�Hey, Sunnie Jo,� Danielle said as Sunshine walked into Friendly�s the next afternoon and saw the girls. �What are you doing here?�
�Bradley�s buying me lunch since I can�t have lunch with Nicky today,� Sunshine said.
�Why didn�t you go to New York with him?� Josephine asked.
�He wants me to get some rest. He said if I went to New York I wouldn�t. Apparently he doesn�t know me like he thinks.� She smiled.
�You can�t sit still no matter what,� Destiny said and Sunshine shook her head.
�So I called Brad up and asked him to take me to lunch.�
�What about us?� Venus asked.
�You were working and I didn�t want to wait any longer than I have to.�
�Ever hear of a phone?� Venus asked.
�Did you? I call ya�s and ya never want to talk or you�re never home and don�t return my calls. So what gives?� They just looked at her. �And don�t give me none of that stupid wifey/mommy shit either, because I take the time to return your calls.�
�Well, um�� Destiny began.
�Richardson,� the hostess said and the four girls stood up.
�Forget it,� Sunshine said. �Just forget it, because ya ain�t going to give me an honest answer anyway. Go eat and enjoy your time together without me.� She turned her back and looked at the stuff on the wall.
�Sunn, we�� Destiny began, but Sunshine walked away and went outside.
�Some people just don�t care anymore,� Sunshine said out loud to herself and gave a disgusted sigh. �They have their husbands, their children, and each other so why the hell do they need me?�
�Who?� a female voice asked and Sunshine looked.
�Drake, hey,� Sunshine said giving her hug. �What are you doing here?�
�Well I came to visit you and ran into Aaron at the condo,� Drake said. �And he offered to take me to lunch.�
�So here we are,� Aaron said. �Where�s Nick?�
�They had to go up to New York today,� Sunshine replied. �He�ll be back Sunday night.� Aaron nodded. �A last minute thing.�
�What are you doing here?� Aaron asked.
�Meeting Bradley.�
�Who is right behind you by the way.� Sunshine looked. �I�d watch what ya say.�
�Good idea,� Bradley said.
�Hey,� Sunshine said.
�Sorry I�m late,� Bradley said. �Sunny came by to get her things.�
�I�m sorry.�
�Don�t worry about it.�
She grinned. �Oh, Brad, this is Drake. D, meet Brad Fischetti of LFO.�
�Hi,� Drake said as they shook hands.
�Hey,� Bradley said. �Nice meeting you.� Drake nodded.
�Do you want to join us?� Sunshine asked.
�Come on,� Bradley said. �We don�t mind.�
�If Drake doesn�t mind,� Aaron said.
�Not at all,� Drake said.
�Good,� Sunshine said. �Then let�s go, because I�m starving.� They laughed. �I�ll also fill ya�s in on what�s going on.�
�Sounds good,� Aaron said opening the door. �Shall we.� Sunshine grinned and they went inside.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
�Sunn was being a bitch,� Venus said as they looked over to the table she was at. �I didn�t like it.�
�Well she was right,� Josephine said. �We never return her calls.�
�We all got things to do. And she knows that. We don�t have a job like she does and we got families to worry about and take care of.�
�But we can take five minutes to return her calls.�
�And that wasn�t very nice,� Danielle said. �If she could have a family of her own and not risk her life I�m sure she would. She�d be happy having this baby.�
�Like I said to Kevin,� Venus began, �if she went to the doctor she wouldn�t be in this situation.�
�So you�re blaming her,� Destiny questioned and Venus just looked at them. �That�s not fair and you know it.�
�Then tell me what is fair? Because I don�t think there is a reason to be fair regarding Sunn. She put herself in this situation and now she has to live with it. I ain�t giving her any pity and neither should anyone else. It was her mistake and she has to pay for it.�
�She doesn�t want any pity,� Danielle said. �She knows she made a mistake and we have to be the best friends we once were.�
�She has her best friends and it�s not us.� She pointed over to Sunshine, Bradley, Drake, and Aaron. �We don�t matter anymore and I don�t see why we should worry about her.�
�Because she worries about us,� Josephine stated. �Whether you believe it or not.�
�Well I don�t.�
�And why not?� Danielle asked.
�Because I don�t.�
�You don�t have a reason? Destiny questioned.
�She doesn�t show that she cares or anything and I ain�t going to believe it.�
�You�re pathetic,� Josephine stated. �Ya always don�t have to show you care for people to believe it.�
�She�s right,� Danielle agreed. �We all know Sunn cares even though she doesn�t show it. Brian doesn�t always show he cares, but I know he does.�
�Does Kevin always show he cares?� Destiny asked.
�This isn�t about Kevin,� Venus said. �It�s about Sunn.�
�Answer the question. Does Kevin always show he cares?�
�No he doesn�t.�
�But you know he does, right?� Danielle asked.
