Chapter 11- Hit me with your best shot.
"Can you check the Ragu? I just need to step away from the stove a bit, need to go get the mushrooms and the block of cheese," I lowered the fire to the stove.
Nalyne side stepped, walking towards the stove, mixing the red sauce with the wooden spoon.
I ran to the refrigerator, opening the door, and pulling out a bag of portobello mushrooms and a block of mozzarella cheese. I placed the items on the center counter, and reached for the grater. As I began to slide the block of cheese along the metal slate, the doorbell rang.
"I'll get it," Nalyne cheered. She walk out of the kitchen and opened the front door. "Hey, you made it," I heard her squeal.
I chuckled as I shook my head. Oh, she is so goo goo for him...
It was quiet for some time.
"Hope you don't mind, um, a few people decided to join," he coughed.
"Hi," another, womanly, voice giggled.
I kept grating the cheese as I listened to the conversation in the other room, like a nosy person.
"Aaron?" Nalyne said his name with a nervous shake.
I bit my bottom lip feeling nervous for her at this point.
I heard a light chuckle and click clacking from heel hitting the shiny tiled floor.
"Seems as though my boyfriend has forgotten his manner...I'm Lauren...Nick's girlfriend," the other woman perked.
I froze in mid grate.
"Laura is it? Can I please speak with these two for a minute," Nalyne demanded, with a slight chuckle, filled with attitude.
"Um, It's Lauren," the woman started.
"Uh huh...you two over here...now," she growled.
I slowly walked out of my kitchen, watching Nalyne argue with Aaron and Nick.
"What the fuck is he doing here? What the fuck are you doing here?" Nalyne looked at them both.
"I'm sorry Nay. I told him I was going to hang with a friend. He was saying he wanted to spend some time and," Aaron tried to explain.
"And what? You thought you guys could spend quality time here? Out of all places? What the fuck is a matter with you," she hissed.
"No he ended up listening to the voice-mail you guys left me about the mushroom filling," he sighed, running his fingers through his hair.
Nick turned noticing me standing there, with a blank expression. A smirk slowly forms his lips.
"OK, Now your just doing this to piss me the fuck off...and it's working," I clenched my jaw.
He started towards me, his hands in his pant pockets, strutting coolly.
Oh god, he's never looked so fucking good. What the hell is it with this man? Wearing that in my house. Dressy shirt, blazer over it, nice slacks. Oh my god...he's trying to give me a heart attack on purpose. No! He does not have control over me. Compose yourself Star. Don't be stupid.
I took a hard swallow as he stepped closer.
"You always looked so hot when your mad," he whispered, huskily.
I shivered, closing my eyes, slowly looking down at my feet. I breathed in deeply, looking back up at him. "Well get ready mother fucker, cuz I'm about to look gorgeous if you don't back the fuck off," I growled lightly.
His brow rose, the smirk still on his face, as he stepped back.
My eyes stayed on him as he walked towards the kitchen.
"Kitchen?" he asked, pointing. Not waiting for my answer, he stepped in.
My gaze adverts to Aaron, "Your dead meat," I hissed, walking into the kitchen.
"But...I didn't do anything," he scoffed, kicking the floor on the process.
Nalyne followed behind me, followed by Aaron. I stared at Nick's back as he scanned through the counters, the food laid there. The pan with rice, simmering. I looked back at Nalyne, as she stared at me in nervousness. I switched my gaze to Aaron, realizing there was obviously one person missing. I walked passed them, walking into the foyer. "What are you doin' just standing there? Come in," I waved my hand at Lauren, walking back in to the kitchen.
I step in to see Nick snacking on some chopped shitaki mushrooms from the salad bowl. I quickly stomp towards him, smacking the back of his hand, as he aimed to get another.
He stuck his bottom lip out, giving me his most adorable puppy eyes.
I sighed, placing a hand on my hip whilst the other brushed through my hair.
