“I said I was just calling to see if you were okay and if Brianna made it there. I didn’t hear from you last night and was starting to get worried.”

“Yeah, she’s here. Things are, well, I made it here in one piece anyway.” Nick realized he hadn’t called Tony, Aaron and his mom, or his dad. The past few days had just been a fog. And top things off he had just complicated them even more with Bree. “Hmmm. No I don’t feel up to it, man. I just wanna chill for a few days. You can stop by if you want.” Tony had asked him if he felt like going out. Partying was not at the top of Nick’s list at the moment.

“I know it’s soon, but you don’t need to isolate yourself, okay. Life goes on and AJ is gonna get better.” Tony wasn’t being uncaring towards AJ or the situation, he was just trying to take his friend’s mind off of things for a bit. “You said Brianna made it. How long’s she stayin’?”

“Dunno. We haven’t really talked about it. I know she can’t miss much class though. I’m still a little overwhelmed that she drove all the way down here like that. Plus, she had already cleaned the house some and opened up before I got here. And, get this man, she cooked today. A real meal, and it was good.”

“And your house is still standing? No fire marshal’s running around?”

“Naw dude. It was good. She tried so hard. I know she’s worried for AJ but she’s being strong for me.”

“Well, it seems like you’re in good hands, then. Maybe I’ll swing by tomorrow. We can order some pizza and hang out, do whatever. That okay?”

“Yup. Just stop by whenever.”

After Nick hung up with Tony he didn’t know whether to go find Bree or just leave her alone for a while. She wasn’t upset the last time that happened, but this time was different. He didn’t even want to think about where things might have gone had Tony not called when he did. He opted to let her have some time. Hell, he needed some time. So, he headed out for a walk on the beach hoping that would help clear the fog in his head a little.

Upstairs Bree let the water pound on her back while she let her mind wander over what had just happened. Nick was her friend and she was shocked over how uncontrolled her response to his kiss was. And it wasn’t that she didn’t enjoy the feeling, she just thought that with everything else going on around Nick at the moment, the last thing they needed to do was complicate their friendship. Besides, she reasoned, both times when Nick had kissed her he had been feeling down, and little wrought emotionally. Maybe he was just responding to that emotion by reaching out in someway. Maybe he just needed that, even just a little bit. It surely wasn’t because of any romantic feelings between them. They were just friends. She kept going over this in her mind until the water turned cold.

Drying off and getting dressed she wasn’t sure whether she should go find Nick or not. She was curious what Tony wanted and silently thanked him for calling when he did. He’s seen me at my worst. I might as well go face him. We’re gonna have to deal with this one way or another.

After a brief search downstairs she concluded that he probably went for a walk. After all, the back door was unlocked and his car keys were still in the house. Let him have some time to himself. She picked up the remote and started flipping channels. It didn’t take her long to search through and not find anything that held her interest. Munchies. And she went in search of some completely unhealthy snacks.

When Nick came back he found her at the counter with a glass of milk and a bowl of ice cream. Caught with a mouth full of cold ice cream it took a second before she could say anything.

“Hey. Enjoy your walk? Want some?”

“Yes, to both. Sit, I’ll get it.” He fixed himself some ice cream in silence before sitting next to her at the counter. “Very nutritious dinner we got here.”

“I know.” She smiled and winked. “What’d Tony want? Just checkin’ in on ya?”

“Yeah basically. I told him when I left the airport I’d call when I made it here. Of course I forgot. He’s gonna come by tomorrow. Mind?”

“Nope. Your house. Besides, Tony’s cool.”

“How long can you stay?” He was looking at her now and didn’t really know what he wanted the answer to be.

“I dunno. I didn’t plan that far. I just told my professors I’d be out of town for a few days. However long you want me here, I guess. Within reason. I need to be back to class no later than Monday.”

“That’s fine. Why don’t we play it by ear? I gotta call my family. I’m surprised the phone’s not ringing off the hook already.”

“Everyone’s just givin’ you some space to breathe, Nicky. Trust me they’re all thinkin’ about ya.”

“Yeah, I’m sure that’s probably it. I know Aaron’s busy on tour. I was thinkin’ while I was walkin’, maybe since I got some time now, ya know, it’d be kinda cool to go hang with him some.”

“That sounds like a great idea. Take some time for yourself. Relax and have a little fun. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

“Just go with what feels good, right? Isn’t that what you told me?” He arched his eyebrow.

“Um, yeah, I guess. It was something like that.” She quickly looked back down at her now empty bowl not sure what he was getting at.

“Hey, come here.” He said quietly pulling her up to stand in front of him. Running both his hands up and down her arms he tried to think where to begin, what he had thought when he was walking. “The last thing I want is to do anything to screw up our friendship. Okay?” He asked tilting his chin down and looking her in the eyes. Bree nodded in agreement. “Second, I’m not sure what’s goin’ on between us. Frankly, it’s a little too confusing to try and sort out right now.”

“Yeah, I know. It’s weird, not bad weird, just strange. Does that make sense?”

“Yeah, a lot. I don’t want us to be, like funny around each other. I need you here Bree. I mean, yeah, I know you can’t like stay until, well for a long time. But, I’d like you to stay for a few more days anyway. That is if you still want to stay.”

“Nick, of course I do. If it bothered me that much, trust me I’d be gone already. I’m just, well confused.” She shook her head, if she was confused she couldn’t even imagine what he was.

He stood up, picked up the bowls placing them in the sink, and grabbed her hand. “C’mere, okay? Trust me?”

“You know I do.” She followed him upstairs and back into bed. Laughing she thought they were over doing the whole sleep thing a bit, but then again stress can do that to you.

“Will you snuggle with me?” He asked with his arms open. Still laughing she lay down and shifted around until she was comfortable. Once she was still he wrapped his arms around her and gave a little squeeze. “What’s that you’ve been telling me? In the end everything will be okay. We’re gonna be okay.” They both sighed at the same time then laughed about it. Things were quiet for a few minutes before he spoke again. “Bree?”

“Yes?” She raised her head to look at him.

Hesitating for a second he leaned down and softly kissed her on the lips. “Thank you.” Bree just smiled at him before laying her head back down. Things were going to be okay. Both fell asleep with that thought in their heads.

<~ Chapter 28 or Chapter 30 ~>

In the End

Karina 2003