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| SOONER OR LATER by Janey <<< Part 2 PART 3 Dina put Nicky’s shorts on, went downstairs, took his clothes out of the washer and into the tumble drier, and then put her clothes in the machine on a quick wash. She would get them dried, iron his things for him and then go home. Asleep he may have been but quite obviously he was still in love with his ex-wife and she had no wish to tread on Rachel’s toes if there was the slightest chance they could re-ignite their love and revive their marriage. Oblivious to everything, Nicky slept on. His sleep was restless and he had evidently been thrashing about the bed but at least his body was being given time to re-energise itself a little. He hadn’t been sick anymore so Dina didn’t believe it necessary for anyone to stay with him and that assuaged her guilt somewhat. She draped his freshly ironed clothes over a chair, kissed him quickly on his forehead and whispered, “take care Wire,” and then left him in peace. She arrived home shortly after 7am extremely fatigued yet knowing that she was in too much of a state to get any sleep. Although not long since she had showered, she did so again, needing to wash away all traces of Nicky. Standing under the warm jets of water, the stress slowly being washed away and her tension assuaged, she took stock of her actions, their possible consequences now hitting home. Nicky had been inebriated yet that hadn’t prevented her from taking advantage of the situation, and she was ashamed of herself; she should have known better and have been able to have more willpower and strength of character. The jets from the shower spray carried her tears away. “So how come you’re not at work today?” probed Rachel, making them both a cup of tea. “You never said anything about being on holiday this week.” “I erm… I’m not on holiday,” said Dina sadly, taking a deep breath. “I quit and start work at Regal Management next week.” “You’ve left Hall or Nothing?” exclaimed Rachel in shock. She had always thought that Dina would have to forcibly be removed from the building; she was a part of the fixtures and fittings. “But why? I don’t understand it Dina, it was so obvious that you loved working there.” “It became a bit erm… complicated. I fell for Nicky but he’s not ready and we ended up screaming at one another in a wine bar.” “I can’t believe that you haven’t done anything about it yet! You two have fancied each other for so long it’s beyond a joke! What are you waiting for? There’s no one standing your way.” Dina faced Rachel, confused at her phraseology. “You were never in the way either Rachel. He loves you, I love you and you were happy together.” “ ‘WERE’ being the operative word. Dina I’ve always known that you wanted to be with Nicky, I’ve told you often enough, but I also knew that you would never do anything about it when I was married to him; that’s why it never bothered me when you were alone with him. I just knew you wouldn’t betray me; I trusted you. Nicky and I just drifted and became more like brother and sister than husband and wife. We’re too young to live the rest of our days like that.” “That doesn’t make it right for me to start seeing him, not that that is going to happen; he still loves you.” Rachel laughed madly; “no he doesn’t! Not in the way you think anyway. He’s just unsure about having someone else in his life again. Oh, I know that he’s been on dates but he’s serious about you, that’s why he acts a little stupid around you.” “Stupid?” “You think I haven’t noticed that he puts his foot in it with you quite a lot? That’s because he’s nervous around you! You flirt like crazy together. Actually, have you kissed yet?” Dina blushed; “Yes.” “Why are you looking like that then?” “Lets just say it didn’t go well. Rachel honestly, Nicky and I are not going to get together, we end up fighting or goading each other; we just can’t seem to get on for more than a few minutes.” “Oh honey, you have got it bad haven’t you? Both of you by the sound of things.” Dina stayed at Rachel’s until mid-afternoon. Though she didn’t say that they had gone to bed together, she did confide in Rachel that they had seemed to be very ‘close’ at one point but that it all went wrong; Rachel had said nothing but had guessed what Dina was intimating, well lets be honest, it didn’t take a lot of working out. When she left she found herself driving by Nicky’s home; Sean’s car was outside so at least he was in good hands. A pang from her conscience wanted her to go to Nick and hold him, but she couldn’t. Last night was better off forgotten. “I’m telling you Sean,” moaned Nicky nursing his throbbing head, “Dina was here last night, I’m certain.” “Why would you have called her huh? She was the one who broke your heart; the reason you got into this stupid fucking drunken stupor in the first place!” “Stop shouting,” he pleaded. He had forgotten just how horrific a hangover could be, was feeling very sorry for himself and more than a little fragile. “And if you did call her, why the hell would she come around here to take care of you when you broke her fucking heart?” queried