Chapter Nine

Nick rang the doorbell to Brian’s mansion nervously. This was the moment. He was here to do one thing and one thing only. To finally admit to someone that he was in love with Gretchen. This step in the relationship process always seemed the hardest for Nick. He had no idea why..why was is so hard to just say that he cared about someone?

“Frack, you made it!” Brian said throwing the door open and ushered Nick inside.

“Yeah, I almost didn’t.”

“Glad you did. Now, tell me what is going on in your life. I know something is up.”

“Yeah, kinda. That’s why I finally decided to come. I need to let some stuff out.”

“Well, spill.” Brian said as he sat down on the couch. Nick still stood.

“Okay here it goes. I am not gonna prolong this at all...I’m just going to come right out and say it.”

“Say away.” Brian prompted him.

“I am I love with Gretchen.” Nick said. Brian was definitely not expecting that one.

“Huh?” he asked astonished.

“Man, don’t make me say it again. You heard me the first time.” Nick whined.

“I didn’t know if I heard you right. You said that you love Gretchen.”

“IN love with Gretchen. I always loved her, now it’s just...more.”

“Woah, when did this start??”

“The day Maddy was born.” Nick said running his hand through his hair. He dropped down on the couch next to Brian and looked at him. “What do I do?”

“What do you mean, ‘what do I do’?”

“Bri, I have managed to fall in love with one of my best friends in a matter of four days...how am I supposed to act??”

“Have you told her?” Nick shook his head.

“She knows something is going on though. She called me on it at the hospital.”

“What were you doing?”

“I was thinking about her and I, and us...she asked me what I was thinking about and I couldn’t tell her. She asked me what she did wrong. She said that she noticed my personality change.”

“Hmmm. Well...what has happened since then?? That was three days ago.”

“Managed.” Nick said resting his head on the back of the couch.

“You guys talk at all about what’s been going on?”

“Nope, we just went along, trying to act normal. Bri, these past four days have been the best and the worst. It was so great finally figuring out that I was in love with Gret...but the worst because I didn’t know how to act normal.”

“I know, man.”

“I called her.”

“Today?”

“Yeah right before you saw me talking to myself at rehearsal.”

“What did you say?”

“I missed her like crazy and I couldn’t wait until she came back to me.”

“She react to that okay??”

“Yeah, she sounded amazed that I would say that. She was like ‘Really?’. When I said of course she became really shy.”

“Yeah?”

“She called me sweets.” Nick said smiling.

“Oh man...you are sooo in love.” Brian said laughing at the dazed expression plastered on Nick’s face.

“Yeah, well.”

“Nick? How is everyone going to react to the age difference?”

“I don’t know. I thought of that. How could I fall for a 15 year old? But you know what? It’s only five years. When she’s 20 and I’m 25 no one will care.”

“Yeah, but Nick, that’s five years from now. How are people going to react now. What if you and Gret hook up. The press is going to go wild. Then you will have those fans who dislike the idea of you having a girlfriend. You know how much damage they could do?!”

“What do you mean?”

“Nick, you are 20, Gretchen is 15. I have one word...illegal.”

“Bri...”

“Nick, it’s gonna happen eventually. You know that if the press gets any evidence that you and Gretchen are intimate...its over.”

“Bri, I know that! But there is no way that I can just let this go. I need her!”

“Nick...”

“Brian, please. Just help me. Don’t warn me. Okay? I know what might happen, I know what the press could do. I don’t care. Gretchen is way too important to me.”

“Alright. I just don’t want you to get hurt.”

“I thank you for that, but I can’t just forget about these feelings. I really need her.”

“Okay, do you have any ideas so far?”

“None, everything I think of is too direct..too risky. You know?”

“Nick, I am sure that you’re going to think I’m out of my mind, but why don’t you just sit her down and tell her.”

“I don’t think I can. I’m scared.”

“Don’t be. This is something that happens all the time. Kevin did it, I did it. Hell, you’ve done it before.”

“Gretchen, this girl, I just cannot lose her EVER.”

“Maybe you won’t.”

“What do you mean??” Nick asked glancing at Brian.

“Maybe she feels the same way about you.”

“Yeah. I wish Bri. I’ve known her for a little over a year, and she hasn’t hinted at it at all.”

“You never know. Girls are good at hiding their feelings. Trust me. I was pleasantly surprised when I told Leighanne my feelings and she didn’t hit me.”

“Maybe I’ll just let it happen. I won’t rush into telling her anything, just see what happens when she comes down here.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Brian said. “You want something to drink?” he asked standing.

“Yeah, get me a beer.” Nick said kicking his shoes off.

“Sure, sure..I guess.” Brian said plodding into the kitchen to retrieve two ice cold beers. “You know I hate that you drink now.”

“Bri, I am like 6 months shy of 21.”

“I know...you know how old that makes me feel?” Brian asked changing the subject as he handed Nick the beer.

“Brian.” Nick said twisting the cap off the bottle.

