I awoke form a restless sleep and I can’t even say I’m all that surprised. I’m sure it has something to do with Nick bringing up Eli. I haven’t seen him in a couple of years and was finally about to get him out of my mind. Being with him was probably the worst time in my life and that’s saying something considering my life started out pretty shitty.
I shake off the thoughts. Damn you Nick. He can be such an ass. I really need to clear my head. I decide to do something I haven’t done in a while. I change into leggings a tank top and a hoodie. Throw on my sneakers and head out for a run. The last time I did this was after all that shit with Elijah ended and it helped then so why not now?
After run around the park in the apartment complex I start to feel a bit more like myself. I barely make it in the door when my phone starts ringing. “Hey, jerk what’s up?” I greeted my brother.
“Hey, brat, nothing much here just calling to check in. You okay? You sound out of breath.” I could hear what sounded like a hint of amusement in his voice.
“I’m good. Just got back from a run. I’m surprised you didn’t send Nick to check up on me.” My sarcasm was on point though I will admit it was a bitch comment to make.
“Ah ha so that’s why you’re pissed at me. Can you blame me?”
“Ah yeah actually, I can. Was that really necessary?”
“It was warranted. Dad and I worry about you and every time we talk to Nick he’s at your place. We figured out pretty quick that you don’t go out anymore.”
It the same old bullshit time and time again. “Not that there should be anything wrong with that. I’ve been working a lot.”
“Yeah, from home. And before you say anything else. No, it’s not healthy. Now be honest with me. Are you really okay? Or are you still struggling with everything that you have been through?”
“I’m being honest I’ve been good. I haven’t even thought about him. That is until Nick mentioned him last night. You guys really need to stop worrying so damn much.” When will everyone get it and just leave me be? I’m happy right now.
“Well, we’re never going to stop so you can forget about that. And I won’t apologize for it. But I will promise to try and back off just a little. You just have to promise me that if you need anything you’ll let one of us know.”
“I promise. So, now that we got that shit taken care of, what’s up?” Sometimes I just had to placate him. He worries to much and it really isn’t necessary.
“Nothing much really. Just wanted to see what’s going on. But, hey, since I have you on the phone why don’t I treat you to lunch? Kinda make up for being so sneaky.”
“That actually sounds good. What were you thinking?”
“I really like that cafe by your building.”
“Okay we can do that. I’ll meet you there at say twelve?”
“Sounds good. See ya then.”
I had a few hours before I had to meet Mike so to pass the time I clean up my apartment a bit. It isn’t too bad as I keep up with it but, as Nick says my OCD kicks in when I’m a bit stressed and I can tend to go overboard. I disagree with him. I also maintain that I do not have OCD. I like order but there isn’t anything wrong with that.
I arrive at the cafe just a few minutes before noon and spot Mike right away. I walk over to the table he’s at and take a seat. “So just an innocent let’s catch up lunch, right?”
“I swear. So how’s work been?” He sounded sincere it was just hard to believe him since everyone has been so sneaky lately.
“Pretty good actually. I’ve been quite productive. It seems that Mr. Black is pleased with the work I have done so far. I figured with how much I already got accomplished I can afford to take the weekend off and relax.”
“I’m glad to hear it’s going so good. I’m also happy to hear you taking a weekend off finally. I can’t remember the last time you took some time for yourself.”
“I don’t really see it as working though. I enjoy what I do and besides I work from home and on my own schedule. Being on my own means I don’t have to worry about any deadlines from some overbearing boss.”
“I can see your point and why you prefer it over working for a company. Speaking of Mr. Black however.”
“Nick has a big mouth I swear.” I really need to kick his ass one of these days.
“He’s happy for you to have someone in your life besides us.” What was it with everyone in my life sticking their noses where they don’t belong?
“He’s not in my life. I do work for his companies and that’s it.”
“But he’s interested in more. Or that’s how Nick made it sound.”
“It sure seems that way. But I’m not. I don’t mix business with pleasure. Always a bad idea.”
“Do you work directly for him?”
“Well, no, not exactly.”
“Then I don’t see a problem with giving him a chance. You never know. You may actually like him or you may just end up making another friend. One who has connections that could help you business wise.”
I admit I never thought of it that way. “I guess you’re right. It couldn’t hurt. But there’s also the chance that it doesn’t work out and end up having an adverse affect on me business wise.”
“Why do you go straight to the negative?”
“I need to look at it from every angle. I don’t want to go into something and not think about every scenario.”
“You really are such a pessimist.”
“I prefer realist.”
“Nope, no way. Your always see the worst in everyone including yourself and look at everything from a negative point of view.”
“I thought this was just a let’s catch up lunch. How did it go from that to this?”
“Sorry, I know this isn’t’ exactly a topic you would talk to your big brother about but Nick thought that I could find a perspective that would get your attention.”
“The ass is still in big trouble. I really hope you haven’t talk to dad about all of this.”
“No, not yet. I was waiting to see what happens.”
After Mike and I finished our lunch I head home. I decide to walk home to clear my head. Nick is most definitely in some serious trouble. I get where everyone is coming from I just wish they would all lay off me.
I needed to think about what I want to do in regards to Nathan Black. Is everyone right? Should I give him a chance? He has such an ego I don’t know if I can handle that. On the other hand I don’t think he will give up till I at least give him a chance.
I need to give it some more time and think about it. I was almost at my place when my phone went off with a notification. I checked to see I have a new email. It’s from Mr. Black himself. Oh this should be good I wonder what he wants. I open it and see two free passes to Club Temptation. I knew he wasn’t going to give up easily but talk about stubborn. Nick on the other hand will be excited to get to go again and I’m sure we’ll receive the VIP treatment as well.
I make it back to my place just as Nick answers the phone. “Nick.”
“Uh oh, what’d I do now baby girl?”
“Did you have a nice talk with Mike about me and a particular male with an ego?”
“Oh, yeah, that. Sorry couldn’t help it. He asked how things were going and it just came out.”
“Right well thanks to your big mouth, once again, I have to consider giving Nathan a chance or I won’t hear the end of it from Mike and he’ll get John involved.”
“At least my plan worked.”
“I hate you. Damn pain in my ass.”
“Love you too.”
“Anyway while we’re on that topic, you damn traitor. I just received an email from Nathan with two free passes to Club Temptation. Since you love the place so much I guess I’ll take you.”
“Damn right you will. If it wasn’t for me dragging your sorry ass there, you never would have met Mr. Dark and Handsome.”
“You mean Mr. Ego?”
“Baby girl, if you look like that and have the money he has you deserve to have that ego. Now when are we going?”
“It looks like the tickets are for tonight. Though I have a feeling even if we don’t go tonight he’ll just keep sending passes till we do. He’s nothing if not persistent.”
“And that’s not a bad thing. My last client is at five so I can be by your place between six and six thirty.”
“I guess that’s the plan. See you then. Oh and Nick?”
“Yes?”
“No more of these talks with Mike or John.” We need to set some boundaries.
“I was just trying to help.”
“No more or this is the last time we go to the club.”
“Okay that’s mean but fine. I promise. You need to promise to let go and have fun in return.”
“Hmmm, looks like we both have promises to keep.”
“Fair enough. See ya later.”
I hang up the phone and collapse on the couch. Why does everyone feel the need to meddle? I’m tired of thinking about all this shit with Nathan I need to shut my mind off for a while. I decide to take a nap before going out tonight. Just in case I set my alarm for five. I read a couple of chapters till I feel relaxed and drowsy enough and doze off.