�Yeah; sometimes.�
�Alright. Sunn cares also even though she doesn�t show it all the time. She has other things to concentrate on than showing us she cares all the time. Just like each of us, but that doesn�t mean we love each other any les.� Venus shook her head. �Why can�t you believe it?� Venus didn�t say anything and just looked at them.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
�So why ain�t ya eating with your friends?� Aaron questioned.
�I am,� Sunshine answered.
�I mean the ones across the room.�
�Oh.� She looked out the window and sighed.
�What�s wrong?� Bradley asked.
�I don�t know. They never call and they don�t return my calls or they just don�t want to talk. It�s driving me nuts.�
�If worse comes to worse,� Aaron began, �you still have us.�
�I hope so.�
�You do so don�t worry,� Drake said.
�I ain�t.�
�Good,� Bradley said and Sunshine smiled.
�Are you going to finish that?� Sunshine asked taking a bite of Bradley�s chicken dinner.
�Yes I�m going to finish it.� They laughed.
�I�m hungry.�
�Then order desert,� Aaron suggested.
�When you guys are done.�
�So how�d it go yesterday?� Bradley asked.
�Alright I guess.� She sighed.
�What did ya�s decide?� Drake wanted to know.
Sunshine took a deep breath then said, �We decided, well Nick decided, not to have the babies.� They looked at her. �I wanted him to decide and that�s what he decided. I go back in Monday morning to�ya know.�
�Right.�
�We decided to have a baby in a couple years if God lets us.�
�Is this what you want though?� Bradley questioned.
�It doesn�t matter what I want. I owe it to Nickolas to have this decision, because he�s done so much for me the past six years.�
�And done so much to you.�
�Stop right there, Bradley. I�m not having this conversation with you yet again so drop it.� Aaron and Drake laughed. �Every time we�re together that�s all he talks about. Always brings up the bad past with Nick and not the good past with Nick.�
�The only good past ya have is me.�
�I don�t think that�s fair to Nick,� Drake stated.
�Me either,� Sunshine agreed. �But Bradley doesn�t care.�
�I just care about your happiness,� Bradley stated.
�Then stop bringing up the past or I won�t be happy.�
�I guess she�s telling you,� Aaron smirked.
�I ain�t promising ya anything,� Bradley said.
�And neither will I,� Sunshine said. �Not until you start appreciating Nick being in my life and being my husband. And accept that actually.�
�When he can prove to me that he actually loves you.�
�Alright, but I think this decision he just made should prove that to everyone.� Bradley just looked at her.
�You argue like you�re married,� Drake said.
�We always did,� Bradley stated.
�We always did,� Sunshine mocked rolling her eyes.
�Why�s Nick in New York?� Aaron wanted to know. �I thought they were taking a break until they started touring?�
�Stephen wanted to meet with them and Nick was going to do a couple songs for his solo.�
�Aren�t they touring?� Drake asked.
�I honestly don�t know. They want to, but JIVE wants them to start on a new album already. I guess they�ll find out this weekend. I hope they tour though.�
�Why?� Aaron asked.
�Because Nick�s getting antsy. And he�s really horny too.�
�He has nothing to do,� Drake said smiling.
�Besides Sunn,� Aaron added.
�Exact--,� Sunshine began and looked at her brother-in-law, as they laughed. �You�re funny. Really you are.�
�You still want me though.�
�Is this going to go on forever?�
�What?�
�You letting me know how much you want me?�
�Most likely. Or until you dump my brother so you and I can get married.� He smiled, but Sunshine didn�t, as she looked straight ahead.
�I don�t know what�s worse. Dealing with you or dealing with her.�
�Who?� Bradley asked.
�Miss James.� They looked. �She sure knows how to ruin someone�s day.�
�Don�t let her bother ya,� Aaron said.
�How can I not? She�s after your brother who happens to be my husband.�
�Nick doesn�t want her.�
�That doesn�t matter. I won�t be fine until she�s gone. Everywhere I go she�s right there. It�s like she�s stalking me or something.�
�Call the cops,� Drake suggested.
�I have no proof.�
�If she�s everywhere ya go that�s proof enough,� Bradley said. �For people like you they take extra precautions.�
�I don�t want to be treated any differently because I�m �famous�. I can take care of myself. I can handle this and her right now. If she starts threatening me then I�ll go to the police. Until then I will deal with her on my own with Nick�s help. Before anyone knows she�ll be out of our lives forever and I�ll be completely happy again.�
�You are one stubborn girl.�
�Ya take me as I am.�
�Unfortunately.� She stomped on his foot. �Ow!�
�Ya better watch what ya say, Fischetti, or you�ll be sorry.�
�I hear ya.� Drake and Aaron laughed.
CHAPTER 25 CHAPTER 27
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