Enough

Chapter 32

THE HOUR AND a half drive to the theater is one of the best times of my life.

My arm is nestled inside Nick’s, and he’s holding my hand on his thigh.

I rest my head on his shoulder, gripping his bicep with my other hand.

I’m entranced by him and how I feel being in his presence again.

In some ways he’s the same man I remember, but in other ways he’s so much more.

There’s something about him that makes me feel secure, wanted, and special.

I’ve never felt the way I feel with anyone but him.

Cooper has Gwen snuggled inside his arm as he and Nick tell us stories of their childhood escapades. Their parents went to college together and have been friends ever since. As I listen to them speak, my eyes meet Gwen’s and I can tell she’s wondering if they’re too good to be true.

We have amazing box seats for the play, and when Fantine sings “I Dreamed a Dream,” the emotion of the words causes a tear to flow down my cheek.

Nick hands me a handkerchief once again, but only after he tilts my head to face his and kisses me tenderly on the lips.

With his kiss, he tells me he understands, and somehow, with that kiss, he’s able to make me believe everything is going to be all right.

Gwen and I sit next to each other and squeeze hands in communication throughout the play.

I can tell she’s in awe of the extent to which Cooper went to deliver her the hearts and flowers she needs in the deepest part of her soul.

And she didn’t even have to ask for them.

Somehow he knew. After the play we dine in the downstairs restaurant, and I’m completely at ease the entire night.

We eat and talk for hours. Seeing Cooper and Nick together again reminds me of the fun I had with them when we were younger.

We may have been eating fast food back then, but the company and laughter hasn’t changed at all.

Gwen and I tell stories too, and the boys learn all about our years in college as well as some of our most embarrassing moments.

By the time we leave the restaurant, it’s after one in the morning.

Even with the pouring rain outside, the night is nearly perfect in every way.

I rest my head on Nick’s shoulder on the drive home.

It’s dark in the limo, except for occasional flashes of lightning, and very quiet.

I can hear Cooper’s low voice mumbling, and here and there Gwen’s soft laughter.

But I also hear what can only be described as the clicking of lips. I know he’s kissing her.

Nick’s hand runs along the outside of my leg until he finds the slit in my dress, and then he touches my bare calf.

My breathing increases as his hand ascends, lifting my dress slightly so that he can rest his hand between my knees.

I squeeze his arm and he squeezes my thigh.

My desire for him is off the charts. I wish for the drive to last forever.

He turns his mouth into my ear and whispers, “Did you have a good night?”

I rotate my head to face him as his hand continues to press into my thigh, and I glance up to his perfectly framed mouth.

“Yes. Thank you. For everything.” I lift my head slightly and he knows what I need.

His lips press to mine and I grasp the back of his head with my hand.

Just as his tongue touches mine, there’s a loud popping sound and the limo begins to shake and slide.

I grab on to Nick and hear Cooper yell, “What the fuck?”

After a few moments of terror, we stop. Nick and Cooper immediately jump out of the car while Gwen and I strain to listen to their voices.

It’s pouring rain, and the guys are getting soaked.

After a few minutes of rumbling noises, we watch the driver on his cell.

Nick has his arms crossed and Cooper points to the limo then to the driver.

Cooper’s tall, erect posture seems to intimidate the driver, and I can’t say I blame him.

“What do you think’s going on?” I whisper to Gwen.

“I’m guessing we have a flat and that Cooper’s a little pissed.”

I eyeball him through the window and see she’s right.

He’s talking with the driver and his gestures are fairly animated.

After a few more moments, I see the driver show his cell to them, and they glance up the road in the same direction.

Nick pulls Cooper’s arm when it appears Cooper might be losing his temper.

Nick opens the door and glances between Gwen and me.

“Ladies, it appears we have a slight issue.”

“What’s going on?” I ask.

“Well, the driver has a flat and no spare. He tried calling for assistance, but I guess the weather’s caused a slew of accidents and they told him it could take three hours.”

“Cripes…” Gwen rolls her eyes as a very wet Cooper and Nick slide back into the car.

“So we have two options,” Nick continues. We can stay here in the car on the side of a busy road, or we can walk about a block up the street. The driver says there’s a hotel just down the road.” He turns to glance at me. “Completely your choice.”

I face Gwen and she shrugs. “I really don’t want to sit in this car for three hours.”

I turn to Nick. “And you’re soaking wet. Are you cold?”

He brushes a hair from my face. “I’m okay. I played many a game in the cold and Cooper’s used to standing in it directing traffic. It’s you two we’re worried about.”

As we try to decide on a course of action, the rain seems to let up.

“I say we make a run for it while we have the chance,” Cooper says, clapping his hands together.

“Sounds good to me,” Gwen replies. “Except I don’t think Ev and I can run in our heels.”

I catch Nick and Cooper shoot each other looks and smile. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking, bro?” Nick asks.

“Should we wager on it?” Cooper continues.

“If we didn’t, what fun would it be?”

“Loser pays for the rooms?” Cooper asks.

“Deal.” Nick holds out his fist and Cooper bumps it. Gwen and I watch them in confusion.

