Chapter 12
Nick
After being so rudely interrupted that first night by Dean stumbling to the kitchen sink to throw up for some reason, things went a little smoother. But now it’s time for Lia to go back to the dorms. Back to reality.
But I did talk Lia into coming to my place for a little while before heading home. I’m following her little blue car right now. I stick close behind her as I dial her dad’s phone number through the Bluetooth.
“Why hasn’t my daughter been answering her phone for the last twenty-four hours?” Ray demands as soon as he picks up.
“Hey, Ray.”
“And why haven’t you, for that matter?”
“Lia and I have been talking.”
He snorts. “Talking?”
“Yes. Talking.” Among other things.
But her father doesn’t need to know about that. The good news is that technically Kim is on my side. She wanted me to sleep with Lia. I’m just not sure how she’ll feel about us being in a relationship.
“What the fuck is happening right now?” Ray demands.
“We’re seeing each other. Lia and I are seeing each other. That’s what’s happening.”
“Nick, you’re my friend. One of my oldest friends.”
I can’t hold back the laugh. “Not only are you older than me in years but also in mental capacity breakdown. Did you just try to insult me via dad joke?”
“Did you just try to insult my mental capacity?”
“She’s an amazing woman,” I tell him.
“I know that.”
“And her ex didn’t appreciate her.”
“You’re in different generations. Different points in your life.”
“And yet she and I are a better fit than Sarah and I were. We spent all weekend riding bikes, kayaking, and paddle boarding. She can keep up with me.”
“You better mean on a bike,” Ray growls.
I laugh. “I mean in all the outdoor activities.” Some that won’t mention in front of her father.
“Kim says Sarah told her that her ex cheated on her. Why is she telling Sarah and not us?”
I roll my eyes. “She’s pissed at the guy, but she doesn’t want you murdering him. Then she’ll lose her boyfriend and her father.”
“I would kill the little bastard.”
“I know you would. But you also know that I’ve never cheated and I never would. Hell, I’m still friends with my ex, who I’m currently both pissed at and grateful to because she’s the one who gave Lia the key to my cabin.”
“I should have known she and Kim would both have a hand in this.”
“Are you saying they set this all up?” I ask him.
“I’m saying they were probably in cahoots.”
I can’t remember if Sarah knew I was going to the cabin this weekend or not. Though in the end it doesn’t matter. Everything turned out just as it was meant to.
“I’ll be good to her, Ray. She’ll never have to worry about someone cheating on her again.”
“Never?”
“Not as long as I’m around.”
There’s a long pause. “Okay,” he says finally. “This is still weird, but you’re the best, Nick. Old compared to Lia, but still the best.”
“It’s a good thing Lia’s worth it,” I grumble.
“Why’s that?”
“Because I’m never going to hear the end of this from you. It’ll be age jokes for the rest of my life.”
“If you’re lucky,” he says.
I smile at that. I feel pretty fucking lucky.
For a free HOT bonus scene with Nick and Lia, click here.