"Can everyone please go in to the living room. Aaron will show you the way," I pushed the air towards them, indicating for them to move.
"OK," Aaron put his hands up, "Come on Nay," he reached for her hand.
"Your staying here with me," I wrap my arm around her shoulders, pulling her away from Aaron, "You guys go. Talk amongst yourself, chit chat. Watch T.V...something," we turned, standing by the stove.
They began to talk and their voices began to fade.
"What are you going to do?" she bumped my shoulder.
I closed my eyes, turning my head towards her, showing her the biggest, fake smile I could possibly do, "Sit there and look pretty," I gritted.
"Dinner is served," Nalyne clapped, as I passed behind her, holding the salad bowl and a few plates.
"Finally, I'm starving," Aaron exhaled, standing up.
"Yea, it's about time," Nick followed us onto the patio outside, where we had the dinner table set up. The tiki posts were lit and the patio lights on, with the ocean breeze blowing perfectly.
"Well if you were tired of waiting, I'm pretty sure you remember there is a taco bell two blocks down," I smiled genuinely at him, placing the plates down on the wooden table.
"You know I prefer your cookin' darlin'," he said with a southern accent, grinning widely, sitting down at the corner of table.
I rolled my eyes, putting down the last plate, as Nalyne was following behind me, scooping salad onto the plates. Lauren sat across from Nick. Aaron next to Nalyne, and I sat in the middle, at the other end of the table. Far from Nick and his girl.
"Do you guys know each other?" Lauren looked at Nick then stared at me.
I gave her a small smile, grabbing my fork as I mixed the dressing on my greens, "What makes you say that?" I forked my lettuce, shoving it into my mouth, catching the glance Nalyne and Aaron gave each other.
"The way you guys interact with each other," she points at both of us. "Seems like you...both have...history," she faded, looking down, eating her salad.
I looked at her, chewing slowly. I switch my gaze to Nick, then Aaron and Nalyne. Looking at those two for help.
"I think she means how Nick was in your personal space dude," Nalyne broke in, taking a fork full of green to her mouth.
"Oh, " I chipped, "well, it's OK. Nick is always in everyone's personal space," I waved my hand. "It's pretty creepy actually," I nodded, chuckling a little bit.
Aaron and Nalyne looked down with smiles on their faces.
"So you do know each other," she looked confused.
"Yea, we go way back. Star used to be my make up artist," Nick smiled my way.
I narrowed my eyes, "The guys make up artist. I was part of the crew," I explained.
"Yea but you mostly got stuck with me," he nodded.
I stood up, finished with my salad. "Whose ready for the main coarse?" I announced, not really waiting for an answer I walked out.
"Did I miss something?" I heard Lauren ask.
"Oh no. Ester has the tendency of just walking out. It's kinda like tore-ts...that's her nickname," Nalyne giggled.
I smacked my forehead with my palm.
"The food was very delicious," Lauren wiped her mouth.
I nodded, slowly sipping from my glass of red wine. "Thank you," I responded softly.
"Whats wrong Star, wine starting to hit you a little bit," Nick chuckled, sipping from his glass of water.
I glared at him intensely. Honestly, if looks could kill, he would have died a million deaths.
"I remember when I would take Star drinking at the after parties and she would get so messed up with like...one beer, I had to drag her off the seats and bar counters," he laughed.
Aaron, Nalyne, and Lauren giggled silently.
I coughed, sitting up straight. "Yea well, that's what happens when you take advantage of someones innocence," I clicked my tongue.
He stared at me with, his brows scrunched together.
"Trying to live up to the higher man," I brought up my arms, in a sort of wave.
"How much have you changed E? I mean, since you've known Nick?" Nalyne turned to look at me.
"I don't know. I don't keep track of this shit," I laughed.
"Well from what Nick just said, you know, you wouldn't have guessed you were a light weight,"
"Well for one, you never used to cuss so much," he glared.
I shrugged, "It adds more passion to my sentences," I laughed.
