Chapter Seven

“Hey guys.” Gianna stated entering the kitchen the following morning. She had slept very well, dreaming of Nick and not once thinking of her fight with AJ.

“Hey G.” Howie said handing her a cup of coffee and a plate of eggs and bacon.

“Thank you Chef D.” Gianna said taking a gulp of the hot coffee and pulling out a chair at the table. Kevin and Kristin were already seated across from her, empty plates before them. Brian had his head stuck in the fringe with his butt sticking out, searching for the orange juice, occasionally questioning if anyone had seen it lately.

“No Bri, I haven’t seen the orange juice.” Gianna said when Brian peeked over the open door to ask her. He shook his head and retreated back into the fridge. Kevin rolled his eyes at his cousin.

“So what happened last night? I heard yelling and door slamming and when I went downstairs to check Elise stormed past me crying. AJ was sitting alone in the living room just staring ahead at nothing. I didn’t want to bother him.” Kevin said .

“Yeah, AJ and Nick had a fight and then AJ and I had a fight when I defended Nick. I’m guessing that AJ and Elise had a fight then, but don’t ask me.” Gianna explained.

“What was the fight about?”

“AJ was being a jerk again. Basically.” Gianna said nibbling on a piece of bacon.

“Guess we’ll hear all about it today then.” Kristin commented.

“Most likely. Though, there were some bright moments last night.” Gianna said smiling as Nick entered the kitchen.

“Hey baby.” he said leaning down to give her a light kiss on the lips. He pulled back and went to get the plate of food that Howie was holding for him. Howie handed it to him raising his eyebrow. Nick smiled and took it, sitting down next to Gianna.

“I’m guessing that’s what you were referring to?” Kevin questioned smiling at Nick.

“Uh..yeah.” Gianna said nodding. Nick gave her a queer look before taking a bite of toast.

“Nick? Have you seen the orange juice?” Brian asked over the top of the fridge door.

“Um...no?” Nick answered tossing Gianna a confused look.

“Brian. Obviously there is no orange juice.” Kevin stated.

“But I need my orange juice!” Brian said closing the fridge, kicking the door, then hopping around on one foot momentarily.

“Then get in your little BMW and toodle down to the store to buy some.” Leighanne said yawning as she walked into the kitchen and joined the group at the table. Gianna and Nick exchanged glances and smiles at what was going on around them.

“So, how did this start?” Kristin asked Nick and Gianna.

“What start?” Brian asked looking over at Nick.

“Um...” Nick started.

“Maybe if you had gotten your head out of the fridge for long enough you would have seen Nick’s entrance.” Kevin said sarcastically.

“Hey! Clue me in.” Leighanne said placing her elbow on the table and then resting her chin in her open hand.

“God this is embarrassing.” Gianna said pushing her empty plate away from her.

“Uh...” Nick started again.

“Jeez, you’re a big help hunny, all you say is um and uh. Guess I’ll have to tell them.”

“Huh?” Nick asked.

“Okay, add that to the list.” she said as Nick laughed and put his arm around her.

“You know you love me.” Nick said smiling as he brushed his thumb over her shoulder blade.

“You two are very friendly this morning.” Brian commented. Kevin rolled his eyes again.

“You should have seen them when Nick walked into the kitchen.” Kevin said glaring at Brian.

“What did I do?” Brian asked scrunching his nose up.

“Shut up will you?” Leighanne said whacking Brian on the arm. “Let them speak. I wanna know what’s going on.”

“Nick and I talked last night and we’ve decided to take our relationship to another...level.” Gianna said choosing her words carefully.

“And that level would be?” Brian questioned.

“Bri...” Nick said looking at him blankly.

“What? I’m confused.” Brian said shrugging his shoulders.

“This is what happens when he goes without Vitamin C.” Leighanne said patting her husband on the head.

“Show em.” Kevin said.

“Um...” Nick said moving towards Gianna as Brian watched wide eyed.

“There you go again with the uh’s and um’s. Will you stop it!” Gianna said smiling at him.

