�Um, what are you guys doing here again?� Nickolas questioned.
�Eva wanted to see Jack again before we head back up to Orlando,� Alexander said.
�Oh,� Nickolas said. �She just went upstairs to lie down.�
�Thanks,� Eva said walking away.
�What is that all about?� Nickolas asked.
�I don�t know,� Alexander replied.
�C�mon in.� Nickolas walked into the parlor and Alexander followed him. �So how�s it going with Eva?�
�Good.� He sighed.
�You don�t seem too sure about that. What�s up?�
�I don�t know, man. Something�s going on with her and she won�t tell me what it is.�
�Must be a chick thing, because something�s been bothering Jack too.�
�Oh yeah?�
�Mm-hmm.�
�Do you have any idea what it might be?�
�Not a clue. What about you?�
�Not a clue either.� They sighed. �All Ev said was that it was pretty serious and she can�t tell me. She wants to tell me, but she doesn�t want to, ya know.�
�Yeah; Jack doesn�t say anything about anything bothering her.�
�I�m sure when they�re ready to tell us they will.�
�Yeah; I just hope it ain�t too late on our part.�
�What do ya mean?�
�Never mind. It�s just crazy talk.� He sat on the sofa.
�Did Jackie tell you?�
�Tell me what?�
�About the pregnancy test?�
�Oh�um, no.�
�What did the doctor say when she was in the hospital?�
�Nothing; he didn�t say anything about Jack being pregnant or anything like that.�
�Then I guess that�s good news.�
�Yeah I guess so.�
�Do you want to have a baby?� Nickolas shrugged. �Nick, you�re not helping me any here. How do ya feel about Jacqueline?� Nickolas didn�t say anything. �C�mon, Nick, it�s me, Alex, and not your father or mother. How do you really feel about your girlfriend?�
�How do you feel about Eva?�
�I love her.� Nickolas nodded. �Do you love Jack?�
�I don�t see what that has to do with anything.�
�You guys are living together so there�s got to be some kind of mutual feelings between the two of you.�
�You and Eva are living together and I don�t question you about how you feel about Eva. So why question me about how I feel about Jacqueline?� He got up. �I really don�t think it�s anyone�s business how I feel about my girlfriend except for me and my girlfriend.�
�You don�t have to get so pissy.�
�I�m just so sick of everyone questioning me and Jack about our relationship. Who cares if we�re in love or if we�re not in love? When we want to tell everyone we will tell everyone. Until then everyone should just stay out of it.� He left out a disgusted sigh.
�Is something going on with you and Jack? Are you not getting along?� Nickolas looked at him annoyed.
�Are you and Eva getting along? Is everything cool between you two like you say it is? Are you madly in love with each other? What does my relationship with Jacqueline matter to you any? It�s none of your damn business.�
�I�m sorry, man, I didn�t mean to pry.�
�So don�t!� They stood there a few moments not saying anything. �I�m sorry. I just got a lot on my mind with Jack being sick and all.�
�I understand so don�t worry about it.� Nickolas nodded. �You�re young and got this serious relationship and this career that is just sky-rocketing. Of course you would have a lot on your mind.�
�It�s not just those things, man.�
�Then what is it?�
�I don�t want to talk about it. We didn�t decide on anything yet so I really can�t talk about it yet.�
�Ok.�
�Yeah.�
�It�s between me and Jack and she just ain�t ready.�
�It�s private, Nick, and I understand.�
�Please do. I want you to understand. You�re my best friend and I hate keeping things from you.�
�It�s ok, so don�t worry about it.� Nickolas shook his head and sighed while taking a picture off the fireplace mantel.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
�I don�t know what you want me to do, Eva,� Jacqueline said climbing into bed and covering up. �I can only help you so much.�
�Alex wants to know what�s going on and I don�t know what to tell him,� Eva stated. �I don�t know what to do.�
�I told you, Ev, the only way you�re going to be fine is if you tell Alex what happened.� Eva looked at her. �I did all I can and I helped you all I could. The rest is up to you now. Your future is in your hands; whether you want to have a future miserable and alone, while your best friend is happy with the man of her dreams, or a future filled with love and happiness with the man of your every fantasy is all up to you. I can�t decide your future and only you can. The most I can do is give you the best advice I can. My advice to you is to tell Alex the truth before it drives a wedge you�re your relationship and tears you both apart.�
�Do you think it will?�
�Honestly, yes I do.� Eva sighed. �I know it�s the most difficult thing of your life, but you got to tell Alex. If you don�t tell him there is a possibility he�ll find out some other way. Someone else could tell him.�
�Like Mike?� Jacqueline nodded and Eva sat on the bed, as Jacqueline started coughing. �You ok?� Jacqueline nodded.
