Keeping Her (The Lexington Series Book 2) (24 page)

School didn’t resume until after the
New Year since this was winter break and two days after Christmas Mel called to
tell me she was boarding a plane on her way. She hasn’t met baby Dean yet and
she was excited. Plus I missed her like crazy! She of course goes home for the
holiday where her parents are but hasn’t really made the effort to come see us ever
since the whole breakup with Nick. To be honest I still have no real clue what
happened, they are both so tight lipped about it but considering the way they
acted about each other you could only assume it wasn’t good. James and Sam were
staying as long as possible which I appreciated. I told everyone that she was
coming and got different reactions. Landon looked weary, Erica was excited,
James and Sam seemed happy since they knew how much I missed her, Max was also
happy, and Nick seemed uncaring, he only shrugged. I picked her up at the
airport when she arrived and I never been so happy to see her. We chatted
mostly about how much she’s enjoying her classes for physical therapy and
running, while I chatted about well… Dean. She was lucky I was driving because
I probably would’ve busted out a million pictures. When we arrived I noticed
that Nick’s car was missing but I didn’t comment. It was actually a bit of a
relief, there would be time to get greetings and stuff out of the way before
there was any tension. Mel came in and was smothered in hugs. Landon hugged her
and placed a kiss on her temple before whispering something to her. I didn’t
hear it but whatever it was made her nod and she gave him a small smile. I
decided I’d be nosy later and ask him when we went to bed.  We all hung out in
the family room until it was pretty late and everyone was yawning. When we got
to bed I asked Landon about what he said he to Mel and he wouldn’t spill.

“Landon?” I asked

“Hmm…” he responded. I could tell he
was pretty much sleep.

“Nick still isn’t home, I’m worried
about him.” I told him

He sighed. “I know Luce, I’m worried
too. We’ll deal with it later but now isn’t the time.” I cuddled in closer to
him and he held me a little tighter and I fell asleep.

Nick

I didn’t see any lights on when I
pulled in which is exactly what I wanted. I really didn’t want to see Melanie.
I know she’s Lucy’s best friend so she would eventually be around, I just think
it’s best for me if I stay as far away from her as possible. I grabbed a glass
from the kitchen on my way to my room so I could have me a drink. I picked up
some scotch on my way home because I really needed a drink if I was going to
make it the next few days. I downed two glasses and put on the TV. I was wide
awake and fidgety; it was going to be a long night. After another three glasses
I started to feel tipsy and hungry. I made a sandwich and was walking back to
my room when I passed by the French doors leading into the backyard. For some
strange reason I gravitated towards them and saw they were cracked open. Since
we moved in we put a trampoline, a swing and some other kid stuff along with a
closed off section that had a grill, chairs, and a small outdoor fireplace.
Landon had that done for Lucy, we were going to get a pool installed
compliments of my bright ideas. We had all this space back here we might as
well make use of it. Initially we didn’t want to do much because we weren’t
sure if this would be just for school, but Lucy made it clear that this place now
held too many memories and if we were still to return home or wherever else we
should keep this home within the family. Once that was established we made a
few changes to make it
our home
and not just something we bought. I
walked towards the fireplace and plopped down on one of the sofas and threw my
legs over the arm. I took a huge bite of my sandwich and relaxed.

“Nick?”

I paused mid chew and closed my eyes,
was I more drunk than I thought? I opened my eyes slowly and scanned the space.
Initially I didn’t see anything and was convinced I was losing my mind until I
saw something move from the corner of my eye. I turned my body more so that I
was facing that way and I saw there was someone sitting on the opposite side
from me. Fuck me, of course the one place I go in the house when no one else
should even be awake I find the person I’ve been ducking from. I sat up on the
couch and put my sandwich down on the seat beside me. I took a slow swig of my
drink preparing myself because there was no avoiding it now. I wouldn’t get up
and run from her now that we were face to face, if I were being honest I
couldn’t if I wanted to. It was dark but I could still make out her red hair
and the outlines of her face and curves even though she was curled up. A shot
of lust ran through me and I tamped it down.

“Mel” I finally ground out.

“I uh… didn’t think I would see you.
When you never showed up today I was sure you were avoiding me.” She said
nervously.

I shrugged. “I was.” I replied
coldly. I couldn’t help it I still resented the shit out of her.

She sucked in a sharp breath. After a
few minutes of silence she spoke again so softly that I would’ve missed it if
even crickets had been chirping. “It doesn’t have to be like this you know.”

I looked towards her direction. “Like
what Mel?”

