"Nick how could you do that to me?  How could you sleep with her and expect me to act like it was nothing?"

"I didn't sleep with her."

"Oh right, this one just gave you head right?  What about the others Nick.  Yes I know there have been others.  I've pretended like I didn't know about it before and I won't do it anymore.  Are you listening to me?"

"Yes Jenna I'm listening."

"I don't know what you think I am to you, but if you think I'll turn a blind eye to everything you do that hurts me, you're wrong.  I'm not going to let you screw anything that crosses your path and then come home to me. I can't take it anymore Nick, the women, the drinking, the drugs, I don't know exactly what you do when we aren't together, but I know you're involved in a lot of shit I don't want to get messed up in.  It ends or we do, simple as that."

    He had stopped for her, the parties and the perks that went with them, the random women he would hit on because he could, because he was Mr. Big Celebrity, but one bad night, one big mistake had pushed her over the edge.  She had stayed for a little while after it happened, trying to make it work but she couldn't forgive him and she left.

    Nick sat quietly on his boat away from the house, away from people, even though he was still anchored to the dock.  He had sat outside all evening, looking out across the water, not really doing much of anything but watching. But now, as the sun began to set, he got up from his seat and trudged his way back up to the house.  Watching the sun set was something Jenna had loved to do, she thought a sunset was one of the most beautiful things in the world, but since she left Nick had begun to loathe them, all they did was remind him of her, and that she was gone.   Kayla had told him to figure out why Jenna left, he just didn't have the guts to tell her that he knew.  He just didn't want to admit it to anyone, it would become real, and in that reality he was the bad guy, the very bad guy.   Nick didn't think Kayla or anyone would forgive what he had done, Jenna was the only one who knew, and she couldn't forget or forgive, why would anyone else?

    Sleeping with Howie's wife had probably been one of the lowest points in his life, it had all happened by accident and if Howie ever found out Nick knew a lot of things would be over, like their marriage, Nick and Howie's friendship and possibly the whole group.  Jenna had walked in on them the next morning, Nick and Christine both reeling from a party the night before.  She just stood there, not yelling, not crying, just watching them scramble to find their clothes, and listening to them both mutter apologies and regret for what they had done.    Christine wasn't a bad person, she was the nicest, sweetest person imaginable and she was perfect for Howie, her blue eyes and strawberry blond hair the perfect contrast to his dark latin look, but neither Jenna or Howie could make the party so Nick and Christine ended up talking over drinks, one drink turned into a few and the conversation turned sexual and one thing led to another.  They both almost ruined everything they had, Nick ruining the one thing in his life he had all to himself, but they kept it quiet for Christine's sake and Howie's.  Nick didn't know how Howie would react to the betrayal, but he wasn't ever going to find out.    Nick had apologized to Jenna, begging her not to say anything, it wasn't Christine's fault, and Howie shouldn't be punished for Nick's mistake.  She had promised she'd keep it to herself, and that's the way it stayed, no one knew about it but the three of them, and as long as he lived he hoped it would stay that way.

    Nick entered his house from the patio doors in the back, rubbing the dirt from his feet on the small carpet that sat on the doorstep,

    "Hello?" he yelled.  "Anyone here?  Kayla?" No answer. Nick shrugged and went to the refrigerator, it was virtually empty. Unless he wanted a ketchup and  pickle sandwich, without bread.  He shut the door of the fridge and came face to face with Kayla.

    "Hungry?" She asked.

    "No, just bored." He said.

    "We could play Monopoly." She smiled.

    "I will NEVER play monopoly with you again.  You cheat."

    "Just because I kicked your ass, it doesn't make me a cheater."

    "So do you wanna do something, besides Monopoly?'

    "Like what?" Kayla asked, jumping up and sitting on the counter.

    "I don't know, wanna go get a movie or something." he said.  "We could order pizza and just hang out or whatever."

    "Sounds fun.  But wait, who gets to pick the movie?"

    "You pick one, I pick one.  Same goes for the pizza."

    "You have a deal Mr. Carter." She said jumping off the counter and pulling him towards the front door.

    "Kayla please don't call me Mr. Carter." He said, putting on a pair of shoes.   " It makes me feel like someone's boss or dad, or something."

    "Nick, you are my boss." Kayla looked at him strangely.

