| Chapter 21 |
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| But it wasn't all peaches and cream on the friend front either. Howie knew somebody had said something and he knew the somebody that would tell her no matter what the cost. "Got a minute Nick?" he interrupted Nick in one of his games. "Yeah I guess I can put this down for a sec. What's up?" "Why'd you tell her?" "Tell who what?" "Don't play innocent. You know damn well Tam and I had a fight." "Yeah I know." "So why'd you tell her?" "Because I thought she had a right to know." "She had a right to know from me, not you." "When exactly were you gonna tell her anyway?" "When I felt the time was right." "And let her walk around feeling guilty for the rest of her life because you couldn't bring yourself to tell her you like to watch? Excuse me, but I don't exactly think that's what you build a relationship on." "You're one to talk right now. You know Nick. I haven't seen you with a woman since Tamara and I got together." "That has nothing to do with this." "Doesn't it?" "You think I'm not seeing anyone because I'm still pining away for Tam? Please,"he dismissed his remark as though it weren't true. "I think it's true." "Don't be crazy Howie. I'm her friend. That's all." "And isn't that convenient? Just in case I fuck up again, you'll be there to catch her when she falls." "Are you planning on screwing up again?"he chided. "Nobody plans anything. Life happens." "Words of wisdom. You don't know how lucky you are. She was in tears the other night because of you. I don't know what you did to win her love because you've always had it. I never did. What she and I had was nothing compared to what you two have. I can't compete with the way her eyes light up to the sight of you or when you give her a rose for no apparent reason other than you were just thinking of her. You truly are the luckiest damn man in the world to have her love because she doesn't give it to just anybody. It broke my heart the night she kissed you on that dancefloor because I knew. I could feel the electricity across the room. Don't lose that fire with her because if you do, you'll lose her." |
| "Don't tell me how to run my love life." "Okay. Just remember I'll be there to catch her the next time she falls. She may not be as strong the next time she comes to me." "Is that a threat?" "Just the truth." "And you'd just be the strong one now wouldn't you?" " I wouldn't turn her away." "So that's the way you wanna play it then." "I don't have to play. Just watch yourself bro'. She's not quite the woman you think she is." "And what's that supposed to mean?" "It's supposed to mean that you'd better watch the extras along the way 'cuz she could show up anytime." "Courtesy of you." "Personally I don't give a shit when she gets here but I'm always happy to see her. For a man that's in love with her, you have a funny way of showing it." "I told you to stay out of my love life." "Don't screw up and I'll be happy to oblige. If you'll excuse me, I was in the middle of something,"he turned back to the screen. Jesus! Is he ever gonna learn? |
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