She sighed and her voice grew a bit.
“Like this,” she said gesturing between the two of us, “this strained
relationship.” I could hear the agitation in her voice.

I took another sip of my drink. “As
far as I’m concerned there is no
relationship
.”

She groaned. “You know what I mean.
We don’t have to be enemies or hate each other. We could be friends… I miss you
Nick.”

I felt like she just stabbed me,
she
missed me
? “Are you fucking kidding me right now Mel? You miss me? Well
you made it obvious you either didn’t miss me enough or just missing me wasn’t
enough on its own.”

“Nick.” She said softly but I didn’t
respond. She sighed, “Look I did what I did so we could have a normal college
experience. I didn’t want us to continue on as miserable as we were, surely you
have to understand that. I never said that there wouldn’t be an
us
. I
liked us.”

I rolled my eyes. “That’s stupid Mel
and you know it. What you wanted was someone that you could have right there or
maybe it was that someone specific that you wanted. Maybe you had an itch to
scratch and I wasn’t around enough for it. At the end of the day you made your
decision and I
told
you that I couldn’t be your friend. We
both
made a decision that day.”

“It is not stupid! You can’t tell me
that you haven’t been with
anyone
. I’m sure that you were with someone
while you were missing all day. Who was she?” she asked.

I drained the rest of my drink and
gave her my undivided attention. At this point I was a bit past tipsy so any
filter I might’ve had was completely gone. “I don’t remember her name, she was
blonde though. I don’t like redheads anymore, and I’ve only gone out to scratch
an itch. There’s no woman out there that is worth any of my troubles. I’ve come
to the realization that relationships are fucking meaningless and a waste of
time, I can thank you for that. But before you left me there wasn’t even anyone
I
looked
at and that was because you were all I wanted. You were all I
thought
I needed; I thought you were it for me. Now I see that I could have my pick of
the litter so why limit myself down to one girl when it most likely won’t even
work out. I get it, we were a high school thing and it’s run its course. I get
it and its fine but don’t expect more from me because it’s convenient for you.
You want me in your life but since I can’t be with you every day you want to
change my place from being your boyfriend to just your friend, it doesn’t work
that way Mel. What do you think I would be ok with you calling to cry on my
shoulder when your boy toy messes up? Fuck no! It’s not just about your fucking
feelings. Now enough about me, how’s it working out with your new guy?”

She didn’t answer for several seconds
so I picked up my sandwich and lounged back down on the sofa. I heard her voice
but didn’t hear what she said. After another minute I heard her say, “his name
is Roger.”

I nodded. “Tell Roger I said what’s
up.”

I heard her sniffle. “Nick you don’t
have to be such a dick about this. I’m just trying to work things out here. We
have mutual friends and family we can’t keep this up.”

“Next time bring Roger with you and
you can sit out here with him.” I suggested.

This time when she spoke I could hear
the tears in her voice. “Now you’re just being childish. Can we squash this…
please? He was around we had a few classes together. He’s a nice guy and he’s
at school with me. We’re taking things slow, it will never be how it was like
when I was with you… but I’m just trying to be normal. I was tired of being the
girl who moped around all the time love sick and shit. He treats me well and we
study together and stuff.”

I sat up. “Who are you trying to
convince, me or you? You just said you left me to be with someone who doesn’t
make you remotely as happy because you wanted to be
normal
. When have we
ever just been fucking
normal
Mel? I don’t even feel like I know you
anymore… back when I first met you, you were strong, vicious. You were always
up for the battle and never backed down and now you’re worried about what your
new friends and school think about you. Isn’t that the same shit you used to
jump down Lucy’s back about? Listen, I was being honest… he’s in your life so
that’s who you should have around. As far as we’re concerned there’s nothing to
squash. I’m not going to lie to you and say I’m going to be your pretend buddy
in front of an audience because I’m not. Yes I will probably try to avoid you
as much as possible, but I will be civil in your company. You don’t like what I
have to say right now but I’m being civil, but you shouldn’t have to worry
about this anymore. This is not a discussion that we will ever need to have
again.”

She let out a small sob. “Nick you
know I love you, this is hurting me too.”

That was the last straw I couldn’t
take any more of this. I snatched up my cup and the rest of my sandwich and
stood. “I loved you too.” I told her and began to make my way towards the
house.

“
Loved as in past tense
”? She
asked in a broken voice.

