The Gift
Chapter 16
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Lainie accompanied Kevin up to his room and made sure he was settled in. She met Howie in the hall as she was leaving.
"How is he?" Howie asked, looking very concerned.
"He'll be fine," Lainie said, smiling.
"Good. I guess I'll stay with him for a few hours. Thanks for everything," Howie said. "You know, if you hadn't had that doctor friend of yours come by, he might have sat up there and died or something."
"Well... glad I could help," Lainie said, blushing and looking at the floor. Howie smiled. Ahhh a shy one. He liked shy ones. "I guess I should be going. I'm kind of tired."
"Well alright," Howie said, hugging her. "Thanks again."
Lainie went back into the waiting room to get Nick. He was sleeping on the sofa. She shook him lightly and watched as his blue eyes opened slowly.
"Hey, baby," Nick said, smiling. "How is he?"
"He's doing great. No problems at all. He should be out tomorrow or Thursday," she answered. Nick brushed her hair out of her face.
"You look tired," he said, standing up. "Let's get you home. We've got a big day tomorrow."
"What's tomorrow?" Lainie asked, leaning against his chest. Nick wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head.
"Tomorrow is the reading of Uncle Ed's Will," he said quietly. Lainie closed her eyes and sighed. The reading of the Will. Such finality. The last remnant of Edward's life on this earth, and tomorrow was it. Then end.
"Let's go," Lainie said, but she didn't want to let go of Nick. He was so big and warm. And he smelled so nice. Masculine. Nick gently let go of her and took her hand. He drove them home, and Lainie went straight upstairs to take a shower. She needed to wash the day away. It had been so stressful. And painful. Even though there was still no electricity, she was thankful that Edward had installed the gas water heater. She lit candles all around the bathroom, but they didn't provide much light. She let the hot water pour down her body, and she thought about Nick. And AJ. And she smiled. They were so wonderful. So much fun. But tomorrow... tomorrow could be their last day together. After the reading of the Will, Nick and AJ would most likely want to get back to their lives. He'd go back to Florida. And she'd just be plain ol' Lainie again. Unexpected tears came to her eyes. As she sobbed, she rested her forehead against the marble wall of the shower. She didn't want him to leave. She wanted things to stay just like they were. She wanted AJ and Nick to stay with her. They made her feel like she was somebody. She felt fingers softly trailing down her back and she turned to face Nick, who had crept in silently behind her. She looked up at him, and he smiled without speaking. He pulled her body to him, and she could feel his warm, naked flesh pressing against her. She closed her eyes as he began to kiss her. The hot water coursed down their bodies, between her full breasts, over Nick's broad shoulders. Nick's tongue probed deeply, urgently, into her mouth, exploring in an almost desperate way. Lainie unconsciously dug her nails into his shoulders, and he pulled away, gasping.
"Oh God, Lainie," he groaned, his head falling back. Lainie kissed his exposed neck, tentatively at first. Nick bit his lower lip and let his hands settle on her ass. He pulled her hips to him, grinding his erect penis against her body. Lainie nipped at his neck playfully, giggling as the goose bumps appeared on his skin.
"You're killing me," he moaned softly. "I want you so bad."
"I'm sorry," she said, sheepishly. "I shouldn't be playing like that."
"Lainie, let me make love to you," Nick said, looking down into her eyes. She could see the desire... the need... in those blue eyes, and for a moment she actually considered it. But then she remembered herself.
"Nick, I can't," she said, pulling back. Nick refused to let go, and he pulled her back to him, almost roughly. "Stop," Lainie said, pushing him back.
"Lainie, please don't do this to me. I want... No, I need you," Nick pleaded.
"You have no idea how hard it is for me to say no," she said, backing away.
"Then don't say no," he said, moving toward her. He grabbed her hand and placed it on his erection.
"Nick, come on. You're just making this harder for both of us, ok?" Lainie said, pulling her hand back. Nick backed her against the wall and pressed himself against her, kissing her forcefully. Lainie turned her head and ducked away from him.
"Stop!"
"Lainie!" Nick said, his voice raised just a little. "Come on. Why not?"
"Because! I don't want to!" she exclaimed, getting out of the shower. She wrapped herself with a towel and went back into her room to get dressed. She had already put on her t-shirt and panties and had crawled under her covers before Nick emerged from the bathroom with a towel around his waist. He sat down on the bed beside her, looking ashamed.
"Lainie, I'm so sorry," he said quietly. "I had no right. I was a jerk. I know I was. Can you forgive me?"
"Go away," she replied, her voice filled with disgust.
"Lainie..."
"Nick, I'm going to bed. I suggest you do the same," Lainie said, looking at him with disdain. He was just like all the other men. Just out for one thing. She should have listened to her mama and not let them stay there. Men were nothing but trouble, and all they wanted was to get into your pants. As soon as they got that, they left. Why buy the cow if you can get the milk for free. That was mama's motto.