“Yeah, for you I will.” Nick said as he brought her mouth to his in a soft kiss. Brian’s mouth fell open before he broke out into a huge smile. Nick pressed his lips to Gianna’s for another moment before pulling away to look over at Brian.

“Cool!” Brian said standing up to clap.

“Brian.” Leighanne said batting at his hands to quiet him.

“What this is a good thing! He’s dating again. I am so proud of you bro.” Brian said smiling at Gianna.

“Thanks, I think.” Nick said finishing off his coffee as AJ and Elise walked into the kitchen. Everyone immediately quieted down.

“Morning.” Elise said as Howie grabbed two more plates.

“Uh...morning everyone.” AJ said glancing at Gianna, and then shifting his gaze to Nick. Choruses of ‘morning’s’ went around the room ending with Nick who smiled at AJ as he took a seat across the table, next to Kevin. Gianna watched the exchange.

“J, have you seen the orange juice?” Brian questioned. Kevin sighed and dropped his head to the table, banging his forehead repeatedly on the wood.

“No...um...Gianna...” AJ began. Gianna shifted her attention from Nick to AJ who was looking at her with pleading brown eyes. “Can I talk to you when you’re done?” he asked quietly. Gianna nodded her head.

“I’m done now, if you want to get it over with.” she responded.

“Great, um..living room?” AJ asked standing up and heading out of the kitchen. Gianna stood, kissed Nick quickly for luck, and followed AJ out of the room.

“What was that kiss?” Gianna heard Elise ask as she retreated to the living room. She sat down on the couch next to AJ and the two were silent for a few seconds.

“Okay, I’m sorry Gianna.” AJ said. “I was wrong to yell at you, touch you, and forbid you from seeing Nick. I, uh, I was really upset that he told you about Angela and not me. I thought that I was like a brother to him, but, that changed when I found out that he couldn’t confide in me.” AJ said wringing his hands.

“AJ, I’m not mad or upset with you. I know you were upset. I know that you were hurt. And when Nick told me why he was upset with you for sleeping with Elise, I understood his view, but I also understood yours.”

“What was mine?” AJ asked interested.

“You were hurt and getting love from other women made you feel better. You broke their hearts because you didn’t want to get involved. It was easier to get out before anything serious happened.” Gianna simply.

“Wow, you are good. Nick told me that you understood him, but I didn’t think you could understand someone like that.”

“AJ, I listen to everyone.”

“I know. I’m really sorry for all the things I said to you.”

“Understandable, I forgive you.”

“So...we’re friends again?” AJ asked.

“We were never not friends.” Gianna said grabbing his hand. He smiled at her and pulled her into a hug.

“So, I’ve heard that you and Nicky have taken a huge step.”

“Yeah.” Gianna said blushing.

“That’s great. I’m glad it’s you and not someone else. I really like you Gianna, you’re really good for Nick. He needs someone like you right now to help him through this thing with Angela.” AJ said softly.

“Did he tell you?” Gianna asked.

“Yeah, five years. I was seething when he told me last night. I wanted to call her up and bitch her out all night. She hurt my little brother.” AJ said sitting back on the couch.

“It’s really sweet how you guys all care about each other like real siblings.”

“Basically we are. We spend practically everyday together. Love each other like brothers, treat each other like brothers...the only thing that doesn’t make us brothers is blood.”

“Yeah? I wish I had friendships like that.” Gianna said thoughtfully.

“Hey, am I interrupting?” Nick asked poking his head into the living room, grateful to see Gianna and AJ sitting peacefully on the couch talking and smiling.

“Course.” AJ said moving over so that Nick could sit between he and Gianna.

“Everything okay?” Nick asked sitting down, dropping one arm around Gianna’s shoulders.

“Yeah, everything is great.” AJ said.

“Good. So no more fighting. Right? Everything okay with you and Elise, J?”

