Next Step



Nick and AJ pulled into a vacant parking space and went into Rianna’s club. AJ went straight for the bar whereas Nick went into the back to get his girlfriend. She was talking to one of the cooks about how much to prepare that night. They would be expecting a ton of people that night, seeing that it was Cinco de Mayo.

Nick tapped her shoulder and signaled that he needed her. She excused herself and stepped into a corner.

“Papi, I’m working.” He stared into her light brown eyes.

“It’s imperative that you come with me. Just for a couple of hours. Please.” Rianna agreed, As they passed the bar, they spotted AJ putting the moves on Marcy.

“Marcy, right?” He asked with a huge grin, she rolled her eyes.

“Marcella to you.” She snapped back, in a sour mood due to a bad blind date the night before.

“Fiery little thing. My name’s AJ McLean. McLean’s Irish you know?” She nodded, as if that were a trivial question.

“Got any Irish in you?” She gave him a cross look.

“If you’re going to ask if I want any Irish in me, don’t. Be forward, if you want me, just say so.” AJ raised his eyebrows. She took his shades off and put them on, as well as his hat. Then she walked away, switching. AJ couldn’t help but stare at her backside.

“Damn. No wonder Nicky’s so into Rianna.” He said out loud, Marcy heard him and was flattered. She came around to his side of the bar counter and wrote her number on his arm.

“Call me when you want these back.” She looked him up and down, loving his bad-boy image.

“Now I see why Rianna switched over.” She thought to herself.

Nick drove to the beach and asked Rianna to go for a walk. The sun had already set and the moon was shining bright. Rianna’s moon.

“Look, it’s a blue moon.” Rianna looked up and smiled, it was. She held out her hand and it looked blue in the moon light.

“You remembered.” She said, then he kissed her. And in that last moment, time seemed to stop. The sound of the waves was drowned by the simultaneous beating of their hearts.

“I love you so much.” Rianna started to say the same but Nick put his finger to her lips.

“Shhh... I think, no, I know that you love me too. You’re the first woman who actually loved me and only me. You’ve shown it to me so many times. I really respect that. We understand each other. When touring’s been hard on me, coming home to you makes the whole trip worth while. Your energy, passion, aggression with life... your every characteristic completes me. When we’re apart, even if it’s for a day, I feel like a part of me is missing, you know?” She nodded and touched the side of his face.

“You’ve been sticking by me for almost a year now. And you’ve been my angel and the center of my life as well.” He got down on one knee. Rianna put her hand over her mouth and sobbed. He pulled a small black box from his pocket and opened it.

“Will you marry me, baby? Take the next step, go all the way?” Tears rolled down Rianna's cheeks.

“Yes! Oh God, yes!” Nick took the ring out and slipped it on her finger. Then he got up to his feet and held her tight. During the ride back to the club, their hands stayed together. Hers in his.

AJ was still talking with Marcy. Very much infatuated with each other, they hardly noticed Nick and Rianna come in.

“Listen everyone, we’ve got something to tell you.” Everyone stopped and looked Rianna’s way. Nick raised her hand and her engagement ring came into view, shimmering brightly in the light.

“We’re getting married!” They shouted in unison. Marcy screamed as well as all the other female employees. Jimmy hit Nick’s back in support and AJ hugged them both. Martín watched from the DJ’s booth in pain.

“Why him? Why not me?” He thought to himself.

“Hey Martín! Get some music going! We’ve gotta celebrate!” Rianna called up to him. He plastered on an artificial grin and started some upbeat music as he was asked to do.

Nick and Rianna went into the back, in her office. Nick called out to California to his family first.

“That’s wonderful Nick! I am so happy for you! Let me speak to her.” Jane said after he informed her. He gave the phone to Rianna and she put it to her ear.

“Hi Jane. Ok— hi Mom.” Nick could hear his mother talking, then he could hear his father talking.

“I’m really proud of you kids, settling down and all. Where is my son anyway?” Rianna gave the phone back to Nick after thanking Bob.

“Yeah Dad?” Rianna could hear Bob congratulating his son.

“Make sure and pass on the news. Ok Dad. We love you all too. Thanks, bye.” Nick hung the phone up and looked at Rianna. She picked it back up and started to dial the number of her parent’s home in Puerto Rico.

“Hola?” Her mother said.

“Hey, Mamá? Yeah, it’s me. I have some news for you, Mamá. Nick and I are engaged!” Nick heard his fiancé’s mother scream. “Engaged!” into the phone. The both laughed. Then he could hear her father in the background, shouting in Spanish no less.

“Papá says ‘Bienvenido a mi familia’ ---- Welcome to his family.” Rianna continued talking to her parents. Nick sat next to her listening to them talking about the engagement. He heard Marie say something about how it was due time because she wanted some grandchildren.

“Mamá, listen, we really have to go. Yeah, we love you too. Definitely. Ok ---- hasta luego.” She put the phone back on the hook, and they hugged each other. Marcy came to the door and Rianna gave her the “ok” signal. Then Rianna turned and kissed Nick.

AJ looked at Marcy, wanting a kiss as well... just for the sake of celebration. She rolled her eyes at him, playing hard to get. Then she walked away.

“Oh, come on girl!” He called after her.


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