Chapter Five

Dinner was great. The food, amazing. The French restaurant that Howie had found was perfect. Light music, a private room had been reserved , and despite the feelings Gianna had when leaving the house, great company. She had been seated at the table next to Nick, which after the day’s occurrences, she didn’t think was such a good idea, but all turned out well. Nick had acted normal. His sudden change in personalities was puzzling to Gianna, but she accepted it. As long as he wasn’t avoiding her, or mad at her. AJ had entertained the group with stories of the music group when they first started. Gianna laughed at stories told about Nick and his immature pranks, and cried when she heard of the strife Kevin and Kristin had been through during their lengthy on and off relationship. All went well. The group sat at the table for hours afterward talking and laughing. Eventually Brian and Leighanne became bored with the conversations and got up to dance on the private dance floor in the huge desolate dining room. Kevin and Kristen soon followed and Gianna and Elise were left with the other men.

“Having fun tonight?” AJ asked Elise.

“Yeah, good food and entertainment.” Elise said smiling up at AJ. Gianna caught the exchange between the two and thought it strange. Elise hadn’t mentioned anything about AJ since the two had arrived. Gianna made a personal note to ask her about it later. She glanced over at Nick and saw him watching AJ and Elise intently. He glanced over at Gianna and raised an eyebrow. Gianna nodded her head in agreement. Something odd was going on between those two.

“Gianna...” Nick began, running a hand through his blond locks, “you wanna?” he asked shyly pointing to the two couples swaying together on the dance floor.

“Sure.” Gianna said as Nick stood up and headed for the dance floor. All conversation stopped at the table as Gianna and Nick left. Gianna caught Elise smiling knowingly at her as she passed. “Great, now she’s going to assume things.” Gianna thought as she reached Nick, waiting for her.

“Um...” he said cautiously holding out his arms. Gianna slid one arm around his neck and clasped his hand with her other hand. Nick shifted uncomfortably for a second before he relaxed and the two began to sway to the melody.

“I’m having fun, how about you?” Gianna asked attempting to spark a conversation.

“Yeah, I’m having fun.” he answered lightly moving his hand in circles over the small of her back. His fingers traced and retraced the fabric of the silk dress as he concentrated on breathing normally around her. The music stopped and Gianna stopped moving, only to be pulled closer to Nick as another song began. She looked up, surprised by Nick’s actions only to be met by the deep blue pools of his eyes. She gazed into his eyes and felt herself melt into his arms. Nick looked down at her, his gaze powerful as he slowly tuned out the world, and concentrated on Gianna. The music sounded around him and he listened to the words coming to a realization...



“Waking up alone
In a room that still reminds me
My heart had got to learn to forget
Starting on my own
With every breath I’m getting stronger
This is not the time to regret
‘Cause I don’t need to hang on to heartbreak
When there’s so much life left to live

Love is on the way
On wings of angels
I know it’s true, I feel it comin through
Love is on the way
Time is turning the pages
I don’t know when
But love will find me again

I am not afraid
Of the mystery of tomorrow
I have found the faith deep within
There’s a promise I have made
There’s a dream I’m gonna follow
There’s another chance to begin
And it’s coming as sure as the heavens
I can feel it right here in my heart

Love is on the way
On wings of angels
I know it’s true, I feel it comin through
Love is on the way
Time is turning the pages
I don’t know when
But love will find me again

(Oh I know, I know deep down in my heart I know that...)

Love is on the way
On wings of angels
I know it’s true, I feel it comin through
Love is on the way
Time is turning the pages
I don’t know when
But love will find me again

I don’t know when
But love will find me again

The last chords sounded and Nick stared into Gianna’s eyes. Both, too involved to move, just stood, gazing into each other. Nick peered into her eyes, her heart, soul and found what he was looking for. Her. She was it. He had been so afraid to begin again that he missed the fact that she was there, helping him through his problem, being his friend, offering her love to him. He was petrified of loving again, frightened that she would hurt him, when all along she was trying to tell him she would be the one who wouldn’t hurt him. He felt and great sense of guilt wash over him. What if he had hurt her?! Slowly, Gianna stepped out if Nick’s embrace, never breaking the gaze.

