The Storm



Michelle had only been home for five days when she decided to release all of her stress caused by Nick and AJ’s rivalry. She called all of her close female friends and they all made plans to go club hopping for the night.

As Michelle skimmed through her closet for something cute to wear out, the phone began to ring. She spun around and looked at the nightstand only to notice that the cordless phone was not on the receiver. She listened to the ring and followed the sound to where the phone was. Unfortunately, the answering machine picked up before she could reach the phone.

“Hey, you’ve reached Michelle. I’m not home right now, but if you leave me a little message, I will get back to you at my earliest convenience. Thanks, Later.” She heard her own recording say. Then there was a beep and she heard Nick’s voice.

“Shell... hey. I’m guessing that you’re probably don’t want to ever talk to me again. And I can understand that. I’ve been an ass to you and AJ lately. You have feelings for him, and I should respect that. We’re friends. And even though I love you, I would rather see you happy with him than unhappy without him. So, I will back away from your personal life and I support yours and AJ’s relationship, wholeheartedly. Bye.” Michelle stood there speechless. It was so brave of Nick to admit he had been wrong and to support her lifestyle.

She felt like calling him back, but then she remembered that tonight was her night to cut loose and let all of the issues between herself, Nick, and AJ end for the time being. She continued to get herself ready for the promising night ahead. Still, Nick’s sweet message lingered in the back of her mind.

~*~*~*~*~*~


The tour was over, the guys finally had a chance to go home and rest. AJ had sudden business to attend to in New York, so he wasn’t able to visit Michelle as quickly as he had planned. She understood of course, and told him that she wanted to spend some time away anyhow. Those same friends she had went out partying with had flown out to the Bahamas for a few days. Michelle told AJ that since he was tied up in NY, she would join them until he was free. AJ wished her a good time and from there, Michelle started packing and bought herself a ticket online.

Nick, on the other hand, was able to go home. And he was lonelier than ever. He missed Michelle. Even though he knew she and AJ were not together at the time, it hurt him to know that they were thinking of each other. He had to get away, he needed to have some fun, he was sure that there was no way of getting her back, so he needed to try and move on.

He sat in his living room thinking of where he could possibly go to get away and get his mind off of Michelle. He figured that maybe going to his beach house in the Bahamas would be a relaxing trip. The atmosphere alone would help to ease him. Not to mention there were always very beautiful women of all types there, he could take his pick and flirt with all the energy within him. His mind was then made up, he was going to his beach house in the Bahamas.

~*~*~*~*~*~


Michelle stood in the crowded airport with her cell phone up against her ear. She was talking to AJ, of course. Telling him what time she was scheduled to leave and so on. She told him that she had a layover in Miami and that she would probably call him back then.

“Ok, well I’ll leave my cell on for you then. Have a good flight, Muffin.” He said, ending his half of the conversation.

"Thanks sweetness, be good, later.” She clicked her cell off and dropped it into her purse. She then looked at her watch then at the flight schedule on the wall. It was time for her to start towards her flight gate.

It wasn’t long before the plane landed in Miami. More passengers would be boarding there. Even so, they had 45 minutes to waste on ground. Michelle went into a McDonalds within the airport and looked up on the board for something good that would keep her until they reached the islands.

Nick walked by the McDonald’s, not noticing Michelle inside, and went to check in his luggage. As he looked outside of the windows, he saw a storm rolling in. He knew well enough that clouds that dark were never good. Going with his first impulse, he reserved a room at the nearby hotel. Just looking at the many people standing around, he knew he had better get one before they were all taken.

Sure enough, less than 10 minutes later, just about all of the flights scheduled for that night were cancelled due to the storm. Nick looked up at the television screen playing the news. The weather map showed the size of the storm, which was rather large, and it showed how it was headed straight for south Florida.

Michelle, still in McDonalds, but seated with her food before her, took out her cell and called AJ. She informed him of the delay and told him she was fine. She told him she’d end up having to register her tickets to make sure she’d be on the later flight, and she’d have to get a room. He told her to hurry, and with that, she picked up and left the fast-food restaurant.

It took almost an hour alone to get her luggage. Just about half of the entire airport was people who didn’t live in Miami. So, she knew they were in the same boat she was in. Once she had her belongings, she caught a shuttle along with several others to the same hotel Nick had booked a room in.

He had only chose to stay in the hotel because he caught a cab to the airport and he hated to ride with a taxi driver in such a strong storm. It was already raining when he reached the hotel. He went inside, and sure enough, there were lines nearly to the door. Since he already had a room reserved, he just went to get his key. He pressed the elevator button, but due to the many people in the hotel, both were held up on different floors.

Suddenly, someone announced that the hotel held no more vacancies. People started cursing, sighing, getting angry, and almost 40+ people headed towards either the lobby or the front door to figure out where they were going to go. It was then that Nick spotted Michelle. She happened to be the next in line when the last room was taken by a couple and their two sons. Her face was red and her eyes were puffy.

