| Part VI |
| Three weeks and counting. Things were going good but he was just waiting for Nick to screw them up again. He knew he shouldn't think that way but where Nick was concerned, good behavior was worse than bad. "You got a second Howie?" Oh shit. Here it comes."What do you want Nick?" "I just wanted to apologize to you. "For what?" "For messing with Dianna?" "Don't you think you owe her an apology?" "Yeah but I owe you one for messing things up with her. You wouldn't be doubting the way you feel for her if it hadn't been for me." "You're right about that." "Come on Howie. We never had a problem before Dianna came along." "You created that problem, not her,"he turned from the mirror that he was checking his hair in. "You're absolutely right Howie. I did. I never meant to." "You never mean to do anything Nick. You just do and let the cards fall where they may. You hurt her worse than I could ever imagine being hurt." "Please Howie. You gave her a second chance." "I know but I've known you longer." "What's it gonna take to make you believe I'm sorry D? I've kept my distance from her for three weeks now. I thought maybe that would restore a little faith with you,"he pleaded. "Nick I wanna believe you but you've just done too much lately for me to believe that you're truly sorry for everything that's happened." He turned away."You know, it's okay. I just thought I'd never see the day that a woman would come between us." "She's not just any woman Nick. She's the woman I intend to spend the rest of my life with." Nick turned around."And I really am sorry Howie. I'd take everything I ever did to her back if I could just make it right with you. I know she didn't deserve the way I treated her but it's done and she's got you now. I don't know if I'd have been as forgiving as you." "Well it wasn't easy believe me but love can make you do some pretty strange things." "I hope I know what that feels like one day." "I'm sure you will Nick." Figuring things were relatively back to normal he asked,"So we cool again?" He knew he shouldn't but he was so tired of fighting and thinking the worst. There had to be some good left in the kid somewhere. Where he didn't know but maybe it was time to let bygones be bygones."We're cool." "Five minutes guys,"Brian interrupted. He did a double take and opened the door again."Everything okay?" |
| "We're fine Bri,"Howie assured him."We'll be there shortly." "Glad to hear it,"he returned and left them. "Something has been bothering me though Howie,"Nick said. "What's that?" "Don't you find it rather odd that she went from me to you without so much as blinking?" "A little I guess." Shrugging his shoulders. "But she just replaced me with no thought, no emotion. What's to say in a few months she won't find a way to replace you?" "That's ridiculous Nick." "Is it?"He raised his brow. "Nick we've gotta get going,"he said; dismissing his remark about being replaceable. Could she be that cold hearted? He didn't believe she could but she could be swayed into believing that she instigated a sexual romp that Nick started. What was she really capable of? What did he really know about her other than the physical pleasure he gave her? No! He's wrong. She wouldn't do that to you. Would she? He'd been quiet the entire drive to the club that evening. She didn't know what to think. The closest to a greeting she'd gotten from him was a brief Hello on his way into the shower. The most he'd touched her was holding her hand and she felt he was cringing at that. They entered the club and it was almost a strain for him to even smile. She decided finally just to let it slide. Maybe Nick got to him again but Nick had been on his good behavior lately. Why should she worry about that? After he kicked down two drinks straight she finally spoke up."What the hell's going on Howie?" "Nothing." "Are you sure? You haven't said three words to me since you've been in my presence. Did you have a bad show?" He shook his head in disbelief."When have I ever had a bad show?" |
| "Uh try the night Nick found out about us,"Dianna came back. "So I had one bad show. Big deal." "So what is the problem then?" "Nothing. I just don't feel like socializing much right now." "Then why did we even bother going out? I'm going to the ladies room. Hopefully you'll be ready to tell me what's really eatin at you by the time I get back."She huffed off. |
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