“I’m sorry.” Nick whispered bringing her back into his arms.

“For what?” Gianna asked, her voice muffled by Nick’s chest.

“Hurting you.”

“When? On the beach?”

“No. Gianna, you had to have noticed that I was avoiding you tonight.”

“Yeah, I have.” she whispered.

“I’m sorry. I’m just new to all of this. For months I convinced myself that I wasn’t ready to get close to a girl.”

“Nick, I’m here for you. I’ll be your friend. Help to heal the wounds Angela caused. I’ll care for you.”

“I know, that’s why I’m sorry. I just realized now that all you have done is help me. Gianna, I’m getting closer. I want relationships. I want to love again. All that is because of what you’ve done. You made me realize that there are people out there who will love me for me, and not try to change me.”

“I care about you Nick.” Gianna said, not knowing whether her words were indicating her deep feelings for him, or just her friendship.

“I care about you too, Gianna.” Nick said back as he hugged her tighter.

“Hey! You guys! The music stopped!” AJ yelled to the two from the table. Gianna giggled shyly and pulled out of Nick’s arms as the two of them headed to the group. They all stewed over the dessert menus for minutes.

“I don’t know what I want.” Gianna said dropping her menu in front of her.

“Me either, I’ve narrowed it down to two things.” Nick said scrunching his nose while thinking.

“What?” Gianna asked. “I thought that double fudge Oreo cake looked mighty tasty.” Gianna said leaning over Nick’s shoulder.

“Yeah, it was either that, or the strawberry cheese cake topped with strawberry sauce and chocolate.”

“Oh wow! Where was that one?! I must have missed that.” Gianna said picking up her menu again.

“Right here.” Nick said handing her his menu so the two of them could read over it together. “I can’t decide.” he said tapping his fingers on the table.

“How about we get both? You and I can split it?” Gianna asked.

“Good idea, I’ll order the Oreo thing and you order the cheesecake and we’ll share.” Nick said nodding. The waiter came and took their orders.

“Oh my god. This is so good!” Gianna said as she took a bite out of her cheesecake. She closed her eyes as she took another bite. Nick glanced over at her before reaching over to take a forkful of cake off of her plate.

“Wow, that is good! Try this.” he said pointing to his plate. Gianna leaned in front of Nick and stabbed a chunk of Oreo cake and ate it. The group watched with amusement as Nick and Gianna continued to eat food off each other’s plates.

“Why don’t you guys just switch plates?” Brian asked. Nick and Gianna looked up at him in unison before giggling a little.

“Brian, that would defeat the entire purpose.” Gianna said looking at him blankly. Brian raised an eyebrow in confusion. “Nevermind.” Gianna said as she took yet another bite of Nick’s cake. Brian rolled his eyes and tossed Nick a grin. Nick polished off the last bite of the cheesecake and stretched a little, casually dropping his arm on the back of Gianna’s chair.

“When do you guys want to head out?” Kevin asked as Gianna finished Nick’s cake and leaned back in her seat.

“Whenever.” AJ said wiping his mouth on his napkin. Brian stayed quiet as he watched Nick and Gianna. No one else at the table seemed to notice, it must have been the best friend radar thing again. Brian could easily detect how comfortable Nick was around Gianna. Brian hadn’t seen Nick this close to a girl in over six months. Brian noticed how Nick automatically placed his arms on Gianna’s seat like it was the most normal thing in the world. He watched Gianna gaze up at Nick when he spoke, her eyes took in every movement Nick made. As Nick finished speaking he would look down at Gianna and smile as he touched his hand to her hair lightly in the back.

“What are you smiling at Frick?” Nick asked finally glancing over at his best friend.

“Nothing Nick.” Brian answered shaking his head. He smiled inwardly as he realized that this may be the end to the anti-social Nick. Gianna could be the girl to bring him out of his dating slump, unbreak his heart.

“Well, I’m beat.” Nick said standing up and stretching again. He looked at his watch and yawned.