"I know something else that'll add passion to your sentences," he smirked.
I huffed, placing my glass down, "Dessert anyone?" I shouted, walking in to the kitchen.
I swing open the refrigerator door, pulling out the blueberry cheese pie. I place it on the center counter and begin to lift the lid. I sighed, placing my palms flat on both sides of the the dish. My fingers slowly curled into fists, slamming them down on the counter, letting out a short, yet loud shriek.
A loud thud resonated from the dining room, hurried steps echoed.
"What happened?" Nalyne huffed.
I turned to look at her, feeling my eyes droop, forming a slight crescent moon.
She sighed, dropping her arms to her sides, "He driving you crazy?" she walked towards me.
"You have no idea," I growled loudly, kicking the bottom of the counter.
Nalyne chuckles.
"I swear Nay, I see him and..." I sighed, "I just want to jump across the table and kiss him," I traced my lips with my finger tips, the memory of his mouth faintly on mine. I close my eyes, reminiscing of his sweet, tender lips. "and then he opens his mouth, and all I want to do is shove his face into his food," I gritted, slamming my fist accidentally smashing a peach that strayed from the fruit bowl. I lifted my hand, looking at it in disgust, flicking it away.
"As long as the 'face shoving into food' sensation stays and you keep your hormones in check...your good," she nods.
I look at her, wiping the the juicy slime off my hand.
"That Lauren chick is pretty chill," she leans back against the counter.
"Oh nooo," I whine, stomping slightly on the floor. "Please no, don't tell me that," I scoffed, somberly.
"Why?" Nalyne chuckles.
"Then it's going to make it harder for me to hate her. 'Cuz then I'll like her...I'm the ex, I'm not suppose to like the girlfriends," I pouted.
"Well then march in there and make your title known," she smirked.
I shift my gaze towards her, shaking my head, smacking her arm with the back of my hand, "Your suppose to be keeping me from doing reckless things," I laughed weakly at the loud smack.
"Is everything OK?" Aaron spoke from the patio.
"Yep, everything is...copacetic," Nalyne rubbed her arm, smirking slightly, walking away. "Hurry up with the pie," she shouted, exiting the room.
"I'm goin'," I shouted back. I turned back to the pie, ready to cut into it.
"Oh and E?" Nalyne called from behind me.
I turned, my brows high in wonder.
"Here's a little something to calm those hormones of yours," she threw a black, satin pouch, rather long.
I caught it as it reached over to me. Pulling the red ribbon, I opened it seeing a very big, purple rabbit vibrator. I quickly closed it. "Jesus Christ," I hissed, "NAY!" I yelled, throwing it at her, seeing her dodge it, and hit the wall with a loud thud.
She skipped away laughing.
I stomped and screamed in slight frustration.
I seriously need to get laid.
I sighed, grabbing the knife off the counter.
"I remember when I used to make you scream like that," I heard from behind me.
I quickly turned, knife in hand, pointing at the cause of my main frustration.
He lifts his hands up, as if surrendering.
I clenched my jaw, "What do you want Nick?"
He chuckled maliciously, "I come in peace," he walked forward.
"For some really odd, funny, fucking reason, I don't believe you," I gritted, glaring at him.
He stepped closer and my grip tightened on the handle of the sharp, silver blade. He slowly reached out for my hand, gently placing it on mine, taking the knife from my stubborn fingers.
"Wouldn't want to hurt someone, would we?" he whispered.
"You would know all about that wouldn't you Nick?" I cocked my head to the side.
His jaw clenched. His eyes giving me a stern yet sad expression, making it seem much more difficult to resist him.
"Why are you hear Nick?" I looked up at him.
"Wanted to talk to you," he looked at the knife, then down at my eyes, as he slowly set the kitchen utensil aside, "in private,"
"What about?" I crossed my arms over my chest.
"Are you and my brother...," he took a deep breathe, "are you and Aaron...i...involved?" he croaked.
