Chapter 49
"I think that's everything." Nick finished, shutting the trunk of his truck and making his way over to Nyla. "You sure you got everything?"
"Yup, I triple checked, you?"
"Yeah, I think so. Wow, can you believe we were stuck here for almost eight days?"
"Wow I know, seems almost unbelievable doesn't it?" Nyla sighed, looking at the house, a sadness of sorts spreading over her.
"Yeah, it does."
"Back to reality and back to life." She whispered. She didn't want reality, she didn't want that, she wanted the world they'd been forced to create these eight days. She wanted everything to just go back to the way it was three years ago and now that things with them were out in the open, Nyla wanted them to heal.
"Bleh, I'm not ready." Nick moaned.
"Neither am I, what do ya say we go back in there and stay there?" Nyla winked.
Nick chuckled then looked out towards the road, "Everyone's waiting for us Ny, we can't."
She looked down, why would she think he'd want...she shook her head. Of course everyone was waiting, everyone was worried sick and here she was being selfish. "Yeah I know."
"I think this has been a very productive stay, I learned a lot and I like to think that we've...gotten closer than we have been in almost a year." He whispered, looking back over at her.
"Very close."
He nodded and took a step towards her. "Ny...I..."
She shook her head, "It's ok Nick, you don't have to say it."
Nick started to say something else then stopped, nodding. "Yeah, well, ready to get outta here?"
"You bet." She smiled.
They made their way over to the truck and got in.
"Oh god, I hope it starts." Nyla frowned.
"Me too." Nick sighed, putting the key in the ignition and turning it, the engine sputtered a bit but hummed to life. "Whew!"
"Amen."
"We should let it heat up a bit, I shoulda done that before." He groaned.
Nyla shook her head, "Always thinkin' aren't ya?" She smirked.
"Shut up!" He grinned.
A few minutes later, they made their way out and onto the road. The drive was slow and it ended up taking them twice as long to get to Rochester than it normally would. They arrived around noon.
"Well, we're in Rochester, about another twenty minutes we should be at your Mom's house. I called in and I'm just gonna end up staying three days as planned, so I'll be back then to pick ya up, is that ok? Does that give you enough time?" He asked, turning down her Mom's street.
"Yeah, that should be fine. I called Mom and she said they're having the funeral tomorrow, they wanted to have it as soon as possible so that she'd be able to be there and everyone else who flew in. I'm just glad I'll be there for at least that."
"Me too, I'm really sorry that ya missed seeing her one last time."
"Well it's like you said, I didn't plan on getting stuck in a storm anymore than you did. I'm sorry that you missed your promo stuff."
"Eh, it can be made up ya know? It's all been rescheduled anyway, so I'm just gonna do it now."
Twenty minutes later, he pulled into her Mom's driveway and stopped.
"Here ya are."
"Ok, great. I'll just take my overnight bag in with me and leave the other stuff. Thanks for the ride Nick." She whispered, looking over at him.
"Thank me when we get back home, it'd be just our luck we run into another storm on the way back home." He smirked.
"Don't jinx us please!"
"Yeah yeah, too late I think."
Nyla grinned and got out, grabbing her overnight bag and walking around to his side. "Take care and drive careful."
"I will, thanks. So, I'll see ya in three days then?"
"Yup, see ya then."
"Tell your Mom I'm sorry for her loss and give her my love, ok?"
"I will, see ya later Nick." She replied softly.
Nick watched her a moment, "Later Ny."
She stared at him a moment before smiling and turning, making her way up the driveway as Nick pulled out and took off for Syracuse.
