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Chris offered to let Amma stay with them for the night since the roads were probably already frozen over again, and they lived off of a cleared road.
Then it was just Nick, Stella, Winnie, and me. For a second, it was silent, and Nick finally broke it with the question we’d all been waiting for.
“All right, the Christmas party is over. Can we finally talk about this?” Nick gestured in between Stella and me.
Winnie glared but thankfully kept her mouth shut.
“It depends on how you handle it,” Stella said. “Because if you go off on Alden, it might get messy.”
Despite knowing that I had people on my side, my body tensed at the possible confrontation. I never thought I’d defy Nick again, and it was terrifying.
Nick blinked. “Go off on Alden? Why would I do that?”
Hang on—what?
“Because you did it before,” Stella interjected. “And it’s why we didn’t get along for seven years.”
Realization dawned in Nick’s eyes. “Oh,that.”
“‘That’?Is that all you’re calling it?” I asked slowly.
“Er, yeahThat.”He rubbed the back of his neck. “I could call it me being an idiot if it makes you feel better.”
“It would makemefeel better.” Winnie’s voice broke the silence, and Nick glared at her for only a second before turning back to me.
“Wait a second, so you’re not mad this time?” Stella asked.
“No, I’m not. I was wrong back then—I hope you know that. You can date or be with whoever you want.”
“And this includes seven years ago, right?” Stella asked, narrowing her eyes.
“Yes, it does,” Nick said with a nod. “I overreacted back then and fucked things up between you two. I’ve been trying to fix it, but you two are the most stubborn people I’ve ever met.”
“Stubborn?” Stella asked.
“Don’t turn this on them,” Winnie warned. “Stella was heartbroken and Alden was doing what you asked.”
“I tried to talk to you about it,” Nick said to me.
“You told me to never bring her up again.” I crossed my arms to hide my clenched fists. “And I thoughtyoubringing it up was a test to see if I was listening.”
“I may have been an idiot, but I’m notthatmanipulative.”
“You do realize how awful Alden’s dad was, right?” Stella asked. “Alden’s very used to jumping through hoops to keep people around, and you threatened to leave.”
Nick closed his eyes and his head hung low. “I didn’t think about it like that back then. But now I know I went too far. I’m sorry, Alden.”
I wasn’t used to apologies. Especially not from people who hurt me. The anger that had flooded me dissipated. “I-it’s fine.”
“No,” Stella cut in. “Don’t say it’s fine unless it really is.”
I looked back at Nick, who nodded. “She’s right. What I did wasn’t okay, and if you’re still mad, I understand.”
I didn’t knowwhatI felt. All I knew is that I expected more anger—not for him to come at this with such regret and understanding.
A heavy silence settled on us, broken only by Winnie.
“Since when are you mature?” she asked incredulously.