“Shell!” Nick called out to her. She looked up and had to squint to make sure it was Nick she saw by the elevators. She got up and went over to him.

“What are you doing here?” She asked, wiping her eyes and plastering a false smile on her face.

“I was going out of town for a mini vacation when the storm rolled in. You?” Michelle just shrugged.

“Same I guess. I was here in a layover and they canceled the flights. Now I don’t have anywhere to go.” She said, chuckling, then crying again. Her clothes were drenched from walking from the airport to the shuttle bus and from the bus to the hotel. Nick couldn’t just leave her there.

“I called ahead for a room when I first saw dark clouds. You can come up with me, no problem. I can’t let you stay down here. You’re all wet and you need to change into some dry clothes and get warm.” He said to her. Just as he finished, the elevator reached the first floor. Michelle scurried back to get her bags and then she got on the elevator with Nick and a few other people.

They got up to Nick’s room and Michelle went straight into the bathroom to take a hot shower and change. Nick just flopped down on the bed and flipped on the TV. Only his shirt was wet, so he took it off and laid it across the desk chair. He noticed the room had internet access, so he pulled his laptop from out of his bag and set it up.

By the time he signed on, Michelle had finished showering and she came out of the bathroom. It had been such a long time since Nick had seen her look that way. She had on boxer-like shorts and a tank top. Still, her legs were slightly wet and glistened in the light. Her hair, also wet, curled up and dripped a little. He could see her nipples poking through her thin top due to the chilliness of the room as opposed to the steamy bathroom. Nick had to fight getting excited.

“Thanks, Nick. I was really loosing it down there in the lobby.” She said to him as she dried her legs with her towel and then rubbed cocoa butter lotion on them.

“Oh… no big deal. I guess I’ll go ahead and get my shower now.” He got up and went into the bathroom quickly. Hoping she would not detect the tent erecting in his jeans. He took a shower, thinking of everything else but Michelle. Curing his little, well, big problem in the process. When he came out of the bathroom, Michelle was sitting on the side of the bed brushing her long hair and putting it in braided pigtails.

“I’m gonna go down to the front desk in a sec to get some extra sheets and pillows. That way I can bunk down on the floor.” Nick’s eyes widened.

“No need! You can have the bed. I’ll sleep on the floor.” Michelle shook her head.

“No way! This is your room! I’m not gonna take your bed.” Nick rolled his eyes playfully, then he thought of a childish way to solve the problem.

“Ok, we’re gonna play rock-paper-scissors for it. Two out of three. If I win, you get the bed. If you win, I get the bed. Ready?” Michelle nodded. They held out their fists and started the game of chance.

“Rock, paper, scissors, SHOOT!” They both said, but both had rocks.

“Rock, paper, scissors, SHOOT!” Nick had paper and Michelle had rock again. Nick won that round.

“Rock, paper, scissors, SHOOT!” Michelle had rock, yet again, and Nick threw out scissors. It was a draw.

“Shit, wanna go again? Best 5 out of 7?” Michelle suggested. Nick shook his head.

“We’re both adults. And it’s mad people downstairs. We can share the bed.” Nick replied. Michelle thought it over for a second.

“Are you sure that’s cool?” She asked. And Nick nodded in confirmation. So she shrugged and pulled the sheets back, slipping into bed. Nick climbed in beside her and started feeling around for the remote.

“Shit, where is it? I know I just had it!” Nick sighed, still feeling around for it. Then he felt the bed shake a little. Michelle was shaking it with her inside laughing. He knew where his remote was then.

“You have it, you dirty little rat!” He yelled, then he reached around her to grab it. Michelle clenched it in her fist and turned on her stomach so that it was under her body. Nick tickled her and forced her to flip back over. Then he pinned her down. Both of his legs were on either side of hers, and his hands held down her arms.

“So you wanna play games?” He asked with a devilish smile, then he tickled her again, causing her to laugh so hard that she turned pink. He stopped for a second, getting lost in the sound of her laughter and the sight of her sweet smile. He leaned in to kiss her, and to her surprise she kissed back. He let her arms go and he stroked her hair. She reached behind him and let her hands wander up his shirt, feeling the warm skin of his back. Suddenly she thought of AJ.

“Oh God, no!” She said once she broke their passionate kiss. Nick looked at her strangely. Then he realized, not 10 minutes had they been in bed together were they kissing and all over each other.

“I can’t do this with you, Nick. I’m sorry. I am with AJ and I will not sneak around on him.” Nick had respect for her loyalty to AJ. Even though he wished her love lied with him. He got off of her and scooted to his side of the bed. Michelle just turned over and closed her eyes, trying to force herself to sleep. Nick, on the other hand, was held awake with the thought that Michelle still had feelings for him. She had to! That kiss was no ordinary kiss! There was chemistry… magic… love.


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