Trailing Stars (Trailing Stars #1)

Chapter 20

"Nathan," Audrey says, taking a step back. She beams up at him, standing on her toes and leaning forward. "What are you doing?"

Nathan eyes his dad and step-mom for a second longer, his expression blank. He shakes his head and focuses on Audrey, a gentle smile on his face. "Nothing much. Just hanging out with some friends."

Audrey glances at Clara before her eyes settle on me right as I stand, my skates draped around my neck. "I like your hair!"

Clara laughs, muttering, "So does your big brother."

Nathan elbows Clara, making Audrey frown. "That's not nice, Nathan."

Clara smirks. "Yeah, Nathan. That's not nice."

"He's not nice in general."

The atmosphere dims considerably as Audrey's brothers and parents join us. Evan glares at Nathan. He opens his mouth to say more, but Delilah puts a hand on his shoulder, pulling him back. Evan looks up at his mom. She gives him a pointed look, shaking her head. Evan huffs, but he keeps quiet.

Delilah smiles at Nathan. "How have you been, Nathan?"

Nathan gives her a blank look to match his tone. "Fine."

His stepmom's smile falters, but she nods. "We missed you at Christmas."

"And Thanksgiving," Evan mutters, making a groove in the snow as he twists his foot back and forth. "And our birthdays. And he'll probably miss New Year, too."

Something flashes across Nathan's face. He straightens, adjusting his grip on his skates. "I'm usually spending time with my mom for those holidays."

Evan narrows his eyes. "And our birthdays?"

Nathan doesn't say anything. I don't think there's anything he can say that's the truth and won't hurt his half-siblings' feelings. But his silence is just as telling, and Evan scowls. Before he can say anything, Jacob speaks up.

"Nathan was probably busy," he says. He gives Nathan a hopeful look. "Right?"

Nathan's expression softens, and he holds his fist out to Jacob, smiling when Jacob gives him a fist bump. "Yeah. I'm pretty busy helping my mom at Poems and Tales."

Audrey leans against Nathan, wrapping her arms around his waist. She buries her face into the side of his stomach, her voice coming out muffled as she says, "Are you gonna come to our birthdays next year, then?"

Evan scoffs. "I doubt it."

Nick puts a hand on Evan's other shoulder, giving it a squeeze. "I'm sure Nathan will make it next year."

Nathan gives his dad a blank look. When he meets Evan's glare, he forces himself to smile. "I'll definitely try."

Delilah gives Nathan another smile. This one feels a little more strained like she knows he won't return the favor for her at this point. "If not their birthdays, you're always welcome to stop by whenever you're free. We'll be happy to have you."

Nathan doesn't even look at her. "Sure. If you say so."

Clara glances at me, her eyes wide. I don't know if she wants me to do anything—I don't even know if I can do anything—but before I can step in, Clara does it herself. She smiles, putting a hand on Nathan's shoulder.

"I'm sure Nathan would love to come," she says, "but he's pretty antisocial." Clara looks at Nick. "You remember how long I had to annoy him to get him to talk to me."

Nick laughs, nodding. It looks like he's breathing a little easier. "Yeah. Definitely." His eyes flicker to me. "I'm glad he's not so antisocial that you guys couldn't expand your circle."