Part 156
The music shifted suddenly from up-tempo dance mixes to slow, romantic mood music. Nick watched the couples take to the dance floor, their bodies swaying together in the shadows and he gripped the glass in his hand tighter. Tossing back the last of his drink, he stood abruptly, dropping a few bills on the table and heading for the exit.
"Nick, wait up," Howie called.
"Huh?" Nick was already on the sidewalk, and looked back at Howie in confusion.
"I said, wait up, Nick. You just took off without me."
He sighed. "I'm sorry, D, that place just wasn't cutting it. I need something …. I don't know, something more alive." Turning away, he set off down the street looking for the next opportunity.
Three blocks later it appeared they'd found what Nick was looking for. Howie knew their outing had nothing at all to do with scouting for the club, it was a cover to get Nick out and talking. Maybe this was the place to set the mood. The music was loud and brash, way off from what they were both accustomed to, and Nick thought it was perfect.
Round three of drinks, and Nick was beginning to loosen up. His smile was returning as he tapped his fingers on the table in rhythm with the music. More than once, a pretty young thing passed the table and looked him over from head to toe. Howie watched Nick as he looked over the crowd, completely unaware of the women and their appreciative stares.
"Where's our waitress?" Nick mumbled. "My glass is empty."
"Mine's not. Don't you think you've had enough?"
"Not nearly. Hang on, I'll be right back." Pushing back his chair, he maneuvered to the bar for a refill. Winking at the cute young bartender, he handed her his glass and put in his order.
Howie played the part of spectator, viewing the scene with interest. He watched as the air surrounding the bar suddenly became charged with energy. A tall, buxom redhead appeared at Nick's elbow, and although Howie couldn't hear the conversation, it was clear what her intentions were toward Nick.
Nick caught a whiff of perfume and glanced to his left, looking down to see who was there. To his surprise, the woman was nearly his height and he made the colossal mistake of allowing his eyes to travel slowly up her body until they met her eyes. As his eyes met hers, he flushed with embarrassment at her knowing smile.
"Hi there," she said in a sultry voice.
"Um, hi," Nick replied, turning to look for the bartender and his drink.
"I haven't seen you here before," she said.
"Nope." Where was the damn bartender?
"You here alone?"
"Nope."
"You look alone to me."
Nick's twisted sense of humor began to kick in. "No, I'm with him," Nick pointed over his shoulder at Howie.
Nick's admirer turned to look, and as she spotted Howie he raised his glass in a toast and winked at her.
Turning quickly back to Nick, she wore a shocked statement. "Oh," she said, completely misunderstanding the scenario, which was just what Nick had intended. "Oh!"
"Nice meeting you!" he called to her back as she beat a hasty retreat across the club. Nick was completely unaware that he had another admirer; he was also completely unaware that Howie had risen from his seat in horrified disgust and was weaving his way through the crowd.
The bartender handed him his drink and as he raised it to his lips she spoke.
"Hello, lover."
Nick's drink was summarily spewed all over the bar and the rough looking gentleman to his left. He wiped his mouth on his sleeve and turned to see a face he'd hoped to avoid for the rest of his natural life.
"Manda!"
"Willa."
"Whatever," he conceded in disgust.
"You missed me I can tell," she simpered, and wrapped her arms around him.
"Knock it off," he grumbled, pushing her away.
"What's the matter, Nick, married life gone sour already?"
"No, not that it's any of your business." Damn, she could get to him like no other.
"Then where's your not-so-blushing bride?" She made a show of peering around the club as Nick stewed.
"Becca's back at the hotel, Willa. I'm here with Howie. And we were just leaving."
"So soon? Aw, c'mon, Nicky, we haven’t even had a chance to chat about old times," she pouted.
"Oh well, too damn bad I guess."
"Don't be like this, Nicky, we *did* have some great times. I remember the time-"
"Nick, let's get going," Howie said, coming to his rescue.
"Yeah, the clientele here leaves a lot to be desired." Nick placed his glass back on the bar and turned to leave.
"Nice to see you, Amanda," Howie said politely as he turned to follow Nick out the door.
"Nice to see at least ONE of you still has manners!" she called after them.
**************
Nick was halfway down the block when he realized Howie wasn't with him. Turning in confusion, he found Howie leaning against a lamppost right outside the club. There was no way in hell he was going back there, so he stood his ground and waited for Howie to get the message. Eventually Howie caught up with him and they began walking.