“Yeah, I apologized to her last night before I apologized to you, Nick.” AJ said. “It took some persuasion and a lot of explaining, but, I think she understands where I stood and my reasoning behind everything I did after Amanda and I broke up.”

“How did you answer Elise in there, Nick? She asked about the kiss. Wait! Let me guess...you said...’um’. Am I right?” Gianna asked tapping Nick’s nose.

“You know me soo well. Brian explained that you and I were more than friends and then I think he left to get some orange juice. Don’t ask me.” Nick said shaking his head.

“That boy and orange juice.” AJ muttered.

“Hey girl!!” Elise squealed racing into the room and diving onto AJ’s lap. “I see you and Nicky have been getting busy.” she said giggling.

“No, Lee, we have not gotten busy...we have barely gotten at all.” Gianna said swatting at her best friend.

“Sure, sure, that’s what they all say. Hey did I call it or what?” Elise asked AJ.

“You called it.” AJ said kissing Elise on the forehead.

“Called what?” Gianna asked resting her head on Nick’s shoulder.

“Ah, Elise here thought that you and Nick were hot for each other yesterday morning. She said she saw all the signs... as she calls them.” AJ said smiling up at Elise.

“What signs?” Gianna asked.

“Oh you know...looking when you think no one is watching, those pathetic reasons to make any type of contact with each other, you name it, you guys have done it.” Elise said waving her hand at Nick and Gianna.

“Sure we have.” Nick said running his hand up and down Gianna’s back. Gianna leaned towards him as he pulled her closer to him.

“So J..what do you wanna do today?” Elise whispered in AJ’s ear.

“Not sure.” AJ said shrugging as Elise lowered her mouth to his ear and whispered something into it. AJ’s eyes widened and he jumped up, shoving Elise off of him in the process.

“Hey!” Elise squealed as she hit the ground.

“Sorry, you caught me off guard there.” AJ said helping her up before he began dragging her upstairs. “Scues us guys...uh..duty calls.” AJ yelled as he pulled Elise towards his bedroom giggling.

“Don’t, you know, be obvious or anything.” Gianna said laughing.

“No, we don’t want that.” Nick said laughing. “You know..it’s kinda sick. I mean, it’s not sick when you know that the two of them have slept together, but it’s disgusting to think that they’re doing it right now!” Nick said wincing at the thought.

“Thanks a lot, baby. Now, I’m gonna have that visual in my head for all of time. Elise and AJ...ugh!” Gianna said whacking Nick on the chest.

“Sorry. Hey..I was thinking last night. Do you want to do something tonight? Just you and me?” Nick asked looked down at Gianna.

“Yes, I would.” Gianna replied.

“What do you want to do?” he asked.

“Surprise me.” Gianna answered resting her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes.

“Tired?” Nick whispered.

“Mmmhmmm.” she answered as Nick let her go and maneuvered so he was half laying at the end of the couch. Gianna crawled down to him and he pulled her between his legs, resting her head on his chest. She snuggled against him, and closed her eyes again. Taking a deep breath she fell into a deep sleep wrapped in Nick’s arms.

Hours later Nick opened his eyes to find Gianna still in his arms. He too had fallen asleep and it was now mid afternoon. He gazed down at the sleeping girl in his arms and smiled. She was his. He watched her eye lids flutter lightly as she dreamt. Her blond hair surrounded her face, making her glow. Nick sighed and ran his hand through the tangle of golden strands.

Gianna became aware of her surroundings. She closed her eyes tighter as the sunlight hit her face. She felt Nick’s rhythmic breathing underneath her, and his hand gliding through her hair lightly.

“Hey.” She whispered as she angled her face upwards.

“Hey.” he whispered in return, planting a light kiss on her lips. “What were you dreaming about?” he asked.

“You.”

“No way.” Nick said laughing.

“Yes way.”

“I was dreaming of you too.”

“You better have been.” Gianna said kissing him.

