The bottle is cold in my hand, and I take a sip of the sweet drink before placing it in the cup holder. The wrapper of a cracker package rustles as I open it, and Lori digs out goat cheese with a knife to be ready for me.
I hand the treat to Casey. “Feed the driver first.”
Lori reaches forward with a small plate of cut fruit and hands it to Casey to hold in her lap. She asks, “Dannika, did I hear you and Christian are thinking about starting a family?”
Dannika glances in the rearview mirror at us. “We are. I’m trying to eat right and”—she pauses—“we’re keeping the sheets tangled.”
Casey sputters. “Oh my God. Gretchen needs to hear this.” She pulls out her phone to call her.
Lori says, “Ewww, that’s her brother Dannika is talking about.”
“Oh please, nothing is sacred to Gretchen.” Casey has video calling on, and Gretchen appears on the screen that Casey holds up for us.
“Cupcake? Is that you?” asks Gretchen.
Lori replies to Gretchen’s nickname for her. “It sure is. How’s school?”
“Great. Derrick and I are getting fat and drinking too much coffee. How’s things with Kaleb?”
“Awesome.”
I squeeze into the area that is visible to Gretchen, and she says, “Hey, Megan. Tell me what I’m missing.”
“So far we discussed the merits of wedding dress styles, Casey’s annoying us all with her fidgeting, and Dannika and Christian are trying to get pregnant.”
Casey yells, “She says they’re keeping the sheets tangled.”
Gretchen’s chuckle comes through before she says, “Please tell me everyone is skiing man mountain and doing me proud.”
Casey pulls the phone back to face her. “Megan and Nick finally discovered car sex the other day.”
Dannika asks, “What? Spill it.”
I groan as Casey turns her cell to me. I say, “It’s pretty self-explanatory.”
Lori jumps in. “Sex. In a car. On the way to work in broad daylight where everyone could see.”
“Wait. No! We parked behind a dumpster.”
Gretchen says, “Oh Megan, it’s not dumpster diving. You were supposed to ask for muff diving.”
If she only knew. My face burns, and Casey squeals when she notices. “Oh my God! I think Nick did tickle her fancy. Dumpster diving has a whole new meaning now.”
Everyone is laughing. I press the cold wine bottle to my cheek and say, “I’m totally dying here. Nick’s going out for dev team in a couple weeks.”
“That’s great. He’ll get it, for sure,” says Gretchen.
We continue to catch up for a while and end the call with a promise to ring back when we’re down to the final dress picks.
Casey, Lori, and I are a little silly from wine coolers when we finally arrive at the dress shop. But Dannika scolds us into being appropriate before we get out of the car. Warmth rises from the sun-baked asphalt as we walk toward the door. Spring has arrived in the mile-high city, and it seems unreal compared to the snow-covered town we left a few hours ago. I lift my face to the sky, and a gentle breeze blows through my hair, making it tickle my neck.
Dannika became friends with the shop owner at a trade show, and we get VIP treatment the moment we walk in. A very blond woman with too much makeup greets us. Dannika tells her who we are, and she says, “Ladies, right this way. I have your room all set up.”
Lori and I look at each other and mouth, “Room?” We cover our mouths to suppress the fit of giggles that wants to escape. We are led to a space that is luxurious with overstuffed purple velvet couches and two large dressing rooms. There is a small stage for the bride to stand for alterations and a three-panel mirror behind it. On the glass table is a platter of tiny sandwiches, and champagne is chilling in a bucket of ice.
Lori says, “Wow.” She eyes the alcohol, but Casey shakes her head.
“No drinking until we pick your dresses.”
I plop down on a couch with a sigh, and the cushion hugs my thighs. I say, “Good plan. But if you take too long deciding, all bets are off.”
“You can drink while I try on dresses. I want to get you guys done first.”
Dannika says, “Casey and I already found options online, and they should be in the dressing rooms.”
Lori speaks over a mouthful of food. “Well, that’s easy.”
