Chapter 8

Nash

Every time Nash remembered he was second, he couldn't help but get riled up all over again. He knew it was stupid, he knew he should let it go, knowing Chloe didn't deserve his relentless contests, but he couldn't help but want to beat her. Just once. In any silly competition, he just needed to beat her to prove to himself and everyone he was worthy of something.

Chloe finally stepped out of the Elites building and she wandered over to the bicycle rack. She unlocked her own bike and climbed on, and Nash rushed over, hoping to catch her before she left.

"Chloe!" Nash called.

Chloe stilled, her eyes darting to him before she waved. Nash waved back awkwardly.

"What's up?" Chloe asked.

"I challenge you to another competition." He crossed his arms over his chest, a smug look blooming on his face. "A cooking contest. Do you accept?"

"Sure, I didn't know you cooked." Chloe's eyebrows raised. "When and where?"

"Now. At your house."

Chloe froze. Nash continued to smile smugly at her, hoping she'd accept the terms.

"Why my house? Why not yours?"

"Because yours would be better."

"Why?"

Chloe stepped back, her guard seeming to shoot up. The truth was, Nash didn't want to be in his house. Whenever he could, he avoided his home because his home always reminded him that he had no one. Just his maid who they paid to keep around, which was why he insisted they do Chloe's house, but there was no way he could admit the truth.

"I want to see if your house is better than mine," Nash smirked. "Two competitions in one."

"How is that a competition?" Chloe snapped. "We know you grew up rich, Nash, but you didn't work for that. It's nothing to brag about."

Nash winced, stunned by the vehemence in her voice. In the year he'd known her, not once had she ever raised her voice or shown any anger, and now Chloe was glaring at him. And she had thrown his insecurity in his face.

"I was joking," Nash said, holding his hands up as if to say he surrendered. "And I understand my circumstances, you don't need to remind me."

Chloe looked away. A heavy silence blanketed them for a moment. Chloe moved to climb onto her bike and Nash felt his heart sink. He should let her go. He shouldn't care, but he didn't want Chloe to be mad at him. He didn't know what he did to annoy her, but he wanted to fix it. He didn't want Chloe to hate him.

"I'm sorry," Nash said. "Let's do my house. It's fine."

Chloe sat on her bike for a moment, her eyes lowered before she finally met his gaze. The sadness in her expression jolted him, making him feel worse. He felt even worse when she forced a smile.

"Okay, a cooking contest at your house. I'm down."

"Okay."

Chloe climbed off her bike and followed Nash, but the tension in the air didn't disperse. He had screwed up. He had crossed a line, but he didn't know what he had done wrong.

*****

Nash stepped into his house first. All the lights were shut off except for the kitchen lights and he flicked the hallway lights on with the clap of his hands. They beamed to life, shining across the expensive furniture and marble floors, and Chloe moved to his side. She gaped at the scene around her, her big eyes glowing. Nash gulped, feeling uneasy at her reaction. This was one of the reasons why he didn't want to bring her home.

"What do your parents do again?" Chloe asked.

"My dad is the CEO of a tech company," Nash mumbled, beginning his way to the kitchen. "My mom is a fashion designer."

"It paid off."

Nash didn't reply. He felt his skin crawl and he scurried forward to the kitchen, trying his best to hide the rest of his life from Chloe. Why had he insisted on a cooking contest? Why hadn't he thought of something that didn't involve their homes.

"Nash!" Naya exclaimed the second Nash stepped in. She then froze when Chloe entered the kitchen. "And you've brought a friend today."

"This is Chloe," Nash said, nodding towards Chloe who slid closer to Nash's side. "Chloe, this is Naya."

"Nice to meet you," Chloe said.

"Oh dear, you're beautiful. Those green eyes are stunning!"

"Oh, thank you."

Chloe blushed and Nash averted his eyes. Focus. He was here to beat Chloe in their cooking contest.

"We're going to be cooking," Nash said. "You are excused from the kitchen for now. I will call you back when we're done."

"Okay, thank you, sir."

"Call me Nash."

Naya walked off before Nash could tell her to call him his name once more and Chloe moved to the marble counter. She slid her hands against it, her eyes widening with every second that passed. Nash ran his fingers through his hair, unsure of what to say or do.

"What should we cook today?" Nash asked.

"Hmm, how about a cake?"

"Sure."

Nash went to the cupboards that were stacked with any ingredient he ever needed and he pulled out flour and eggs and any possible ingredient they would need for their cakes, and he placed them onto the counter Chloe leaned against. Her eyes were on the chandelier above them.

"Ready?" Nash mumbled, moving to her side.

"Yeah, sorry. Your place is just so.... nice. I think I'm starstruck."