“What would you have done if I had told you I was dreaming of Elise??” Nick asked smirking. Gianna smiled back as her thoughts went to Nick...that smirk turned her on immensely. His narrowed, deep sapphire blue eyes, his perfect pouty lips curled slightly at one side, his hair falling perfectly into his eyes...it all just made her squirm. No other guy she had ever known could give her one look and make her completely melt into a puddle at his feet.

“I’d ask what position her and AJ were in.” Gianna answered giggling lightly. Nick rolled his eyes as he smacked his head with the palm of his hand. Gianna held back the loud laugh she felt the need to release at Nick’s abrupt change in expressions. It was amazing how innocent he was when it came to his facial expressions, and how little he had to do to get what he wanted. He was completely oblivious to the fact that with a wink or a grin he could make any girl fall helplessly at his feet.

“I walked myself into that one didn’t I?”

“Sure did, Blondie.” Gianna said sitting up.

“But you love me anyway.” Nick said tangling his hand in her hair as she raised herself up to level her face with Nick’s.

“Sure do.” Gianna whispered as she kissed him hard on the lips. Nick was taken aback by her force but returned the kiss gladly. She aggressively parted his lips and sunk her tongue into the depths of his mouth. Nick’s eyes widened at the action. Gianna pulled herself onto Nick’s lap as she continued to kiss him deeply, swaying in the surreal feelings flowing through her because of the touch of her tongue against Nick’s. Nick sat frozen on the couch, extremely aware of Gianna’s tongue in his mouth. That knowledge and the feeling scared him. He placed his hands gently on her shoulders and pushed her away from him. “Nick?” Gianna asked when she looked down at him startled. His eyes had changed once again and he looked at her nervously. “Nick, what is it?”

“N-nothing...” Nick said pushing her off of him. He sat on the edge of the couch and dropped his head in his hands.

“Nick..it’s obviously not nothing. Tell me.” Gianna pressed.

“I..I can’t do this.” He said in a shaky voice as he stood quickly and left the room. Gianna sat stunned on the couch. Nick had walked out on her. She looked behind her at the stairs, which only moments ago Nick had climbed hurriedly and then at her hands laying clasped in her lap. He ran away again.



*****



Nick slammed his door shut and fell face down on his bed. Grabbing his pillow, he clutched in in his arms as he curled up in the fetal position. He had done it again.

“Stupid.” He muttered. As soon as the words had left his mouth he knew that it was the wrong thing to say. Gianna’s face had told him that much. She looked like her heart had been deflated...by him! Why was he having such a hard time. Anglea had fucked with his heart and head from the beginning...and he had finally put an end to it. What Nick didn’t understand was the fact that he couldn’t just move on and forget about it. Why was it so hard to leave Angela in the dust?? Let her rot in hell, where she belonged? “Why did you have to say those words???” Nick whined to himself. He flipped over and laid on his back looking at his ceiling. “If any girl did that to me I would forget about her. I’m surprised Gianna forgave me the first time that I ran away...how will she ever find it in her heart to forgive me...AGAIN!?” Nick questioned. “I am an idiot. I am the biggest idiot alive. No man in his right mind would let a girl like Gianna slip through his fingers once...much less twice.” Nick said. He looked at his ceiling, analyzing what he was feeling in the pit of his stomach. Tightness...nervousness..butterflies. Similar to the feeling he felt when he realized he was in love with Anglea. “Is that what this is? Love?” Nick asked the wooden panels above his head. Could he possibly, really, truly, honestly love Gianna? His mind drifted again. The feeling...deeper, stronger, bigger... “Does that mean that I...love Gianna more that I loved Angela?” he, again, asked the ceiling. “No...maybe I’m jumping to conclusions...maybe this is just cold feet...like people get before they get married. Maybe I’m just nervous. Yeah...I’m nervous.” he finished as there was a knock on the door.

“Am I interrupting your conversation with yourself, Nick?” Kevin asked poking his head into Nick’s room.

“No, we were finished.” Nick said without thinking. Kevin gave him an odd look before coming fully into the room and shutting the door.

“You okay, Nicky?” Kevin asked seating himself next to Nick’s sprawled form.

