| Chapter One |
| The sun was shining bright as anything into Blake Rowan’s window. He squinted and pulled the covers over his head. But it was no use, he was already awake. He pulled himself out of bed and stumbled down the stairs. He walked into the kitchen and yawned at the figure sitting at the table. He slumped into a chair and gave her a sleepy smile. “Good morning.” Nikki laughed at his expression. “Tired?” She offered him a bagel and threw the newspaper she had been reading to the side, “Its no wonder. What time did you get home last night Blake?” He groaned, “You’re worse than my mother. I got home at 2. That’s no so late. I’m 21 years old Nikki, I’m not a baby.” She rolled her eyes, “Well I’m the same age as you, you know. You have class in half an hour. What are you going to do for a job if you flunk out of college? It takes money to live, honey.” “I’ll sell the parts of my body I don’t use to science.” “I hear they’re looking for some heads.” Blake sneered at her, “That wasn’t funny. But luckily, I don’t have to sit here and take this from you. I gotta go.” “Ok, ok. But lemme drive you. I have to get to rehearsal anyway. Wouldn’t hurt me to get there a little early.” “With the way you dance? That’s agreed.” He ducked the bagel she threw at his head and rose from the table. “Alright, you can drive me. But let’s go.” Nikki sighed as she sat in the car at a red light. Blake was sitting in the seat beside her, trying his hardest to stay awake. “Come on buddy. Wake it on up, can’t have you falling asleep in class.” “You know, sometimes I forget you’re my best friend, not my mom.” He opened the door as she pulled up to the university and gave her a kiss on the forehead. “You picking me up?” “No. But Greg will.” Blake groaned and she shoved him out of the car, “He’s a nice guy Blake. Just give him a chance” “I don’t trust him Nikki.” He whispered to her, “You know I don’t.” He sighed, “But I’ll live. Should I run a background check on him? Could you see the headline? Greg Cantwell found guilty of murder…” “Blake, please spare me. Now you’re starting to sound like MY mother.” She smiled at him. “You’ll be fine. See you later hun.” Nikki drove to the compound and parked her car. She grinned when she saw Mandy arguing with Charlie Barnes. “Well lookee here. How’s my favorite manager on this fine morning?” She slapped Charlie on the arm. “Well Nikki, aren’t you just so chipper this morning. Have your wheaties or something?” “Oh hell yeah. So, whatta you think Mandy? Does Chuckie here look a little more round this morning?” Mandy laughed, “You packin on the pounds Charlie? Turning into a regular teddy bear aren’t you buddy?” Charlie laughed “I’m 37 years old, I’m allowed to round myself out.” Nikki nodded, “So is age at fault for that bald spot on your head?” “You better run your ass in there DeLoach. I’m about to kill you.” He laughed and made a faux lunge at her. She snickered and ran into the building with Mandy at her heels. “You’ll have to catch us first Chuck!!” Nikki stopped dead in her tracks when she saw her boyfriend and Veronica yelling at each other. Veronica’s finger was held in Greg’s face, “You’re such a prick! I don’t know what Nikki sees in you, but it must be something really deep, deep down. You’re such scum, you know that?” “Scum nothing. I’m 23 years old, so why don’t you keep your mouth shut little girl.” “Whatever, why don’t you jump in a lake little boy.” “Hey, I’m a man.” “By technecality.” Danay jumped in from the sidelines, “A SMALL technecality.” Nikki sighed in frustration and ran over to bail her boyfriend out. “Girls! Please just leave him alone. Come on, don’t you have something better to do? Like rehearse?” She gave them looks and they scattered, all mumbling about Greg. She smiled at him, “Are you okay?” He sighed, “Your friends hate me. I don’t know why, but they do.” He leaned into her touch, as she rubbed his back. “Don’t pay any attention to them. They don’t know what they’re talking about.” She gave him a quick kiss, “Its me that matters, not them.” “Its because I’m quiet you know. They don’t like that I’m private.” She shook her head, “I know. I’ll talk to them, I promise.” Greg sat in the car and watched as Blake jumped in. “Hey man, how was your day?” Blake stared at the man in astonishment. “Fine, I