Chapter Nineteen

Nicole;

The car ride home is silent, the tension in the car so thick it could be sliced with a knife. Today's the closest we've ever gotten to discussing our past but yet again, we somehow deftly evaded it. My spine is rigid and stiff against the seat's backrest, my hands lightly clenched on my lap. I stare ahead into the lit night, my face stoic and my mouth hard. I'm anxiously waiting for him to say something…. anything. He doesn't.

We pull up into the driveway of my home and I immediately push the door open, stepping out before the engine has even died down. It's blissful to feel the cold night breeze on my face again. I hear the door on the driver's side open too but I pay no attention to him as he climbs out of the car. I march forward towards the door, my body taut with the effort of containing my emotions. I'm fumbling in my purse for my keys with shaky hands when I feel his presence beside me. He must be daft as hell if he thinks I'll invite him inside. I pull the key out of