I turned to face her right before I
went inside the house. “Yes.” I said in a loud clear voice. When I got inside
the house I let out a long deep breath trying to ease the pain flowing through
my chest. This is exactly why I didn’t want to talk to her anymore, it fucking
hurts too much. I told her I didn’t love her anymore and I wouldn’t be
surprised if I got struck by lightning for telling that massive lie. She would
never know it, but that was the first time I ever lied to her and I did it on
purpose.

I woke up the next day with a massive
headache but the smell of bacon practically dragged me out of bed. I hopped in
the shower and threw on some sweats and made my way upstairs. My girl Sam was
at the kitchen so I snuck up behind her grabbed her waist and smacked a big wet
kiss on her cheek.

She spun around and swatted me.
“Nick... You keep that up and I’m going to take advantage of you. What did I
tell you about walking around in the morning with no shirt on?”

I grinned at her. “I have to show off
all this sexiness for you. I know that you don’t get this type of view with
James. You know where my bed is, I’m sure he’s a sound sleeper.”

She shook her head and I heard a
voice behind me. “Nick, leave my wife alone. Isn’t it too early for you to
start your shit?”

I frowned at him, “It is never too
early for sexy Sam. I know you remember that day she said she wanted me.” I
reminded him for the millionth time. I think Sam is starting to regret the day
she flirted with me when I begged her to let me stay at their house after
Landon and Lucy had broken up. Lucy was avoiding him and didn’t want to go back
to the house at the time and I knew that Mel would hang with her wherever she
was staying. Well, that should be enough explanation, I wanted to stay too so
that I could see Mel.

“Goodness child. I don’t know why I
even say anything to you somehow it just makes it worse.” James muttered and I
laughed.

I walked up to James and snuck a kiss
to his cheek. “Its ok pookie bear I’ll give you some Nick love too. There is no
reason for you to be jealous there is more than enough of me to go around.” He
swatted me away shaking his head and went to make coffee.

I snatched a piece of bacon and went
upstairs. I peeked my head into Lucy and Landon’s room and Dean was just lying
there awake. I checked the time and saw it was too early for his feeding. I
scooped him up and took him downstairs with me. I put down the floor mat and
set him down and began playing with him. James joined me in there and Max came
down with his crazy bed head about a half hour later. Erica was staying in his
room so I’m sure they were up late last night watching movies or something. He
immediately sat down on the floor and began playing with us.

Landon and Lucy made their way
downstairs about an hour later. I took in Lucy’s flushed face and Landon’s
messy hair and the fact he looked a little sweaty and I knew. I waggled my eyebrows
at Lucy, “Morning princess, you look…
flushed
.”

Her face got red and James groaned.
Landon rolled his eyes and swung at me as he passed but I dodged it. “Shut up
Nick.” He growled. Lucy glared at me as she passed by to take a seat next to
Landon.

I leaned down as if I were about to
whisper to Dean, “Your parents are gross you know?” Dean made a baby sound that
sounded like he was agreeing and everyone laughed.

“Give me my kid.” Landon demanded and
I ignored him and kept Dean to myself. When he got annoyed about 15 minutes
later he got up and took him from me.

“You know, you are stingy with your
kid. You need to share him. Besides if it weren’t for me taking him this
morning there wouldn’t have been any sexy time. You should let me have my fill.
See if I’ll be helping you out tomorrow.” I pouted.

Lucy pinked again and she swatted at
me. “Stop it Nick.” She whined and I cracked up laughing. She was too easy,
especially with James around. I get it some things are considered inappropriate
in front of parents but it’s
not
like he didn’t know they do naughty
things. They share a bedroom for crying out loud. The cat has been out of the
bag since her crazy ass mother caught them naked in bed together and tried to
take her away. I’m not going to lie I was surprised as fuck to find them like
that that morning. I knew they weren’t having sex, Mel had accidentally told me
that Luce was still a virgin and I knew she wasn’t giving it up to Landon due
to his ridiculous crankiness when she wasn’t around.

“Stop being a baby Lucy. It’s no
secret here… hello Dean, we all know how babies are made.” I told her and she
rolled her eyes.

Max piped up. “I don’t know how
babies are made. How are they made Lucy?” he asked.

She laughed. “Oh no, you ask Nick. He
brought it up.”

I cleared my throat, I totally had
this. “Well Max, when two people love each other…” I trailed off while I
gathered my thoughts. Shit, this wasn’t as easy as I
thought
it was
going to be. I didn’t want to tell him some crazy story about storks and crap,
that shit had me confused as hell when I first started learning the truth. “Ok,
so you know how fruit plants grow right?” I asked him.