Chapter Four

Ugh, I feel like I've been hit by a train. I don't even want to open my eyes. Frankly, I don't think I can. I was finally granted sleep around two when the gross sounds down the hall faded. That being the first thing I remember, the second is Liam. I can't help but imagine what he's doing at this very moment. Is he sad? Mad? Is he looking for me or just going about his day? Laying here thinking of him reminds me of the fact that I am going to have to see him again and that's not doing me any good.

It's Saturday and I figured that I could go job hunting around the city. I can see Nicole now; "Why do you need a job? Me and you can go shopping!" Yes because I want to spend the rest of my life being Nicole's live in bestie. Barf.

Gosh, I don't know why I think so negatively of her. She's nice, a good Samaritan. The perfect house wife.

If I continue to sulk under the covers then I'm literally going to drive myself to insanity, hell, I'm already staring down its dark abyss!

I sit up and run my hands through my disheveled hair. My bag that sits next to the door catches my attention. Nicole must have put it in here this morning. See? Nice.

I throw the covers to the side and stride across the room. I sit on the carpeted floor, cross legged, and start rummaging through everything I have. There's not much to choose from. At least I packed matching outfits. Oh, my fav yoga pants, I'm definitely wearing these. I stand up and slip out of the silk Nicole let me sleep in. I slip on a pair of white lace panties, followed by the tight black fabric that hugs my curves. Then I hook my matching bra and adjust it so it fits the girls perfectly. I slide into a snug black tank top and pull it down, covering my stomach. Beside my bag I see a pair of sparkling clean converse. Someone must have cleaned them and good too, they look brand new. I tie my laces, grab my toothbrush, then head for the bathroom.

Surprisingly, I don't look repulsive. The only thing that is off are these dark bags under my eyes. Nothing a little concealer can't fix. The only problem; I didn't bring any make up. Of course Nicole has some but she's at least five shades darker than me. I open the drawers around the vanity just in case. I find her make up drawer and snort. Everything is arranged by color; Lightest to darkest. This is a moment when I'm thankful Nicole is the way she is; perfect. I grab my shade and dab it on in a few places. Works like a charm. I gather up my hair and twist a bun at the top of my head.

I cock my head to the side and scan myself. This will have to do. I just might take Nicole up on that shopping spree.

I still feel very uncomfortable here. I creep as quietly as I can down the stair case. All I can hear is Haley's precious giggles accompanied with Nick's deep chuckles. A smile instantly stretches across my face but I don't know why.

"Hey." Nick greets me once I step into the kitchen, his smile never leaving his face. "Help yourself to breakfast," he nods toward the plates of food lining the countertop.

I walk over to the breakfast buffet and plop a piece of bacon into my mouth. I have to close my eyes in order to suppress my moan. Delicious.

I dust my hands off to get rid of the grease. "Where's Nicole?"

"She goes to her country club every Saturday morning. She's in an out all day."

I nod, chewing on the end of another brown strip. "I asked Nicole yesterday but she wasn't much help," I began, watching Nick help Haley eat. He glanced over his shoulder at me, letting me know I had his attention. "Do you know of any jobs I can apply to around here?"

"I'm not one to keep track of available jobs," he says. "But Haley and I can help you search."

I can't help but watch as he washes his child's face and hands. I have a feeling that Nicole dresses Haley but I don't really care since Haley is adorable in her bright pink shorts and white v-neck with matching pink converse. Her volume filled curls bounce behind her as her high pony tail sways with her movements.

"Look, Miley." Haley squeaks and runs up beside me. She lines up her tiny foot against mine. "We have the same shoes!" Her huge smile is beaming with awe.

I look down at our feet along with her. "We do but yours are waaaay cooler than mine."

She giggles and takes my hand, pulling me along as her little legs stride forward. She talks at rapid speed as she tells me all about what she wants to do today. Nick's laugh follows us out of the house and down the sidewalk.

"What type of job are you looking for?" Nick asks as we step away from the ice cream stand. Haley skips in front of us, licking her one scoop of strawberry.

"I don't know. There is really nothing I'm qualified for. " I huff. I didn't really think this through. I'm going to have to get some shitty job that pays minimum wage. "The obvious thing is waitressing, right?"

"You have to start somewhere. You can go back to school an finish, Nicole and me will happily pay for it."

Was he serious? No, hell no! I already feel low enough as it is, I don't need someone handing me money. That's why I'm getting a job and taking care of myself for the rest of my life. Yep, I already have it mapped out. Me, sipping my tea while my twenty seven cats curl around every inch of my body.

"Thanks but no thanks." Of course I'm going to decline his offer. Why would he suggest such a preposterous idea any way?

"Just remember that if you ever need the money, you can have it."

I nod and roll my eyes. Now he's going to rub in the fact that he actually made something of himself and I didn't! Stupid rich lawyer.

Haley runs back to us with a little sticky mess around her mouth. She tugs on Nick's jeans and peers up at him. "Daddy, can we go to Hooters?"

My eyes practically pop out of their sockets. You never know what will come out of little kids mouths.

"Of course," Nick chuckles and grabs her little hand.

I gawk at them. "Hooters?" I ask incredulously.

Haley nods so fast I'm shocked her head doesn't fall off and plummet to the pavement. "They have the best chicken!" I laugh as she raises her hand in the air and waves it around.

We walk into Hooters and the first thing you see are boobs and legs. Hey, if you got it, flaunt it.

"Did you see that Help Wanted sign in the window?" Nick asks as we sit around a table.

I crane my neck to look toward the front and see a small rectangle poster board taped to the corner of one of the windows. Surely he isn't suggesting I apply here. My girls can't compete with the ones bouncing around in this place

I decide to go in Haley's direction and order chicken so I don't bother looking a the menu. "I can't get a job here, Nick."