“Seriously, I met you when you were 13. Your biggest concern was you voice cracking. Now you’re, like you said, six months shy of 21 and concerned about love.”

“Come on man!”

“Nick! You’re grown up. You’re a man.” Brian said setting his beer on the coffee table.

“Please.”

“I’m really proud of what you’ve become, Nick. I know I don’t say that enough.”

“Great, we’re getting all sentimental.” Nick said placing his beer down next to Brian’s.

“Yeah, we are. You have just made this gigantic discovery about love, it makes me proud to see the man that you’ve grown up to be.”

“Thank you, Bri. I had a good role model.” Nick said seriously.

“Who? Me?” Brian asked in disbelief. Nick nodded his head. “No way. It wasn’t me.”

“Yes, Brian, it was you. I looked up to you like an older brother, best friend. I wanted to be like you when I was thirteen and you were like eighteen.”

“Nick...”

“Thank YOU Brian, for making the man that I am today.” Brian sat in silence absorbing what Nick had told him.

“You are more than welcome. I’m just glad that I was there for you.”

“Aw..come on, you’re gonna make me cry.” Nick said laughing.

“Shut up.”

“Thank you for helping me out today, Brian. I really needed to tell someone about Gret.”

“I’m glad you came to me. You and I haven’t really talked in a while.”

“Yeah, since you were married, I always feel like I’m intruding on you and Leigh. Now, you have Maddy, and I feel like I’m bothering you.”

“Nick, I always have a place for you in my life. Never doubt that. Drop by anytime.”

“You sure?” Nick asked apprehensively.

“Nick, you’re my best friend.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“Hey, trust me on that one. You are always welcome her.”

“Thanks, man.”



*****



The next two weeks flew by quickly and before she knew it, Gretchen was boarding a flight to Florida again. The flight went faster than expected. Gretchen spent the time she was in the air pondering what would happen between her and Nick. She wondered if he was back to normal yet. When she was there before he had been acting odd, odder than usual. The plane landed in sunny Florida and Gretchen gathered her bags to get off the plane. She stepped into the airport and was met with a rush of warm air.

“Ah, Florida weather.” she mumbled smiling. Buffalo never got this warm, even during summer.

“Gretchen.” she heard someone call. She turned around and saw Nick making his way over to her, clad in a baseball cap pulled over his eyes.

“Nick.” she said dropping her bag at her feet as Nick swept her into a hug.

“That was a long two weeks.” Nick whispered into her ear. Gretchen noticed the change immediately. He was definitely not back to his old self, rather, he was completely different.

“Yeah, it was.” She responded as she untangled herself from Nick’s arms. She looked him over, not seeing any changes in his style but when she reached his eyes, they were different. Brighter, sparkly, royal blue rather than the normal dark blue. “Okay what is it? I know something has changed...you seem different.” she asked standing back.

“What are you talking about?” Nick asked wrapping his arm around her shoulder as he led her to get her bag.

“What happened to you in the last two weeks? You’re so different.” Gretchen asked. Nick picked up her bag and led her to his truck without answering.

“How could she tell? I knew she and I were close, but she could tell something in me changed just by looking at me. How am I gonna act now?” Nick thought to himself as he loaded Gretchen and her bags into his pick-up.

“I went over to Brian’s the day you left and he and I had a long talk about a lot of things. I guess I’m just content now. Bri and I haven’t hung out since he got married.” Nick offered. Hoping that that answer would be acceptable.

“Nope, that’s not it.” Gretchen said situating herself for the two hour drive to Nick’s house in Tampa.

“What do you mean that’s not it?” Nick asked.

“Something else is changed...I just haven’t place my finger on it yet.” Gretchen said changing Nick’s radio station from alternative to pop. “Much better. Doesn’t matter, Nick. I’ll figure it out by the end of this trip.” she said reclining her seat. Nick watched her in awe.

“Yeah, you will know by the end of this trip. Hopefully, if I don’t chicken out.” Nick muttered under his breath.

“Say something, Nick?” Gretchen asked raising her eyebrow at him.

“Nope, just um...singing along with the song.” Nick said pointing to the radio as he pulled onto the expressway, heading south towards his house.

“So, how’s Maddy? Maybe that’s it.”

“She’s good, growing already. She is so adorable.” Nick said changing the radio back to alternative. “What might be it?”

“Maybe you changed because you have a baby around...Nope, that’s not it either. Nick, I can read you really well, tell me what’s up now. Save me the time, I’m gonna find out anyway.”

“Nothing is up. Find out all you like, you won’t get anything.” Nick said tapping his finger on the steering wheel to the beat of the music.

“Sure.” Gretchen said sitting up quickly to change the station on the radio back to what she had on before.

“Hey. My car, my music.” Nick said reaching for the controls again.

“Nope. My trip, my choice. Besides, you love me.” Gretchen said laying back down, closing her eyes. Nick’s eyes snapped towards her. She had just said that he loved her. He knew that it was just a phrase she always used, but this time, what she had said was the truth. God, did he love her. “Hey...” Gretchen said when she noticed Nick staring ahead, not moving.

