Times Like These

A few days had passed, and I had yet to speak to Brian. I was so mad, so hurt, that I couldn’t even look him in the eye. My stuff was still at his house, and I was planning on going by there today to pick it all up. I was putting some donuts into the case out front when the door bell chimed, signaling that someone had walked through the door. “Oh shit.” I heard Erin say quietly. I finished putting the donuts in the case before standing up straight and looking into the dining room, where Michelle was standing, wearing jeans and a T-shirt and an extremely guilty look. I looked at Erin, who had her phone gripped tightly in her hand, ready to call one of the guys I’m sure. “You either have huge balls or you’re really stupid.” I said, turning my attention back toward Michelle. “Actually, I came to apologize. Can we talk?” She asked, gesturing toward an empty table. I raised my eyebrows and walked toward the table, feeling Erin’s gaze on me the entire time. I looked back at her with a small smile. “I’m not going to hit her. I promise. Could you give us a minute?” My red headed friend nodded and took off into the kitchen, no doubt texting Zack about what is going on. I sat in the chair across from Michelle, “You wanted to talk, so talk.” The blonde sighed heavily before beginning, “Nichole, I am so so sorry. I want you to know that it wasn’t my intention to do that to you when I invited you to the party. I really did want to get to know you. We hang out with the same crowds, so we’re bound to run into each other again. I got really drunk and made a fool of myself, and Brian made sure I knew that. I also thought your sister was going to kill me.” She chuckled softly, “I went over to check on Brian earlier, he isn’t good. He’s as broken and sad as when Jimmy died. He loves you, Nichole. More than he ever loved me, I can see that much in his eyes when he looks at you. Go talk to him, he needs you.” She said, standing up and squeezing my shoulder before walking out the door. I sat for what seemed like the longest time, staring at the door that Michelle had just walked out of, trying to process things. I was about to get up and go into the kitchen when Johnny came storming in the building. “Where’s the fire?” I asked with a raised eyebrow. “Where’d she go? Did you kill her? Did you lock her in the freezer?” He asked, looking around the room. “Johnny what the fuck are you talking about?” I asked with a laugh. “Michelle! Erin told us she was here, now where is he?” He asked as Zack came through the door. “She fucking left, you idiot. She apologized and said her piece and then she left. I didn’t even get a chance to respond.” I said, standing up and crossing my arms over my chest. “But it’s nice that you guys think I would actually fucking kill her.” “Dude. We know you. And we saw how pissed Dani was. We figured you’d be twice as pissed so we got here as quick as we could.” The bassist said. “We also know you haven’t talked to Brian, but your stuff was still at his house. You need to hear him out. He is wrecked right now.” Zack said, walking over to me and pulling me into a hug. “He needs you, Nikki. You keep him out of the darkness.” Zack relased me and headed into the kitchen without another word. I looked at Johnny, who was staring at me like he knew what I was going to ask, and pulled his keys out of his pocket. “Be careful with my baby.” He said quietly as I walked past him, snatching his keys as I went. “I will. Promise. Bring the Jeep by later please.” I asked with a small smile before walking out the door, knowing exactly what I needed to do.

———————————BRIAN POV—————————

Saturday had been one of the worst nights of my life. Michelle was wasted and had cornered me in the hallway as I was walking out of the bathroom. “Hey Bri, want to sneak upstairs for a little bit? Or we can just go back to my place.” She said, trying to sound seductive but she was slurring her words really bad. “No, Mich. I’m here with Nikki. You know that.” I said, pushing her off of me. “Who is Nikki? Your flavor of the week? You’ll come running back when you drink enough, you always do. Let’s just skip all of that and go straight to the sex.” She said, pushing me against the wall and kissing me hard. As soon as I realized what was happening I shoved her off of me. “Damnit Michelle!” I shouted, and noticed movement out of the corner of my eye. Fuck, it was Nick. I tried to convince her that I didn’t kiss Michelle, but she wasn’t listening. I can’t say that I blame her after all that she had been through. I followed her out through the club, Michelle on my heels. Once Nichole snatched her bag off the table I knew I should just give her space. “Fuck.” I sighed angrily, running a hand down my face. “What just happened?” Dani asked confused. Shit. Dani. She’s going to fucking kill me. “I kissed Brian.” Michelle spoke up. “And now I feel like a complete asshole.” “You WHAT?” Danielle yelled, going straight for Michelle. “Whoa, hang on babe. Let’s not forget where we are.” Matt said, wrapping his arms around his girlfriend. “I don’t give a fuck where we are, Matt. What the fuck is your problem, Michelle? Did you invite my sister here so you could fucking humiliate her?” The tiny brunette spat. “I swear to god if I could get my hands on you someone would be feeding you through a fucking straw. And you.” She said, turning her attention to me. “How could you do this to her?” “I didn’t do anything! I swear on my fucking life! I told Michelle no. Told her to get off of me. I was trying to get away from her so I could go be with Nikki and she wouldn’t back the fuck off!” I shouted, throwing my hands up in defense. “I’ve got to go after her.” “No, man.” Johnny said, putting a hand on my arm. “She’s upset. Hell she would probably punch you right now if you got close enough to her. Let her breathe for a minute. I’ll go check on her tomorrow.” I nodded and looked around. “I’m going home. I’ll see you guys later.” I was heading toward the exit when Michelle grabbed my arm. “Brian, I’m really sorry. I could go talk to her.” She offered. “No, I think you’ve fucking done enough.” I told her, snatching my arm out of her grasp and walking to my car. “Come on, Bri. I’ll drive you home.” Zack said, coming out of nowhere and holding his hand out for my keys. I relented and got into the passenger side of my car, fiddling with a box I had in my pocket. “Uh, I’m not trying to be a dick or anything, but isn’t it a little soon to be proposing?” Zack asked, glancing over at me. I opened the box to show him what was inside: a pair of black diamond earrings she had been eyeing in the jewelry catalog she got in the mail and a house key. “I was going to ask her to move in with me at the end of the night, or before we got too drunk to remember.” I said sadly, closing the box and putting it back in my pocket. “She’ll come back. Just give her time.” I nodded and spent the rest of the car ride looking out the window. Once we got to my place, Zack said goodnight and hopped in his car to go home. I glanced in the parking spot beside mine and noticed that Nikki’s Jeep was still there and my heart sank. What if she doesn’t come back?

Three days later, and still no sign of Nichole. She came and picked up her jeep without me knowing, but her clothes and makeup is still here. I can still smell her perfume in my bedroom, and on the empty pillow next to mine. Michelle came by to check on me, but I wasn’t in the mood to talk. I’ve basically been living off beer and Jack Daniels, and I’m pretty sure it’s seeping out of my pores even after I shower. I hadn’t been awake long when I heard the doorbell ring. “What fucking time is it?” I grumbled to myself, knowing I’m going to be really damn hungover today. I glanced over at the clock that read 9:45 and the doorbell range again. “I’m fucking coming.” I shouted, not bothering to put on a pair of shorts over my underwear. I unlocked the door and flung it open, and my heart started beating out of my chest when I saw who was on the other side.

Notes