I scoffed, chuckling slightly. I place my hands on my hips, looking away.
"Are you?" he growled.
I quickly turn to look at him, "Look, you listen," I pointed my finger at him, "What I do with my love life, is my personal business," I jabbed my finger in his chest, "We are nothing anymore. There is no us, there is no we. There is just you and me, got that?" I stared at him, sternly.
"I don't want to fight with you, Star," he sighed.
"Don't call me that," I hissed, "Only people dear to me call me that,"
There was a shot of hurt in his eyes and I immediately felt bad, but quickly dismissed it. I will not back down.
"Ella, please," he breathed, taking my hand in his, "I don't want this to be there anymore,"
I stared at our joined hands, then back at him, "Don't want what there?" my voice broke.
"I don't want there to be hate between us. I don't want you to see me every time and immediately get angry," he explained.
"I wouldn't if you would just leave me alone," I pulled my hand away.
"I just want you too give me one more chance. If not as an us then as a friend," he pleaded.
"Your too important to me, too lose," he whispered.
"But I wasn't too important what you were beating the shit out of me was I?" my voiced cracked.
He sighed, dropping his head. "Look, the boys and I are having this cruise in a few days. I'd like for you to come..." he handed me a ticket, "Take it as a pardon gift,"
I stared, blankly, at the ticket in hand. My eyes skimming through the letters, wonderingly. I look back at him, my brows creasing together. "You think you can just buy my likability back?" I shook my head.
"It's not like that Star," he argued, his voice raising slightly.
I clenched my teeth, shoving the ticket at his chest.
"Sorry, Ella," he breathed. "I just..." he began, "I just really want to make things right between us,"
"You can start by going away," I gritted.
He sighed again, "You're not going to make this easy are you?"
"How about I don't want this at all," I looked at him, then walked away, grabbing the pie, and stepping out onto the patio.
Never. Again. OK. Eleven shots I can handle. Eleven shots, two beers, five glasses of jungle juice, and three pina coladas, I can not. After dessert, we sat on the beach and drank while making small talk of the past, rarely mentioning any relation to Nick and I.
I walked out of my room, rubbing my temples gently. My feet hovered through the hall, leading me into the kitchen. I walked over to the drawer, opening it, and taking out a magical bottle called Aspirin. I popped the lid off, taking the little magical pill onto my hand and into my mouth, quickly dry swallowing it.
"Can I have one of those?"
I screamed, dropping the bottle of pills. I placed my hand on my chest, feeling my heart beat pounding against my palm. I turned, seeing Nick standing there, looking amused.
"What. The. Fuck," I said, slowly. "What are you still doing here?" I glared.
"Couldn't drive shit faced, could I?" he answered, squatting down, picking up the pills that scattered over my ocean green tile.
I stand there, not moving an inch, looking down at him. His eyes slowly look up my bare legs, up my stomach, up to my face. He closes the bottle, moving his hand back towards the floor. I felt his fingers brush against my ankle, the back of this hand slowly rising up my knee. My skin filled with bump from the chills cause by his cold, smooth skin. His fingers trailed up my thigh, his eyes intensely concentrating on his task at hand…literally.
"Nick," I breathed.
"Hmm," he responded, merely. His fingertips swiftly move towards my inner thigh, slipping in, under my denim shorts. He slowly stands, stepping closer to me, causing me to step back, and crash onto the kitchen counter. I hold on to the edge, for my dear life, feeling two fingers massage the curve of my inner thigh and my, now warm, center.
"What are you doing," my breathe became hesitant.
He licked his lips, "I don't know," he stepped back, removing his hot fingers from me, creating distance.
My heart sped. Pounded against my chest like a bass drum. My chest rising and falling, trying to catch my breathe.
"Nick?" someone called, their voice becoming closer. Not long after, Lauren entered the room. "There you are," she smiled, looking at Nick, then moving to me, then back at Nick. "I was looking for you. Where'd you go?" she giggled.
