I'm not even sure why I'm standing outside Nick's house, waiting for him to open the door. I mean, what was I supposed to do? Be all cheerful and tell him that his girlfriend and best friend almost slept together? Didn't think it would go down too well. Really, the only reason we're friends is because of those two, so I feel very awkward. Should I be the one to tell him? I'm not even sure what I'm going to say to him. Part of me wishes that he wouldn't answer the door. It made me realize how much I didn't want to face Brian, as I switch my phone off. It had to be in my own time.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I was racing down the track, coming around the leader when the doorbell rang.

“Damn it.. “ sighing.. “They can wait”, finishing his race on the XBOX 360.

After I had won, I tossed the controller down and went to open the door. I was surprised to see Charlie standing there. I began to wonder if Natalie had sent her over. I still didn't know what to do about us. But then again, she looked rather weary and pale. Hopefully, she wasn't sick.

"Charlie... Hi.. I'm a little surprised to see you here."

"Hey, Nick... Yeah, I'm not sure why I'm here... We have to talk" I say a little nervously

"O..k.. Umm.. come on in. " closing the door behind her and gesturing her to the couch. Once, seated, I turned to her. "What exactly do we have to talk about?"

"Umm...I'm really not sure how to begin with this...It's about Natalie..." I pause, not wanting to say Brian's name.

"If she sent you over here to get information out of me, you're wasting your time. I'll get in touch with her, when I'm ready"

"Don't give me that attitude. I'm not buying it. And, don't flatter yourself, Nat didn't send me to get information out of you"

"Oh, I'm not. I'm glad she didn't. I quit listening to her messages after the first 30. But anyways, go on... "

"Nick, drop the bastard act. I can see through it. It's the same act I used to put on with Brian"

" Oh, yeah, so he wouldn't touch you.. " he said chuckling. Then, seeing her angry, irritated look, he turned serious. " Alright, alright.. I'm listening.."

"You may as well laugh, because it certainly is a joke now"

"Why? You change your mind?"

"No. Your charming friend persuaded me to give it another go. He's going to be a dad"

"Oh. wow.. I bet that wasn't in the cards, was it?"

I shake my head. "I swear Brian better not say that, when I tell him"

"You haven't told him yet?"

"Well, I was going to the other night. I went over there and...he was with another girl"

"You mean, he was cheating on you?"

"Yeah, if you want to call almost having sex with someone else cheating, then yeah" my voice starts to crack and I squeeze my eyes shut

"What a f***** idiot! I can't believe him!"

"Thanks...I think" I look at him and give him a weak smile. "Better that I found out now"

"I guess. Are you going to tell him about the baby, now?"

"I think so... He has a right to know. I've also got to tell my parents and they are gonna be so pissed. They'd have me on a flight back to California if they could"

"Do you want to go back?"

"Not really, but I may not have a choice. I mean, I can't stay with Hannah, if I decide to keep the baby"

"Wait, aren’t you living with Natalie?”

"I was...not anymore" I say carefully, looking away. I'm in two minds to tell about what I saw. Here, he is pretending that he doesn't care about his relationship, but I think he did, more than he was going to admit to.

"What happened? You two have a fight?"

"More like our friendship was tested. I just never thought..." I trail off

" You never thought what?.."

"I can't...I can't tell you. Whatever you feel for her, I can't be the one responsible for ruining what you guys have". Tears run down my face, as I remember that night so vividly; hearing those words almost too clearly

"Honestly, I can't say we have much anymore but.. What, did she go out and do something stupid?"

"Stupid doesn't comprehend it" I start to say. "Nick...Natalie was with Brian"

The moment she said it, it finally all came together. No wonder she was so upset. I, on the other hand, was numb with shock. I couldn’t believe that Natalie had slept with my best friend. I just sat there dumbfounded.

"Are, are you sure? I mean, maybe it could have been someone else... "

"I wish it had been Nick. I'm so sorry... Maybe, this wouldn't have happened, if I'd told Brian about the pregnancy earlier...or...or, I gave him what he wanted"

I sat there in silence, as everything started to sink in. At the same time, the anger was starting to seep in. I stared off to the corner, as my hands began to tighten. Slowly releasing them, I turned towards her.

"Don't blame yourself. There could be a thousand "what ifs". None of them is going to change what happened. They made a decision and now we have to deal with it. " I say with a tinge of anger

I look at him carefully. "You care more about her than you let on, I can see that. Listen, I need to go. I have to try and sort out somewhere to live. My friend can't put up with me forever"

"Hey, wait.. Umm... don't worry about that. You can stay here if you want. I have plenty of room"

I stare at him. "Nick, that's really sweet of you, but if I'm keeping the baby, then I've got eight months of hell. Besides, Brian would hit the roof, if he ever found out. I mean, you guys work together. It's gonna be really strained"

"Who says we have to tell him? Considering how he betrayed us both, his opinion does't really count. Don't worry about it. It became strained the moment he had an affair with .... you know.. So, what do you say?"

I raise my eyebrows at him. "No funny business?" I ask him

"What?" then giving a chuckle, knowing what she was referring to. "No, no funny business. I promise"

"Thanks, I really do appreciate this"

"It's no problem. Welcome home, roomie. " giving her a hug with a slight smile

" I'm gonna regret this aren't I?" I say, as I ruffle his hair

"Depends on if you can put up with me, I guess"

"You're a guy, how hard can it be?"