Sean. “Seany please!” Nicky begged. “Honestly, I swear you two need locking in a room for a week until you can work this out.” “Well someone came round,” sniffed Nicky, “the clothes I was wearing have been laundered and ironed and everything’s been cleaned up. I know I didn’t do it.” “How do you know? Your memory is sketchy to say the least.” “I remember that I could hardly stand up, well judging from the amount of bruises, I couldn’t.” “Yet you claim she was in your bed too?” mused Sean unconvinced. “That’s just your imagination playing games Nick, it’s not a memory.” Nicky started mumbling, rubbing his face and playing with his hair. “Ok, what else do you think happened? I’d know that body language anywhere. Come on, spill the beans.” “We kissed again and I erm…that is we…oh hell this is awkward.” “No it isn’t, you just say it.” “Well I erm…I touched her.” “If she was in your bed you would,” said Sean, thinking that it seemed a fairly obvious thing to have occurred. “No, I mean that I ‘touched’ her,” Nicky stressed. “Oh you mean ‘touched’ kinda ‘touched’.” “Yes.” “Then you know it’s a dream Nicky. If you had tried that with her after what happened she would have chopped your dick off.” “Whatever you say I’m sure that it happened. It sure as hell felt real.” “Nicky it didn’t so get on with things and stop dwelling. You need to win her heart all over again now, but it shouldn’t be too hard.” “Its not going to be easy either is it? Not now she’s left Hall or nothing.” “She’s WHAT?” Sean yelled, confused. “When?” “Yesterday. She’s going to Regal Management; all because of me.” “Oh fuck, this really is serious.” “I told you.” Sean stomped around Nicky’s lounge, gesturing like a maniac, desperately attempting to calm himself down; to say that he was livid would be something of an understatement. “So,” he remarked angrily, “Dina approached them about a position there because she was miffed at you? I don’t buy that, sorry.” “It’s a tad more complicated,” spluttered Nicky shuffling in his seat. “I kinda fucked up.” “Nothing new in that in that is there? Par for the fucking course with you Wire,” Sean rolled his eyes and shook his head, despairing at the damage Nick could cause without even trying to. “What did you do this time?” “I slept with her, you know, made lo… had sex with her.” “Now I’m even more confused. How could your making love have her going so insane that she has to leave her job? I don’t get it.” Sean glared at Nicky needing clarification, something quite cataclysmic must have happened to even get Dina to consider leaving her position at Hall or Nothing. Instead of things becoming clearer, he was getting more bewildered and perplexed. “You may as well tell me Nicky because you know that I’ll discover it sooner or later.” “I left her.” “What do you mean? Did you make love to her and then run off when she wanted a cuddle? Did you get so far into making love with her, lose your erection and go or what? What happened?” “I left her whilst she slept afterwards; didn’t leave a note or anything.” Sean stood with his hands on his hips, nostrils all flared and breathing heavily, and his face growing redder and redder with fury. “You did WHAT? So in her eyes you’ve used her! Way to go Nicky.” “Don’t be like that! I know what a prat I’ve been, but I called her Rachel and freaked, even though she was asleep and never heard it. What would it have been like if it had happened when we were making love huh?” “If you talked to her about Rachel I’m sure she would understand. Talk about going round in circles with it all.” Nicky had had many people telling him that he was only thinking so much of Rachel and worrying about possibly still being in love with her because for the first time he was actually contemplating having someone he cared very much for in his life again. It was a big step for him, and it was understandable that he would be concerned about the implications, plus just the fact that he cared so deeply for someone was unsettling; had he loved Rachel enough if he could be so in love with Dina? Was he in love with Dina at all, or was he thinking of Rachel because he loved her still? No matter who tried to talk with him and explain it, Nicky could tie them up in knots and leave them so confused that they felt like pulling their hair out! He would argue white is black and black is white. He saw Rachel the following day and she urged him to follow his heart but then he bamboozled her with his twisted explanations. “Will you stop this?” Rachel finally yelled, her head bursting with frustration. “You love her; she loves you. Stop messing about and show her.” “You don’t know everything!” he said forcefully and then proceeded to explain about the night that he had slept with her, but left her. He also told her about his suspicions that Dina had been at his home when he was inebriated and that they had again been intimate. “I’m going to say this once, stop putting non existent obstacles in your path and arguing with every point of view there is. Open yourself up Nicky and you can be happy; really happy.” “I wouldn’t call walking out on her after sex a ‘non existent