My New Best Friend CH 8

Nikolas couldn’t sleep at all last night; thoughts of Gia kept clouding his mind. She was driving him crazy. He couldn’t get the sound of her voice out of his head. He got out of bed and walked over to his desk, he was swamped with work that Ned wanted him to do for L&B. They had a big event coming up and he needed make sure it went smoothly. Nik picked up the paper work he needed to do to book Ned’s new client. He sighed; he just couldn’t get her out of his head. “What is she doing to me?” Nik said into the air. The last thing she said to him last night scared the hell out of him. She wasn’t going to quit until she was part of his life. He sighed as he thought about how much a woman like Gia would change his life.

Gia woke up with a start, she had another bad bream last night. Tears were streaming down her face as she looked over at Seth’s side of the bed. She realized it was his first day at work and he was gone. She wiped the tears from her face and walked over to the small bathroom in she and Seth’s room. She got in and took a shower, letting the water wash away her tears as she took deep breaths. She dried of and got dressed in a red and black plaid skirt and a black shirt. She walked over and grabbed her black boots and slipped them on her feet. She slowly made her way down the short flight of stairs to the small living room and kitchen. She stopped at the bottom of the stairs, spotting her brother on the couch. She had managed to avoid him lately but there was no getting out of this one, he heard her come down and he looked over at her. “Whoa, that skirt is pretty short don’t you think?” Taggert said when he saw his sister. Gia rolled her eyes. “Oh you are not going to start telling me what I can wear and don’t get me started on your wardrobe, can you say boring?” Gia said sarcastically. Taggert sighed. Gia sat across from him and crossed her legs, purposefully causing her skirt to look even shorter. “You know I haven’t had the time to go shopping for food or anything.” Taggert said. “I can see that.” Gia said making a face. “Gia will you stop with the attitude? I know you’re upset about mom but please don’t take it out on the rest of the world.” Taggert said. Taggert’s words stung her more then he knew. “What does this have to do with mom?” Gia asked. “Well I know that it was probably hard for you that she didn’t want a funeral, you might have needed some closure.” Taggert said. “Closure? You think I need closure? I wasn’t the one who left her! You should be the one who needs closure!” Gia yelled as she jumped up from the couch. “Don’t talk to me about mom Marcus, I’m warning you.” Gia said before she walked out. She got in her car, she knew she was driving fast but she didn’t care. She loved to drive fast; she cranked up the radio and just drove.

Seth strode into club 101, dressed in a pair of black jeans and a forest green sweater. He smiled at the many employees as he made his way over to Carly’s office. “What’s up girlfriend?” Seth asked as he stuck his head in. He and Carly had bonded during his interview. Carly smiled up at her new friend and employee. “Not much, I’m just going over the books here. We’re doing great!” Carly said happily. “Good to hear, so are you going to show me around this place or what?” Seth asked. Carly nodded her head and got up, she led him around her club. Showing him all the things he would need to do his job. Seth quickly familiarized himself with the drinks. “Thanks again Carly.” Seth said smiling at her. “Hey no need to thank me. I know you’re going to do a great job here.” Carly said as she headed back into her office. Seth went to work setting out all the glasses, dusting them off with a cloth. He looked up when the door opened and Gia came walking up. “Hey I thought I’d come see you on your first day at work.” Gia said. Seth eyed her. “What’s wrong?” He asked. Gia glanced down as he touched her cheek “I had a dream last night.” She said softly. “I’m sorry.” Seth said. “Gia, I think maybe you should talk to somebody about it, maybe you can go to the hospital and see if you can get some professional help.” Seth said. Gia pulled away from his touch. “What?” She said. “Just to help you get through this.” Seth said. “I thought that’s what you were for.” Gia said harshly. “I need a drink.” Gia said looking at the glass in his hand. “No.” Seth said sternly. Gia glared at him. “Well if you won’t give me one I’ll just go somewhere else.” Gia said standing up. “Gia!” Seth yelled as she ran out of the club.

Gia drove around for a few hours, just letting the speed of her driving sooth her. She was sick of people talking about her mother’s death. Wondering if she was OK because her mother died. She just needed to get through this on her own. She stopped when she saw a sign for a bar called Jakes and got out. She walked in and ordered her first drink. Quickly gulping back the shot of tequila. Tears threatened but she forced them down, she didn’t like people to see her cry.

