CHAPTER 37

Robert's Point-of-View

I waited until Emma was sound asleep before I called Nikki. I stepped into the bedroom, not wanting to wake her up.

"Finally," Nikki answered the phone. "What took so long?"

"Emma's sick," I explained. "I need to stay with her."

"You promised we'd talk."

"I'm sorry, Nik. I can't go out tonight. When Emma is back home we'll work everything out," I told her.

"So, what? I'm going to sit around for three more days? You can't string both of us along like this, Robert. It's not fair. You have to choose one of us."

"I thought I've made it quite clear who I've chosen." My voice became louder.

Nikki sighed heavily. "I'll be over at seven, Rob. You can tell me to my face." She hung up before I could retaliate. Great. Well at least I get to see my girlfriend throw a punch. That should make for an entertaining night.

"Robert?" Emma called agonizingly from the other room.

I raced into see her. Her face was as pale as snow. "Emma, you don't look so good. How are you feeling?" I lightly pressed the back of my hand to her forehead. "You're warm. I think you might have a fever."

"I don't feel any better. I feel worse that before," she moaned.

"I'm so sorry, love. Hold on one second." I dialed Ashley's number. "Hey Ash. Emma's really sick. I think she may have the flu or food poisoning. Not quite sure. Do you think you could do my a huge favor and pick up some medicine to bring over?"

"Of course, I'll be right over," she replied.

"Ashley is going to bring over some medicine. Hopefully that will help. I'd hate it if you were sick the whole time you were here."

"Me too. I'm sorry I'm such a downer."

"Babe, please. You don't know how nice it is to just relax and stay in all day with you." I bent over and kissed her warm forehead. "Can I get you anything in the meantime? I think I'm going to order some food, do you want some?"

She shook her head vigorously. "Food does not sound appetizing at all."

"That's a first," I laughed jokingly.

Emma laughed along with me. "You're right. It's very strange."

I paced the room, hoping Ashley would arrive in the next ten minutes. I didn't want to face Nikki alone. Coward, I know.

There was a knock at the door. I peered through the peephole and saw Nikki standing outside. "Better get your boxing gloves ready," I told Emma.

"Why?" she asked half asleep.

Before I answered, Nikki pounded on the door again. I let her in, not saying a word to her as she walked past me to the kitchen table.

"Hi Emma," she said. "Heard you were sick."

Emma looked back towards the kitchen, infuriated to see Nikki. She shot me a stern look before making eye contact with Nikki again. "What is she doing here?"

"I came to talk to your boyfriend," she said laughing. "In private." She pulled me by my jacket pocket to the bedroom.

"I'll be right back," I promised Emma. "If Ashley gets here, the door is unlocked so just yell for her to come in."

Emma nodded and closed her eyes.

"Nikki, was this really necessary?" I asked her once she closed the door of the bedroom. She put her hands behind her back and switched the lock.

"Yes," she responded softly.

"Don't do this," I pleaded.

She pressed the palms of her hands to my chest. "Just one more time. For good times sake." She kissed my lips, but mine remained frozen in place.

"Please," I begged. "Just stop."

She ignored anything I said. She always did have a mind of her own and she always got whatever she wanted. She pulled the zipper down on my jacket and removed it from my shoulders. She pushed me towards the bed, straddling me in a sitting position. I wasn't going anywhere. Her lips moved to my neck and then down to my chest. She ripped the shirt I was wearing off and threw it to the floor. I sat motionless on the bed, memories of the two of us running through my mind.

"Don't let go," she breathed. "I've wanted this far too long." She unhooked her bra and flung it across the bed. She reached for my hands, running them up her legs to her breasts.

"Damn it Nikki!" I cursed, lifting her off of me. "You can't keep doing this to me!" I frantically picked up the clothes from the floor

Nikki just laughed. "Oh stop it, Robert. I can pick up after myself." She grabbed her bra and put it back on faster than she took it off. "I just wanted to make sure I still had you whipped. And I obviously do. Now I can leave peacefully." She exited the bedroom feeling quite good about herself. "Bye Emma, hope you feel better." She blew her a kiss and walked out the door. "Oh hey Ashley!" Ashley walked in and gave me a concerned look. I walked up to her, still recovering from my encounter with Nikki.

"I think she finally gets that we're over," I whispered to her.

"Who? Emma? Or Nikki?" she asked, confused.

"Nikki!" I answered; surprised she even had to ask.

Ashley walked past me towards the kitchen, taking a glass and filling it up with water. She handed a pill and the water to Emma. "Here sweetie, take this."

"Thanks," Emma graciously said. "How was your talk with Nikki?" she asked me. "Did you get everything figured out?"

"Yeah, everything is great," I sighed.