Nolan's Evolution Read Online Free Page B

shook his head.
                  “What am I supposed to do?” Nolan growled. “I have tried everything not to think about her. Everything, in one way or another, reminds me of Raina.” He rushed a hand through his hair in irritation. He was annoyed at his own weakness. He felt annoyed that Thanatos was seeing his weakness. But what was he to do when all he thought about was her? He had a sickness, one that he would not soon recover from. He had had to do something to appease himself. Sending flowers to Raina was cruel. It probably wasn't fair to her.
                  The green eyes held sympathy. “It’s the same for her.”
                  Nolan liked that, a little too much. “She’s safe, and that is all that matters to me,” he sighed.
                  Thanatos entered the office, and sat in an available chair. “That’s all that matters? Nolan, don’t play nonchalance with me.” Thanatos was smarter than that. He had the benefit of seeing both sides. He had learned to read their tells; as a good friend should.
                  Nolan wet his lower lip and shook his head “It should be all that matters to me.” He cleared the emotion from his throat. "Not being around her I feel like a drug addict jonesing. Does that sound crazy?"
                  Thanatos gave a chuckle. He shook his head. “She makes it rather difficult not to want to be around.”
                  Nolan frowned, jealousy licked across his thoughts. He was happy Raina had protection, had a friend, but he couldn’t help the envy. He regarded Thanatos closely, measuring his sincerity. He knew he could be trusted but he also knew the draw that was Raina.
                  Thanatos held up his hands. “Easy now. I mean that in the purist sense. I’ve been nothing but a gentleman with her. I care for Raina too, you have to know that. I’m not stupid!” He grinned, when Nolan relaxed. “I know you love her…she loves you. There is no room for anyone else. I’m just content to be her friend and protect her, as I know will put you at ease.”
    “Since when does my comfort please you?” Nolan couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped his lips. He was sobered by Thanatos frown.
    Thanatos rolled his shoulders back, as if what he was going to say was foreign to him. “Despite our rough past, I consider you my friend.”
    Nolan grinned in appreciation. He liked that admission. “I feel the same,” he admitted. “You’ve been a good friend; not saying much about Raina, but doing much for her. Thank you.”
                  Thanatos chuckled. “I do it mostly for her, just so you know,” he teased. “I will see her protected…it’s who I am now. But as for not saying much about her…I understand it to the point. It’s also unneeded torture.”
    Nolan opened his mouth to argue, but was silenced by a raised hand.
    “Nolan, it’s okay for you to know what’s going on in her life outside of…she’s safe. There are other things going on with her that you should know. Things I cannot help her with, and you should be concerned over.” He thought of her thinning body…the familiar sick depression in her eyes that had been there after David.
                  Nolan shook his head. “I…Its…it’s just that when I talk about her …I think of her more, and I just want to drop everything, and go to her. I ache over her, just want to hear her voice…touch her…make her smile…blush. Those pretty pink cheeks,” he sighed. “Prettiest shade of pink.” He stared down at his hands, memory stirring.
                  “They are thin now…those cheeks…most of her is so thin…”
                  “No,” Nolan growled. His head snapped up, and the grey eyes narrowed. “Don’t…”
                  “If you just saw her…called her, I know it would lessen what she is going through now.