Times Like These

About a week later, I was in Brian’s room getting ready for this Tal guy’s birthday party, while he was in the living room with Johnny and Zack. I showered and shaved all the appropriate places, dried my hair and made sure it was pin straight, and put on my makeup. I decided to make my eyes a little darker than normal and used a nude lipstick before putting on my dress, which was a glitter burgundy bodycon dress that showed off the perfect amount of clevage and put my black leather jacket on top of it before slipping into my black stilettos. “Nikki are you done yet? The party is gonna be over before you’re finished.” Johnny whined from the living room as I was sticking a pair of dangly silver earrings in my ears. I rolled my eyes before grabbing my clutch and walking out into the living room. “I’m fucking ready Johnny. Don’t be such a baby.” I grumbled, checking my bag to make sure I have everything I need. When I looked up, all three men looked shocked. “What?” I asked confused. “Holy shit you look hot.” Zack said, earning a smack from Brian. “Get your own girl. But seriously. You are smoking babe.” He said, walking over to me and grabbing my hand so he could spin me around. “Every girl at that party is going to be jealous.” “Hell, I’m fucking jealous.” Johnny stated, which made me chuckle nervously. “Thanks guys. You know how to make a girl feel good. Where’s the alcohol?” I asked, turning toward the kitchen. Behind me, I heard a smack and a “Don’t fucking look at her ass.” From Brian. I laughed to myself and grabbed a bottle of jack from the freezer and a shot glass from the cabinet. “Starting early?” Zack asked, following me into the kitchen. “This was a bad idea. What the hell was I thinking?” I said to him, pouring myself a shot. Zack grabbed another shot glass and placed it beside mine. “Nichole. You don’t have anything to worry about.” He said reassuringly. “They’re just friends now. Hell I wouldn’t even say they’re friends. More like acquaintances.” “Zack, she was his wife. Obviously she meant something to him.” I said before throwing back my shot. “The key word there is was. Since he met you he hasn’t even looked at another woman. And that’s saying a lot about Brian.” Zack said, placing a hand on my shoulder, “Besides, why would he want to ruin his relationship with the most beautiful person on the planet?” I smiled at Zack before pouring another shot, “You better not let Erin hear you say that.” I mumbled. Zack sighed heavily before taking his shot. “I don’t think it’s working between us. I think she sees it too. She’s been distant lately.” I nodded and poured us another, “Yeah, she has been to me too. I don’t know what’s up with her.” “Are you guys fucking ready yet?” Johnny asked, walking into the kitchen followed by Brian. I looked at my boyfriend who had a smile on his face. “Okay,” I sighed, “Let’s get this over with so I can come home and go to bed.” Brian laughed and wrapped an arm around my shoulders, leading me to the car. He opened the passenger door for me, and when I looked at him with raised eyebrows he said “Just get in.” Laughing, I got into his car and buckled up, Zack and Johnny climbing into the back seat. Once Brian got in he started the vehicle and we were headed toward Tal’s party.

We pulled up at one of the more popular clubs, and was led to the VIP section. I gripped Brian’s hand tightly as he led me through the crowd. “You okay babe?” He asked into my ear. I nodded reassuringly, “Let’s get you a drink. Dani will be here soon.” We walked over to the bar, where I ordered my first Jack and Coke of the night. “Oh great! You guys made it!” A voice said behind us. I turned around and was face to face with Michelle. “Nikki you look gorgeous. I love your dress!” She said sweetly. “Thank you, you look great too. I actually really love those shoes.” I told her, gesturing to her spiked stilettos. “I’ve been wanting a pair of those!” “Maybe one day we can go shopping together.” Michelle suggested. I smiled at her and nodded, she seemed to be a good person. I just hope it wasn’t all a show. We talked a little longer before she was pulled away, and Brian was engrossed in conversation with guy I had not yet been introduced to. “Hey babe, this is Dan. Dan, this is my girlfriend Nichole.” “Hey!” I smiled brightly, shaking his hand, “I’ve heard a lot about you. It’s nice to finally put a face with a name.” “Likewise. Brian never shuts up about you.” He chuckled. I looked over sat Brian, whose face was turning red. “Hey! Short stuff! Come dance with me!” Johnny yelled, walking up and wrapping an arm around my shoulders. “Get your own girlfriend, Christ.” Brian laughed, pushing him away from me. “No it’s cool. I want to go dance anyway. I’ll come find you in a bit.” I told my boyfriend with a smile before placing s chaste kiss on his lips and following Johnny to the dance floor.

After about two more drinks and an hour of dancing, I was ready to take a break and set out to find Brian. Dani and Matt had shown up long ago, and I was wanting to catch up with my sister as well. Now that she lives with Matt I feel like I hardly ever see her. I walked over to their table and sat down and immediately began taking to my sister, while Matt laughed and rolled his eyes before beginning a conversation with Zack and Dan. I looked around and couldn’t find Brian anywhere. “Sis have you seen Brian?” I asked her. “He said he was gonna go take a piss not too long ago. Maybe he found someone to talk to.” She shrugged. I nodded and continued our conversation until I had to use the bathroom myself. By now I was pretty drunk. More drunk than I had planned on getting, but Johnny kept feeding me shots. As I rounded the corner to go into the bathroom, I stopped in my tracks as my eyes fell upon Michelle, who had Brian pushed up against a wall and was kissing him. My heart dropped to my stomach and my hands balled into fists. “Damnit Michelle!” Brian shouted angrily as he pushed him off of her, before seeing me standing there. “Oh shit. Nikki. I promise you this isn’t what it looks like.” He said, while Michelle stood there looking guilty. “Okay.” I said quietly. “I’ve got to get out of here.” I mumbled as Brian took a step toward me, which made me immediately take a step back. “No.” I said, holding my hand up. “You stay.” “Nikki come on. I didn’t kiss her. Nick!” Brian called after me as I took off toward the exit, grabbing my clutch from the table on the way out. I hailed a cab and when he dropped me off at home, I noticed the lights were still on in the apartment. “Damnit.” I whispered, knowing mom was still up. Once I unlocked the door and got inside mom’s head popped up over the back of the couch. “Hey babe, I thought you were staying with Brian tonight?” “Yeah, but I don’t feel so hot. I’m gonna go to bed.” I explained, heading into my bedroom and closing the door. I sat down on my bed to take off my shoes and couldn’t stop the tears from falling any longer. I stripped out of my dress and pulled on a clean T-shirt and crawled under the covers, still crying. My phone was ringing constantly, so I sent Dani a text letting her know that I was safe before turning it off and spending the rest of the night laying in the dark, crying until I eventually fell asleep.

Notes