*Shannon*
My date with Nick was, well, interesting. First he took me to this great restaurant. My bruise had faded, and I had decided it was just a one-time thing. Caught up in the moment, that sort of thing.
He was almost moody while we ate. He kept glancing towards the door, as though he expected someone to show up. When I asked him what was wrong he looked at me as though I had no right to speak, so I very quickly turned my attention to my food.
After dinner (which was fabulous—yummy cheesecake for dessert) he suggested a walk.
“Where?” I asked, clutching my purse. This guy was too much. One moment he acted like he couldn’t get rid of me quick enough, the next it was like he never wanted me to leave him. Strange. Was he—
“The park? It’s not too far. And you can tell me all about your life,” he said, his blue eyes burning into mine. His hand was gently rubbing my back, sending little shivers through me.
I found myself nodding, even though I needed to get home and get in the bed. I had early rehearsal.
“Come on, then,” he was saying, and before I realized it we were getting out of his car.
When we passed the empty playground, a twig snapped nearby. Stopping, I took a deep breath. “Nick. What—“
“It’s okay. Jim’s with us.”
Jim. Of course. The big beefy guy who’d been in the restaurant. It was a wonder he hadn’t stood at the foot of the bed when we’d been together the other night.
Taking my hand, Nick flashed me his grin, ridding me of all worry. He wouldn’t let anything happen. He was such a nice guy.
*Nick*
I have no damn idea why I mentioned a walk in the park. It wasn’t as though we were having the greatest evening. She hadn’t been very talkative during dinner. Apparently the chicken had been more interesting than me. And she kept getting this scared-rabbit expression. Like she was waiting for me to attack her or something.
Strange, how she’d wormed her way into my thoughts since I’d left her house. All I could think of when I was at AJ’s house was our night together, and all day I’d been looking forward to a repeat with anticipation. She’d been great. She might come across as mousy and a little shy, but once in bed with the lights turned off she’d been a wild woman.
She stumbled next to me, and when she fell against me I almost stepped back in surprise. Catching her arm, I straightened her. “What the hell?”
“Sorry. I tripped.” She smiled up at me, and once again I was taken aback by the warmth in her eyes.
“You know,” I said with a grin, “I’m with you. You don’t have to throw yourself at me.”
She rolled her eyes, and then leaned up to kiss me. “Get over yourself.”
“I’d rather be over you,” I murmured.
*Shannon*
There it was again. His inane way of flirting that left me breathless. Damn him, how dare he be so endearing? “So, let’s dump Jim and get back to my place,” I said suddenly, and was comforted when his arms tightened around me.
“My place,” he murmured. “It’s closer.”
--two weeks later--
*AJ*
Shannon had really come through with the box. I hadn’t expected her to. I was sure Nick would tire of her, but to my surprise things seemed to be getting serious. As serious as a relationship could get after just two weeks.
So here I was, sitting in a box with a great view of the stage. It was a pretty nice theater, I thought, glancing around. The orchestra was ensconced beneath the stage. And the place was packed.
“She-it, this is great,” a voice drawled behind me. Turning, I saw Brian enter the box alone.
“Tell me about it,” I said with a nod as he sat down next to me. Glancing over my shoulder, I waited for his wife to appear. “Where’s she at?” I asked, looking back at him.
“She didn’t want to come,” he said simply, opening his program.
“Trouble in paradise?” I asked carefully.
Brian’s eyes snapped up to meet mine, and they were cold with anger. “Drop it.”
“Okay, okay. Shit. So, is Kev coming?”
“He should be. I talked to him this morning. It’s not every night we get a great box to a classic like this. So, have you met Nick’s new girlfriend? What’s she like?” he asked.
I sighed, glancing down at the closed curtain. “She’s nice, I guess. I only met her once, at the club. And I talked to her on the phone once.” Twice.
“Yeah, me too. I called his place this afternoon and she answered. Talk about a surprise,” he said with a grin.
I nodded, not really wanting to get on that subject. “Have you seen him?” I asked. We’d shown up together, but after being shown to the box he’d disappeared, and I had a pretty good idea where he was.
“Naw, man. We both know where he is,” Brian said, grinning again.
*Shannon*
I had invited Nick to the cast party after the show, and told him the others were welcome to come as well. He’d said he’d tell them, but wasn’t sure if they’d come.