I grin at Casey. “I should have known the control freak wouldn’t leave it to us to decide.”
“You got that right. Now go.” She motions for us to move, and Lori, Dannika and I scramble into a dressing room.
Three styles of violet-colored dresses are hanging. Dannika says, “Let’s all try this one first.”
We are an interesting mix of bridesmaids, with Lori being barely five feet tall and Dannika just over six feet. After parading out in all three gowns, Casey picks the one that magically works for everyone, and we order Gretchen a dress to be delivered to a shop near her on the East Coast.
Casey says, “Okay. Crack open the bubbly, and pour me a glass. Dannika and I are about to go in.”
She’s referring to the huge warehouse of dresses in the back. The bottle of champagne is slippery with moisture when I grab it, and the cork pops loudly. Lori holds the glasses as I pour. Dannika makes a toast. “To the beautiful bride!”
Bubbles dance on my tongue before I swallow, and Casey hands her glass to me after one sip to say, “Let’s do it.”
Once they’re gone, I lean back on the couch to relax. The velvet is smooth under my hand as I stroke the arm of the sofa.
Lori says, “I don’t know about you, but all this wedding stuff with Dannika and Casey has my mind going to dangerous places.”
I nod and ask, “Are you and Kaleb even ready for that?”
“That’s the thing. I’m not. But I’m getting little hints that Kaleb wants to know what I’m thinking about our future.” She takes a sip of her drink, and I watch her throat work as she swallows. “Would you say anything?”
I think about my current predicament and wonder where Nick and I would be now if he had known I couldn’t marry him. “I think it’s always good to be honest with each other.” Like I was with Nick in the beginning. Because I do want a family and children someday. “But remember, a couple years can change everything.”
“I think you’re right. I love Kaleb, and he makes me happy. It’s fine to be in love and have a relationship that is nothing more than that for right now. It’s not like we’re old and desperate for husbands.”
Lori has a good point. It is okay to be in a relationship that is for right now and not forever. Unfortunately, that does little to help my situation, because I’m dealing with an expiration date.
Chapter 7
For the past three weeks, Stacy has spent more time with Nick than I have. Bonded by their desire to make dev team, they train during the day and spend hours at night poring over video, notes, and anything they think might help their chances. I do give Nick credit though. To make sure the time he spends with Stacy isn’t a problem for me, they study at our house. I’m grateful for his consideration, even if it can’t stop my jealousy.
The night air is crisp when I get out of the car, and my ears are cold by the time I make it to the top of the steps that lead to my apartment. Heather insisted Nick and Stacy both take a day off from everything before driving to Vail tomorrow for their exam. Nick asked me to take the day off too, and I’m looking forward to spending time together.
The door swishes over carpet as I push it open, and Nick calls out, “Hey, babe. How was work?”
I walk in to discover him on the floor with a leg up in the air and resting against Stacy’s torso. Heat is rising up my body as I will my green monster to stay contained. I ask, “Hamstrings tight?”
Nick must notice my anger, because he says, “That’s enough, Stacy.”
She releases him, and he hops up to step over and give me a quick kiss. “Missed you.”
Stacy rolls her eyes, and I want
to punch her.
Nick wraps an arm around my waist and keeps it there when he turns back to Stacy. She says, “I should go. I’ll pick you up at four.”
“Sounds good, thanks,” says Nick.
As soon as the door clicks shut, he turns to me. “I wish you wouldn’t let her upset you. You’re the one I want.”
“I know. But she’s in love with you, and as incredibly selfish as this sounds, I hate that she’ll be making her move once I’m gone.”
Nick isn’t listening though, because his hands are at my waistband, and he slides the zipper of my skirt down. “Shhh. I don’t want to think about that.”
I grab his hands and stop him. My jealousy has turned to lust, and I feel the need to stake my claim. “Oh no you don’t. I’m the last one home, and I get to take what I want.” I drop to my knees and look up at him. “Strip, and let me show you what’s been on my mind all night.”
