“I really appreciate this, Nick.”
“I understand you didn’t want to wait an hour for AAA, but no one else could have done this for you? Aren’t you here with someone?”
“You mean Guy? We aren’t dating anymore.”
“Sorry to hear that.”
“Hindsight is twenty-twenty, right.” She cleared her throat, taking a step closer to him. “I know I shouldn’t be telling you this, but I think I made a mistake, Nick.”
He cranked the jack, not even looking at her. “What does that mean?”
“Breaking up with you.”
Nick took a deep, even breath. “Let’s not go there, okay? I’m doing you a favor. Don’t make me regret it.”
“Why would you regret helping me?” she asked, angrily.
“I know all about your issues with Noel. Don’t try to use me to get to her. It’s not going to work.”
She opened her mouth and snapped it shut several times, as though weighing what to say next. Finally, she spoke in an almost regretful tone. “I’m sorry. I didn’t ask you to change my tire because I wanted to upset or offend you. I know I do that with people all the time. Even when I care about people, I always mess it up.”
He stopped loosening a lug nut and stared up at her. “What are you getting at, Amber?”
“You being home made our relationship realer than it’s ever been and you’d been going on about marriage and kids for so long—”
“Amber.” She stopped talking when he said her name sternly. “I am with Noel. I love Noel. I think right now you’re feeling scared about being on your own and that’s normal. But you and me? We’re not happening.”
“Then why did you help me, if you feel nothing for me?”
“I told you I’d treat you with respect, like everyone else in this town until you gave me a reason not to. And right now, you’re being incredibly disrespectful to me and Noel.”
“Noel, poor Noel. I am so sick of hearing that! What the hell makes her so damn special?”
God, he was such a fucking idiot. Even his sister thought so. He’d let Amber manipulate him. He’d actually felt guilty for not wanting to help her. And all along it was just a way to get him alone.
“I’m sorry, okay? I didn’t mean it. I just…I want you to know that I still care.”
Nick finished the tire in silence and stood. “Done. Drive safe.”
“That’s it?” she cried.
Nick spoke firmly. “Yes, Amber, that’s it. You and me, isn’t going to happen. Stop seeking me out.”
Nick turned away, but before he could take a step, she threw her arms around him, trying to kiss him. He shoved her, surprised by her sudden onslaught and she fell back against her car with a cry.
Nick shook his head, resisting the urge to make sure she was okay. “Stay away from me.”
He headed back inside, searching for Noel through the maze of trees. Joyful Christmas music played overhead and he shook with adrenaline. He spotted Holly talking to his parents, but balked when he realized Noel wasn’t with them.
“Hey, where’s Noel?”
Holly snorted. “She left.”
“What do you mean?”
“She looked at my tree, said it was lovely, and told me good night.”
His mom frowned. “Honey, what’s going on?”
Holly stabbed her finger in Nick’s direction. “This moron went outside to change his ex-girlfriend’s tire, leaving Noel in here with me. On their first date!”
His parents wore identical expressions of puzzlement.
His mom only said, “Oh, dear.”
“Why would you do that?” his dad asked, bluntly.
“Because I was trying to be nice.”
“She’s your ex! You don’t have to be anything to her ever again!”
“I really don’t want to have this discussion with anyone but Noel.” Nicked leveled his sister with a hard stare. “Do you know where she went?”
Holly hesitated until their mother elbowed her and she grunted, answering reluctantly. “Check by the front entrance. I saw her head that way. Fix it, Nick. All I’m gonna say about it.”
Nick took off for the front of the community center and burst through the double doors, searching the parking lot for Noel. He found her off to the side, staring down at her phone.
“Noel.”
She looked up briefly, but turned away without fully meeting his gaze. “I don’t want to talk right now, Nick.”