He’d met me backstage shortly after curtain, greeting me with a kiss and a red rose. My heart had melted at the sight of him, despite our argument earlier.
But I wouldn’t think of that. I didn’t want to remember the way he’d threatened to leave me if I so much as spoke to Richard, the tall dark and handsome man who played the role of Raoul in the show.
What did he care? It wasn’t as though we were that attached. Were we? All I knew was that after our first date, I’d seen him every day. He’d come to the theater and listened to rehearsal, or when I got home he’d be waiting for me.
Things were moving a little too fast for my taste. Already he was asking for a key to my place, and he’d told me he wasn’t looking forward to the upcoming tour. I don’t want to leave you. God. Words like that did something to a woman.
So here we were, standing to the side of the crowd, his arm around my waist, as though he were afraid I would try to get away from him. AJ and Brian were there as well, and the look AJ had given me had been one of almost pity. Why did he look like he felt sorry for me?
Brian was funny and charming, and I thought fleetingly that he was the type of guy Cassie needed. But then he had to go and ruin that.
“Sorry my wife couldn’t make it. She, um, didn’t feel up to it tonight,” he said with a glance at Nick.
Nick nodded, his arm squeezing me. What was going on there?
“Maybe next time,” I said.
“Yeah. Look, I hate to eat and run, but I need to get going. It was a great show,” he told me, reaching to shake my hand. “You take care of Nick here, don’t let him get into too much trouble.”
I laughed when he winked. “Yeah, right. Nice meeting you,” I said before he slipped away. Looking up at Nick, I smiled. “He’s nice. What’s with his wife?”
“I don’t wanna get into it, baby.” Taking my ginger ale, he set it on the table next to us. “How about we blow this joint?” he asked with a bored look.
I opened my mouth to speak, but he looked at me. Nodding, I closed my mouth and looked away.
*Nick*
Once home, I stood in the front hall and watch Shannon go upstairs to change. I knew she wanted to stay at the party, but it had been a drag. It wasn’t as though she wasn’t gonna see them all again tomorrow night, so why had she pouted on the way home?
Going to the kitchen, I pulled out a beer and popped the top off. Leaning against the counter, I drank it slowly, looking out the window.
I knew she was upset about the other day. But damn, that Richard guy had been looking at her like she was some pinup from Playboy. And she’d been enjoying it. Didn’t she understand that if she was somewhere with her boyfriend, she shouldn’t be concerned with anyone else?
Boyfriend. Smirking, I reached up and loosened my tie. The guys were all weird about it. she wasn’t my type. I knew. But she was funny and likeable, and when she was in my arms the world was as it should be. And waking up next to her every morning was nice. Really nice.
Beer in hand, I headed upstairs. She’d put an Elton John CD in the player in the bedroom, and when I stopped at the door she was singing along softly. She had a soft voice. Tentative, as though she feared being heard.
Leaning in the doorway, I watched her. She was standing in front of the dresser, brushing her hair. She’d pulled on one of my shirts, and the gentle sway of her hips put a smile on her face.
Sipping my beer, I saw her slight smile. She’d caught sight of me. whirling around, she gave me a wide-eyed look.
“Why’d you stop?” I asked softly, stepping into the room.
“I--I don’t like singing in front of people,” she murmured, going to turn the stereo down a bit.
She’d taken her makeup off, and when I stepped closer I could smell her soap and perfume. “You smell good tonight,” I murmured as she stepped into my arms.
“So do you. Did I tell you how great you look in a tux?” she asked, resting her head on my chest.
“Not enough,” I said with a smile.
Chuckling, she lifted her head and leaned up for a kiss. “I’m gonna run down and get some water,” she murmured.
“It can wait,” I said as she began to pull away. Setting my beer on the dresser, I grasped her arm and pulled her back.
“Nick,” she said softly. “I’m thirsty.” She had that look on her face. As though she feared me.
“Can’t you spend some time alone with me?” I asked, squeezing her arm when she wriggled it.
“Nick,” she said with a sigh. She looked away, and I saw her bite her lip. “Please.”
When she covered my hand with hers and started pulling away, I couldn’t hold it back. All I could see was red.
And I wonder sometimes
And I know I’m unkind
But I need you turn to
When I act so blind
Oh I need you turn to
When I lose control
You’re my guardian angel
Who keeps out the cold