Chapter Fourteen


“Are ya’ll descent?!” AJ bellowed as he entered the beach house after a long day at Disney. The rest of the gang followed him into the dark house.

“Shut up AJ,” Kevin muttered, holding his head to stop the pounding that had begun half-way home. “Jesus, why do you have to act like such a retard?”

“Blow me Kev.” AJ said glaring at him. Elise wrapped her arms tighter around AJ to clam him while shooting Kevin dirty looks.

“That’s her job.” he said gesturing to Elise.

“Guys, can we please just stop?” Brian, the ever present mediator piped in. He shook his head at his cousin and friend as he led Leighanne further into the house.

“Yeah, all you have been doing is bitching since we left the park.” AJ said rolling his eyes. Kevin opened his mouth to retaliate but stopped when Brian turned towards him.

“AJ, grow up.” Brian scolded him before looking around the house. AJ flipped Kevin the finger before centering his attention on Brian. “Where are they?” he whispered tossing a puzzled look at the rest of the group.

“I don’t know or care.” Howie mumbled as he fought back a yawn. “I’m going to bed.” he bid the group good-night before heading up the stairs to his bedroom.

“Maybe they’re sleeping?” Leighanne stated as though it was the obvious situation.

“Dude, it’s only quarter to 2. Nick is still wired by now, no way he’s out yet.” AJ said shaking his head. Kevin sighed as AJ’s words echoed through the house. “Man, go to fucking bed if you’re that peeved. Jesus, only you would just stand there pissing and moaning whenever I open my mouth.” he paused for a response but Kevin just shook his head and dragged Kristin up to bed. AJ turned back to Brian. “Well? Look for em already!”

“Check the living room...” Leighanne said pushing her husband into the room on his left. AJ and Elise followed into the dark room.

“I hear snoring.” AJ whispered before smashing into and end table. “Shit! Ow!”

“Shut up!” Elise said smacking him on the back of the head.

“Jesus.” he muttered rubbing his knee and head simultaneously.

“You’re going to wake them up..” Elise said through clenched teeth.

“Guys, you still with us?” Brian asked flipping a small light on. A dim glow filled one small corner of the room, but it was enough light to locate Nick and Gianna.

“That is adorable.” Leighanne sighed as the four looked down at Nick sleeping with his head hanging over the arm of the couch and Gianna sprawled on top of him like a blanket. One of Nick’s hands tangled in her hair while the other clung to her shirt.

“You’d think if he had a girl like that so into him he’d snap out of his ‘Angela ruined my chance of any healthy relationships in the future’ bit already.” AJ muttered shaking his head.

“Shhh.” Brian said pressing his index finger to his lips. “Don’t wake them up.”

“Brian, if we let them sleep that way, neither one will be able to move tomorrow." Elise whispered loudly.

“I know.” Leighanne whispered, still gazing at the two. Nick slowly came too, the sounds of bickering surrounding him. He refused to open his eyes, but he decided he needed to change positions sometime in the near future or his neck would be permanently stuck tilted back. The sound of AJ mumbling forced him to open his eyes slightly. He found Brian, Leighanne, AJ, and Elise leaning over him. He tried to shift his body but didn’t budge.

“Uhh...” he groaned lifting his head to look at what was resting on top of him. Gianna.

“Dude you’re up!” AJ said smiling.

“No thanks to you, Bone.” Nick said untangling his fingers from Gianna’s locks. “What time is it?” he asked squinting to see the digital numbers on the VCR.

“Almost 2.” Brian said.

“How long have you two been like that?” Elise asked curiously.

“I don’t know. Few hours at least. We fell asleep after dinner.” he smiled slightly, looking down at Gianna fast asleep.

“She looks happy.” Elise whispered observing the content look plastered on her best friend’s face.

“Yeah...” Nick whispered, hoping that his movements wouldn’t wake Gianna. She looked so perfect, innocent, laying there unaware of anything that was happening around her. Nick felt a tightening in his chest as he gazed at her.

“You okay?” Brian asked, concern washing over his face. The expression on Nick’s face was unfamiliar.