obstacle’ Rachel.” “So you grovel like hell; show her how much you love her and get her to trust you again. I know you’ve always liked her Nicky, well now you have the opportunity to do something about it, so call her, go see her, and sort it out.” Only he didn’t have the opportunity. Dina left that day for a short break, not telling anyone where she was going, not even Terri or Martin who had agreed to check the house for her when she had taken them their presents. Nicky had managed to persuade Rachel into giving him Dina’s home number; he already had her mobile number, but he was getting frustrated after leaving messages and texts for two days without her replying. He took that as a sign that she was mightily pissed off at him so decided to go to her home to see her personally on Friday evening, assuming that she would be more relaxed as she wound down from working at Regal Management, ready for the weekend. Rachel hadn’t told him that Dina hadn’t started there yet. Suitably abashed he arrived at Dina’s home, noticed Martin’s car outside and assumed that he had turned up to try and persuade her to return to work for him. Nicky was puzzled when Martin answered the door to him. “I erm, I’m here to see Dina,” explained Nicky. “She’s not here Nick,” Martin replied, “she’s gone away for a few days break, I’m just here to water the plants and check the place is ok.” “When did she go?” “Couple of days ago. She doesn’t start her new job until Monday. What with everything that happened she needed time to herself.” “That a dig at me is it?” Nicky huffed angrily. “No it isn’t, I simply meant that a lot has happened in a short space of time and she needed to take some time out. Look why don’t you come in?” “No I’ll get off thanks.” “Are you ok?” “I came to grovel to her to give me another chance. I thought she was supremely annoyed at me when she didn’t respond to my messages or texts, so I came around to supplicate and whatever else was needed.” “She hasn’t taken that mobile either, so she’ll have no idea you’re trying to contact her. Actually she’s bought a new one; the old one is going to be purely for business and the new one has all her personal numbers.” “When is she back; tomorrow or Sunday?” “Sunday afternoon so you won’t be here,” Martin said to remind him. “You’ll be on your way to France for some promotional work.” “Another one bites the dust huh?” Nick shrugged and started to walk away, ignoring Martin when he called out after him. Dina checked all her message after having a bath and putting her clothes in the wash; Nicky’s pleading pulled at her heartstrings, he sounded genuinely remorseful. He had made no comment about that drunken incident, leaving Dina to assume that he couldn’t recall anything. Her break away had been nice enough; she had swam a lot, had a couple of massages, a manicure and spent time relaxing by the pool as well as working out in the gym, but one thing had been on her mind, well one man more accurately; Nicky. She glanced at the clock as she thought of him; he’d be petrified in a plane on his way to France right now. ‘I would have been with him if I’d still been there’, she thought to herself wryly, ‘I wonder who is with you now Nicky?’ The week at Regal flew by so quickly; it all became something of a blur. She had met a couple of the groups that she would be responsible for and discussed possible future promo work with them, wanting to gauge their own ideas; talk about vacuous, they could hardly think for themselves. It was going to take a lot of getting used to. Whilst she had principally worked with Manics at Hall or Nothing, the other groups and artists she was involved with were all very forthright, with clear ideas and beliefs, and they were more than willing to argue for what they believed in. That spark excited her and she thrived on the challenges that they hurled at her; having people constantly willing to follow and say ‘yes’ to her didn’t appeal. It was as well that she had had a plethora of meetings to attend and that Graham, her new boss, had spent time showing her around and introducing her to others that she would be working with. Her diary was already crammed with visits, meetings, video shoots, interviews she was to supervise and a thousand and one jobs to do. 6 Months later Dina was on her way back to the office when she bumped into Nicky as he came out of ‘The Body Shop’ carrying a large bag full of goodies. “Dina!” he beamed, overjoyed at seeing her after so long. “Hi Nicky. You’re looking well.” Dina returned his beaming smile. Stopping all contact with him had been incredibly difficult, especially as she often saw Martin, Terri and Rachel and the three of them would mention him, and encourage her to make contact with him. Now she was face to face with him, her heart skipped a beat then went into overdrive, and her stomach was turning somersaults. “So are you; you look wonderful. I’ve missed you,” he said with genuine affection. “Join me for a coffee?” Dina raised her right wrist, flicked it round and glanced at her watch. “I haven’t got time Nicky, I’ve got a meeting with some nerdy boyband in five minutes. They’ll