"Ella was just going to give some aspirin," he smiled, genuinely.
She walked over to him, wrapping her arms around his, tightly. "Thank you so much Estrella, for letting us stay the night," she beamed. "I don't think we would have been able to make it back,"
I nodded, not really in my right state to say anything, but thought I should any way, "Not like I had much of a choice," I grinned, trying to show some type of meaning of jest.
She laughed. "Well I'm ready when you are baby. Got to spend as much time with him as I can before he leaves," she pouted playfully, leaning to kiss Nick. My stomach clenched as the inches became shorter. Quickly, Nick turned away. Her lips connecting to his cheek. "I'll meet you in the car, K?" she smiled, walking out.
He sighed, turning to see me.
"Don't. Ever. Do that again," I growled, shoving him farther from me. I began to storm out, but was stopped by the strong fingers wrapped around my wrist. Those same fingers that were trailing up my core minutes before. "Nick let me go," I huffed.
"Please tell me you'll take the ticket and go on the cruise with me? You can take your friend," he explained.
"No. I already said no last night and my answer and mind still hasn't changed," I glared.
He sighed, shaking his "I already got you the tickets E," he growled.
i clicked my tongue, giving him a genuine smile "that's not my problem now, is it. I didn't tell you to buy them," i cocked my head to the side, smiling.
"Star!" he growled.
I scowled, cocking my eyebrow at him.
"Babe, let's go," Lauren yelled from the front of the house.
"Yea," he responded, more to himself. He slowly began to walk away.
"Buh bye," I smiled, twiddling my fingers at him.
As he disappeared, I sighed a heavy sigh, feeling my throat clench, making it hard to swallow. I closed my eyes, still feeling his fingertips on me. "Ay Nick...que voy a hacer contigo?"
~.~.~.~
"Alright everyone, listen up closely okay," I chuckled into the microphone. "Be the ninth caller to win tickets to a Ciara concert, BUT...but, u have to tell me the lyrics to Daft Punks "Technologic". WHOA!" I chuckled, seeing the phone lines lighting, "let's start. hello caller your on the air," I smiled.
"Am I the ninth caller?" the voice asked eagerly.
I clicked my tongue, "no sorry. try calling again,"
"While we answer more callers, let's play some jams," Nalyne put in. "This is 'like a boy' by Ci-a-RA," she clicked her mic off as I answered more calls. Nay stared at me as I laughed at the attempted call winner. She checked the machine making sure it was recording the calls.
As I hung up, Nay stayed looking at me. "What's up with you? Why do you keep staring at me?"
"You've awfully cheerful lately," she smirked, lifting her brow.
"And? Is it a crime to be cheerful?" I sat back, crossing my arms, defensively.
" No, no, of coarse not," she smirked. "Just wondering what has you in such a good mood,"
"¿Y que? There has to be a reason or what? I'm happy cuz' I'm happy," I shrugged, listening to the music play.
"Uh huh," she cocked her jaw to the side, "and it has nothing to do with...anyone else?" her brow rose.
I chuckled, "No, I'm just happy," I shrugged.
"Nick?" she whispered.
"What?" My brows furrowed. "What about him?"
"Well," she clears her throat, "I mean, you know, he showed up at the house out of no where and you bumped into him at the market," she shrugged.
My brows rose as I shook my head, "Was your point there somewhere?"
"Well I'm just sayin'. I mean, from what I noticed, that smile on your face has been...frequent," she smirks, slightly.
"And where in the hell did you get the damn idea that it has to do with...that," I growled.
"No, no no no, nothing," she chuckled nervously.
There was a knock behind Nalyne, seeing Rick, our sound technician, I stood up, shaking my head at her. walking past her, I smacked her upside the head. "What's up Ricky?" I stared at him, leaning my arm on the shelf counter.
"This is your next announcement," he gave me a slip if paper, then went back to turning the knobs on the sound board.
