and I hate liars. Yesterday, he proved it when I saw him texting one of his flings and when I saw it was another woman, we had a fight.”

“Look, whatever is going on between the both of you is not my business,” I said, trying to put an end to the conversation.

Nina huffed and crossed her arms. I shifted my gaze to her and found a cute pout on her lips. Her silly expression made me want to laugh. Her angry expression made her look even more attractive. When I realized what I was thinking, I pinched the bridge of my nose. I was down bad for her without realizing it. Fuck.

“I need you to be honest with me.” She turned her body, so she was facing me, with her legs folded.

“Yes?”

She leaned forward with her hands pressed on the seat and with a curious expression on her face, which had an undertone of anger in it.

“You like me, don’t you?”

“I…You…What?” I chuckled. “What made you think that?”

A flat look masked her face.

“I’m serious, Drake. Do you like me?”

What I felt was much more than just liking her. I was still confused about my feelings for her. Now, out of nowhere, she was putting me in a tight space. I looked away from her as my emotions started to spiral. I wanted to answer her with the truth, to tell her just how much I wanted her and how jealous I felt. Added to the fact that, a sick part of me loved that they had issues.

“Tell me, Drake,” she demanded in a tense tone.

“Fuck it,” I muttered and faced her. “Yes! I fucking like you and want you for myself. I want you as mine and I hate it but my feelings for you are far more important than some fucking morals. I want you as mine alone and ever since I laid my eyes on you, you have been a menace to my mind. Do you understand, Nina Saw?”

Nina’s lips opened and closed, those lips that I was curious on how it tasted and would feel on mine. I hated how bad of a person I was being, but my heart was foolish to understand that falling for Nina was fucking wrong.

“What I feel for you is wrong. I should not be feeling the way that I feel for you. My brother is your boyfriend so… forget that this ever happened. Forget about what I said now.”

I started the car and side-eyed her, giving her mental signs to fasten her seatbelt. Luckily, she understood what I was saying then I pulled out of the parking lot.

+++

Once we arrived back at the camp, Lana was outside, sitting and staring into space. I walked over to her, and she looked up before looking past me. I saw something flicker in her eyes for a split second before she looked up at me. I could already sense her questions even before she opened her mouth, but I wasn't interested in it.

I sat down beside her as Nina walked toward her tent. Once she was inside, Lana turned her head to look at me.

“Not now, Lana,” I said and rubbed my eyebrows as I felt a headache coming on.

“Where did you go with her?” There was something in her tone that I could not place but I was not in the mood for her questions at the moment.

“None of your business,” I retorted, and she huffed.

“What do you think Paul is going to do when he finds out that you went out with his girlfriend?”

I gritted my teeth as anger started to bubble inside me. Lana needed to shut the fuck up because my mood was heated up. I was confused, angry, everything. My whole body was filled with emotions beyond my understanding.

“You told me you would ignore her and…Look, Drake. I think you should tell Paul your feelings at once.”

“Stop, Lana. Enough of this.” I got up and glared down at her.

From the corner of my eyes, I saw Paul march out of the tent with Nina behind him. A scowl was on his face and a sad look on hers. When he raised his gaze, it clashed with mine. I could have sworn his eyes darkened. I knew then and there that he knew where she had been and with whom because he chuckled drily and looked over his shoulder.

“We’re over, Nina. I don’t ever want to see your face again,” Paul said and walked away, leaving a heavy atmosphere.

I watched Nina, waiting to see what she would do or say. She was standing with her arms stiff on her sides and head bowed. My heart tugged at how hurt she was, and I hated seeing her that way. Without thinking twice, I walked over to her and grabbed her hand, then pulled her with me.

“Drake?” Lana called out to me in a low voice as we walked past her.

Nina needed support and I was going to be there for her, even though I still felt guilty for yelling at her minutes ago.

Anyone else can wait but she was becoming an important person to me.