Lucky had been playing a practice game of pool, waiting for his brother who called and said he needed to talk, when he noticed Gia come in. He saw the distressed state she was in and wondered what was up. He walked up to her and gently touched her shoulder. He knew he had startled her. “Hey Lucky.” Gia smiled when she regained her composure. "What’s up?” She asked. “I’m just playing some pool, are you OK?” He asked. Gia nodded her head. “Can I play?” Gia asked. Lucky smiled. “Sure.” He said. They made their way over to the pool table and began to play. “You’re not so bad Spencer.” Gia said across the table at him. “You’re not so bad yourself.” Lucky replied. Gia laughed. “Not so bad? I’m kicking your ass. Maybe you should take some lessons from your father, I bet he’s a killer at this game.” Gia said smiling. “My dad? Nah, poker’s his game. My mom had to teach me pool.” Lucky laughed. Gia didn’t. She walked up to him, wedging herself between Lucky and the pool table. She sat on the edge of the table and looked into his eyes as if searching for something. “You look nothing like your brother.” Gia said softly. “Half brother.” Lucky corrected. Gia nodded her head before she reached up to touch his blond hair. “I know but you’re nothing alike you and him. You love him a lot don’t you?” Gia asked. Lucky nodded his head, numb from having Gia so close to him. “Why is your brother so lost? I look into his eyes and he looks so far away.” Gia said. “His uncle is really hard on him, he wants him to be someone he’s not. Some times I wonder if Nikolas even knows who he is anymore.” Lucky said. Gia nodded. “My mom was really hard on me too.” Gia said looking down. “Hey.” Lucky said softly when she looked like she was going to cry. He quickly took her in his arms and hugged her.

That’s how Nikolas found them when he walked into the bar, locked in a warm embrace. Feeling like he had been socked in the stomach at the sight of Gia wrapped in his brother’s arms. He wanted to walk away but something about what he was seeing made him stay. Gia looked upset and he couldn’t leave without finding out if she was OK. Nik walked up just as Lucky and Gia pulled apart, he could tell that Gia was definitely upset, she looked away when she saw him. Gia turned around and walked over to the bar, ordering and then gulping down her 4th drink since she’d gotten there. “What’s wrong with her?” Nik whispered to Lucky, Gia heard him and looked up at him. “What do you care?” She asked coldly. Nik was hurt by her words. “Because I care about you and I want to make sure you’re OK.” Nik said. “Oh because we’re friends right?” Gia said sarcastically. “Right.” Nik answered. Gia shook her head and started to turn around and order another drink. Lucky’s hand clamped down around her wrist. “Hey take it easy OK? It’s still pretty early to be drinking.” Lucky said. Gia jerked her arm away from him. “I’m afraid he’s right and I think you’ve had enough.” Jake said. Gia looked around furious at all of them. “I’m an adult and I can take care of my self, you can’t tell me what to do.” Gia said angrily. “I think you should leave.” Jake said. “Fine!” Gia yelled. She ran to the door at full speed, Lucky and Nik were right behind her.

