Chapter 13--The Rain

"I don't know...I can't...I..." Nick wasn't sure how to even give Sophia an answer.

"I'm sorry." Sophia spoke quietly. "I don't mean to intrude or...it's just that when I see you two...ah, there I go again. Forget it." She stood to leave. At the door she turned around and spoke once more to Nick. "For what it's worth, I think you two would be fantastic together." She smiled and then went out the door.

Nick sighed and reached for his cell phone. "Hey, you got a few minutes to talk?" he asked.

"About damned time," Warrick answered on the other end. "Let me buy you dinner. Burger and Fries okay? Double Double Animal Style, right?"

"Yeah..." Nick replied. He desperately needed to talk to someone and he knew Warrick was the one friend who would hear him out. "See you in a few."

They ate in the parking lot, sitting in Warrick's SUV. "No, I never asked, because I figured you'd say something when you were ready." Warrick spoke between french fries.

Nick grinned. "I'm still not sure I'm ready..." He shook his head. "I'm not sure of myself..."

"C'mon, Nicky..." Warrick interrupted. "Stop questioning the details of the situation! Ask yourself what do you feel...in here..." Warrick tapped Nick's chest. "There's where your answers lie, man...right there. What. Do. You. Feel!"

Nick swallowed hard, the firm lump in his throat not moving. Suddenly, the skies above opened up and heavy rains fell on Las Vegas. Nick felt his heart open at the very same time. The answers flowed as the rains sheeted down upon the windshield.

Warrick listened, as only a best friend could. Finally he spoke. "I do have one question. What the hell are you doing sitting here, talking to ME?"

Nick finally laughed. He nodded his head. "You're right. Thanks, man."

"Anytime..." Warrick replied.

Nick had already begun driving when he reached for his cell phone. "ARRRRGH!" he screamed, slamming his hand on the steering wheel, realizing he'd left his phone behind with Warrick. He turned back, but Warrick had already left. Nick decided to just go home...go home and call Greg.

The rains kept coming, making Nick run from his car towards his front door. He stopped when he saw the rain soaked figure sitting there.

"Greg?" Nick tilted his head to get a better look

"Hi. C...c...c...can I ...c..c...come in? It's k...kinda wet out here." Greg shivered, his clothing drenched and water dripping down his face from his wet hair.

"I was just going to call you..." Nick said, still not moving.

"N...now y...you d...d...don't have to. Dammit, Nick..it's cold...c...c...can we go...inside?" Greg slowly stood up.

Nick jumped, as if woken from a dream. "Oh God... Yes...c'mon." Nick ran to the door and unlocked it. He led Greg inside.

Nick looked at Greg, still dripping wet from the rain. "How long have you been there? Gimme your coat." Nick pulled Greg's wet jacket from him. Greg's shirt was damp underneath and clung to his skin.

"A while. I...I...n..need to talk to you." Greg still shivered.

"Listen...go take a hot shower first. C'mere..." He led Greg towards the bathroom. "Here's some towels, I'll get you some dry clothes. We'll talk...I...I need to talk to you, too." Nick reached out to move the damp hairs that hung over Greg's eyes. "You're gonna need fresh bandages, too...I've got some in the kitchen. Come there after." Nick grinned. "I'll make you a cup of coffee..."

Greg gave a half smile. "You sure you know how to make coffee?"

Nick laughed. "Yeah, I've still got that bag of Hawaiin Something-or-Other you gave me for Christmas." Nick felt his heart beat faster. He realized that even with a black eye and bluish lips from the cold...to him, Greg Sanders was beautiful. "Hurry...go warm up."

Greg smiled fully then. "I already am."