“Um, hold on a minute,” Gwen says, holding up her hand. “What are you two betting on and why do I feel like it has something to do with us?”

“How would you feel about climbing on my back?” Cooper asks as he turns to Gwen.

I turn to face Nick and he shrugs to get my approval.

“What the fuck are you talking about?” Gwen asks sternly.

“We can’t have our girls walking in heels on the wet roads, so Nick and I will carry you. If you’d rather be in my arms, that’ll work too.”

“Nick… no! You can’t carry me!”

“Why?” he questions.

“I weigh a ton!”

“Oh, Ever, you do not! Do you see these muscles?” he asks, pointing to his arms. I do a double take before I give him a look of frustration.

“Whatev. I’m game. Let’s go!” Gwen says as she moves to exit the limo.

“Gwen? You can’t be serious!”

“Well, I’m not sitting here all night, and if Cooper wants to carry me to a warm hotel, then who am I to complain?”

Cooper grins widely at me. “Come on, Ev…” he sings, nudging me. “Deep down inside you have to admit you wouldn’t mind having Nick’s hands all over you again, right?”

I drop my head, embarrassed. “Cooper, shut the fuck up,” Nick demands.

“Fine. Let’s go.” I lift my dress and am the first out of the car. I slip off my shoes and hold them in my hands. After they get over the shock of my sudden commitment to the idea, Nick climbs out followed by Gwen and Coop.

“How are we doing this?” I ask as I hold my shoes up in question. The next thing I know, Nick bends at the waist and easily lifts me into his arms. I shriek as he quickly props me to get the right grip and I throw my arm around his neck.

He smiles my smile and sighs. “You have nothing to worry about. I could carry three of you.”

Coop lifts Gwen as she tries to remove her shoes and she laughs. “All right, women, and by women, I’m including you too, Nick. Are you ready?”

“Ummm… excuse me,” the driver interrupts. “Should I assume you’re not waiting?”

Coop points at him under Gwen’s legs. “If I didn’t have my hands full with this gorgeous woman, I’d kick your ass for not having a spare.”

Nick rolls his eyes. “We’re going to the hotel. Please call my cell when you’re ready to pick us up.”

“Yes, Mr. Rowen.”

I kiss Nick’s cheek and his eyes lift in surprise. “For luck. Kick his ass.”

“He ain’t kickin’ nothin’, sweetheart,” Coop adds as they line up.

“This is utterly stupid.” Gwen laughs with a shake of her head as Coop counts them down and they’re off.

My body is being jiggled in places I never thought imaginable, and before I know it Nick throws me over his shoulder to run past Cooper. I scream, and as Cooper takes notice, he does the same to Gwen to catch up.

“Put me down!” I half scream, half laugh.

“For fuck’s sake, Coop, this isn’t funny,” Gwen yells, upside down.

I can feel my boob about to pop out of my bra at any second, so I start pounding on Nick’s ass from behind. “Nick! I’m going to fall out of my dress! You need to stop!”

He pants his response as he runs. “If you think your hands on my ass or the fact that I may see your tits is going to make me stop, you’re very mistaken!”

I can hear Cooper laugh as Gwen reaches down and simply grabs his ass before she plays it like a drum.

“Oh yeah,” he pants. “You’re turning me on, sweetheart. Play your heart out.” He lifts his hand to her ass to squeeze it and she shrieks.

He’s mildly distracted, and Nick charges ahead. I can see the lights of the hotel from upside down, and I can’t help but laugh at how ridiculous I feel. Cooper bursts forward and Nick slows to a jog, giving him a startling lead. He stops and pants before he lifts me back into a standing position.

I grab for my chest immediately and manage to prevent anything from slipping out farther than it has already. He smiles brightly, holding on to me until I regain my balance.

I smack him in the arm with my shoes. I’m a little angry, but not really. He laughs. “You’re an idiot!” I shout playfully as I continue to adjust myself.

“I might be,” he says as he closes the space between us and lifts his hand to the back of my neck, angling my head toward his face. My breath hitches. He’s still wet, and now I am too. But he’s close, and I can see his breath in the cold air of night.

“Why did you stop? Too much?” I ask with concern.

“I stopped because I wanted a moment alone with you. And because I intended to pay for the rooms all along.”

I smile shyly at him as I pull my wrap around my shoulders.

“I should get you inside to warm you up.”

“Oh, and you think I’m going to let you warm me after that stunt?” I ask.

“You won’t?” He seems surprised and disheartened.

I huff out a large sigh and roll my eyes.

“Let me warm you, Ever?” he asks as he presses his chest to mine.

“You’re wet and sweaty. No!”

He grins and leans in closer, pressing his lips to my ear. “Please?”

“No…” I whisper, hating that he knows he’s affecting me.

He curves slightly and licks his lips before he presses them into mine.

I moan at the feel of him, and even though I’m damp and chilled, I feel instantly warm from his kiss.

“Please?” he whispers once more, and I drop my shoes and wrap my arms around his neck, throwing my body completely into his. He has his answer.