It was four years and one day to the day since Nickolas met Sunshine and he was in Apollo Beach and on his boat. He was cleaning his boat and keeping busy to keep his mind off what happened with Sunshine the night before. He hated himself and wished he could turn back the hands of time. He would do it all over and the right way; by putting the ring back on her finger. But he couldn�t turn back the hands of time and put the ring back on her finger.
What a fool he was. He hurt Sunshine in so many ways and ruined it. He had to think of a way to make it better�and fast. February was fast approaching and he told the Priest was still on. The gazebo was already built and waiting and he had the guys fitted for their tuxedos. He already done so much for the wedding and he would be damned if it was for nothing. He would do anything at this point to show how sorry he was just so he could marry Sunshine.
Sunshine was right. He was jealous of Bradley. But what guy wouldn�t be jealous when the girl he was totally in love with was spending her time with another guy? What was wrong with him though? Sunshine loved only him. She told him over and over. But why was he finding it hard to believe? Was it his subconscious? Or was he thinking the worse that could happen? Either way he hated it. He knew he wanted to be with Sunshine more than anything. But what could he do? He grabbed a hold of her last night and she hated him. Hell, he hated himself for it. He hurt her and put more distance between them.
He stopped what he was doing and sat down. He reached in his pocket and took out the ring. He just looked at it and remembered the night he put it on Sunshine�s finger. Even in the dark he could se the sparkle in Sunshine�s eyes. They were both so happy that night. Nothing mattered to them except being with each other. He just sat there thinking and didn�t see Aaron approach.
�Hey, Nick,� Aaron said interrupting his thoughts.
Nickolas looked and said, �Hey, Aaron.� Aaron climbed on the boat and sat next to Nickolas.
�That Sunn�s engagement ring?�
�Yeah.�
�When are you sticking it back on her finger?�
Ignoring the question Nickolas asked his own, �So how�d it go last night?�
�Good; MacKenzie�s really nice. She wants to get together later on in the week.�
�That�s great. What is she like?�
�Like Sunn.� Nickolas looked at him. �Sorry man. She�s studying to be a doctor. She likes to help people anyway she can.�
�I hope it works out.� They stayed silent and Nickolas continued looking at the ring.
�Nick, how did you feel when you first met Sunn?� Nickolas looked at him. �Like, what went through your mind?�
�Wow! So many things went through my mind went I met Sunnie. I don�t know where to begin. I can honestly say I fell in love with her the second I saw her, but just didn�t realize it. I remember thinking how gorgeous she was and wanting to be with her. I honestly believed she was an angel sent from Heaven.� Aaron looked at him. �I mean where on earth do you find a woman as truly amazing as Sunnie is?�
�No where.�
�Exactly. I still believe she�s an angel.� Aaron smiled. �I remember it all like it was just yesterday, because I still feel the same way today. Yesterday, the sixteenth is exactly four years since we met and fell in love. Why do you ask?�
�No reason. Just preparing myself for when I fall in love.�
�When it hits ya you�ll know. It�s the best feeling in your life.�
�Before or after sex?�
�Excuse me? You�re going to be how old?�
�Eighteen.�
�You don�t need to worry about sex right now. Wait until you�re married.�
�You didn�t.�
�Because I�m in love with Sunnie and Sunnie�s in love with me.�
�But how did it feel?�
�Sex is indescribable just like love. You�ll have to experience them both yourself to really understand.�
�Which comes in first?�
�Love.�
�Then what�s the problem?�
�What do ya mean?�
�With you and Sunn. If you�re so in love then why ain�t you together?�
�So many things, Aaron.�
�Like what? All everyone knows is that you called it off. But why? Sunshine�s a truly amazing girl. Why are you not realizing that?�
�I do know how amazing she is. I just�I don�t know.�
�I�m your brother, Nick, just tell me what happened. Families are supposed to share this stuff.� Nickolas took a deep breath and then told Aaron everything that happened. Everything except what happened the night before. Aaron listened closely and wasn�t sure what to say when he was done. They stayed silent for a few minutes then Aaron said, �So you actually believe Sunn slept with Brad?�
�I honestly don�t know what to think anymore, Aaron. I most likely blew every chance I had in getting back with Sunnie. She hates me.�
�I doubt that.�
�Trust me; she does.�
�Why? The only way she would hate you is if you hurt her physically.� Nickolas stayed silent. �You didn�t hit her. Please tell me you didn�t.�
�I didn�t hit her.� He stood up, as Aaron watched him. �I grabbed a hold of her last night.�
�You what?� Aaron stood up, as Nickolas turned his back and looked out to the ocean.
