He shook his head, brought his hand up to the back of her hair, and buried his head in the crook of her neck. “It’s nothing, Bree. Just, these past few days have been pretty great having you here, almost normal, ya know. Even the five of us have spent time together, time with you. You’ve been so great. After what you said, ya know, when we stopped for lunch yesterday, well, Kevin came up to me today and told me anytime I wanted to catch a ride with him, that it was cool. Kevin’s smart sometimes, ya know. He picks up on things. Somehow he realized you talking about being so lonely on the bus was a direct link to how I’ve been feeling. And I know tomorrow when you leave things are gonna go back to how they were before, and I guess it’s just got me a little down. God, Bree, you’re my best friend in the whole world. Funny enough, even more than Brian or AJ. I just don’t want anything to happen to that, to our friendship.” All of that came out kind of in a rush of words.

“Hon, Nick, we’re gonna always be friends. Always. Nothing in the world can change that.” She still had one hand stroking his hair and the other was rubbing his back. He hadn’t moved, just kept holding her with his head in the crook of her neck. She could feel his breath on her skin. He was taking deep breaths, and she figured that he was trying get things under control. He hated crying, even in front of her, even after all these years. “Shhh Nick. I know everything’s been crazy. I guess they have for me too. Life likes to give us challenges, make us work for our happiness. Nothing worth having comes easily. Dad taught me that a long time ago. I know it seems so far off now, but I know that you’re gonna be okay. In the end, it’s all gonna work out and we’re all gonna be okay.”

Nick took a deep breath and nodded his head. She was right. He knew it. He didn’t understand where all this was coming from all of a sudden. “Thanks, Bree. You always listen.” He lifted his head a little and gave her a small kiss on the side of her neck. This time it was her turn to draw in a sharp breath, but Nick heard hers. Without thinking about it he gave her another small kiss and ran one of his hands down her arm feeling goose bumps. Why am I doing this? But he didn’t stop. Instead he kissed her right below her ear, exactly the same spot where she had kissed him. The hand rubbing his back had stopped moving. When he lifted his head to look at her she had her eyes closed.

“Bree?” He brushed a stray hair away from her face. Slowly she opened her eyes and met his. Neither knew what was going on or even took the time to think about it. Never letting his gaze leave hers until he was too close, he slowly leaned down and softly touched his lips to hers. She drew in a little breath but didn’t move away. He touched her lips again this time with a little more pressure and felt a shiver run through his body. Nick, what the hell are you doing? This is Brianna. He opened his mouth just a little to gently pull on her bottom lip.

Brianna thought that every inch of her body had goose bumps. It was insane. This was Nick, but she couldn’t make herself pull away. His kiss had been so gentle, so hesitant. Opening her eyes again she realized Nick was looking at her. His eyes held a question neither could answer. She smiled at him and ran her fingers through the hair on the side of his head and continued on to let a finger trace along his jaw line. When she reached his chin she then let her finger trace over his lips, actually really looking at them for the first time.

Nick grabbed her hand, catching her off guard. He kissed the palm of her hand and then gave her one of those mischievous smiles before leaning in and taking her bottom lip between his again. This time he ran his tongue along it. Brianna didn’t even realize she was starting to respond to his kiss. She ran her tongue along his top lip before he captured it in his mouth sucking on her tongue gently. He pulled away briefly, but only long enough to once again have both his hands in her hair. When he kissed her this time it was with a little more assurance. Using his tongue he pressed against her lips and deepened the kiss when she opened her mouth to him.

Both were lost in what they were feeling. For several long minutes Nick held her and let their kiss take it’s course. His heart racing and entire body shaking he reluctantly pulled away. Leaning his forehead against hers they just looked at each other, unsure what to do next, just trying to get their breathing back under control.

Nick was the first to speak. His voice was low and raspy, “Bree?” He ran his thumb across her cheek. “You okay?” She nodded her head yes. “Sweetie, I’m sorry, I don’t know…”

“Shhh. It’s okay. Crazy, but okay.”

“You sure?”

“Nick, I told you, no matter what we’ll always be friends. Nothing’s gonna change that.”

“Yeah. I just…Well,” he gave her a little smile, “friends are allowed to kiss sometimes, right?”

Laughing a little, “I don’t think there are any rules against it.”

“Well, even if there were rules, you and I are pretty good at breakin’ ‘em.” This time his smile was a little bigger and he winked at her.

“Yeah, I guess we are.” Then wrapping her arms around his neck she pulled him down into a hug. “Come here my snuggle bunny. I think we should get some sleep.”

Giggling a little Nick hugged her and rolled them onto their sides. Maybe things will be okay. That was just strange. Good, but strange. “Okay, little snuggle bunny” he giggled again, “sleep sounds good right about now. Sweet dreams, little one.” This time he gave her his usual kiss on the top of her head.

She was smiling even though he couldn’t see it, “G’night. Sweet dreams, Goliath.” Shortly after they were both soundly asleep.

<~ Chapter 19 or Chapter 21 ~>

In the End

Karina 2003