I look down at the paper, scanning over it, thoroughly. I lift my eyes to look at him, "Seriously Ricky? Do I have to, other station are probably doing the same announcement,"
"Yea, but we are the most heard station in Florida," he cocked his head to the side, his brows high.
I sighed heavily, walking away, and back to my station. I slammed the piece of paper down on the desk, watching Nalyne jump in her seat.
"What's up?" she sets her phone down.
I flip the paper, straightening my arm, showing her the paper, practically shoving it in her face.
She sighed, smirking slightly as she shook her head, "Even when he's trying to not leave you alone, he still doesn't leave you alone.
I rose my brows in agreement, placing my slender fingers on the mic switch, ready to place the announcement.
"Want me to say it?" Nalyne asked, noticing the frustration painted all over my face.
I nodded, standing from my chair, her gaze following my movements.
"Where are you going?" she asked curiously, as I gathered my things.
Shrugging, I answered, "I don't know...to a bar?" I responded. More of a question, than a solid answer. "I don't really care at this point," I added, as I, slouchy like, began to walk away.
"A bar? It's barely two in the afternoon," she called out.
I continued walking, sluggishly, towards the exit, "Yea well...its five o'clock somewhere," I retorted, shoving the door open, hearing Nalyne's faint introduction into the microphone.
I stared at my car, as walked past it, my legs automatically fending for themselves. I looked up as I reached the first building that I encountered. Not really processing where I was, I entered either way.
"Ay! Estrella, how you doin` girl?!" a strong, familiar voice, boomed from across the room.
I quickly snapped out of my daze, turning my head slowly toward the voice. I smiled slowly, "Diego!" I replied in excitement, my steps quickly shuffling towards him.
Diego was a long time friend. We grew up together. He was a street kid in my hometown, always getting in trouble and running scams. For someone who got into so much trouble, he truly was a humble person. Every time, after school, we would go to the plaza, where they played music, and people stood around, watched, and even danced. We would dance and show off, sometimes making small dance battle between us two. Dancing meringue, salsa, bachata, cumbia, and tejano. When my mom decided to move us to the states, I was devastated. Diego and I were best friends. Two peas in a pot...you know...all that gravy stuff. That is when my mom decided to adopt Diego and take him with us. It was quite easy, since he didn't have any parents, and kinda already lived with us. When we moved, we started school together, and I graduated alone...due to the fact that I skipped a few grades. Diego didn't really like that. He had stopped talking to me for a while, then he got over it...until Nick came around.
"How have you been? It has been a while. Thought something had happened to you," he smiled.
"No nothing happened to me," not quite, "I've been fine," only trying to get away from the only man I can't resist. I smiled at him, taking a seat on the bar stool.
"Are you still with that Nick guy?" his thick Mexican accent accentuated, as he asked.
I chuckled, awkwardly looking down. "No, um that has been over for...sometime now...a LONG, some...time," as I said it, it stung. I mean, yea I know I can have him back on a drop of a hat if I wanted to, but...I don't. I mean, I have gone this far right? Well...not counting that minor setback...yea...that minor relapse.
"What happened?" he looked at me quickly, changing his gaze back down to his task at hand, "if you don't mind me asking," he smirked slightly, shrugging.
As if he cared. I laughed sarcastically, Diego never, and I do mean never liked Nick Even if he was the last person on earth to communicate with. Even if lives depended on it and Diego is a man of peace. Yep, that's how much he hates Nick.
"Well my dear Diego, I got fed up," I clicked my tongue. "I got tired of all his bull. The fights, the late nights, the girls, the..." I paused, inhaling deeply "the emotional abuse and the ...the physical," I shrugged.
"So you had followed my advice," he quirked, having the urge to say "I told you so."
My head quickly jerked to the side, as I raised my brows.
He looked at me, quickly looking down. His hands pressed firmly down on the counter. He shook his head and sighed, "I know, I know," he chuckled. "you don't want to hear it...and I won't say it," he smiled.