have a hissy fit if I’m not on time; you know what petulant teenagers are like.” She was smiling warmly at him and Nicky knew that she wasn’t just making excuses. “Maybe another time then?” “I’d love to,” she beamed back. “I tell you what, I should be home about 7pm, why not come round for something to eat? I’d love for us to have a chat and catch up on all the gossip.” “So would I,” he said like a besotted youth. “Very much.” Dina then suddenly embraced him and kissed him on both cheeks; “Seven o’clock then.” Nicky nodded and they both went off with huge smiles and a very definite spring in their steps. Dina got home to find Nicky waiting for her. “I’m sorry,” she said slightly flustered. “I hope that you haven’t been waiting long but they’re building onto the supermarket and everything’s been moved about; I couldn’t find anything.” Nicky giggled and waved the bottle of wine he had with him in front of her, “ well I was wondering how I could break into this. I was starting to get dehydrated.” “Obviously not THAT dehydrated Nicky,” Dina teased, opening her door and inviting him in; “you see the thing is, that wine has a screw cap. I know because I buy quite a bit of it.” Nicky watched whilst Dina began to get things organised in the kitchen. She poured him a glass of wine from an open bottle already in the fridge and refusing his offer to help, chatted with him as she chopped and prepared the food. “How is little Olivia doing?” asked Dina talking about James and Mylene’s baby girl. “Mylene is doing well too I hope.” “She’s a beautiful little thing. James reminds me of me when Clara was born, can’t stop rabbiting about her; Mylene’s not doing so good, she has post natal depression; it’s breaking James’ heart.” “I can only try to imagine. A close friend of mine had PND really badly; wouldn’t even acknowledge the baby until he was about four months old. Her husband had to take special leave from work to take care of them both; it was really tough for them.” “He’s exhausted and he’s lost lots of weight; he looks really ill. We’re trying to do all we can to support them both, but it isn’t easy.” Surprisingly the evening was progressing smoothly with no embarrassing silences, yet Dina was aware that a tension was building, both silently recalling previous events and getting nervous because of it. Dina took off her rubber gloves after finishing the pots and wiping everything down, and Nicky put the tea towel he’d been drying with into the washing machine. He stood beside her as she refilled their glasses. After she had put the bottle back into the fridge Dina turned round to pick up her glass but Nicky wrapped his arms around her and smiled broadly. “I have missed you so much.” Dina smiled nervously memories of the hurt mingling with her joy at being with him. “I’ve missed you too Nicky; I’ve missed all of you.” “I know I haven’t made things easy for us but I do love you, I meant it when I said it in Martin’s office and I still do. Can you forgive me and give us a chance to be happy Dina?” Gently he brushed some of the loose soft curls from around her face and Dina closed her eyes and whimpered under his touch, surrendering to his warm, soft lips as they took hers in a sweet kiss. “Nicky,” Dina murmured into his mouth, returning his embrace and deepening the kiss. It was heavenly holding him again; it just felt ‘right’. The room was silent save for the sound of their heavy, rasping breathing and the rustling of clothes as their hands explored the naked skin beneath; moaning and sighing as they did so. They were so familiar yet they were like strangers, both feeling more and more unsettled and awkward. As their emotions intensified it brought memories of Nicky walking out back to them both and all the pain and guilt that was associated with that. Abruptly Dina pulled out of the kiss and embrace and put some distance between them both. “That shouldn’t have happened, I’m sorry,” Dina spluttered apologetically. “I don’t want to lead you on.” “Dina, we’re both crazy about each other and it’s taken me a long time to get my head around how strongly I want you, and I don’t just mean in a sexual way; I want you in my life. I want to come home to you after a crap day in the studio; I want to spoil you with flowers just because I’m happy to be with you; I want to wash your hair while you have a long soak in a bath that I’ve run; I want to give you breakfast in bed; I want to leave stupid notes around the house telling you I miss you and love you, and so on. I love you.” “I can’t…I just…can’t.” She gazed at him forlornly. This man inflamed her like no other man could, but she couldn’t move on and forget the pain that he had caused, if she couldn’t deal with it, they had no future together. “You’re remembering that night aren’t you?” he asked heavily and shamefully. “I was scared; I panicked and ran. What I should have done was stay with you.” “How do I know that it won’t happen again? You still love Rachel Nicky, there isn’t room for both of us in your heart and if you can make things up with her it will be better all round.” “I don’t love Rachel that way anymore Dina. Truly