“Yeah.” was Nick’s lone response. He was too caught up in Gianna to pay attention to Brian or anyone else at that moment. Everything had changed. A few days ago, he would have never imagined that he’d be holding Gianna as she slept, that he would feel the way he did, like he was finally free. He smiled, realizing that he hadn’t thought of Angela in hours, and even when he did think of her, she was just a figure from the past. Regret that usually followed the flashing image of Anglea in his mind was gone, he was actually able to smile at the thought of his diminished relationship with his ex-girlfriend.

“Okay...we’ll be leaving you alone now.” AJ smiled as he pulled Elise and Leighanne out of the room, Brian followed.

“Did you see him?” Leighanne whispered smiling.

“A man in love.” AJ said shaking his head.

“Finally.” Brian mumbled. “She’s gone.”

“Who?” Elise asked.

“Angela.” Leighanne spoke the name like it was poison.

“He can finally move on, without her.” Brian said shuddering. All of the guys had watched Nick fall in love with Angela but he was always a little iffy about her. Bad feeling always swept over him whenever he saw the two of them together. He had watched his best friend’s energetic, carefree personality slowly deteriorate as the relationship with Anglea became more serious, and was unable to save him. Eventually the relationship ended, but Nick didn’t seem to heal..until Gianna entered the picture, that is. She changed him for the better, and he couldn’t that Gianna enough for bringing his Nick back to him. Angela was out of the picture for good, and Gianna slowly but surely entering it.

“C’mon, let’s go to bed. I’m tired.” Leighanne said stretching. Brian nodded, peeking into the living-room once more before he headed up the stairs, following Leighanne.

“We should leave them alone....see if something actually happens between them.” AJ whispered, looking towards the living-room curiously.

“Yeah, we should.” Elise said taking a hold of AJ’s hand. She pulled him towards her slowly before bringing his lips to hers in a kiss. AJ reacted immediately, pulling Elise against him as he deepened the kiss. The two were swept away in a land of their own until Elise finally ran out of breath. She pulled back, breathing deeply. “If we leave them alone, that could happen.” she said smiling. AJ nodded turning towards the stairs. He flipped the front hall light off on the way past the switch and he and Elise headed upstairs to the confines of one of their bedrooms.

Nick lay on the couch, gently running his long fingers through Gianna’s blond hair. She was fast asleep, far away in dreamland, leaving Nick with the opportunity to memorize her face, her smell, the feel of her body pressed against his. He spoke the truth earlier when he had told Gianna that what they had was very different from his relationship with Angela. He and Angela could never have slept that close to each other without succumbing to the desire, or lust they had for one another. Angela was incapable of maintaining a deep, meaningful conversation with him. To her, a boyfriend was for pleasure, not intellectual stimulation. Never in the years that he was with Angela could Nick remember telling her his deep dark secrets, what he was truly feeling, speaking from the heart. He was always saying words that would make Angela happy, because he thought that was what he was supposed to do. He never had anyone care about what he was feeling, his thoughts and opinions. No one until Gianna. She opened so many doors for him. He had opened up to Gianna in days, it took him years to speak his mind to Angela. That fact had to mean something. Someone who could make Nick feel as good as Gianna did had to be special. Right?

He shook his head and blinked his eyes, realizing that he had been frozen in place, staring at Gianna’s face. Tracing her jaw line lightly with his fingertips, he wondered what it would be like to let his lips follow the path, plant light kisses on her skin, listen to her breathing increase, feel her fingers run through his hair. Would she whisper his name? He closed his eyes as thoughts raced through his mind. Her hands would run up and down his back, gripping and releasing the material of his shirt as he moved his lips over the soft sensitive skin below her ear. He would lightly suck on the skin above her collar bone, listening to her softly whisper his name over and over again. He shook his head again, returning to earth imagining the predicament he would be in if his fantasizing continued. He sighed deeply looking down at Gianna again. She shifted and gradually awoke to Nick’s gaze.

“Hey.” she whispered snuggling closer to him.

“Hi.” he replied, his voice shaking.

“How’d you sleep?”

“Pretty good despite the fact my neck was tilted over the arm of the couch.” he said reaching up to rub the back of his neck.