* * *
Nick and I never made it to lunch the next day. We spent the time in bed, watching bad movies and taking pleasure in each other for intermission. Nick moans softly as I nuzzle his neck. I say, “I’ve been thinking. You should date Stacy.”
He bolts up to stare down at me. “What is wrong with you?”
“Hear me out. She’s smart, hot, and skis almost as well as you do.” My finger trails down Nick’s chest toward his groin, and his body shivers, yearning for more, despite himself. “You should go for it.”
He grabs my hand before I go further. “Stop. I don’t need you to find me my next girlfriend, okay?”
“I’m just saying that she’d be good for you.”
“And I’m just saying you should shut up.” He gets out of the bed, and I scramble across it to grab him by the waist and throw him down. The mattress bounces under us.
I gaze down at him and take in the beautiful display of man that he is. A low sound comes out of my throat, and I say, “Forget it. Join a seminary for the next few years until I can come back.”
My mouth lands on his in a crushing kiss. I almost lose myself in it, but the bed squeaks as he rolls us over so he’s on top. “Hold on,” says Nick. “What do you mean in a couple years?”
“Once I have control of Bellae and fulfill my duty, I can do what I want. So I’m going to create contracts to protect the employees, sell, invest the money, and come back to you.”
“Can you do that?”
“I’m bound to the job for five years, and then I can do what I want.”
Nick doesn’t respond and climbs off me.
“What’s the matter?”
He rakes a hand through his hair, and a draft from the window makes goosebumps stand up on my skin as I lie watching him. He asks, “You want me to wait five years for you to come back?”
I sit up. “Yes.” Alex’s words come back to me. Entitled much? “I mean no.”
Nick scowls, and his hands fist by his side. “Which one is it, Megan?”
“I want you to wait, but I won’t make you promise.”
He huffs. “Do you have any idea what you’re asking?”
“Yeah, I’m sorry. It’s just that... damn it. It’s killing me that in a little over a week, I’ll be gone.”
Nick shakes his head slowly. “Amazing. Thanks for making this a little bit easier.”
I can’t breathe and feel as if the air was suddenly sucked out of the room. I approached this all wrong. “Babe, please.” I reach toward him with both of my hands, but he steps back.
“I’ve got to get ready to go to Vail.” He pounds over to the bathroom, and the door shuts more loudly than usual.
I kick myself mentally as I get out of the bed. What’s wrong with me is right. What the hell was I thinking, suggesting he be with the one person who makes me crazy with envy when she so much as looks at him?
As difficult as it is for me to leave him, it’s got to be worse for Nick. I’m about to go off to a new place and leave him behind to pick up the pieces. I whip the sheets up to make the bed, and our combined scent wafts toward me. I drop down on the mattress and put my head in my hands. This is so damn hard!
The door to the bathroom opens, and Nick steps out with a cloud of steam. I gaze over at him and say, “I’m really sorry. I’m taking out my frustrations on you. It’s not fair.”
“No, it’s not.” He sighs. “This is hard for both of us. But there’s nothing to say that will make it better.”
“Want me to go double-check your gear bag?”
We both know everything he needs is already in it, but he says, “Sure.”
When four o’clock rolls around, it’s time for Nick to go realize his dream. When Stacy gets to the door, I hand her a cooler with food for them both. “Take care of him for me. He’ll be nervous and won’t want to talk. Don’t make him, it’s how he deals.” I cringe at my words. What is he, a toddler?
Nick bristles when I touch his arm, and he steps back to hoist his bag over his shoulder. But I don’t let him escape and grab his face with my hands to kiss him. “You’re going to crush this.”
He nods, and I say, “I love you.”
Nick’s face is blank when he says, “Thanks.” He steps out the door to a waiting Stacy. Their feet thump down the stairs, and it’s as if each one is taking Nick farther away from me.
Chapter 8
Around three in the afternoon, I start checking my phone to make sure I didn’t miss a text from Nick. He should find out if he made dev team at any minute. My skis rattle as I drop them in the locker room rack, and I clomp over to my aisle. I gaze over at Stacy’s locker and hope for a moment she doesn’t make the team.