“What time is it?” Gianna asked standing as well, lifting her jacket off of her chair.

“Almost 10:30.” Nick said yawning.

“So that’s why I’m so tired.” Gianna said sticking one arm in her jacket, Nick casually helped her slide her arm into the other sleeve and slip the material over her shoulders, before he grabbed his jacket. The rest of the group followed suit and within minutes they had all left the restaurant and piled into the limo.

The first thing Gianna did when she got back to the beach house was change out of her dress into her pajamas. She headed downstairs and found Nick in the living room ready to watch the movie, no one else was down yet.

“Do you know what we’re watching?” Gianna asked plunking down on the couch next to Nick.

“Nope, no idea, I hope it’s something good though.” Nick said leaning his head back on the couch.

“Me too. I need something to keep me awake.” Gianna said yawning again. She giggled lightly as she covered her mouth.

“What don’t you just go to bed?” Nick asked looking over at her curled up at the other end of the couch.

“Because....I’d miss you too much!” Gianna said reaching over to poked his side. He jumped in surprise but then started laughing.

“Oh yeah?” Nick asked raising an eyebrow as he inched closer to her on the couch.

“Nick? What are you doing?”

“Revenge.” he stated simply.

“Nick...” Gianna asked again as Nick pushed himself off the couch, hovering over her.

“Yes?” he asked again.

“What are you doing?”

“This.” he said as he hands flew to her stomach, tickling her.

“Nick!!!” Gianna squealed as he continued his torture on her.

“Hey now!” AJ said entering the living room with Elise.

“AJ!” Elise said elbowing him in the stomach. “Don’t interrupt.” Nick and Gianna looked up at the two and smiled. Nick pulled himself off of Gianna and moved to the other end of the couch again.

“Oh please, do not stop on account of us.” AJ said dramatically as he sat down on the love seat pulling Elise down with him.

“Quite alright.” Gianna said fixing her shirt.

“Yeah, sure...you’re just thanking them ‘cause they made me stop...wait until later.” Nick said wiggling his eyebrows. Gianna blushed a little when she thought of the meaning behind his words. She knew he didn’t mean them to sound sexual, but the way they came out made her mind wander.

“Aw, what was that?” Elise asked.

“What?” Gianna asked recovering from her thoughts of Nick.

“You blushed. What for?” Elise pressed.

“What are you talking about? I didn’t blush.” Gianna defended herself. She glanced over at Nick to see him smiling nodding his head at her. “No way. I did not.”

“Sorry Gianna, you did.” AJ said draping his arm around Elise.

“What is up with you two?” Nick asked changing the subject. He could see Gianna getting uncomfortable.

“Whatcha talking about Nicky?”

“J, call me Nicky again and I’ll pound on you for awhile. And I am talking about that.” He said pointing to AJ’s arm holding Elise to him.

“Oh this.” AJ said glancing down at Elise. “Uh...”

“We..um...” Nick and Gianna raised their eyebrows at the two.

“Elise and I have...”

“...become close.” Elise finished.

“Sure...you wanna tell us what’s going on for real now?” Nick asked.

“Come on guys...we..” Elise started again but stopped when AJ looked down at her again.

“Elise?” Gianna asked.

“You guys are sleeping together aren’t you?!” Nick asked laughing. Both Elise and AJ looked up at him surprised but the looks plastered on their faces proved Nick’s guess was dead on.

“Oh my god. That’s it isn’t it?! I have been trying to figure out what has been going on with you two for the last two weeks! Finally.” Gianna said sitting up on the couch. “Is he right?”

“Um...yeah.” Elise said quietly.

“Man, how’d you do that? We haven’t left any hints.”

“No...” Nick said, “but you guys are quite obvious. You look at each other like lovers.”

“Yeah, that was driving me nuts. Why didn’t you guys just tell us?” Gianna asked confused.

“It is kind of a long story. AJ just broke up with his girlfriend and we didn’t really want to announce this. He and I still don’t know if we want to start a relationship or not.” Elise explained. Nick and Gianna listened intently shaking their heads.

