Page 61 of Under the Influence

Nathan isn’t typically one for confrontation, but he is furious with Nash. I’ve actually never seen him so angry, and Nash has done some idiotic things over the years. Trust me.

“No. This is serious, Nash. Your days of being in this house alone are over.”

I walk into the master bedroom and it’s a disaster. Clothes are thrown everywhere, high-heeled shoes strewn about. Kendra Langdon needs help, real help, not just Nash dragging her out of whatever mess she’s gotten herself into each week. I grab the suture kit and take it in the kitchen, watching closely as Nathan unwraps Nash’s black t-shirt from her bicep.

“This is really bad. You needed stitches an hour ago. It’s probably going to scar,” he says, injecting a numbing agent into her skin.

“It’ll be alright. Thanks for doing this.”

Nathan nods, “It’s no problem. We’re all pretty used to cleaning up Nash’s messes. Right, Carson?”

Shit.

I remain silent, and he continues speaking as if Nash isn’t sitting right here, “How did this happen? Do you want me to call the police?”

Nash’s body language changes and his eyes tilt to mine. I’ve only seen this look one other time when his entire world fell apart.

“No, it was an accident,” she confirms.

“Sure it was,” Drayton huffs, earning a murderous look from Nash.

“Dray,” Daria smiles. “Let’s go home, give Nash and Nathan some time alone, hmm?”

Drayton stands, Lainey rounding the island to check on Cori, “Will you be okay? He’s my ride?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. I promise. I’ll text you when I get home.”

Lainey gives her a hesitant look, but Cori gives her a reassuring nod.

They all walk out the front door, and I really make eye contact with Cori for the first time since the other night in my room. Her blue eyes nearly bring me to my knees.

I want to rush to her, hold her, ask her if she’s okay, but my feet remain glued to the floor. Nash doesn’t move either. We both just stare at her the same way, with equal parts worry and want.

“Carson, how’s Avery?” Nathan asks. “I spoke with her father in the hospital parking lot yesterday on my way out.”

I hesitate, not wanting to reveal too much, “She’s a lot better. She’s home.”

“Good,” he blows out a breath, sounding relieved.

Nash speaks up, “Is she okay? Was she sick?”

I hesitate again, not wanting to betray her, “Something like that.”

“Okay, you’re all set. We should probably call your uncle and tell him you guys made it back.”

“Yeah,” she agrees. “I lost my phone somewhere.”

“I’ll take her home,” I offer. “I’m headed that way anyway.”

Nash basically fumes, “No, I can walk her home.”

Nathan’s tone is rushed and furious as he cleans the blood from the counter, “Like hell, you will. Your ass isn’t leaving this house until we’re clear on a few things, and maybe not even then.”

Cori slides down off the counter, offering me a tight-lipped smile. She turns to Nash, “Can you bring my things out of your Jeep to school tomorrow?”

“I’ll pick you up for school,” he orders. “I’ll be there at 7:30.”

She opens her mouth to argue, but I think she decides better of it, shaking her head in agreement instead. Nash stands up and doesn’t take his eyes from hers, leaning into her damp hair whispering something I can’t understand into her ear. She nods, and he leans down, pressing his lips against hers.