"Nick, it's getting late."
"I know," he sighed.
"Come on, let's go sit." Howie crossed the street, leading Nick to a bench in the public park. It was after midnight, so they were guaranteed privacy. Howie leaned back, waiting for Nick to gather his thoughts.
Finally it began.
Nick leaned forward, his elbows on his knees, hands in his hair. In an anguished voice he asked, "What the hell am I doing here?"
Howie laid a hand on his back and remained silent. He had to do this in his own time.
"I should be back at the hotel with Becca, but I'm out here club-hopping."
"Nothing wrong with going out, Nick. I know Becca didn't mind."
"She'd mind if she knew I needed to escape."
"From her?"
"Yes. No. Shit Howie, I'm so damned confused."
"Talk to me Nick."
Nick took a deep breath, trying his damndest not to cry. "I'm scared."
"Of what, Nick?"
"Everything, D."
Howie chuckled. "That covers a lot of territory, Nick. Think maybe we can narrow it down a bit?"
Nick tried to smile. "My life has changed so much in the last ten months. Ten months ago, I'd never even met her."
"And now you're married and having a baby." He nodded his head in agreement. "That's a lot of changes, Nick."
"You're telling me? I don't know if I can do this, Howie."
"It's a little late for that now. Besides, you 'love' Becca."
"Of course I do. But D- she trusts me. She depends on me for every little thing. What if I can't do it? What if I let her down?"
"Nick, marriage is a partnership. You just have to remember that it's not always 50-50. Sometimes Bec will need you to carry more of the load, but there will undoubtedly be times that she'll carry the load for you."
"I suppose," Nick agreed.
"It's just more overwhelming when you add the baby into the equation. Normally a newly married couple has time to adjust, get to know each others' quirks and peculiarities before having children."
"I really screwed up, D."
"Nick, stop beating yourself up. Close your eyes."
"Huh?"
"Just do it." He waited until Nick complied before continuing. "Take a deep breath. Now, think back to last Christmas, all the way back to the party at the youth center."
Nick smiled remembering how ridiculous he'd looked wearing a red flashing nose and antlers.
"Ok, good. You had a great time that night, right? Now, move ahead to the midnight service at Becca's church. I want you to picture the way she looked and sounded when she sang. Remember it all, Nick."
"God, it was amazing," he whispered. "I was so blown away."
"I watched you Nick. I sat beside you and watched you watching 'her', and I could see everything you were thinking."
"You could?"
"Absolutely. I saw the love you had for her, Nick. It was so strong I could feel it and I knew you were going to propose. It was right and it was perfect. Remember Nick? Remember how it felt?"
Nick opened his eyes and wiped the tears from his face. "I love her so much …"
Howie put his arm round him. "You have to hold on to that feeling, man. You're letting all this other stuff get in the way and you can't let it. Not to heap more guilt on you, but Becca needs you. Sarah's worried about her."
"I know, I am too."
"Have you talked about it?"
"Yeah, some …"
"Be persistent Nick, you know how Becca closes herself off. You have to take charge a little more and make sure she takes care of herself."
"She scared the hell out me when she passed out. What about Sarah? Has she been through all this stuff, too? I mean, is it normal for Bec to have all these weird symptoms?"
"Only she and her doctor can answer that, Nick. I know Sarah had some complications with Jesse, but they weren't serious. You need to find out for sure before it gets out of hand."
"Bec has an appointment with her doctor when we get back to Orlando, so we'll know more then, I guess."
"Nick, are you gonna be okay?"
"Yeah," he sighed. "I suppose so, D. It just really helps to have someone to talk to. Thanks."
"Any time, Nick, but you need to tell Bec what you've told me. Don't keep her in the dark about this kinda stuff. It's too important."
"I'm exhausted. Take me home, Howie."
"I'm not your damn date, Nick, take yourself home! Or we could always head back to the club and let Willa walk you back to the hotel." Howie smirked at the statement on Nick's face.
"Fuck! That's not even remotely funny. I can't wait to see the expression on Bec's face when I tell her THAT little piece of news."
"Come on, we have wives waiting for us."
Side by side they returned to the hotel. It was after one a.m. when they let themselves quietly into their rooms.