Chapter 6 Calm Before The Storm(2)
“I’m going to take a shower.” Nick announced putting his laptop away, “Are you good?” He asked me when I started to collect our dishes to put them away.
“Don’t worry about me, I’m good,” I told him.
I knew he wasn’t just referring to my pregnancy, he was asking where my head was at. Things were good though. After our quiet night in, catching up while avoiding talking about my brother and Nick’s sudden obsession with our relationship everything was good again.
Nick left the room while I started cleaning up. Rinsing the dirty dishes I put them in the dishwasher and wiped down the counters. Once everything was sparkling again I retrieved my bag from the living room and headed to our bedroom. I could hear the water running so I knew Nick was already taking his shower. I dumped my stuff from my bag out on our bed to reorganize it. Putting my phone on the bedside table. I was so into my little project that Nick’s phone vibrating loudly scared the crap out of me. Taking a deep breath I released it to get rid of the tension. Walking around the bed I grabbed his phone off the bedside table. My breathing caught in my throat when I realized he missed a call from Max. The phone vibrated in my hand letting me know he got a text right after. I was curious to know what Max texted him, but I wouldn’t snoop, not this time. So being a good girl and respecting my boyfriend’s privacy I placed the phone back and cleaned up my mess on the bed. Putting my bag away I went into our closet to slip out of my dress and wrap myself up in my silk robe.
After Nick finished his shower I took one as well and settled in bed with him, trying to get as comfortable as possible, it was hard with Matthew being a bit active but I managed to ignore it and actually fall asleep.
***
Waking up the next day I startled myself realizing I had slept till noon. I only did that when I still had my shifts at the club, but since Nick and I were blessed with Matthew I stopped working at the club. I didn’t have late shifts anymore so it wasn’t acceptable for me to sleep in like that. I knew I had no responsibilities so technically I could, but I didn’t allow myself to do that.
Doing my morning routine I went to the kitchen to prepare brunch, putting my phone between my shoulder and ear to call Nick. I knew he was at his office, but I didn’t like the fact that I hadn’t seen him or even heard from him. When he worked at the office he started bright and early. Sometimes I woke up together with him, getting ready for my day even though I didn’t have to and other days I stayed in bed, but awake and watch him get ready. I always knew when Nick left the apartment to start his day so it threw me off my game because I didn’t today.
“Hey, Nick.”
I heard the smile in his voice, “Em, you finally up?”Nôvel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.
“Yeah, you should have woke me up.” I finished making my toast with strawberry jelly and held my phone normally again.
“I couldn’t wake you, you looked so peaceful.” He was silent for a minute before he continued again, “You had a rough day so I wanted you to rest.”
That was my Nick, always worrying about me and making sure I was okay. Smiling I took my plate with me to the living room and got comfortable on the couch, turning on the TV to watch some random show.
“I’m good today,” I told him.
“I can hear that.” I heard movement in the background so I knew my boyfriend had yet another busy day at the office, “Em, I need to go. I have a meeting, but I’ll be back home for dinner. Do you want to eat in?”
“Yeah. I’ll cook tonight.”
I finished up my toast and made myself a fruit salad while munching on fruit I cleaned up the apartment. The kitchen was good since I did that yesterday but since I had nothing planned today I figured I could do laundry and iron some things. I reorganized my movie collection and when it was nearing five I left the apartment to do some shopping. I had everything I needed for dinner and was about to meet Miles outside the store when I ran into Sacha. She decided to come home with me since she had a day off and Brandon was at the club. She called Brandon to let him know to come over at Nick’s apartment for dinner. We prepared pasta with tomato sauce and a chocolate cake for dessert. Later that night Brandon and Nick joined us and we had an amazing night in together.
After dinner we played a board game together, watching Brandon and Nick try to beat each other, behaving like little kids. I loved seeing them like that, they were having a good time despite wanting to be better than the other. In the end, Nick won which was no surprise, we figured he’d win. We called it a night after that, walking Brandon and Sacha out. Brandon opened the door ready to step out when he faced Max who decided to show without letting us know first. Brandon glanced over his shoulder meeting my gaze, I shrugged a shoulder in return. I told myself to stay calm. Reading the situation Sacha dragged Brandon away with her, wishing us a good night.
“Max.” Nick greeted holding the door open to his newly made friend, “Come in.”
Max didn’t move though, he stared at me as if he waited for me to say something first. Then I realized he was waiting for me to ask him to come in. At least he wasn’t forcing the situation like last time.
“Yeah, come in, Max.”
His gaze softened after I said that and stepped inside the apartment, following us into the living room.
“I think it’s time we talk, Emily,” Max told me once he took a seat on the couch.
When I didn’t protest he knew I wasn’t against that. I felt Nick’s hand on my shoulder, giving it a tight squeeze before he left the room, giving us the privacy we needed.