“Huh?” he asked startled by her voice.

“What are you thinking about?” she asked him, shifting so she was laying towards him.

“Why do you always want to know that?” Nick asked glancing over at her before moving his eyes back to the road in front of him.

“I’m honestly not sure. I just see you so...intrigued over there. Your eyes are all bright and you’re smiling, I just want to know what’s making you so happy.”

“I was smiling?” Nick asked surprised. He had been thinking of her and how big his heart had become since he realized he wanted her to be more to him than she was now.

“Oh yeah. One of those huge smiles, like ‘this is a great day and nothing and no one will bring me down’ smiles.” Gretchen said smiling up at him. “Must have been some pretty good thoughts. Do I even want to know? Or are you reliving the sex dream you had involving you and Christina Ricci last night?” Gretchen asked. Nick let out a laugh.

“Trust me, I was not reliving a sex dream about Christina...” Nick said. He let his sentence drift as he finished it in his head. “...it was about you.” he smiled once again.

“See! There you go again.” Gretchen said smiling at him.

“So what? I’m a happy guy.”

“Too happy.”

“How can anyone be too happy?”

“I haven’t figured it out yet.” Gretchen said eyeing Nick. Something was definitely up with him. He was not acting like himself at all. Gretchen turned her gaze out the window at the scenery whizzing past them. What was she going to do? She was practically melting whenever she made eye contact with Nick. How was she going to make it two weeks without cracking on her feelings. Before she had left, she and Kelsie had had a long discussion on what exactly Gretchen was going to do about her feelings. Tell Nick, or keep them secret until...well...until something happened to show Gretchen that Nick really did want more that friendship. Man, why him? Of all people...why Nick? Why not some random guy she met at a party...or at school. Why....why did it have to be Nick?!

“Now...what is going on in that little head of yours?” Nick asked looking at her sideways.

“Is that an insult??” Gretchen asked dodging his question.

“Nope...now answer my question...trust me...avoiding it will do you no good.” Nick said laughing.

“Why do you have to know me well enough to tell when I am purposely avoiding a question??” Gretchen continued.

“Please..spare me. I was not born yesterday. What were you thinking about. I now know what smile you were talking about. You were displaying it just now.”

“I was thinking about nothing.”

“Sure you were. Come on tell me. I’m what?..your best friend?” Nick said changing the radio station to alternative again.

“Ugh!” Gretchen said turning the radio off.

“That’s the second question you have dodged.”

“Yes..you are my best friend...best guy friend. Um..Kel is my best girl friend.”

“Okay then..one answer. Two...what were you thinking about.”

“Nothing, Nick. And now that you mention it...you never really answered my question either..so we’re even.” Gretchen said sticking her tongue out at Nick. He raised an eyebrow. That tongue..... “Nick! Stop it! I’m beginning to think that it’s me you’re thinking about. Every time I do something stupid like stick my tongue out or look at you..you get that look again.” Nick’s face immediately changed. He was being totally obvious.

“Stop it!” he screamed to himself as he turned the radio back on.

“What? So it just stops there?” Gretchen asked glaring at Nick.

“Uh..guess so.” Nick answered as Gretchen gave him a hurt look.

“Thing haven’t changed at all...” Gretchen muttered crossing her arms.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Nick asked.

“Well..the general consensus for today seems to be nothing so, nothing, Nick. It means NOTHING!” Gretchen huffed.

“Okay then...”

“Yeah, Nick okay then.”

“Gretchen...” Nick said looking over at her.

“What?!”

“Okay...I wasn’t thinking about nothing okay?” Nick said quietly. He felt bad that he had upset her. How exactly do you casually state that you have fallen in love with someone.

“I know, Nick. But I wanted to know what you were thinking. You never tell me stuff anymore.” Gretchen admitted weakly.

“Gretchen, I would tell you everything...but my thoughts are personal. I’ve been going through a lot of stuff lately that have made me think and rethink. I’m confused and lost. When I think, I’m think again and again about what has been going on in my head. When I know what exactly is going on...believe me..I will tell you everything. Pour my heart out to you.” Nick said nervously. That was the truth...well all of the truth he could tell her at that moment.

“Nick...I can tell you’re going through a lot. You aren’t the same person you have always been to me. You’re better..I think. Why didn’t you just tell me that to begin with?”

“Because I’m a guy. Would you expect any less from me?” Nick asked laughing lightly.

“Nick...” Gretchen said shaking her head as she looked out over the Gulf. The water glistened and the sun reflected into her eyes. She squinted and grabbed Nick’s sunglasses off the dash, placing them on her face she closed her eyes and drifted off. Nick flipped the radio back on and changed to a different station...the melody of an upbeat summer tune filled the car as it sped closer to Gretchen and Nick’s destiny.

Chapter Ten
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