I don’t, I mean every word of what I’ve just said.” “So why the hell did you run? What was so scary that you didn’t feel you could discuss it with me?” Nicky was silent for a moment then asked, “why did you invite me tonight?” His gaze never wavered from her eyes, noticing her discomfort and anxiety. “It may well have been six months or even more before we bumped into one another again, but you invited me round. Why?” Dina turned her back to him and stared out of the window. That was the same question she had asked herself on the way back to the office, eventually she convinced herself that it was to ensure that she had Nicky out of her system so that she could move on. Tonight had confirmed that that was a fallacy. “Dina, please.” Nicky pleaded. “I need you to be honest with me.” She took a deep breath to compose herself. “I was so thrilled to see you and all of the emotions that I’d clamped down on resurfaced, and I wanted to spend time with you,” she then heard Nicky sigh, “but it can’t be any more. It’s too painful and I don’t know if I can even be your friend.” Silently her tears fell. “I don’t get it,” said Nicky, confused. “Why not? You love me, I know you do and so do you.” “That’s exactly the problem Nick! If I were your friend I’d want more; then I’d remember the pain and I’d despise you for it. It would get in the way of everything. I know that that makes me a vindictive cow but that’s how it is. Having a man disappear after he’s fucked you can make you a bit bitter you know.” “I called you ‘Rachel’” he uttered guiltily. Dina spun around to face him. “That’s what scared me. I was worried about what would have happened if we’d been making love when I said it, rather than you being asleep and it frightened me. I didn't want to hurt you like that.” “Because you love her, even though she disputes that; that’s why you called her name.” “I’ll always love her but I’m not ‘in love’ with her. I have spent so many years with her, I guess it’s partly automatic, not that that’s an excuse at all.” “Is that why you make a habit out of it?” “What? Now I’m confused,” said Nicky rubbing his hands over his face, watching as Dina grimaced and rolled her eyes, seemingly disgusted with what she’d said. Confidently he strode over to her and made her look at him. “Care to explain?” “Nothing; ignore me.” “NO! Now tell me.” “Leave Nicky, please,” she said remarkably calmly. “This is a mistake, I should’ve never invited you.” “Dina tell me; why are you so afraid of showing your feelings for me?” “Because you’ll hurt me, you can’t help it.” “That night I was drunk you were there weren’t you? Sean seems to think I imagined it all but you were there and in my bed with me.” “I want you to go,” insisted Dina, prickling with anxiety. “Or do I have to get the police to remove you?” “I kissed you; I stroked you; you came over me.” “Nicky I’ve asked nicely and politely, but now I’ll tell you; GO!” Defiantly she opened the door. “Now would be a good time.” He giggled at the irony of the situation. “Fine, I’ll go,” he said, still looking at her and standing so close to her that he could hear and heel her breath. “Don’t think that this is the last you’ll see of me though Dina, because it isn’t.” “Please, just go Nicky. This is pointless.” “No it isn’t. Love is worth fighting for.” He captured her mouth in a deep kiss, his arms holding her tightly to him so that she couldn’t fight away from him. It wasn’t long before she stopped struggling and melted into him, desperately wanting her hands free so she could caress his naked skin beneath his clothes, whimpering and moaning under his more than competent ministrations. “Nicky,” she whispered, her newly freed hands roaming down to his backside and to his crotch. “I want you,” he muttered back to her, unhooking her bra and sliding a hand beneath the flimsy lace, lightly stroking the soft skin, “so much.” The zipper to his trousers opened easily; she reached inside and rubbed his hardening dick over the soft cotton of his boxers. “I want you.” “I know,” he giggled, opening her blouse and raising her bra to expose her breasts, thankful that she lived in a secluded area; it would be more that a tad embarrassing if someone were to walk by now. “Damn you Nicky!” Dina panted, surrendering a hard nipple to his eager mouth. “Shush,” he whispered, taking both her arms and pinning her against the wall with her arms held above her head; her hard red nipples exposed to the cooling evening air. “Let me look.” “Nicky please.” Suddenly he let go of her arms, fastened up his zipper despite his feeling more than a little uncomfortable, and kissed her on the cheek, smirking at the confusion on her face. “You wanted me to go,” he said by way of explanation. “I don’t want to annoy you by overstaying my welcome.” “Nicky!” she said with confusion. “See you soon Dina,” he chirped walking down the path. “Sweet dreams honey.” Dina slammed the door in exasperation, but then a wry smile flickered over her lips. Nicky whistled all the way home, unable to rid himself of his childish, smug smile; suddenly things were looking pretty good. Part 4 >>> <<< Janey's stories |