Chapter Seven ~ Competing for An Angel
"Come on Nikki, I'll show you to our room," Ashley said as he picked up two of the four suitcases Nicole had brought with her.
"And I'll show you to my bed," Paul muttered under his breath as he raced to take the remaining bags that Nicole had just picked up.
"Here, I'll take one of those Paul," Jacob insisted. "We wouldn't want you to pull a muscle or something."
Nicole, her two bellhops, and Trevor all followed Ashley through the front door, down the hall, and into the room Ashley and Nicole would be sharing for the next couple of weeks.
"Trev, where do you think your going?" Mike laughed. "You don't have anything to take in that room."
"Just making sure they get there safely. You know how the lizards can be down here at this time of year," Trevor yelled back too caught up in the moment to really realize what he was saying and how silly he sounded.
"Darn, this is going to be a memorable visit for Ashley's sister," Erik commented.
"Thats for sure. Shes already got three guys ready to jump at her every request," Rachel smiled as she looked over to Erik who was sitting in the big overstuffed chair.
"How about we all go for a little swim before we eat dinner?" Rachel heard Trevor suggest from the other room.
"You guys haven't eaten dinner yet?" Nicole asked astonished that her brother had lasted this long.
"Ash wanted to wait for you, and we all thought it would be kind of nice if we ate as a group, seeings its your first night here and all," Jacob explained trying not to be to obvious as he stared at Nicole as he spoke.
"So, how about that swim, sweetheart?" Paul said, rubbing his hand over Nicole's back.
"Ah sure," Nikki replied, unsure of her feelings towards the attention she was receiving. "Just direct me to the nearest bathroom and I'll get my suit on," she said shyly.
"Sis, its right through the doors. This room has an attatched bathroom. Now would you guys please leave our room so I can get my shorts on," Ashley said pushing his three friends out the door. "We'll meet you at the pool."
"Are you guys coming?" Trevor shouted out to the people in the living room.
"I don't have a suit," Rachel answered.
"I'm not really in the mood for swimming right now," Erik said seeing this as an excellent oppurtunity to be alone with Rachel.
"Bryan, Ikaika and I will be out in a sec," Mike spoke for the rest of them, sensing that Rach and Erik wanted to be alone.
Nicole walked out of the bathroom wearing a two piece yellow swimsuit which looked stunning with her long dark brown hair. Ashley turned to look at his sister and gasped. "Nikki, you are so not wearing that with those three lunatics in the house," he said referring to Paul, Trevor, and Jacob.
"Ash, its all I have. Unless you want me to go in my birthday suit," Nicole teased.
"Here put this over top," Ashley threw his sister a short sleeved white t-shirt. "With the three stooges in the same house as you your gonna have to really watch what you wear."
Nicole laughed as she walked side by side with her twin out the sliding glass doors and into the backyard where the pool and hot tub were located. Everyone else were already waiting for them. Paul motioned for Nicole to join him in the hot-tub, but she politely refused and explained that she preferred pools. Paul got up from his place and went over to where Nicole was standig along the edge of the pool next to Jacob and playfully pushed her in following close behind.
"Hey, whats up with the t-shirt?" Paul asked wrapping his arms around Nicole and pulling her to the surface.
"Its to keep sex-maniacs like you from getting any ideas," Trevor laughed, joining the two.
"How about a chicken fight? Me and Nicole against whoever else wants to partner up," Jacob suggested, realizing that the only way he was going to get close to the girl he wanted to date was to be more agressive.
Mike once again trying to be the peace keeper spoke up, "Angel-boy you can be my partner." He knew that if Ashley got anywhere near Paul or trevor he'd strangle them for beeing so forward with his sister.
"Sounds good," Ashley said as he watched his usually very shy twin uncomfortably break free from Paul's hold and more willingly walk towards Jacob.
Meanwhile in the house Erik was continuing to sweet talk Rachel without much argument from her. "You know I think your beautiful," he said brushing a piece of hair away from her face.
"Well, thank you Erik. You aren't too shabby yourself," Rachel giggled nervously, enjoying the attention she was getting from the man she had had her eye on from day one. "I really enjoyed myself at the club last night. I had a great time with you."
"The same goes for me. I was honoured to bave been graced with your most beautiful presence."
"Erik-Michael Estrada stop it! You making me blush."
"Has anyone ever told you that your absolutely gorgeous what you blush?" Erik said slowly moving in, preparing for a kiss. "Rachel Jolene Bukator, may I kiss you?"
Rachel closed her eyes and slowly nodded her head yes as she felt Erik's soft warm lips press against hers as he kissed her slowly and sweetly. "Was that alright?" he asked as he pulled away.
"It was wonderful," Rachel smiled as everyone started filing in from outside breaking the intimace of the moment.
"We won! We are the champions my friend," they heard Jacob singing.
"What the heck did you guys do out there?" Rachel laughed.
"Nikki and I won the chicken fights!"
"They did not," Paul yelled. "They cheated!"
"And would you like to explain to me how you cheat in a chicken fight?" Rachel giggled.
"We're not sure how they did it, but they definately cheated," Trevor answered.
"When you figure it out, please let me know," Rach responded. "I think I'll find your theory and explination quite amusing. Anyways, I have to get going. I'll see y'all tomorrow morning. Nikki you'll get to watch the boys dance rehearsal tomorrow morning, then after that you'll be meeting with Ethan."
"Aren't you staying for pizza?" Erik asked, disappointement coming through in his voice.
"Nah, I have to get home so I can finish up some paper work that Lou needs for tomorrow."
"Ethan?" Nicole repeated as Rachel walked out the door, still completely confused. "Who the heck is Ethan?"
"Nikki, Ethan is our tutor. He's gonna be working with me as well as you whenever you come down here."
"If its up to me she'll never be leaving," Erik heard Paul mumble.
"Paul, honestly, just chill. Your gonna really piss Ashley off if you don't back off a bit," Erik warned as he sat down at the table.
The pizza's were delivered and everyone immediately dug in, as none of the boys were used to eating at such a late time. Shortly after they finished Nicole announced that she was quite tired from her flight and that she was going to her room for the night.