CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR ~ Surprise, Surprise

   While at Mark's the topic of conversation turned to the new couples that were forming from people who met because of the O-Town Project.  "So, Mark, do you think Rach will ever admit her feelings for Erik?" Trevor asked.
    "Well, Trev, I don't know that she would really be able too," Mark answered. 
    "Why not, Mark?" Bryan asked.
    "Lou's contracts are pretty solid," Mark answered, adding "at least for his office employees" to himself.
    "What if he doesn't make the cut, though?" Trevor asked.  "Do you think she'd admit it then?"
    "Well, if Erik weren't to make the final group, she may admit it...but by that time who knows if they'd still have the same feelings at that time."
    "What about Jake and your sister, Angel?" Mike asked.  "I heard the two of them come in last night...and I know Rach was looking for them this morning."
    "I think they're hitting it off," Ashley admitted, thinking how he wished that they weren't hitting it off quite as well as they appeared to be, especially after hearing them making out in his room the previous night.
    "Where are they anyway?" Mark asked, not knowing what had happened the previous evening.
    "Well, Jake broke curfew last night....so Rach put him under house arrest for the next couple of weeks," Ashley answered when no one else would.
    "What?  He broke curfew and I wasn't informed?!?!" Mark repeated surprised that Rachel hadn't let him know what was going on as he was responsible for making sure that the guys were all following the rules that Lou had established for the new group.
    "Ummm...yeah," the guys all admitted.
    Meanwhile, Jacob sat in the game room with Erik trying to help him understand what was going through Rachel's mind, even though he didn't understand it himself.  "Erik, just give her a little more time," he said.
    "Jacob, I've given her since we got down here.  What am I supposed to do?" Erik said, getting depressed.
    "Erik, buddy, think about the position she's in.  She's working for our management team....I think she just doesn't want things to look like the fact that you two are dating influenced the selection of the final five," Jacob said.
    "But Lou told us we could date, Jake.  He said there wasn't anything legally holding us from being involved in a relationship," Erik said as a tear started rolling down his cheek.
    "Ummmm...I hate to interrupt, but Rachel said she'd talk to you tomorrow, Erik," Nicole said as she poked her head into the game room, trying not to interrupt the guy talk that was going on.
    "Tomorrow??" Erik said, getting upset.  "Why did she feel like she had to leave?  We need to talk things out...together," he said, more to himself than to either of the other occupants of the house.
    "Erik, she really needs to think about what she wants...whether her job or you are more important in her life," Nicole tried explaining.  "Now, you two boys, continue talking...I've got a phone call to make," she added as she went to the kitchen to use the phone there to return Rich's call.  After dialling the number Rachel yelled out as she left, she wondered exactly what she was getting into.  "Ummm...hello, is Rich there?" she asked when she heard a woman's voice answer the phone.
    "Yeah, he's here.  Who may I say is calling?"
    "Nicole....Nicole Angel."
    "Rich...there's a Nicole Angel on the phone.." the female's voice yelled, somewhat aggitated.
    "Ummm, hey, Nicole.  How's everything?" Rich asked after taking the phone from his female guest.
    "Fine.  Did I interrupt something?" Nicole asked sensing something was distracting Rich.
    "Uhhhhhh....no, you didn't interrupt anything," Rich answered as the lady who answered his phone started to kiss his neck.  "Stop that, Roni," he whispered, covering the mouthpiece of his phone.  "You are dating my brother," he added before pulling away and walking towards his bedroom.  "So, how was your date last night, Nicole?" he asked when he was sure that his brother's girlfriend hadn't followed him into his room.
    "It was tremendous.  How did you know about it though?" Nicole asked somewhat confused.
    "I called you last night...and Rach told me you had a hot date.  I hope I haven't lost my place as your first boyfriend in Orlando," Rich said hopefully.
    "Uhhhhh....." Nicole stuttered.
    "Relax, Nicole...I'm only joking," Rich said, realizing that his feelings weren't returned by Nicole.
    "Woooo...ok.  I'm sorry, Rich...I just really have strong feelings for Jacob," Nicole said trying to explain and keep from hurting Rich's feelings.  "If it makes you feel any better, you are my favourite member of LFO...and until I met Jacob, I always wanted to know what it would be like to date you," she added.
    "That's alright, Nikki.  I understand," Rich said as Veronica walked into his room wearing nothing but a sheer, silk, green teddy.  "Veronica....get out of my room.  Mike is gonna be home soon, and I seriously doubt that you want him to find out that you're only with him to get close to me!" Rich yelled not thinking to cover the mouthpiece.
    "Rich, is this a bad time?  I can call you again someother time," Nicole offered.
    "No, that's alright, Nicole.  I'm just having a few problems with my brother's girlfriend at the moment," Rich said, trying to explain.
    "Actually, I should probably get going anyway.  Call me anytime you want....or stop me if you see me at Trans-Con, alright?" Nicole said.  "I really am glad that I've met you."
    "I'm glad we met too," Rich replied.  "You've shown me that there are girls out there that aren't interested only in the bank account that I've got."
    "I'm glad I could help ya.  Now you promise you'll talk to me when I see you at Trans-Con, right?"
    "Yes, sweetie, I'll stop you when I see you at T-Con...as long as you and your boyfriend aren't involved in any lip-locks."
    "RICH!" Nicole yelled in shock.  "How could you say such a thing?"
    "Awwwweeeee....You're such a cutie.  I was only kidding, hun.  I really should get going.  I'll see you around," Rich said before he hung up the phone.
    "Nic, who were you talking to?" Jacob asked as he came in the kitchen.
    "I just returned a phone call I got last night," Nicole explained evasively, realizing that Jacob would probably get jealous if he knew she had been talking with Rich.
    "Ohhh...so you got a call from your folks?" Jacob asked, hoping to find out who exactly Nicole was talking to.
    "Actually, no," Nicole answered.  "It was Rich Cronin," she finally admitted.
    "What did he want?" Jacob asked, worried that he'd lose the love of his life to one of the members of LFO.
    "He just wanted to see how I was doing.  We are friends, afterall," Nicole said.  "Jakey, don't be jealous...honestly, Rich and I are only friends."
    "I know, sweetheart," Jacob said as he pulled Nicole close to kiss her, thinking, "yeah, but not because that's what Rich wants."

HOME ~ CHAPTER 33 ~ CHAPTER 35 ~ FEEDBACK