| "Howie! Hang on a sec. I need to talk to you," Brian called just as Howie had swept his keycard through the slot. "Can it wait? I'm really not up for talking right now." "I think you might wanna hear what I have to say." He opened the door and reluctantly let Brian in. He was so not in the mood for company right now. It couldn't be that important. This was Brian after all. What's the most exciting thing that could have happened to him lately? The baby's incoherent babblings over the phone. It wasn't that it wasn't sweet but he really wasn't in the mood for happiness right. He just wanted to wallow in his misery at the moment. Dianna had heard the door close just as she had shut the water off. She listened through the door to the conversation taking place. "This won't take long." "Good." "Howie. I think there's a little something you should know about this afternoon's little fiasco. Nick was to blame." "Excuse me but she was straddling his lap. I think she was plenty to blame." "You don't get it do you? He manipulated her into that position. He gave me intimate details of how he did it too. Not that I wanted to hear." "Why are you telling me this?" "Because I thought it might save what you have with Dianna. She does love you Howie." "She has a funny way of showing it." "She coulda said no but she didn't. I know that and you know that but she wasn't happy when she left him this afternoon . He took advantage of her. Plain and simple. Figured he couldn't have her any other way so he decided to take it out on both of ya." " I don't know Bri. I just can't get that image out of my head. We were talking dreams and a future together last night and now this. It's just kinda hard to believe that maybe I didn't get played myself." "Do you believe that?" "I don't want to." "Then you know what to do." "What's that?" "Trust your heart. It doesn't lie." He rolled his eyes."Whatever Brian. If you don't mind though." Averting his eyes toward the door in hopes that Brian would leave. And soon. "Okay but at least promise me you'll think about it." "I'll think about it. Now please." "Alright already, I'm leaving,"he said. He exhausted a sigh of frustration as he leaned against the door. What was he going to do? He sliced his fingers through his hair. What if Brian was telling the truth and where the hell was she anyway? She was half packed it looked like and nowhere to be found. She quietly stepped out of the bathroom and continued her packing. "I thought you'd be gone by now." |
| She turned at his voice."Don't worry. I won't be much longer." " I assume you'll be staying with Nick,"He snapped. She slammed the lid of her suitcase down and jerked the two zippers toward one another."Nothing could be further from the truth." "Then where are you going?" "I'm leaving. I'm going home so you don't have to be bothered anymore." "Then don't let me stop you." She yanked the suitcase from the bed and grabbed her purse and breezed past him. Why wasn't he stopping her? How could he be so callous after the conversation she'd just overheard? Maybe he didn't love her after all. Maybe the ring was just a ploy to get back at Nick. Winning the prize Nick couldn't have. You're delusional girl. Stop it! "Hold on,"he beckoned. She turned around."What?!"Trying to herd a floodgate of tears threatening to erupt at any moment. "I'm sure you heard the conversation Brian and I were having so I just have to ask you this before you walk out of here. Is he telling the truth?" "You wouldn't believe me if I said yes." "You don't know that." "I know you Howie and the last thing I wanted to do was hurt you but I did. I'm as much to blame as he is. I would give anything to take it all back but I screwed it up. I screwed up what millions of women daydream about having everyday of their lives. I was just lucky enough to know the true value of it before I foolishly let my libido get in the way." "Are you done?" "Yes." "Good. Now go!" He yelled. "Gladly!"She turned and let the tears flow. She flung the door open and was met with the obstacle known as Nick. He'd always been their obstacle. She'd just never found her way around him. "I was just coming to help you with that,"he quipped. |
| "Get outta my way Nick!" "Oh come on sweetness. That's no way to treat the man you love."He grinned. "I don't love you. Now get out of my way before I have to get rude." "You're already being rude. Sides, isn't Howie gonna come to your rescue?"He chided. "We've said all we're gonna say to each other,"Howie cut in. "Aww. Trouble in paradise?"Nick smiled; knowing full well he was the cause of it. " I asked you nicely Nick. Get out of my way." "Hunh uh. You're coming with me."He ordered. "Think again,"she calmly replied; the mask of tears ceasing to exist. Thwack! Right in the balls. And hard! "Fuck Dianna! "He screamed in agony; body hunched over. His masculinity crushed. I shoulda done that a long time ago she thought. She smirked at pain she'd caused him. It was freeing her but her heart was still torn in two with the thought of Howie. The cold, indifferent shadow in his eyes as he ordered her out of the room. He wanted her out of his life and she really couldn't blame him. "Dianna!" She turned at the voice beckoning her. What was going on? |
|