Nicholas

 

 

Telling Sophia that I almost married the woman she saw me holding hands with, wasn't something I could do in the crowded entrance of a restaurant when I knew I had to board a plane hours later.

Del may be part of my past, but she inches into my life at regular intervals. Unlike Franco, she hasn't crossed over into stalker yet. Del is more discreet, her approach subtle.

We met when I was in therapy after Briella's death. Del was on her way out of the office when I was on my way in. That happened twice before we fucked in a stairwell without any formal introductions. It was intense and marred by the pain we were both in. I'd lost the woman I loved and Del had lost a father she hated.

At the time, I didn’t realize that I viewed her as a second chance. I could protect her from her demons and give her pleasure all while avoiding falling in love with her. I felt nothing for her beyond pity and lust. She proposed to me on a rooftop one night and I accepted. I was drunk on cheap beer and the idea of a second chance at something that would fill the pit of desperation I was feeling.

Once I sobered up, I ended it.

For years after we broke up, she'd call me at regular intervals. I'd take those calls at face value. I knew that she was only calling to see if I was interested in hooking up. I was back then. I'd meet her for dinner, we'd go back to her place and by the time I'd left, we would have screwed, laughed about the good old days and then said our goodbyes again.

She was like a habit I couldn't break until I had to. She fell into the pit of addiction and as her need for her next fix grew, my concern for her did as well.

I stepped back because partying with her suddenly included her being high and wanting to take risks that almost ruined me.

One night we went to a member's only club in mid-town and as we fucked in a room filled with nude bodies and the sounds and the smells of sex, I saw my face in a wall of mirrors that was designed to heighten the pleasure of everyone in the room.

My reflection showed a man lost in a crowd of thrill-seeking addicts. It also showed a tanned woman being fucked from behind by a man. That woman had been to every book signing I'd ever held and when our eyes met in the mirror's reflection, she offered her brow in an invitation to fuck her if I wanted. I fled.

I ended things with Del but helped her navigate through her recovery. She needed me by her side and I needed to know she'd be all right.

"I asked if you were good with the new tour schedule." Cheyenne walks through the doorway of our adjoining rooms. "I need your go-ahead before I confirm these dates."

I read them over. It's a schedule I would have approved without a second thought six months ago, but that was pre-Sophia. I don't want to be away from her, but I know my career's success is based solely on my fan base. I need to see them and interact with them if I expect to keep selling books.

"I want to run it by Sophia." I don’t bother to look at my publicist. I know what I'll see on her face. Disappointment.

"Get on that today or tomorrow, Nick." She picks up the room service menu. "Are you eating here tonight or do you want to hit the town?"

I've been checking flights back to Manhattan but it makes no sense. I tried calling Sophia but it went straight to voicemail. I know she was pissed that I didn't explain things with Del to her earlier at the restaurant but I need time to reassure her that there's nothing left between me and any woman from my past. I hadn't thought of Del in months before today.

"There's an Axel here. Can you get us a table, Cheyenne?"

"I've never been to Axel Boston. Axel New York is a personal favorite of mine."

I know that. She reminds me almost weekly. Cheyenne has expensive taste in food, fashion, and men. I can only satisfy the first, so I do on occasion.

"I'll drop your name." Her fingers skim over her phone's screen. "If they know Nicholas Wolf is in town and ready to enjoy a meal at their restaurant, they'll give us the best table in the place."

"Make it happen." I get up from the uncomfortable couch I've been sitting on. "I'll shower and be ready in an hour."

 

***

 

"I'm leaving, Cheyenne." I toss my napkin onto the half-eaten plate of food in front of me. "I'm going back to New York now."

"Now?" She takes a sip of the way-too-expensive wine she ordered with the pricey appetizer and entree. "You can't go. I doubt you'll make it back in time for your interview in the morning."

"Cancel it." I pocket my phone. "That call I left the table to take is about something urgent. It's personal so don't bother asking. It's none of your business."

"And he slides right back into asshole mode." She smiles. "Are you folks all right? Is this about your brothers?"

"They're fine." I button my suit jacket. "It's not about any of them. I have to go back to Manhattan to meet someone. This is more important than the interview so reschedule."

"They might not agree to that." There's a subtle warning in her tone. "If you keep canceling shit like this, it's going to impact you in the long run."

"You'll smooth it over. I pay you to do that."

"It's Sophia, isn't it?" Her brow quirks. "Did you have a lover's quarrel and now you have to rush back to the city so you can kiss and make up?"

She can't possibly know how much I wish that were it. "Mind your own business, Cheyenne and don't drink me into poverty. I'll put a limit on that credit card I gave you if you spend too much tonight."

"You'd never do that to me." She leans forward. "I'm a call away if you need anything, Nick. I hope you know that."

"I do." I'm tempted to embrace her but I don't. "I'll talk to you tomorrow so don't inundate me with calls and texts. Handle this on your own."

"You've got it boss and say hi to Sophia for me."

I will if I find her.