“So let me get this straight.” Nick started. “You two are sleeping with each other on a regular basis, have been for weeks, and you haven’t told anyone because you’re not sure that you want to date each other.” Nick said bluntly.

“Exactly.” AJ said.

“I am really disappointed in you J.” Nick stated.

“You’re what?” AJ asked appalled.

“I am disappointed in you. Do you care about Elise?”

“Yeah.” AJ said.

“Do you enjoy spending time with her...out of the bedroom?” Nick continued.

“Yeah.” AJ answered glaring at Nick.

“Then what the hell is your problem? Afraid to commit? Just want another fuckbuddy, instead of a relationship?” Nick asked. He was fed up with AJ and his tactics. Go to a club, pick up a woman, take her home, sleep with her, forget about her. He had done it numerous times since his break up with Amanda. Nick had said nothing about it, but when AJ did it to one of his friends, it was time to speak up. Nick wasn’t going to let AJ reel Elise in and then throw her back.

“Nick!” Gianna said.

“I wouldn’t talk if I were you.” AJ said in a growl.

“Oh yeah? What do you have on me?” Nick went back.

“Why did you dump Angela? Did you dump her at all or did she leave your sorry ass? Huh, Nicky?” AJ shot back emphasizing Nick’s name. “I wouldn’t be surprised if she left you for someone else? I’ll bet she wasn’t satisfied with you. Am I right? Huh? Answer me!” AJ screamed. Nick eyes darkened in sadness and humility. He silently stood and left the room without responding. Gianna glared at AJ, heaving hard from his outburst.

“That was uncalled for, AJ.” Gianna said standing.

“Bullshit. You stay out of it Gianna. You know nothing.” AJ said

“Actually, I know quite a bit more than you do, AJ. What you just said probably ruined any chance of Nick telling you anything about him and Angela. He was prepared to tell all of you what happened, but now, I highly doubt he has enough trust in you to tell you anything.”

“Sure, and I’ll bet you know what happened between him and Ang.” AJ replied sarcastically.

“As a matter of fact I do.”

“What then?” AJ pressed.

“Like I would tell you!” Gianna huffed.

“You know nothing. Just stay the fuck out of this.” AJ said moving towards her.

“I will not!” Gianna said.

“Listen to me, Gianna and listen to me good. You have no business in this matter. I don’t know what the fuck Nick told you about anything, and frankly I don’t care.” he said leaning down so his face was directly in front of hers. She could feel his hot breath on her face as he spoke in his threatening tone. “You have no idea what I am like, and you have no right to defend Nick on anything. Do you understand me?”

“Get the hell away from me.” Gianna whispered.

“No. You are going to listen to me. I want you to stay the fuck out of my life, as well as Nicks.” he said gripping her face in his hand, squeezing her cheeks as he spoke. Gianna pulled back from him and whipped her hand at his face. He released her face as her hand made contact with his cheek in a hard slap. He stood back stunned at her action.

“AJ, I don’t know what the fuck your problem is but you have no right to touch me in any way. Obviously something you did upset Nick and made him confront you about it. The only reason he did that is because he cares.” Gianna said heading for the stairs to check on Nick. “Think about it AJ.” She said loudly as she disappeared up the stairs. AJ turned and fell onto the couch in shock. He looked up at Elise to find her with tears streaming down her cheeks.

“So..” She said wiping her wet face with her hand. “Another fuckbuddy huh? I was wondering why you hadn’t mentioned a commitment yet? Am I the only one? Or are you seeing anyone else, Alexander?” Elise asked.

“Elise-”

“No, AJ! Do not say anything. I’ve just changed my mind. I don’t want to know. I don’t want anything to do with you. From the way you just treated my best friend, I’m not sure I want to ever have anything to do with you. Stay the hell away from me for the rest of this summer. I’m sure you will be able to find someone else to satisfy your needs.” Elise said standing up. She left the room without saying another word. AJ sat in awe, what the hell had just happened?



"Love Is On The Way"
Written by P. Zizzo, D. Rich, and T. Shafer
Sung by Celine Dion
Let's Talk About Love

Chapter Six
Table of Contents
HOME