Chapter 30
Caroline, Brian realized as they
walked the last few feet up to her humble abode, was probably one of the most
admirable women he’d ever had the pleasure of meeting. They’d walked from
the quaint grocery store all the way to her doorstep in under two hours thanks
to her sheer will and his determination to keep up. She was 81 years old
and he was only 28 and he had to keep up with her! That said a lot didn’t
it? Especially when she had arthritis to worry about! He
grinned. Yes, Caroline was definitely admirable.
And oh so adorable!
“Now, let’s get you inside for
some cookies and milk. Made by yours truly.”
Brian stifled a laugh. Katarina had told him to expect to eat lots of cookies
during his stay. “Thank you ma’am…I mean Caroline,” he corrected when she
shot him a pointed glance.
She smiled after that and opened
the door. “I trust you’ll be staying here for a while.”
“That depends…” Brian peered at
her, his face now serious, “I think you know why I’m here.”
Caroline nodded. “Indeed I
do. Although I must say, I’m curious as to how you found out.”
Brian felt another wave of relief
wash over him. It’s true…it really is true! “Katarina told me.”
She gasped. “You saw Rina?! How is she? Is she okay dear?”
He was taken aback by all the
questions. “She’s all right. Looks a little exhausted…but all
right.”
Caroline did not look happy with
his response. “She must be thinking of him…” She shook her head.
“She shouldn’t have left.”
“What happened?”
“I wish I knew dear. I wish
I knew.” Sighing, she placed her groceries on the table in the kitchen
and urged Brian to follow her into the living room. “Sit down
darling. I’ll fetch you those cookies.”
“Actually Caroline,” Brian stayed
standing, “if you don’t mind, I’d…I’d really like to see Nick.”
She smiled in understanding…but
her eyes were anxious. “Of course, but Brian, I need to warn you…”
“Of what?”
“Nickolas is quite different from
the last time you saw him…”
Brian frowned. “Katarina said the same thing. Is something wrong with
him?”
Caroline looked away. “I
think you’d better see for yourself.”
***
Katarina stepped quietly
into the apartment, hoping to God that Kris wasn't back yet and that Billie
wasn't home. At Brian's urging, she spent the night in his
guestroom. It was against her better judgment to stay, but she was just
so tired...and she wanted to get to know Nick's best friend a little
better. She wanted to find out why he was so special to him. A
light smile curved her lips. Brian was definitely what Nick told her he
was. Kind, considerate and very down to earth.
Not to mention goofy!
No wonder he and Nick got along
so well... According to Brian, Nick was a goofy guy himself. Always
laughing, smiling... Katarina's smile
subsided. But life had played a cruel trick on Nick.
And he had lost everything he
held dear.
Katarina hoped that by
sending Brian to him, he would somehow find the courage to face his future and
not be the bitter man he had condemned himself to be.
"It's about time you got
home."
Stunned, Katarina
looked up as the lights flickered on. Billie was sitting on the couch,
her eyes red. "Billie, what's wrong?"
"Where were you?" she
asked, ignoring the question.
"I...went out of town...to
see someone."
"Nick? Or Kris?"
Kris?! She'd
rather have porcupine quills attached to her ass! "Neither. I
went to see Brian."
Billie looked at her
warily. "Brian? Why?"
"I needed to talk to him about
something important, but now it's over and done with." She refused
to go into any more detail than that.
"I broke off my
engagement," she spoke quietly, changing the subject so abruptly that it
surprised Katarina.
"You did?!" She
looked at her in shock for a moment, but then her eyes softened.
"Howie?"
A smile brightened Billie's
face. "He loves me Rina. I mean,
really loves me. I don't think I've ever met someone who actually treats
me like a human being. He makes me feel like it's okay to be me."
Katarina sat down next
to her and gave her a bear hug. "That's wonderful Billie!
Finally you got that jerk, Kris, out of your life."
Billie pulled away suddenly and
gazed at her questioningly. "A jerk huh?"