guess.” The rest of the car ride was silent as Greg navigated the streets back to the house Nikki and Blake shared. Blake looked out the window and never once glanced in Greg’s direction. They pulled into the driveway and Greg turned off the car. “You know, I’ve been going out with Nikki for six months now, and me and you have barely said a word to each other.” “Well, you don’t seem to talk much, Greg. You know, Nikki’s an amazing girl, and if you so much as hurt her feelings even, you’re going to have hell to pay.” “Why don’t you all like me? I do nothing to you, and you all act like you hate me.” He sighed, “What’s the big deal with me?” “There’s something about you. I don’t know what it is. But I don’t trust you, and I don’t care if you know that. Maybe someday, but come on man. Quit acting like everything you do is a secret.” “Fine, I really don’t care what you think about me.” He smirked, “Well, let’s go in. I want to take Nikki out to dinner.” “I have plans with her. She’ll talk to you later.” Blake shut the car door and walked up the sidewalk. He opened the door and threw his bag into the floor. He stepped into the living room and saw Nikki sitting on the couch. He walked over to her and plopped down in her lap. “Honey I’m home.” He laughed as she tried her hardest to shove him off her lap. “Blake, you’re heavy, and I think you’re about to break my legs. Now get OFF!” She giggled as he slid off of her and leaned his head on her shoulder. “How was the ride home?” Blake pretended to gag and stick a finger down his throat, “I seriously don’t know what you see in him.” “You and everybody else in the state of Florida. But I better go call him and make sure he got home safely.” “Nik, wait a minute.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her back onto the couch, “He told me that he was going out.” He sighed, he hated lying to her, “Some of his friends came into town or something.” She got a confused look on her face, “Oh… ok.” She frowned, “Why didn’t he tell me he was going out? I mean, why in the world would he tell me one thing and do the other?” She sighed in frustration, “Damn. Blake, we need to do something so I don’t get bored.” “Ok, we’re going into pathetic single mode, even though you’ve never been there.” He laughed as she hit him, “I’m gonna go out and buy some ice cream and pick up a movie.” “Blake, nothing too scary, come on. You know how I don’t-“ “I know, I know. You don’t take suspense well. I’ll be back in a half hour. Order a pizza.” He left the house and she smiled to herself. “I have an amazing best friend,” She said outloud, before walking to the phone to order the pizza. Blake pulled into the driveway at the same time as the delivery car. “I’ll take it.” He said as he took the box from the young girl. “Thanks.” He turned away and rolled his eyes as the girl continued to flirt. “Aww Blake, she likes you!” Nikki cooed from the front door. “She’s jailbait, but she likes you!” He laughed, “So in other words, you’re gonna get me a girlfriend no matter how much jail time it gets me?” She nodded and grabbed the bag with the ice cream in it. “Vanilla? You’re original.” She rubbed his arm, “I’m joking. Its my favorite.” “Didn’t you know I was psychic?” “Don’t you mean psycho?” He rolled his eyes, and led her into the living room. “Wait until you see the movie I got.” She stared at him suspiciously, “Why? What did you get?” She pulled the Hollywood Video bag from his side, “It” She shut her eyes, “I hate you.” He pulled the video from her hand. “Come on, Nik. I’ll be right here with you. Its just a clown.” “Yeah, but that ain’t your everyday circus right there.” She sighed as he pleaded at her with pastel blue eyes. “Oh fine. But if I have a nightmare tonight, its on your head.” He held in a laugh, put the tape in the VCR and pulled her next to him. “I’m right here. Just try not to cut off my circulation like you did last time.” “That wasn’t my fault.” She fell silent as the movie started and held onto Blake’s arm. As the movie progressed, he noticed the grip on his hand lessen and lessen. He looked down at her, “Nik?” He smiled gently when he saw her sleeping with her head on his chest. “That’s one way to skip being afraid.” He pulled a quilt over the two of them and turned off the tv. “Good night sweetie.” |