Gia struggled to get her keys out of her purse. She was breathing hard as she tried to unlock the door to her car. Nik caught up to her and wrapped his arms around her body and held on tight. “You’re not going anywhere Gia.” He said firmly. Gia struggled against him. “Let me go!” Gia yelled. Nik remained tightly clamped around her as she squirmed and kicked. “Gia, you’re drunk and you’re not going to go driving off and getting yourself killed.” Nik said sternly over he shoulder. “Why? You wouldn’t even care if I did get killed! Let me go!!” Gia yelled even louder. While Nikolas struggled with Gia, Lucky pulled out his cell phone and dialed the number Seth gave him the other night. “Hello this is Seth.” He answered his cell. “Seth this is Lucky, look man Nik and I are here at a bar called Jakes with Gia and she’s causing quite a scene.” Lucky said. Lucky covered his ear to block out Gia’s now vulgar shouting. “Oh thank god you have her. Look you can’t let her out of your sight. She’ll try and do something crazy. I don’t know what to do, I just started this job I can’t come get her, or I’ll loose it.” Seth said. Lucky thought about it for a second. He knew he couldn’t take her home with him, Elizabeth was there, and she would kill him. “Nikolas can you take her home?” Lucky asked. Nikolas sighed. “Yeah I’ll take her home.” Nik said reluctantly. Lucky ended his call with Seth. “No way in hell am I going anywhere with you. Or you Lucky! I hate you! I hate you both!” Gia screamed. Her struggling was becoming more then she could bare, she felt dizzy and nauseous. With one last burst of energy, Gia broke free from Nik’s hold; she got away just in time for her vomit to hit the bush in front of her. Nik grabbed onto her to stop her from falling on the bush. She stood up and slowly turned around and looked up at him. “I threw up.” She said sadly, her chin quivering. “I know.” Nik said laughing. Tears began to fall from Gia’s eyes. “Don’t laugh at me.” She said softly. Nikolas stopped his laughing and his smile quickly faded; she looked so sad it broke his heart. She turned her face way from him as she continued to cry, wrapping her arms around herself. Nik stepped closer to her. “Gia.” He said softly as he reached for her. Gia leaned into him and he wrapped his arms around her as she crumbled into his arms. He felt her go limp in his arms and quickly lifted her off of her feet. “She’s breathing, she’s just asleep. I’ll take her to the cottage.” Nik said to Lucky. “OK man, call me and let me know if everything’s OK.” Lucky said. Nik nodded. He unlocked the door of Gia’s car and placed her in the back seat. He got in and drove to the cottage.

Gia’s car had so much speed; it only took Nikolas a few minutes to get to the cottage. He went in and opened all the doors and went back to the car. He lifted Gia’s limp body into his arms and kicked the door shut behind them. He stepped in to the house and closed the front door, walking up the stairs he headed for the bedroom. He laid her down in the bed and went and got a cloth from the bathroom, wetting it and then coming and sitting down on the bed. He gently began to wipe down her tear-streaked face, watching her eyelashes twitch as he rubbed the soft cloth along her smooth skin. He worked his way down to her neck and the skin that her shirt did not cover. He sucked in a breath when Gia moaned slightly. He pulled off her boots and tossed them to the floor. He went a retrieved a blanket from the closet in the hall and draped it over her. He leaned in and kissed her forehead softly before walking out of the room.

Nik looked at the clock and it was only 6:00 in the afternoon. It was too early to go to bed so he went to the kitchen and fixed himself some food. He tried to eat but the events of the day were making it hard. He pushed away the sandwich he was eating and rested his head in his crossed arms. The look on Gia’s face kept appearing in his head. Pangs of guilt hit him at her reaction to him laughing at her; he swallowed the lump he felt in his throat. He shook his head; he needed to stop thinking about her. Getting up, he put his dish away and went to the TV, trying to find something to get his mind off of Gia. After a couple of hours of not paying attention to what he was watching, he decided to go check on her.

As he neared the bedroom he could hear her voice, he rushed in to find her thrashing about, on top of the bed. “No.” she said sadly as she shook her head, her eyes closed tightly. “No! Stop laughing at me. I want my mom.” Gia cried. Nik didn’t know what to do; it was getting too intense for him. He walked away from the bed and paced around the room with his hands raking through his messy hair as he thought about what he should do. He remembered the last time he saw her like this, he hadn’t been able to get her out of his head since. Deciding to push past his fears, Nik walked up to the bed and reached out to her. “Mama please help me, no don’t go. Please don’t go!” Gia cried. Nik caressed her soft cheek as she cried, whispering soothing words to her. Gia’s eyes shot open and she sat up abruptly. “Seth!!” She screamed as tears streamed down her face. “Shh, Gia it’s OK. Seth is at work.” Nik said softly. Gia looked up at him, not recognizing who he was and shook her head. “No I want Seth, where is he? Get away from me!” Gia said as she backed away from him. “Gia it’s me Nikolas, it’s OK you were having a bad dream. It’s over now and I’m here.” Nik said reaching over and touching her face. Gia breathed in and out as she tried to calm down. “Nikolas?” She whispered softly. “That’s right Sparky it’s me.” Nik said smiling at her. Gia wrapped her arms around him and cried into his shoulder. “Shh it’s OK.” Nik said, rocking her as she cried.