The Best Man novel Chapter 32

Nathaniel's POV

Awkward.

"Is there something going on between you two?"

Then all of a sudden all sets of eyes turned to look at me like I was the only one who was supposed to answer that question. Olivia was also staring at me, with a questioning look as she scratched her neck.

"No, we're just friends", I said defensively, already helping myself to one of the beers they bought with them. It pained me having to say that out loud more than just thinking about it. "Surely that is not a crime"

"No it's not", Sarah came to my rescue while throwing Kevin a look. "It's nice you're getting to know other people, Nathan"

"We're in the same circle of friends after all", Tristan stood to his feet to scroll on my phone and played some music. Soon, everyone started talking about something else, and I could see Olivia breathe a sigh of relief while engaging in the ongoing topic

We then decided to play some cards, Crazy Eights, and it was more like the battle of the sexes because the girls turned a simple game into a war. Things were going well and smooth until Kevin decides to open his mouth, again.

"So Nate, how did your date go the other night?"

Shit

"Date?", the others chorused except Olivia, who had her eyes fixed on her cards the entire time

"What are you talking about?", I tried acting surprised so that maybe this whole conversation would blow over. Wrong move. Note to self; never do that again.

"The night you bailed on a guys night out and told us you had a hot smoking date?", Kevin added, and it was only then I got to see a reaction from Olivia, it was like she was trying to draw a breath but then started to choke on her own saliva low-key before raising her eyes to finally look at me

"You had a date that night?", Tristan questioned, and I suddenly felt like I was under some kind of intense microfying glass with everyone looking at me

"I didn't know you're going out on dates", Mellisa chipped in disbelief

"Why do you guy sound so surprised that he's going out on dates?", Sarah rose her brow at them and this is one of the reasons why she is my favorite cousin, she always had my back

"The date was okay", I answered and the guys didn't seem satisfied with my answer

"You have to tell us more than that pal, at least let us know that you bailing out on us was actually worth something", Tristan took a sip of his beer

"Did you smash?", Kevin asked while raising an eyebrow at me, earning a quick, painful nudge from Sarah to which he winced in immediate pain

"That's none of our business"

"They're both single", she said in her defense. "I just don't see why not"

"We're just better off as just friends", Olivia said while looking at me. "Don't you think, Nate?"

"I couldn't agree more", I said looking at her when she stood on her feet

"I'm just going to fill up the snacks", she took the bowl we were eating the chips from and walked to the kitchen. I desperately wanted to stand up to go talk to her in the kitchen, but I just didn't know how to without drawing any obvious suspicion.

"I think were freshly out of beer here", Tristan titled his already finished beer bottle and well then bingo!

"I'll go get it the ones I had in the fridge", I stood up, not too fast but quick enough to beat anyone else who would have volunteered to get the beers. I found Olivia pouring the chips onto the bowl and I walked to the fridge to get a few beers. She seemed deep in thought, and she didn't even notice I was in the kitchen with her and only acknowledged my presence when I tapped her on the shoulder.

"Are you good?", I asked, and she drew a deep breath, nodding her head. She wasn't good, I could just see it but also there was nothing I could say or do to get her to tell me what was bothering her.

"Okay", I was about to walk back to the others but then,

"Actually no, I'm not good at all", she ran a hand through her hair before folding her arms and unfolded them again in frustration. I knew it.

"What seems to be the problem?", I leaned on the counter besides her