    "Yeah well, you aren't working right now.   So don't call me that."

    "Is that an order?" She said sarcastically, pulling on her jacket and opening the front door.

    "Shut up."

    "Yes Mr. Carter!" Kayla playfully saluted him, and Nick responded by shoving her lightly.  Kayla turned to look at him, appallment spread across her face as she swiftly nailed him hard in the arm with her fist.

    "Ouch!" He yelled.

    "Serves you right." She laughed.

    "Some friend you are." he pouted, rubbing his arm.

    "Go figure Nick, looks like you have a friend after all." She said nudging him with her elbow as they walked down the path to the garage.

    "Yeah well I guess one more wouldn't  hurt." he said aloofly as they got into his car.  "Or one more would hurt a lot." He said rubbing his arm again, pulling his t-shirt up.  "Look there's a bruise, you little violent bitch." He teased.

    "Stop whining you big baby." She said with a smile.  "Let's go get some movies, and next time you call me a bitch I'll really hit you."
 

    "I can't believe you're making me sit through this." Nick whined.  "No guy wants to see other guys in tights dancing."

    "Then look at the girls!"

    "You didn't tell me this movie was about dancing." He continued.

    "If I had to sit through some John Wu, badly acted, over-the-top special effects kung-fu action movie, you have to sit through this.  That was the deal." Kayla said sternly, shushing him so she could watch.  Nick stared blankly at the screen.

    "I'm gonna make some popcorn." He sighed, getting up off the couch and going into the kitchen.

    "Lots of butter." She said

    "Who said I was making some for you?"

    "Bite me."

    Nick laughed and went to the kitchen.  Tonight had been fun.  He had gone from supreme self loathing, to actually having a good time, even though they were watching bad movies.  Kayla was unlike any girl he had been around before, she treated him like a human, not putting up with his bullshit and telling him what was on her mind, even if it meant insulting him.  He respected that, how could he not, she was honest.  A hell of a lot more honest than I am, he thought as the microwave beeped. I wonder what Jenna's doing?  he thought out of nowhere, trying to ignore his own question, quickly pouring melted butter on the bowl of popcorn and hunting around for the salt shaker.

    "Um, want a drink or something?" He yelled.

    "Yeah, Pepsi if you have it."  She replied, he poured two glasses of Pepsi and carried them into the living room, balancing the bowl of popcorn precariously in his arms.  She grabbed the bowl and set it on the coffee table, not pulling her eyes from the screen.  They shared the big bowl of popcorn as they watched the rest of the movie, but Nick wasn't paying attention to what was going on.  He was racking his mind about Jenna, as usual.

Why do I care what she's doing.  I haven't talked to her in over seven months, I haven't even seen her.  Why do I care about her at all?  Because you love her dumbass.  He thought.  So, if she loved me like she said she did she wouldn't have left.   Nick silently  munched the popcorn,  trying to pay attention to the movie so he could ignore his thoughts.  I wonder what Kayla would think if she knew about what happened with Christine?  I wonder if she'd hate me like Jenna does.   I wonder if everyone would hate me?  Howie would hate me, that's for sure,

    "Hello?  Earth to Nick." Kayla said waving a hand in front of his face, shaking him out of his trance.   He looked up and noticed the movie was done, and that the credits rolled on the screen.  "Movie's done, what do you want to do now?" Nick shrugged as Kayla picked through the empty bowl of popcorn, cracking the semi popped kernels loudly in her teeth.

    "I don't know.  I think I'm just gonna go downstairs and work on something." Nick said quietly, not really wanting to write, but pretending he did.

    "Okay." She said.  "I guess I'll take off then."  She set the bowl down on the floor and grabbed her jean jacket, putting it on and grabbing her things.  "See you on Monday."

    "Wait." Nick said as she neared the door.  He almost forgot she didn't live here, he just always felt her presence in the house.  "Never mind." He said as she turned around.  "See you Monday."  Monday was a few days away, maybe they could hang out.  Maybe do something Saturday night, he thought.  But he didn't say anything, he just watched her give a small wave and leave the house.  He listened as she started her car and finally turned to go upstairs when he couldn't hear it anymore, not in the mood to write, just feeling like going to sleep.  Maybe Jenna'll be in my dreams, he thought.

Chapter 3

Sunsets Index
Back to Main