I chuckled. "Hit me up, will ya," I smiled.
He laughed, nodding, reaching out for a cup as he filled it with the yummy, stinging, clear liquid.
The door bell jingled, signaling that someone entered.
Diego placed the cup in front of me, looking behind me for a split second, resuming his attention towards me.
"I'm not taking no for an answer!" the voice demanded, coming loudly from behind me.
I looked at Diego, dead in the eye, as he leaned back against the counter, staring at Nick with a cool demeanor.
Footsteps resonated behind me The sound bouncing on the walls, moving to my side. Nick side stepped and planted his voluptuous ass on the bar stool next to me.
I craned my neck, slowly turning to face him.
He looked down at himself, adjusting his seating, then looking up at Diego, offering him a small smile. "Diego," he simply said, with a nod.
I looked at Diego as he briefly looked at me and walked away. I looked back at Nick, who was looking at his cold burn walk away.
His brows rose quickly as he clicked his tongue, "You'd think after so long, he'd mature," he chuckled slightly.
My jaw clenched, as I stared at him, sternly, "You don't quit, do you?" I crossed my arms.
"You of all people should know how stubborn I am," he responded, with a small smirk.
I scoffed, turning in my stool, facing forward again, taking a long sip from my drink.
"A bit early to be drinking don't you think?" Nick leaned slightly, tapping his finger on my glass as I placed it down, my hands wrapped tightly around it.
"Your one to talk," I muttered.
"I've been sober for sometime now," he responded too my minor low blow.
I chuckled humorlessly, bringing the glass back to my lips.
Nick reached up, grabbing the glass out of my hand.
I looked at him, brows furrowed in frustration. "Give that back," I gritted, reaching over to it, only to have him push it away from me more. "Nick!" I hissed, nearly shouting.
He placed his forearm against my chest, blocking me from further reaching my drink.
"Will you calm down? Your acting like a five year old," he retorted, with an amused smile.
I huffed, "Your one to talk," I growled, sitting back in my chair.
"Is that the only come back you can think of?" he shook his head, standing with the glass in hand, and pours the liquid down the drain.
"That was mine!" I argued.
"Now its the sewers," he sat back down.
"What do you want Nick?" I groaned.
"I want to try and convince you to go to the cruise," he answered, calmly.
I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose, "I already gave you my answer and I said no,"
"Why not? You'll have fun," he began
"I can have fun here, thank you very much," I cut him off.
"We can get a chance to become friends. You know, just kind of start off where we left off," he looked at me, hopefully.
"Nick..." I started.
"I know. OK, I know. I know I fucked up. Trust me, I know I fucked up...royally. There is never a time where I think about how badly I fucked up. I treated you like shit, I cheated on you, I hit you, I even slept with a few girls on our bed. A place that was supposed to be ours," he strained.
"Nick, you don't have to give me the play by play of the shit you did. I was there, remember," I mumbled.
"I didn't appreciate you when I should have. I blamed my problems on you, when the real issue was me. I was down and I wanted to drag you down with me. And then at the beginning, you still stuck around. Why, I don't know. I was a real asshole and to top it off, that night after we ran into each other, was just another fuck up too add to the pile of shit," he sighed, rubbing the tear, threatening to spill, away.
I sat there breathless. Not sure if I should react to my heart or my head. So I sat there, with a blank expression on my face.
"You've given me so many chances and I've fucked up in each and everyone one of those opportunities, majorly. I didn't deserve then," he looked at me, intensely.
My breath hitched. My hands began to sweat profusely. I swallowed and flinched at how dry my throat had gotten as my saliva, roughly, trickled down my esophagus.
"but I know for a fact that I deserve you now, and this time...I most definitely know, I won't fuck up," he leaned forward, getting slightly closer, his voice low and husky, "So like I said before, I won't be taking no for an answer," he leaned in more, giving me a slight kiss on the cheek. "I'll see you later," he stood, looking over at the figure that appeared next to me. "Diego. It was nice seeing you again," he turns to leave.
