Next week sounded so close by. I promised Nick I’d consider it, but I still felt like I shouldn’t leave with him. Nick trying to convince me to go with him however changed everything for me. Nick needed me by his side, not because he didn’t trust me, but because he’d need me. He needed me.
“I’ll go to Tokyo with you.” I raised an eyebrow when my boyfriend actually cheered.
He released me when he noticed the change in my attitude, “But?”
“Nothing.” I looked away when Nick looked at me with accusing eyes.
He must have felt how nervous I was about all of this because he pulled me closer again and held me tightly to him. He kissed my hair a few times before he settled with holding me close to him.
“I know you don’t need me.” He whispered, “It’s me who needs you.”
“People won’t see it that way,” I whispered into his chest.
“Do we give a fuck about what other people think of our relationship?”
I tried to hide more into his chest, “We shouldn’t.” I agreed with his sarcastic tone, “But last time we pretended not to care about what other people thought about us, your club took a hit. Anna made sure the first week was complete hell for you. I don’t want that to happen again, ever.”
He grabbed my chin and made me look at him, “Anna is a married woman you know.” His reply shocked me, “If I wanted to… I could take everything away from her. I’ll make that perfectly clear to her.”
I never expected his ex to be married. The way she always approached Nick made me feel like she was desperate to have him beside her, and maybe she was. Maybe Anna waited for Nick and the moment she had him she’d leave her husband. Women like that disgusted me.
“I can’t believe she is married.” I pulled away from Nick and stepped to the big ceiling to floor window, “She has been openly seducing you all this time. What does her husband think of that?”
“Her husband is currently in Australia for business so he has no clue about her behavior.” I could see Nick’s reflection in the window and observed him carefully, “I actually get along very well with him, so I could easily give him a call and inform him about his wife’s indecent behavior.”
“So why aren’t you on the phone with him right now?”
Nick grinned as devious as the Cheshire cat, “Because information is power, Em.”
“You’re waiting for the right time to use it against her.” I turned around and smiled the same way as my boyfriend a minute ago, “You’re evil, Nick. I would never have thought I’d like that side of you.”
He chuckled, pulling me up effortlessly into his arms and held me close while he walked to the bedroom. I had my legs wrapped around his waist and clung to him, afraid he might disappear if I released him.
***
Brandon smiled sincerely as I told him about Tokyo. There were no mean comments about my boyfriend nor warnings about his intentions. Just a sincere smile. I couldn’t help but sway my legs as I sat on top of his desk right next to his right arm.
“That’s really great, Em.”
I watched him as he went through this week’s schedule, “We’re basically living together and now a week together in Tokyo, it frightened me at first, but we can do this right, Bran?”
“I know he really cares about you.” Bran sounded distracted, I was probably keeping him off his work, “He also knows that if he hurts you I’ll hurt him. Go have fun in Tokyo. Call me the minute he screws up so I can kick his ass.”
I leaned in and pressed a firm kiss to his temple, “I love you.”
Brandon finally looked up from his papers and grinned widely at me. I never saw how his eyes glow with happiness like that. He placed his hand on top of mine that rested on his desk and slightly squeezed it.
“Love you too, Em.”
I hopped off his desk and actually went back to work. I had been slacking off lately because my boyfriend was the freaking owner and my best friend was the manager. They both actually didn’t give a damn if I did anything or not. I knew though that the other employees would not be so happy about my behavior so I went back behind the bar and started pouring drinks.
***
Nick had invited Evan over for dinner, which surprised me, but then again they were close friends. Whatever happened at lunch might have been forgotten already. Evan probably scolded Nick for his behavior as well and now my boyfriend knew not to act like a creepy stalker. At least I hoped we all got through to him.
“You looking forward to Tokyo, Em?” Evan asked me as he helped me set the table.
Nick was on the phone, pacing around the living room like a madman. I wondered if he didn’t get dizzy with how many circles he already made around the couch.
“I have a report due so technically I’m not supposed to have fun…”
Evan rolled his eyes at me, “Shut up.”
“During the day Nick will be in meetings so I’ll just work on my school assignment. After his meetings, we’ll probably go out. I’m not sure.”
Evan leaned closer to me, “I heard Anna’s husband is also stopping by. You might want to drop by and introduce yourself… politely.”
I knew exactly what he meant by that. His tone was not hard to decode. I’d definitely introduce myself to her husband and tell him a thing or two about his wife, even when Nick wanted to keep it to himself. No harm could be done if I simply seemed interested in his life, asking a question or two about his wife. One thing would lead to another and he’d know what Anna was up to. Mastermind Evan was definitely on my side and I very much appreciated that. The devious guy winked at me and took a seat at the table, calling out to Nick to hang up the damn phone and join us for dinner.
“If you don’t hurry up I’ll get your dessert as well,” Evan warned him.
I smiled when Nick seemed irritated but amused at the same time. Nick approached the table after finishing his call and kissed my cheek, flashing a glare at his friend.
“If you touch my chocolate cake I’ll deck you.”
Laughing I shook my head and told both men to grow up, “Let’s enjoy dinner without the constant bickering, okay?”
I would never admit to them that I loved their constant bickering. Even after all the drama, those delusional people put us through we still managed to stay strong together.