Chapter 10

Chapter Ten

Nolia

I sit and watch my sister fix Roan's cover for him. They want to keep him another night just to make sure he's doing alright. Seeing her flutter around is… odd. I don't think I've ever seen her so happy and brimming with hope and love and brightness.

Staying focused on my sister is way better than thinking about what happened between me and Rome. I thought…well, for just a couple of seconds I wondered if he was going to kiss me. But he didn't and was all too happy to drop me off at the hospital and leave, only taking the time to say a quick hi to Roan.

I realize he said it was alright for me to stay with him another night but…maybe I should be looking for another place before I overstay my welcome. "You're awfully quiet. Is everything alright with you?"

I give her a nod and push the thought of her staying and me going far from my mind. She's going to start a family and have a life here and I'm going back to my parents' house to try and figure out what's next for me.

"I was just wondering…maybe I should go ahead and go back home. You…," my cheeks start to burn with a blush, "seem like you'll be taken care of and I don't want to…"

"Hey all!" Pearl's clear voice rings through the room.

"Knock, Knock, you two better be dressed because we are coming in."

Pearl and another girl come in and take in the three of us, interrupting me telling Summer I'm probably going back to Mom and Dad's.

"Pearl, Kat!"

My sister hugs both of them. Seeing all of them together, they kind of remind me of…well, sisters. My sister has found a whole other family and it's one I don't have a way into.

"Guys, this is my little sister, Nolia. Pearl, you've already met her, but I don't think Kat has."

"Kat's married to another player on their hockey team who happens to be best friends with my Spade."

I try to keep up and end up giving Kat a quick nod.

"The team is made up of rich guys who were looking for a way to donate to good causes while at the same time pretending to be badass alpha types. They raise a lot of money and have gooey insides for kids, widows, and anyone in need. Most of the guys own their own businesses…like Roman."

I offer a smile even as I feel my brows crease. Why would Kat signal him out? "I, um, think I had better start looking for a way to grab my car and my bag before it gets too dark to find my way around."

I see the three women look at one another. Something is definitely up.

"It was very nice to meet you both and Roan, same. Don't break my sister's heart or I'll kill you."

Pearl speaks up as Kat steps in front of the door like she's blocking me from leaving, "Wait, Nolia. Didn't you say you were going to stay another night with Rome?"

"You're sleeping with Rome?" My sister's eyes widen, and I am speechless for a heartbeat. Stunned, utterly stunned, into silence.

"Rome said she was." I look between Pearl and my sister. "This afternoon when I called him."

"He…he what?!" Shock has quickly morphed into something dark and deadly.

"Oh well, I just assumed…you know…things happened quickly and…"

"No, I am not sleeping with Rome. He…he told me I could stay with him…"

"Oh, I'm sorry, Nolia. I thought he said you all were sharing a bed together when I called him. It was why he was talking really low and didn't want to ‘wake you' when I called."

"He…no. I…"

"Hmm, I wonder why he told Mom he was seeing someone when she called. He even called you by name, according to Mom."

A sense of hurt rises in my throat and almost chokes me with its enormity. How could he make them think…? My sister is looking at me like she wants answers and all I can do is shake my head no.

I'm going to kill him!

"Where is his office?"

The three women take a moment to look between them before Pearl tells me the address and Kat helps give me directions. When I leave the hospital, I am beyond mad. I am a whole new level of angry that I don't think I've ever been before. I am going to kill that lying, sorry sack of…