The familiar vibration of a text rumbles against my chest, and I pull my phone out of my fleece pocket to find it’s from Nick. Made it! Stacy too.
My fingers tap out a reply. Awesome!!! Hurry home, and we’ll celebrate.
My stomach clenches thinking about him with Stacy when he texts back. Should be home by five.
Want me to get people together?
Sure, cards at our house would be good.
My introverted guy would rather do something at home than go out to a bar, and I’m happy to oblige. Perfect, I’m on it. See you soon! Love you.
I watch for a few seconds, hoping he’ll reply he loves me too, but the dancing gray dots that would indicate he’s typing don’t appear, and I think he’s done with our conversation. Our love is dying a slow, painful death, and my tears are dangerously close to falling as I send out a group text to our friends to come over for cards.
My boot buckles snap open, and I tug my foot out as Casey comes racing down my aisle. She says, “Oh my God! He did it.”
“He did.” I have a huge grin on my face too.
Jason pokes his head around the corner. “Tell your boy we’re so proud of him, but I’m still kicking his ass at cards tonight.”
I grin at him as the soft cotton of my jeans slithers up my legs.
It takes me longer to leave the locker room than usual, because I’m stopped by people who have heard Nick’s news. While I’m excited for my boyfriend, I can’t help but think it could have been both of us people are congratulating. A puddle splashes up from my boot as I walk across the parking lot. The warm spring temperatures are melting the snow, and it’s racing off the mountain in tiny streams, as if it can’t leave fast enough.
When I get to my car, I pull out my phone to review the confirmations from our friends who are up for a night of fun. Our apartment is tiny, and I jump at Dannika’s invitation to do it at her house. It means I can take Nick home when he’s tired instead of him having a house full of people at the time he’d rather be in bed.
It occurs to me that it’s also the perfect opportunity for me to share my secret in a safe place where my good friends hear it from me first. I should dig out the huge bag of makeup my mother has sent me over the years and let them take what they want.
By the time Nick gets home, I’ve showered and am in the kitchen making pasta for dinner. I step out to greet him as he
walks in. “Congratulations. I’m so proud of you.”
The door snicks softly behind him as he closes it. “Thanks.” Nick lifts me off my feet as he hugs me, and I squeal. “Wow. You must be happy.”
“You could say that.” He sets me down and gives me a quick kiss. “Do I have time to clean up before we eat?”
“Sure. We’re not going over to Dannika’s until seven if you want to rest for a bit.”
“That depends.” He waggles his eyebrows at me. “Would you want to join me for that nap?”
I wink as I back my way into the kitchen to check on dinner. “I could be convinced.”
I’m not sure what happened to the tension between us that existed before he left for Vail, but I’m not going to question it.
After dinner and our version of a nap, we head over to Dannika and Christian’s house. They live in a new development, and the house is big and extravagant. Not only did Dannika inherit family money, but she used to be a famous model. Nick and I pull into the driveway to find that Casey and Jason have already arrived. Lori and Kaleb were both working and couldn’t make it. The cosmetics in the duffel bag clatter as Nick pulls it out of the backseat and hoists it onto his shoulder.
I say, “We can leave that in the car until later. I don’t want to upstage you.”
Nick raises his eyebrows at me as if I’m being stupid. I say, “Oh, right. You prefer it that way.”
“And I think you’re afraid of what people are going to think.”
“I am.”
“These are your friends. They love you and aren’t going to care.” He waves his free arm at the house before us. “Besides.”
I smile, because Dannika and Christian’s house is quite impressive. “You’re right.”
When we get inside, Nick thumps the bag on the counter as we’re greeted with congratulations from everyone. Once our coats are off, Christian hands Nick a beer and me a glass of wine. I take a sip, and tart flavor fills my mouth as he asks, “What’s in the bag?”
Pulse: Sport Romance (The Boys of Winter Book 6) Page 4
