Whispers in the Dark

The bar was buzzing with the usual Friday night crowd, a sea of unfamiliar faces and loud laughter. Nick nursed his beer, his eyes fixed on Sawyer across the room. She was laughing at something a tall, dark-haired guy said, her hand resting on his arm. Nick’s jaw tightened.

He’d been watching them for the past hour—the way he leaned in too close, the way she smiled a little too brightly. It was innocent, probably. Sawyer was friendly with everyone. But Nick couldn’t shake the knot in his stomach.

“You’re staring,” Liam said, sliding onto the stool next to him.

Nick didn’t look away. “I’m not staring.”

“You’ve been gripping that beer like it owes you money.” Liam signaled the bartender for another round. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing.”

Liam followed his gaze. “Ah. The new guy. Derek, right? He’s harmless.”

“I didn’t say he wasn’t.”

“You didn’t have to.” Liam sighed. “Nick, you and Sawyer—you’re not even official. You’ve been dancing around each other for months. If you’re jealous, maybe you should actually do something about it.”

Nick’s grip on the bottle tightened. “I’m not jealous.”

But the lie tasted bitter.

Later, when Sawyer broke away from Derek and headed to the bathroom, Nick followed. He caught her by the elbow just outside the door.

“Hey,” he said, his voice low.

She turned, surprise flickering in her eyes. “Nick. I didn’t see you come in.”

“I’ve been here.” He paused. “Who’s the guy?”

“Derek? He’s a friend from work. Why?”

“No reason.” He shoved his hands in his pockets, suddenly feeling foolish.

Sawyer studied him, a small smile playing on her lips. “You’re jealous.”

“I’m not.”

“You are. It’s cute.” She stepped closer, her voice dropping. “But you don’t have to be. He’s just a friend.”

“I know.” Nick’s heart hammered. “It’s just… I don’t like seeing you with other guys.”

“Then maybe you should stop watching from a distance and actually be with me.”

He closed the gap between them, his hand finding hers. “Is that an invitation?”

“It’s a challenge.” Her eyes sparkled. “Take me home, Nick.”

He didn’t need to be told twice.

They left without saying goodbye to anyone, the cool night air a welcome relief. In the car, the tension was palpable. Nick’s knuckles were white on the steering wheel.

“You okay?” Sawyer asked.

“Fine.”

“You’re not fine. Talk to me.”

He pulled over into a quiet lot, killing the engine. The silence stretched between them.

“I don’t like feeling like this,” he admitted finally. “Like I’m competing for your attention.”

Sawyer reached over, her fingers brushing his cheek. “You’re not competing. There’s no one else, Nick. There hasn’t been for a while.”

He turned to face her, his eyes searching hers. “Then what are we doing?”

“I don’t know.” She bit her lip. “But I want to find out.”

He kissed her then, a desperate, hungry kiss that said everything words couldn’t. When they pulled apart, breathless, he rested his forehead against hers.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered.

“For what?”

“For being jealous. For not saying something sooner.”

“It’s okay.” She smiled. “But next time, just tell me. No more little white lies.”

He laughed softly. “Deal.”

They sat there in the dark, hands intertwined, the night stretching out before them. The jealousy was a ghost now, laid to rest by honesty. And for the first time in weeks, Nick felt at peace.