"Why not?"

I fan my hand down my body as if it were obvious. "Do you honestly think I'm as a voluptuous as these girls?"

Nick checked out one of the ladies that walked by carrying an order. "They all look different to me. And it isn't about the girls Miley. This is a restaurant."

Cocking my head to the side, I raise an eyebrow at him.

He shruggs and surrenders. "Okay, maybe it has something to do with the women."

I nod, happy that I won this battle. "Thank you."

After the waitress takes our order we all sit there minding our own business. I watch Haley as she blows bubbles in her water and giggles when they splash against her face. A beat and low hum causes my attention to gravitate towards Nick's direction. I watch as his hand lightly pats the table and his foot beats on the floor. This little piece of him from the past makes me grin. This is the Nick I knew, always making a beat or melody.

"What?" Nick says, staring a me.

I shake my head, traveling back to present day.

"Why are you staring at me?" He laughs.

I sigh, "No reason."

I can't let him know that his little moment just made me happier then I've ever been in the past three years. I so badly wish I could go back in time. Back to high school and start all over. If I did get a do over I wonder if me and Nick would still be together and Haley would be ours. I wonder if I would have finished college and be working at the job I've always dreamed of. Now it's all just a lost dream that I'll never get the chance to have cause I went and screwed everything up by going out on a whim. Just my luck.

Relief floods my body as I settle back into the cool leather that is my seat. The air conditioner is on blast and my feet thank me for finally letting them rest. We've walked all day scouring the city for 'Help Wanted' posters. Nick convinced me to go back and apply to Hooters since the only other job available was at a convent store almost an hour away. I doubt I'll get either of them.

Now we were driving through the streets in Nick's Porsche. Nicole had called him during the day and said she needed a lift home. I hated the idea of going to some fancy country club dressed in comfy clothes and sneakers with sweat stuck to my nude face. But I'm staying in the car anyway. There's no need for me to get out.

"You coming?" Nick glances at me over his shoulder and I notice that both of his legs are out of the car.

I look through the windshield at our surroundings. A huge palace like building sits in front of us. I see guys walking around in gold attire with their clubs hanging over their shoulders. No way am I going in.

I gulp and shake my head. "I'll pass."

"Miley, come on. Nicole won't want to leave for at least half an hour. You're better off going in instead of staying in the hot sun."

"But I'm not dressed appropriately."

"Who cares?" He says, stepping out and going to the back to get Haley.

I huff and step out of the car. This will only be a moment of my life, I can suck it up. I'll never have to set foot into this place again after this. I take a deep breath and wait for Nick.

"Come on, Miley!" Haley tugs at my hand. "You're going to love it, it's huge!"

I laugh and let her drag me into a world of embarrassment. She's right, it is huge. This place has to have the tallest ceilings I've ever seen. There is art every where. Fancy is an understatement when speaking of this place.

I notice a blonde at the front desk smile at Nick and nod him through. I follow him outside through a set of floor to ceiling doors that lead to the back lawn. We walk across a path way and come to a massive pool and deck. I see women every where laying in lounge chairs tanning but no one's in the pool. Figures.

I spot Nicole sitting amongst a group of women. She's wearing pink floral sun dress that compliments her skin. Honestly, she's gorgeous.

"Nicky!" She squeals once she spots us. Her little legs scurry over to him and her dainty arms are flung around his neck. My heart squeezes when I hear her call him that. I gave him that name. Wait...it doesn't matter anymore.

I hear Nick whisper to her. "hHey baby," then he kisses her hair.

"What have you guys been up today?" She asks, not letting go him.

"Job hunting." Nick replies.

"Oh," she beams at me "Any luck?"

My shoulders deflate as I let out a breath. "Nope."

"That's great!" She squeals and claps her hands together.

Nick and me both ask why. "Because, there are some opening jobs here."

I start to protest. Over my dead body.

"Come on, Miley. The money is really good and they are flexible when working with schedules. I can help you get the best of everything."

I glance from Nick to Nicole. Nicole has a smile that goes on for miles, I'm guessing it hurts. Nick just shrugs. Since it pays well, I should be able to get back on my feet in no time. What the hell.

I give in. "Okay, I'll apply."

Nicole cheers and I try to muster up a smile. This should be fun.

I notice the women, that are sitting to the side, are staring at me. I don't blame then, I look so out of place. A man walks up behind the ladies and starts whispering to one. The woman soon stands up and walks over to Nicole, the man right behind her. The lady hugs Nicole goodbye but I can't pay attention because I feel like I know this guy and I think he knows me to cause he's mirorring my expression of trying to place a face with a name.

When we get home Nicole immediately dismisses herself and heads up to be bed. Haley has fallen asleep in Nick's arms. I brush the hair out of her face then follow Nick up the stairs. He goes into Haley's room and tucks her in. I wait for him outside, I don't know why.

That man back at the country club has occupied my thoughts the entire night. All through dinner I tried racking my brain to find an answer as to why I know him. I still haven't figured it out.

Nick creeps out of the dark room and eases the door closed, leaving it open just a tiny bit.

"Its been a long day and I'm beat." He runs his hands through his short black hair.

I nod. "Me too." I turn to start heading toward my bedroom but stop in my tracks remembering something. I turn back so I'm facing him. "Do you think you and Nicole can keep the noise down tonight?" I smirk.

Even though it's dark, I swear I can still see the heat illuminating his cheeks. "Night, Nick." I chuckle and go to my room.

Once I'm settled into bed, I strain to listen to any intimate sounds coming from down the hall.

Nothing.

I smile and snuggle under the covers, drifting off into the most peaceful sleep I've had in a year.

I fucking love you guys! I can't think of anything else I need to say haha.

Review Please~