�Nick�s been seeing a lot of Mike and I�m sure Alex has also.�
�Alex said he�s seen him a couple times.�
�He probably sees that you�re happy now and what�s to ruin that for you, because you put his perverted father behind bars.�
�Maybe I should�ve kept my mouth shut.�
�You kept quiet two years until you finally confided in me.�
�And you wanted to commit murder.�
�First I was going to rip his dick off then commit murder.� Eva chuckled, as Jacqueline coughed again.
�Are you sure you�re ok?�
�I�m fine.�
�Ok.�
�You got the courage to come forward and I know you�ll get the courage to tell Alex.�
�I�m just afraid of what he might think of me.�
�When he looks at you he�ll see a very courageous young woman. You know how Alex feels about people like Mike�s dad. I hate going to that subject with him. Alex is not going to hate you. In fact I think he�ll just love you more.�
�And if he does hate me?�
�Then he�s a hypocritical ass and is just as bad as Mike and his dad.�
�What if it was you and Nick wanted to know what was bothering you? Would you tell him?�
�Yes; maybe not until I learned to trust him, like I have come to, but I eventually would, because, as my friend and boyfriend, he would have a right to know.� Eva just looked at her. �You say you trust Alex and I know you do. You don�t have to prove that to me. You have to prove it to Alex. By not confiding in Alex you�re not proving to him that you trust him. I�m sure that hurts him too, because he trusts you.� Eva sighed. �I could tell Nick everything that happened right now and I know he wouldn�t tell anyone. That�s how much Nick and I trust each other. I trust Nick the way you trust me. I wouldn�t tell a soul and I haven�t.�
�It�s different with Alex though.�
�I understand, but to be happy and have a great relationship, ya got to be honest with each other. Why do you think Nick and I are so happy�minus that one little detail?�
�Then you be honest with Nick.�
�Excuse me? I am honest with Nick.�
�I don�t believe for a second that you told him you�re pregnant.� Jacqueline looked at her.
�I didn�t tell him, because I ain�t.�
�I�m your best friend so don�t lie to me.�
�I ain�t. I just got the flu.� Eva picked up a bottle off the stand.
�And you have to take prenatal vitamins for it.� Jacqueline didn�t say anything. �Hmm?� She shook the bottle.
�They, uh, help your hair grow and stuff.�
�Uh-huh.�
�Nick�s cousin gave them to me since I was complaining about my hair having to be cut since someone stuck gum in it and I won�t mention any names.�
�It was an accident. I was aiming for the trash.� They laughed and Jacqueline started coughing again. �Should I get you some medicine?�
�No; don�t worry about me.�
�I�m sure they�re from Nick�s cousin.� Jacqueline shrugged. �You want me to be honest with Alex yet you can�t be honest with me.�
�I�m not pregnant, Ev.�
�And you�re not a good liar, Jack.�
�If I was you�d be the first to know.� Eva looked at her. �After Nick of course.�
�Right.�
�I ain�t pregnant; it�s just the flu.�
�If you say so.�
�Hey, Eva,� Alexander interrupted. �Are ya ready yet? Mom�s coming for dinner.� The girls looked.
�That�s right,� Eva said. �I completely forgot that�s tonight.�
�Go on,� Jacqueline said. �I got Nicky so I�ll be perfectly fine.�
�Ya sure?� Eva asked, as Nickolas walked over. �I hate that cough.�
�She�s in good hands,� Nickolas assured her. �No need to panic. I�ll call if anything happens to her.� Eva nodded.
�Feel better, Girl,� Eva said.
�I will,� Jacqueline said, as Eva got up, and Nickolas took her spot.
�We�ll see ya�s later,� Nickolas said.
�Oh, Nick, catch,� Eva said tossing him the vitamins. Nickolas caught the bottle and looked at them then looked at Jacqueline who shrugged.
CHAPTER 10
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