Nick nodded sadly and got up. "I really am sorry," he muttered, closing the door as he left. Lainie laid in her bed, staring up at the ceiling for the second night in a row. She was so exhausted, but she knew sleep would evade her again tonight. She thought again of tomorrow, and what it meant. As much as Nick annoyed her, she was going to miss him. Strange as that was.
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The next morning, Lainie got up extra early. She showered, put her hair up in a delicate twist, and applied light makeup. She dressed in one of her nicer outfits... a pair of black capris and a cornflower blue silk sweater set. She walked downstairs quietly, trying not to wake anyone up. She found Brian sitting in front of the fire reading the paper.
"Whoa! You look great," he said, smiling brightly. "That's a great color for you. It brings out the blue in your eyes."
"Thanks," she said, smiling. She went into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator to find something for breakfast. The smell hit her like a ton of bricks. UGH! All of her groceries had gone bad when the power had gone off for so long. She walked back into the living room and sat on the couch.
"Ok, I'm officially hungry," she sighed.
"Me too. Let's go," Brian said, hopping up from the couch.
"Where are we going?" Lainie laughed.
"I don't know. Surprise me," he said, smiling. Lainie stared at Brian for a moment. He had the sweetest, most honest smile she had ever seen. She could almost see the goodness in him. If she believed in auras and all that mumbo-jumbo, his would be beautiful, she was sure. She smiled back at him and took the hand he had offered her. She grabbed her keys and they headed out. Brian chattered on as they drove through town.
"I just love this place. It reminds me of the place my grandparents live. Everybody's so friendly and everything," he said. Lainie listened to his sweet Kentucky drawl and laughed to herself. Kevin had done a good job of taming his accent, but Brian's was still very strong. Lainie pulled into the parking lot of Rita's Kitchen, a local establishment that specialized in greasy spoon cuisine.
"Ok, this place has great food, but we'd better buy some TUMS on the way out," she said, laughing.
"Oh man! A real southern breakfast? I haven't had one of those in so long," Brian laughed. They walked inside and took a booth near the back. The bee-hived waitress, Nell, came over to the table.
"Well hey Lainie," she said, grinning, "How's your mama?"
"She's fine, Nell. How's Cotton?" Lainie answered,
"Oh, he's ornery as hell. But that's nothin' new," she cackled. "What can I get y'all?"
"I'll have the bacon and egg breakfast, toast, no jelly, hashbrowns instead of grits, and a giant orange juice," Lainie said.
"Oh that sounds good," Brian agreed. "I think I'll have the same. Except I want jelly."
"Comin' right up. Lainie, you gonna introduce me to this boy, or do I have to call Betty Ann and tell her you've lost your manners?" Nell laughed.
"Oh, shoot! I keep forgetting. Nell Caruthers, this is Brian Littrell. Now Nell, don't you go callin' my mama on me! You know I'll never hear the end of it!" Lainie exclaimed.
"You're forgiven," Nell chuckled. "Brian, it's nice to meet you. Hope to see you again. You in town for long?"
"I wish," Brian said, grinning from ear to ear. "I'll probably be leaving in a day or two. My cousin had to have surgery yesterday here, and I'll definitely be waiting for him to get out before I leave."
"Well, I hope he's alright," Nell said, sincerely concerned.
"Oh, he'll be fine," Brian said, "Lainie reassured me that it's nothing to worry about."
"Well, if Lainie says he's gonna be fine, I'd believe her," Nell said. "She's a damn fine nurse, let me tell you. She saved my Cotton's life about a year ago. He had himself a heart attack, and she gave him that CPR stuff and brought him back to me. Some days I don't know whether to thank her or whip her for it, but she's a damn good nurse."
Nell walked away leaving Brian shaking his head. "Are all the people in this town so friendly?" he asked. Just then, Lainie's eyes were drawn to the front door. Jan Jones. Lainie closed her eyes.
"No. Unfortunately, they're not," she said, saying a silent prayer that hell would open it's gates and swallow Jan before she had a chance to come visit their table.
"Lainie, Lainie, Lainie," Jan said, approaching their table. "I just can't even sling a cat by the tail without smacking into you lately. Well, who have we here?"
"Brian Littrell," Brian said, standing halfway and shaking Jan's hand like a gentleman.
"Oh, silly, I know who you are. I was just playing with Lainie," Jan flirted. Brian sat back down and looked at the expression on Lainie's face. He could tell she was not very happy.
"Lainie, I hope you're not still upset with Jane Ann," Jan said, her voice dripping with mock sympathy. "She feels terrible about what she said the other night. But you have to admit, it was kind of funny. I just can't believe AJ had the nerve to say those nasty things to her! He was so mean!"