“Aw, does it hurt.” she asked smiling at him.

“Aches a little.” he said brushing blond strands out of Gianna’s eyes.

“Want me to rub it?” she asked sitting up.”

“Nah, it’s okay.” Nick said brushing her suggestion off.

“No really, come on, sit up.” she urged. He sighed and sat up.

“Maybe it’d be better if you were on the floor, then I could sit here.” she said pushing him off the couch. He landed on the floor and winced. “Sorry, sweetie.” Gianna said muffling a soft giggle.

“Yeah, yeah. Get to it.” he said dropping his head to expose his neck. The first touch of her fingers to his skin made him jump.

“Just relax.” she whispered softly as her fingers worked magic on Nick’s tense muscles. He breathed deeply and let himself loosen at her touch. “There ya go.” she smiled hearing Nick sigh as she moved her hands down his spine.

“The things you do to me.” Nick mumbled when she reached his lower back and retraced the path upwards. He leaned back into her touch, closing his eyes as her fingers passed over the back of his neck and traveled into this hair. It felt amazing, her touching him, making him feel this wonderful. He let himself become swept away with the surreal feelings of Gianna’s massage.

“Why are you smiling like that?” Gianna asked, her voice pulling him out of his euphoria.

“What?” Nick asked turning to look at her.

“You were smiling...”

“I um..” he responded, searching for an intelligent answer other than the truth. The truth was, he had finally fallen. No thought of Angela or the past heartbreak was going to stop him from feeling as great as he did.

“Nick?” Gianna asked, her hands stalling on his shoulders. He took a deep breath and moved next to her on the couch. She froze as his hands cupped her face raising her gaze to his. Her eyes widened when she realized what Nick was thinking. His fingers were locked in her hair, and his eyes beheld something new, a different sparkle, an unfamiliar depth. “Nick?” she spoke his name again, her voice sounding small and nervous.

“Shh..” he silenced her. “I’m sorry for everything.”

“Y-you are?” she asked. He nodded his head silently.

“I let her get in the way of this...this amazing thing that was staring me right in the face. I can’t believe how stupid I was. Being afraid of you, is the most insane thing I have ever conjured up. I can’t explain why I said and did the things I did, but I regret them all. I would never have forgiven myself if I let you slip out of my reach. I don’t know why you still have faith in me, but I thank you, and I thank God that he didn’t let me lose you.” his words floated in the air, being absorbed.

“Nick.” Gianna whispered, tears prickling her eyes, tempted to trickle down her cheek, but Nick caught them with his thumb before they traveled any further.

“Gianna, I’m so sorry.” he whispered sincerely, his eyes showing his sorrow. Gianna nodded, unable to form words. She closed her eyes, floating in the feelings caused by Nick’s touch. His fingers lightly brushed a path on her face, the calluses formed by his passionate drum playing felt surprisingly relaxing as his thumb explored her soft lower lip. She leaned into him, and his touch, wishing that he would do more than caress.

“Nick.” she whispered again, internally pleading and begging that he would do something.

“Shh.” he repeated again. She opened her eyes and gazed into his. He smiled down at her, angling her face towards his. She watched him silently fight the internal battle between mind and heart. One finally winning over the other. His grip on her face tightened as he tangled his fingers into her hair, bringing her face towards his. Her eyes fluttered closed as his lips fell on hers. Everything exploded inside of Nick with that kiss. The fears, the doubts, all disappeared. It was slow, deep and passionate and in it were promises. Pulling Gianna closer, he hugged her to him as he deepened the kiss, bravely entering her mouth. Gianna wrapped her arms around his neck, one hand finding its way into the short blond spikes as he finally kissed her the way she dreamed he would. He pulled back from the kiss only to press his lips to her neck.

“Oh God, Nick.” she whispered breathlessly. Nick smiled against her skin and pulled her into his lap. He buried his face into her neck, inhaling the sweet scent of her shampoo. His tongue darted out, tasting her skin as his hand travel over her back and slid under her shirt to caress the soft skin of her lower back.

“I love you.” he whispered against her skin.

“I love you too, Nick.”


Chapter Fifteen
Table of Contents
Chapter Thirteen