Chapter 10 #3
“I’m sure you’re going to tell me, whether I want to know or not.”
“You have always had a special place in Nick’s life, from the time you were in pigtails.
Out of respect for his friendship with Chris, he couldn’t act on his feelings for you.
He spent so many years protecting you from all those other guys, and what he saw in them, he knew he had in himself.
He thought he was protecting you from himself. ”
“I came back home because I missed my family, but that’s not the only reason I came back. I thought there might be a chance Nick and I could be more than friends.”
“And you are. I know this is not the way you envisioned it happening, but, Cat, listen to me. I’m your friend, and I only want to see the best for you.
If I thought for one second Nick would intentionally hurt you and he didn’t genuinely care about you, I would tell you to tell him go fuck himself.
Because I believe you deserve a man who is loyal and honest. A man that is going to love you and show you love like no other woman has ever been loved on the face of this earth, every night and day of your life. ”
I smile at her words, but it’s sad and forced. “Wouldn’t that be nice? Can you find me that man?”
“Yes. His name is Nicholas Alexander. You need to talk to him.”
I know I do. “I will, soon.”
“Good. Now, I think you’ve spent way too much time in this house. You need a stress reliever.”
“I’m definitely in need of a stress reliever.”
“Guess who texted me right before I came over here?”
“I don’t know, who?”
She’s getting all excited, moving her shoulders up and down, turning her head from side to side to her own imaginary beat and repeating his name over and over again. “Matt Fuller, Matt Fuller, Matt Fuller.”
I can’t help but smile at her antics. “What are you doing?”
“Trying to cheer you up, is it working?”
“A little.”
“Good. Matt invited me to a party tonight. He told me to bring a friend, which means he wants me to bring you.”
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea…” I shake my head into my pillow, covering my face.
“Why not? You have anything better to do than mope and sulk around here all night like the walking dead? You have to go out, girl, have a little fun and take your mind off your troubles. Matt will be more than willing to help you relieve some stress.”
I do need to get out. Hands on her hips, she waits for me to say yes.
“I’m not telling you to sleep with him. You already did that—don’t look at me like that. Since you’ve already been there and done that, the awkwardness is out of the way.”
“I don’t know.”
“Come with me, please, pretty pretty please.”
“Fine. Where is this party at?”
“The Bronx.”
“The Bronx? Are you sure you want to go to this party?”
“Yes.”
“Which part of the Bronx is this?”
“I’m not sure. I have to text him back and get the address. It can’t be that bad—he’s thinking about buying this club with his business partner and redoing the whole thing.”
“You got this information from a mere text?”
“After you left the club with Nick, Chris, Matt, and I talked for a while. I found out he’s not only hot, he’s ambitious.
He’s in the nightclub business now. He already owns one in midtown, and he and his partner are trying to open up another one.
Their plan is to have a high-end upscale club in every borough. ”
“Every borough?”
“Yes, I don’t know who his partner is, but he seems to be well connected and wealthy.”
“I’m happy for him that he’s doing so well. You’re right; it can’t be that bad if he’s inviting us to come out there.”
“That’s right. Let me help you pick out an outfit.” She bounces off the bed and looks to my closet and my suitcases on the floor.
“I don’t think so. The last time you helped me pick out an outfit, look what happened.”
She shifts her hips, plants both hands on them with one side of her mouth turning up in a smirk. “You got laid, didn’t you? Something you were desperately in need of, to sweep out the cobwebs. It was getting dusty down there.”
I can’t believe she just said that.
“Close your mouth, honey, you know I’m speaking the truth. You need to let the cat out once in a while, let it breathe.” She’s making circular motions with her hips and her chest saying, “Breathe in, breathe out, work it out, work it out.”
“Bitch!” I’m trying to sound insulted, but I can’t help but laugh.
“A lovable bitch. Now let’s see what’s in this bag.” She gets down on the floor and unzips my bag, sweeping her long hair over her shoulders. “Don’t you think you need to unpack? You’ve been here for a while.”
“I know. I’m hoping to get my own place before I have to do that.” I crawl down to the end of my bed sitting up with my toes drawing circles on the floor.
“Why?”
“I’ve lived by myself for two years. I didn’t have to answer to anyone, tell them where I was going or when or if I was coming back home for the night. It’s a bit of an adjustment when you have to start doing that again when you’re twenty-four.”
“Do you really have to check-in like you’re sixteen and in high school again? Your parents don’t seem like that type.”
“They’re not that bad, but I’m trying to be considerate.
I’m happy to be home, but I forgot what it was like living here.
When you visit, everything’s good. When you’re living here, you start to remember the things that bothered you and why you might have stayed away so long.
Like my mother nagging me about finding a man, comparing me to Kate, and reminding me I could always do better, especially with my appearance.
Those are the little things I did not miss when I was away. ”
Ava stops digging through my bag and looks back at me. “You know you can always come and stay with me, right? I have more than enough space.”
“I know, but I’m already here, and they would be insulted if I chose to stay with you instead of them.”
“My door is always open to you; we could be roommates, like we always wanted to be back in college. Two hot chicks in the city, I could see it now.”
“So can I, you leading me astray. Wild times and even wilder nights.”
“Hell yeah.” She smiles, pumping her fist in the air, clutching one of my bras while I laugh.