Nash didn't reply. He had lived in the mansion his entire life and by nineteen, he couldn't care less about any of it. Once he graduated university, he made a promise to himself to get a lousy apartment in the city and forget about it all.

Nash began to create his batter and Chloe did the same. Side by side, they hovered over the counter, mixing flour and eggs and sugar into their own bowls. For minutes, neither of them spoke and Nash didn't mind it. To his surprise, he welcomed the peace that was not so lonely because at his side, Chloe stood.

"Who is Naya?" Chloe asked after a bit.

"Our house maid. She'd been working here since I was a kid."

"What about your parents?"

Nash tensed. They were going into territory he didn't want to go into, but he couldn't avoid it. He knew he couldn't the moment he brought her home.

"What about them?" Nash asked.

"Where are they?"

"They... they're out. I think partying on a yacht this week." Nash shrugged, trying to play it off as much as he could. "They aren't around much. Naya is kind of like a nanny... well, at least when I was younger. It's usually just me and her in the mansion."

Chloe didn't reply. He felt his skin crawl once again. This was a bad idea. Why had he brought her here? Why did he choose cooking of all things?

"That must get lonely," Chloe said. "How often do your parents come home?"

"Once every few months. It's whatever. I'm used to it."

Nash focused on his batter, hoping to forget about what Chloe mentioned, but he couldn't. He had always thought he was overreacting. That anyone would wish to have the life he did, so he couldn't complain. But, it was lonely. Sometimes he needed his parents, but his parents never needed him.

"I'm luckier than most people," Nash said, trying to convince himself. "My parents gave me everything I ever wanted. If they don't want to be around, that's fine. They deserve to have their freedom, too."

Chloe glanced at Nash, her eyes gentle and Nash focused on the batter once again. He mixed everything together with his whisk, going faster and faster, hoping to keep his mind off everything.

"There's more to life than money. You deserve to have present parents, too. A parent's priority should always be their child."

Nash couldn't stand the conversation any longer. He had to change the topic. "How are your parents? What are they up to?"

Chloe now tensed. Her shoulders drooped and her eyes fell to the batter she stirred.

"My mom passed away when I was fourteen. But my dad is my best friend. He's great."

"I'm sorry about your mom," Nash said, his eyes softening. "I'm glad to hear your dad is your best friend. I envy people with great relationship with their parents."

"Yeah."

She said the word so quietly Nash barely caught it. Her attention was dedicated to her batter she mixed slowly, and Nash found himself having to clarify what happened earlier.

"You know I wouldn't judge your home. I understand I'm rich, but I would never look down on someone else's home. Money is the last thing I'd ever compare or compete in. It's meaningless."

Chloe met his eyes. She searched his face and Nash hoped he appeared sincere. He knew he was always this hotheaded, annoying guy, but he really meant what he said. He would never make someone feel bad about their financial situation.

"I'm sorry I snapped at you," Chloe said. "I just don't like it when people come over. I have my reasons."

"I understand. I'm sorry if I came off pushy."

Chloe smiled. Her eyes grew warm and Nash smiled back, growing relieved. He hadn't realized how tense he'd been since she snapped at him. He never wanted to hurt Chloe, despite the way he acted towards her occasionally.

"Why did you want to do my house anyways?" Chloe asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Oh, nothing." Nash shrugged. He cursed himself when despite his will, blush flooded his cheeks. "Just curious."

Chloe smiled, her eyes playful before she began to pour her batter into a tray. Nash sighed as he did the same and they put their cakes into the oven.

*****

Nash laid out the cakes on the dinner table and Chloe sat across from him. He slid his cake towards her and placed her cake in front of him, and sat down. Chloe bounced in her seat, looking excited.

"Well, let's taste test," Nash said.

He dug his fork into the cake and took a bite of it, and Chloe did the same. He was immediately stunned by the flavour that exploded into his mouth. Chloe had gone for a birthday cake flavour and she had nailed it, and across from him Chloe gasped.

"Oh, this is amazing," Chloe said, grinning. She took another bite, her face glowing. "This is so good!"

"Your's is great, too."

Nash reached over and took a bite of his own cake and he was stunned as well. Nailed it. They both had and he shook his head, leaning back in his chair. He chuckled.

"What?" Chloe asked, smiling.

"Both are great. Different flavours, but great."

"I agree. Why don't we call it a tie?"

Nash smiled, his eyes softening at the way Chloe beamed at him. She was like a kid sometimes. Bubbly, energetic and so hopeful. He couldn't believe of all the people on this planet, she was his rival. But at the same time, he couldn't have asked for a better one.

"Sure, we'll call it a tie," Nash said. "Wow, I can't believe this is the closest I've come to beating you."

Chloe laughed. "Can't let you beat me yet. I don't want these contests to end."

Nash grinned. And together, they continued to laugh and eat, getting lost in the moment.