"Yes," Katarina studied her hands, "I...never liked Kris for
lots of reasons. One being that he never treated you right."
"And the other
reasons?"
She kept her mouth shut.
"Rina
did you sleep with him?"
Katarina felt as though
she'd been slapped in the face. "Billie! How could you say
that?! I'd never--"
"Kris told me when I sent
him to hell that he never cared about me..." her gaze grew cold,
"because he was sleeping with you."
"No! That's
not..." Katarina stopped, her heart wrenching
with fear. Oh God...he wants me to lie...
"What do you want
Kris?! What'll it take for you to leave Nick alone?!"
"Nothing. That blond
asshole will get what he deserves for taking you away from me!"
"I'll do ANYTHING
Kris. Anything you want...just please don't expose Nick. I'm
begging you..."
"Anything huh?"
"Anything..."
"Well," Billie peered
at her closely, "did you Rina? Did you
sleep with my ex-fiancé?"
***
Nick peeked through the curtains
and glared at the sunlight that washed over the landscape. Damn light…
He closed his eyes to block it out, but opened them again instantly and nearly
let out a anguished cry. He was going crazy without her…
Damn her for doing this to
me! DAMN HER!!
"Nickolas, darling.
Are you hungry?"
"No. I don't want
anything," he snarled, "go away!"
"Nickolas! Don't you
dare speak to me in that tone of voice!"
"I'll talk however I damn
well feel like it!" He kept his gaze on the golden scenery
outside. "I'm tired of this bullshit! I hate my life! I
hate this place! I hate EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE! DAMMIT! GET
OFF MY ASS! I DON'T NEED YOU OR ANYBODY ELSE!!!"
"...Not even your best
friend?"
Holy shit... Nick
stiffened and his heavy breathing faltered. That was not Caroline's
voice... It was a male...a male with a very familiar accent...a male that
he'd known practically his whole life... But...
It couldn't be!
It just couldn't be!
"Nick?"
He gripped the curtains tightly,
refusing to turn around. "...You're...not supposed to be here."
"Neither are you
Frack."
Frack... He closed
his eyes, pain wrenching his insides. It'd been over a year since he'd
heard that familiar nickname.
"Nick, look at me."
I can't dammit!
"No."
"Why?"
Because I'm a freak! "I
don't want to."
"I missed you too
buddy."
Nick nearly smiled at the sarcasm
in his voice. Nearly.
"Why didn't you come home
Nick? We've all been worried sick...we thought you were dead for
Pete's sake!"
"That's what I wanted
everyone to think."
"What?! Why?!
Did you honestly think that'd be funny? Well, newsflash Nicky. It's
not. It's not funny AT ALL!"
"Just go Brian.
I don't need any of you to tell me what to do! I have a different
life now!"
"A life you claim to
hate."
"So?"
'Dammit
Nick! What the hell is wrong with you?! LOOK AT ME!"
"YOU CAN'T MAKE ME!"
"THE HELL I CAN'T!"
Nick's grip on the curtains was
iron tight and when he felt Brian's hands on his shoulders he tried his best to
shake him off. "DON'T TOUCH ME DAMMIT!" He felt him back
off.
"Nick... Why won't you
talk to me?" The hurt was evident in his voice. "Do you
know how many nights I've been awake in my room, wondering if you were
okay? If we'd really done all we could to find you? I was sick with
grief Nick! And now all you can do is push me away?!"
"You don't understand
Brian. You don't know what it's like to lose your identity...your
life...in one single night!"
"What do you mean?"
Nick let go of one of the
curtains and touched the damages on his face. His mask was on the bed.
And there was no way to reach for
it.
"Please...Fr...Frick...just...go."
"I'm not leaving until you
tell me why you're acting like this."
"You'll be here for the rest
of your life."
"DAMMIT NICK!"
Brian's patience was wearing
thin. Funny. So was Nick's.
"Nick..."
He refused to utter another word.
"Nick...look at me
buddy."
"..."
"Please?"
***