"I wish I could say the same to you...no...no I take that back," Diego nods, crossing his arms over his chest.
Nick just chuckles and walks out, leaving me still...speechless.
"What was that about?"
I turned to look at him. His face stern, his lip slightly sucked in, and his hair falling half way in front of his face. I giggled.
"What?" he looked at me, with his big brown eyes.
"I forgot how cute you looked when your angry," I laughed.
"I am not cute," he glared.
"You are too," I smile, standing up, leaning over the counter, giving him a small peck of the tip of his nose. "Sorry I can't stay longer but I have to get back to work, so I can close up," I said, grabbing a napkin and pulling out a pen from my wallet.
Diego chuckles, "Still carry wallets?" he asked, more of a statement.
"You know I'm not a purse girl," I looked at him, before scribbling my number down on the napkin. "Call me when you can, K?" I leaned over again, hugging him tightly. "I missed you," I smiled at him, before leaving.
"Such a wonderful morning, isn't it beautiful Ms. Nay," I smiled, walking through the station doors, posting myself at my chair.
She eyed me suspiciously. "Uh huh, either you got some or your really high," she pointed at me.
I giggled, "I am neither," I smiled, going through my mail.
"OK, I call bullshit," she laughs.
"I'm serious," I grinned.
"Yea, sure and I'm Michael Jackson," she rose her brow at me.
"I always suspected that," I joked.
She slapped my arm, as I laughed, "No, but seriously...what's up, what's got you in a good mood?" she questioned.
"It's 11 in the morning and the Carnival Cruise Ship leaves in two hours," I shrugged, not being able to wipe off the smile off my face.
Nalyne stared at me, confused. "OK...So? Most people would be devastated by that,"
I laughed, hearing Rick knock the window behind me. I turned, seeing him signal me that I had a phone call.
"Hey, so speaking of which, are you ready?" she asked.
"Hold on," I told her, walking into the sound tech room, grabbing the phone in Rick's hand. "Hello, this is Estrella speaking," I greeted.
"Hello Ms. Vasquez?" asked a deep, stern voice on the other line.
"Yes?" my brows furrowed.
"Hi Ms. Vasquez, I'm officer Tenpenny. I'm just calling you to inform you that one of your neighbors called to report a B and E at your house. We're here at your house, unfortunately they left before we got here, and they made a pretty big mess here. We would like for you to come to see if they took anything, and maybe you have someone in mind," the man informed me.
I stared at the sound board in shock.
"Ms. Vasquez?"
"Um, yes...Uh I'll be right there," I responded slowly. I placed the phone in the receiver.
"Is everything OK?" Rick asked, concerned.
I shook my head, trying to shake the shock off, "Yea, um, I just need too go to my house real quick. If Nay asks, just tell her I'll be back," I grabbed my bag and keys, dashing out of the building.
I sped towards the house. Cracking my skull over who would be able to do something like that. I didn't have any enemies...neither did Nalyne. Well, not that I knew of. One name kept going through my head over and over though, but something was also telling me that he wouldn't be capable of doing that. My neighbors would have recognized him in a heart beat. I know this, because there are days Nalyne and I come home to here them blasting Backstreet's Back through the house.
I pull up to the house, quickly switching the car off, and jumping out of the vehicle. I run up the drive way getting to the door. I opened the door, walking inside, noticing how extremely quiet it was. I looked around, walking through each room, slowly.
"Hello?" I called out, flinching slightly at my stupidity.
I continued looking around, noticing how nothing was out of place. I heard rustling from another room.
"Officer Tenpenny?" I whispered loudly.
There was a small click, like a door had closed. I turned, hearing loud footsteps, run across the hallway. I strode towards the kitchen, my mind closing on the destination of the knife holder. I reached for the blade handle, when there was a loud thud. Everything went black
…...and I hit the floor.