“I don’t know, Kev.” Nick answered smiling gratefully up at Kevin. For some odd reason, Nick never minded when Kevin used the dreaded nickname ‘Nicky’. It always came out sounding fatherly...which was usually what Nick needed. A father figure to voice his opinion.

“Wanna talk about it? Well..talk about it to another person, that is??” Kevin corrected himself, catching a slight laugh from Nick.

“I’m a dick.” Nick said simply.

“We already knew that, buddy. But what I don’t know, is what happened with you and Gianna? Everything seemed to be going pretty well at breakfast.”

“How do you know something happened?” Nick asked.

“Gianna came out into the kitchen and asked if she could borrow my car...she said she ‘needed to get out of this house to think for awhile’. She seemed pretty upset with something...I figured that maybe it had to do with the two of you..”

“Yeah...of course...it always has to do with me in some way or another. All the fights that happen are caused by yours truly.” Nick said pointing to himself.

“Nick...I’m sure it was nothing.” Kevin said in a comforting voice.

“No, Kev. Actually, it was something this time. I may have ruined whatever chance I had of building a good relationship with Gianna because of some bone head thing that fell out of my mouth.” Nick said shaking his head.

“It couldn’t have been that bad.”

“See, that’s the thing...the words themselves aren’t bad...but the situation when the words were spoken sucked a big one!”

“What did you say?”

“I told her that I couldn’t do it.”

“Couldn’t do what pray-tell?” Kevin asked raising an eyebrow at Nick. Nick rolled his eyes.

“Kevin, this is not the time to be thinking with that part of your brain. I told her that I couldn’t to the relationship thing...that I didn’t want to...”

“And the situation that makes this the worst possible occurrence??”

“Right in the middle of a kiss. A great kiss. The best kiss.” Nick said pulling his pillow over his head. Kevin heard him mumbling under the huge feather-filled pouch.

“Nick...” Kevin said soothingly as he pulled the pillow off of Nick’s face.

“Damnit Kev! She put her tongue in my mouth and I freaked...flipped...spazzed! I pushed her away and told her I couldn’t do it. I-am-a-DICK!” Nick said slowly letting the words sink into his head as well as Kevin’s.

“Well...why did you say it??” Kevin asked simply.

“I have no clue! I was kissing her back and as soon as I felt her deepen the kiss this feeling in my stomach just exploded. Kev, it was just like the feeling I felt with Anglea. I got scared. I know that Gianna would never hurt me...but...”

“Nicky..what happened with Angela? Maybe this could help you out.” Kevin said softly.

“She cheated on me.” Nick whispered, the words filled with pain.

“Oh, Nicky.” Kevin said looking down at Nick with soft eyes.

“Kev...it hurt for so long...I just want to forget. When Gianna kissed me like that..I realized what I’m getting myself into. I don’t know if I’m ready for that.”

“Nick...you can only move on when you’re ready....anytime before that is too soon.”

“I know Kevin, but I am so crazy about Gianna. I have been since the first day here. I’m just so confused.” Nick said rubbing his face with his hands. “I don’t want to lose her. What if she just forgets about me. I want to be ready so bad, but I don’t know if I can be.” Nick said looking back at Kevin.

“Tell Gianna this. She needs to know how you feel. Does she know about Angela?”

“She was the first person that I told the entire story to.” Nick said softly.

“Wow, so you care about her a lot. You trust her.”

“Yes Kev, I love her. I am in love with her. I will tell her anything that she wishes to know. My problem is being ready enough to love her and let her love me back.”

“Talk to her.”

“Why the hell is that what everyone tells me to do?! Can nothing be solved without talking?” Nick asked exasperatedly.

“Actually Nick, talking is the most important part of a relationship...you have to do it in order to have understanding, trust, love, knowledge...all of the above.”

“Then why the hell is it so hard?” Nick whined.

“Nick...either do it or forget about Gianna.”

“Damnit. Can’t we find a loopoll??”

“Nope..you’re stuck with it.”