"He's my friend, Jan. He was just protecting me," Lainie said, looking down at the table. No matter how much time passed, Lainie was still intimidated by Jan Jones and her friends.
"But my gosh! He was just ruthless! I mean, you know, we all put on a little weight as we get older, but he just yelled at her and called her fat and everything!" Jan exclaimed. That did it... Lainie glared up at Jan.
"Yeah, kind of like the way you've all treated me my whole life. She deserved ever second of humiliation. Multiply that by 20 years, and maybe you'll get some idea of what I've felt like all this time," Lainie hissed.
"Why Lainie!" Jan exclaimed, looking so innocent. "I never realized we did anything like that! Surely you must have taken it out of context or something."
"No, I don't think being called Lard-ass can be taken out of context, " Lainie said, raising an eyebrow.
"We were only joking," Jan laughed. "Get a fucking sense of humor. You were fat, Lainie. You're not now. Get over it."
"Hey now," Brian growled, his brow furrowing with anger, "I think I've heard enough. Now, why don't you go on and march your happy ass on out of here before I forget how my mama raised me and get really ungentlemanly with you."
Jan's eyebrows shot up with surprise at Brian's outburst. "Well, I didn't realize Lainie had her own security team now. See ya around." She turned on her heel and walked to another table.
Lainie took several deep breaths and closed her eyes.
"What was that all about?" Brian asked, his voice low.
"Never mind. Let's just say I didn't have too many friends growing up, and she definitely wasn't one of them," Lainie said, shaking her head. Just then, Nell brought their breakfast to the table. Lainie picked at hers, not eating much.
"You know what you need?" Brian asked, his mouth full of toast.
"No. What?"
"You need a good trip around the ice rink," he said, giggling.
"Why? So Chuck can play Endless Love over the loud speaker and embarrass the hell out of me again? No thanks!" Lainie laughed.
"Ohh come on," Brian said. Lainie sighed.
"Ok," she acquiesced. "We'll go to the ice rink."
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"Damn it. I'll never get the hang of this," Lainie muttered, as Brian turned circles in the middle of the ice. She slowly skated out to him, and he grabbed her hands.
"Your hands are cold," he said, placing her hands on his cheeks to warm them up. Chuck picked that very moment to turn off the lights and put on The Dixie Chicks "Cowboy Take Me Away". Lainie took a deep breath and glared in his direction. He gave her the thumbs up and walked out of the DJ booth.
"He's an idiot," Lainie muttered.
"He's just trying to hook you up," Brian chuckled.
"Yeah, I'm considered an old maid in this town," she said, rolling her eyes.
"You're what? 22? 23?"
"Yeah, something like that. But here, if you don't get married by 21, you're an old maid. Most girls go to college to get there MRS degree, if you know what I mean. Then they move away. On to bigger and better things," she said, pulling her hands off his cheeks.
"Lainie, do you mind if I do something?" Brian asked, narrowing his eyes.
"What is it that you wanna do?" she asked, laughing a little.
"I want to kiss you," he said, still looking serious. Lainie's eyes grew wide. She had never even considered...
"Well... ok," she said, not realizing that the words were actually coming out of her mouth. Brian slowly, gently, pulled her to him and their lips met. His lips were soft and warm, and he smelled like shampoo and soap. Lainie couldn't help but laugh.
"Why are you laughing?" he asked, laughing himself.
"I don't know. I just felt like laughing," she said, looking up at the ceiling.
"Oh, well... my kisses inspire laughter. I'm not sure if that's a compliment or an insult," he said, running his fingers through her hair. He kissed her again, this time with more feeling. And he got more of a response the second time around. Lainie parted her lips and Brian's tongue found it's way inside her mouth. She placed her hands on his shoulders as they kissed for what seemed like an eternity. Her whole body was tingling and she was beginning to feel lightheaded, yet she felt as though there was nowhere else in the world that she was meant to be other than right there in Brian Littrell's arms... kissing him. Brian pulled back and looked into her tiger eyes without smiling.
"You know what?" he said softly.
"What?"
"That was... most definitely... the best kiss I've ever had in my life," he said, still not smiling.
"I would have to agree with you on that one," Lainie said, swallowing hard. They stared at each other for a few seconds, neither of them wanting to break the stare. Lainie spoke first.
"I... uh.. I have to go," she said softly. "I have to be at the lawyer's office at 10."
"Oh," Brian said, sounding disappointed. "Well, I guess..."
"Yeah."
"Lainie," he said, as they began to skate off the ice.
"What?"
"Did you feel that?"
"Feel what?" she asked, laughing. Her mind was in the gutter.
"That. Back there. The... I don't know... I guess you didn't, or you'd know what I was talking about," Brian said, looking down.
"You mean that feeling? The one that was saying that I was supposed to be in your arms?" she asked, looking shyly at him.
"That's the one," he said, smiling brightly.
"Yeah. I did."
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17