�I thought we were getting back together, because the night before last went extremely great. I wanted to be honest with her last night and tell her why I did what I did. We both said something�s that hurt us both, we got mad, she went to walk away, and I grabbed her arm. I didn�t realize my own strength until it was too late.�
�How bad did you hurt her?�
�Really bad. I was just so angry, but it didn�t give me the right to grab a hold of Sunnie and hurt her more. I feel so terrible.�
�Did you apologize?�
�I tried, but she told me to get out.� They both stayed silent for awhile. �I don�t know, Aaron. I don�t even remember grabbing a hold of her.� Aaron looked at him. �It�s like someone else took over my body and hurt Sunnie. I don�t even remember her fighting me until I felt pain in my hand.�
�Is that what happened to your hand?�
Nickolas looked at his bandaged hand and said, �Yeah; Sunnie got me with her nails.� Aaron just nodded, as Nickolas looked out to the ocean thinking. Aaron stood there trying to think of something to say and looked at the floor, as Nickolas said, �I think it�s definitely over.�
Aaron bent down and picked up a magazine, saying, �If you don�t want her then I�ll take her. I�ll make her part of the Carter Clan.�
Nickolas looked at him and said, �I do want Sunnie, but I just don�t think we�re supposed to be together anymore.�
Aaron looked at the cover of the magazine. �She�s definitely got my vote, Nicky.� He smiled still looking at the magazine, as Nickolas looked at him again. Aaron held up the Victoria�s Secret catalog and Nickolas looked at it. �You�re telling me that you�re going to walk away from this. Look at that body, Nickolas, and those�� Nickolas grabbed the catalog before Aaron said anymore.
�I love Sunnie and I don�t appreciate the way you�re talking about her.� Nickolas looked at Sunshine�s picture. �She does have a killer body.�
�Then go to her.� Aaron grabbed the catalog back off him. �Don�t stand here and drool when you could be kissing her.� He looked at Sunshine�s picture again.
�Do you mind not looking at Sunnie like that?�
�What?� He smiled and opened the catalog, as Nickolas sat back down. �Ooh, did you see this one of Sunn?� He sat beside Nickolas. �And who�s the blondie with her?�
Nickolas looked and said, �Josephine.�
�You know her?�
�She�s Howie�s girlfriend and Sunnie�s best girl friend.�
�Damn it, but look how sexy Sunn looks. I wish I met her first.�
�You were only turning fourteen, Aaron. Sunnie was turning twenty-one.�
�So.� Nickolas shook his head, as Aaron paged through the catalog. �I think BJ gets these. I�ll have to see if she has this one.�
�You don�t need half-naked pictures of Sunnie, Jo, or anyone.�
�There are my two favorite brothers,� a gorgeous young brunette said interrupting and Nickolas got off the boat.
�Hey, Leslie,� Nickolas said giving his sister a hug. �What are you doing here?�
�We�re all here,� Leslie replied. �Me, mom, dad, BJ, and Angel. We all have downtime and wanted to visit.�
�Wow!� Nickolas said.
�Hey, Leslie,� Aaron said. �Does BJ have the Vicky�s with Sunn on the cover?�
�Why?� Leslie questioned.
�Because I want it,� Aaron answered.
�You don�t need it,� Nickolas stated glaring at his brother.
�I have two,� Leslie said. �You can have one.�
�Sweet!� Aaron said.
�Leslie, don�t encourage him,� Nickolas said. �He doesn�t need pictures of Sunn.�
�That�s why his room his plastered with them,� Leslie said and Nickolas quickly looked at his brother.
�Sunn has nice breasts,� Aaron stated.
�Aaron Charles Carter!� Nickolas yelled. �That�s enough.� Aaron smiled getting up.
He got out of the boat and said, �Think about what I said, Bro.� He gave Nickolas the catalog. �Excuse me; I have to go call Mac.� He walked away and Nickolas looked at the cover of the catalog.
�Who�s Mac?� Leslie asked, but Nickolas didn�t answer. �Nick.� Nickolas looked at her. �Who�s Mac?�
�A girl Aaron met on the plane and took out last night,� Nickolas replied. �She sounds nice.� He looked back at the catalog then took the ring from his pocket again.
Leslie watched her brother look at the ring. �Are you going to stick that baby back on Sunn�s finger?�
�Now�s not the time; trust me.�
�Why not?� Nickolas didn�t answer her, but closed his eyes. Leslie saw two tears and hugged him. �What�s wrong?�
�Everything and it�s all my fault.�
�It�ll be all right. I promise.� Nickolas didn�t say anything, as they stood there hugging.
CHAPTER 36
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