“What do I tell her?”

“My advice? The truth...everything you told me..except, you might want to leave the part about you being a ‘Dick’ out. May not pull her heart strings.”

“Kevin, please no jokes...this is serious. I don’t want to fuck this up.”

“It’s a little late for that, dude.” Kevin said patting Nick’s arm.

“Thanks a lot Kev. Ever hear of optimism??”

“Yeah...but in this case...” Kevin shook his head.

“Shut up!” Nick said laughing.

“Made ya laugh.”

“Yeah yeah, when is Gianna coming home??”

“I’m home now.” Gianna said softly as she walked through the open bathroom door.

“Hi.” Nick said nervously.

“Hey.” Gianna said equally uncomfortable.

“If you two will excuse me..” Kevin said standing up. He left the room, giving Nick one last reassuring glance and closed the door. Nick looked over at Gianna, standing in the door frame twiddling her thumbs as she analyzed the carpet covering Nick’s floor.

“C’mere.” Nick said patting the place on the bed next to him. Gianna apprehensively sat down and picked at his comforter. “Did you hear anything?” Nick asked nervously. Gianna shook her head, refusing to meet Nick’s gaze. “Gianna, I have to be totally honest with you. Okay? I want you to listen to me and try to understand where I’m coming from.” Gianna nodded again, still gazing down at the woven strands of thread in the pattern of a bedspread. “I’m not ready.” Nick said honestly. Gianna’s eyes met his and all he saw was hurt. Tears welled up and glazed her light blue eyes. “Gianna..” he whispered. This was hurting him more than he thought it would. He couldn’t bare to see her cry and know that he caused it.

“Why?” she let out, softly.

“God, okay..this is the hard part.” Nick said reaching out for her hand. She hesitated at first, but then slowly let him lace his fingers with hers. “I’m scared. Gianna, I was hurt so much when I found out about Angela. My heart was broken into millions of pieces. I had let myself love her with my entire being and she played with my heart like it was a toy.”

“Nick, I will never hurt you. I promise.” Gianna said, not understanding Nick’s pain.

“Gianna, I know that you wouldn’t. I want to be with you, but I can’t help what I feel.”

“You want to be with me?”

“Yes. I want to be with you so bad, but everytime things get too intense I get flooded with memories of Angela and what she did to me. It’s only been six months..and I know now that I’m not completely prepared to let myself into a relationship. I’m not ready to open my heart to someone yet. I still need to heal.” he said quietly, all the while watching Gianna’s face for any sign of her feelings. All he saw was hurt.

“Do you love me? Or were you just saying it?” Gianna whispered after a few moments.

“Gianna, I would never lie to you or anyone about love. I know how it feels to be told you’re loved by someone and then find out that they don’t have a cell in their body committed to you. That is the worst lie I could tell you. Believe me when I tell you my feelings. They’re true. I love you, Gianna.”

“You love me, but you can’t be with me?” Gianna asked squeezing his hand.

“I love you, but I’m not ready to let myself be loved by you.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I know you don’t. I don’t think many people would understand anything I’m telling you. Hell, I don’t even understand what I’m saying. All I know, is that when you kissed me this morning, I knew deep down that I couldn’t continue. That I had to take longer.”

“What do you want me to do?”

“Try to understand, be my friend, love me still and know that I love you. Wait for me.” Nick said softly.

“Wait for you?” Gianna asked her eyes meeting his. He pleaded with her silently.

“Wait for me to be ready, just stay loving me until I’m ready to let things happen.” Nick said.

“That’s what you want?”

“I’m begging you. I don’t want to lose this.” he said pointing to her and then to himself. “I know that I need you to be in my life..I love you.”

“I love you too Nick.” Gianna whispered as she brought his hand to her mouth, softly kissing it. “I’ll wait.” she said. Nick smiled and pulled her to him.

“Thank you.”

“Please hurry?” Gianna asked smiling as Nick hugged her.

“I’m trying here.”

Chapter Eight
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