“Fine,” I grunt. Kade nods, and gives me an approving smile.
“Come on, let’s get the two lovebirds back together.” He smirks.
We walk back into the kitchen, and I hand over Chase my phone. Fuck, Layla is gonna be so pissed at me. They don’t talk for long before Chase hangs up, gives me back my phone, and stomps off pissed. I quickly leave after that, well, I try, but Kade grabs my arm.
“What now, Kade?” I ask with a sigh.
“Stay for a bit,” he suggests.
“No, I need to get back home. Layla is probably pissed at me now, so I need to try and talk to her.”
I pull my arm away and head out.
******
A few days later I’m just hanging out in my room, bored as hell, when I get a phone call saying to come over to Layla’s ASAP. Layla forgave me over the Chase incident, and even came and spent a night with me just like old times. I’m glad everything is back to normal. I grab my purse and jump in my car. I love my car. It’s a red lancer, and I’ve had her since I was sixteen. I strum my fingers to the beat of some song on the radio. I have no idea who it’s by but the lines ‘I hit it first’ are super catchy. I pull up to the house and sigh when I see that I need to pump some gas; I’m almost on empty. I really need to find a place nearby soon, this drive is killing me gas-wise because I have to drive this way every damn day for work. I step out, closing my door with a bang. As I make my way to the front door, Layla is already opening it before I can even knock.
“Hey, Layla, is everything okay?” I ask her.
“Everything is fine, come in and I’ll explain” she says, smiling.
We walk into the room together, and everyone is there. Kade and I look at each other and I start to feel awkward. I go to sit on the couch, while Kade and James are standing.
Then Layla and Chase announce they are pregnant. Holy shit. Wow. I didn’t see that one coming. I’m so happy for them. I feel this ache in my chest. Do I want children one day? Before I can dwell on it any further, they announce they are getting married. Oh my god. Wow. I’m stunned.
James and Kade quickly go over and give them hugs while congratulating them on everything.
Kade kisses Layla’s forehead. “Thank you for making me an uncle,” he says sincerely to her.
She smiles. “Thank you for being happy about it.”
“Why wouldn’t I be? I love kids, I can’t wait to have my own one day.” He looks over at me as he says it. I feel something, and it’s shocking... “And I will especially love my niece or nephew,” he says softly.
I get up and make my way over to Layla and give her a big hug. “I’m so happy for you, Layla. I get to be Auntie Nikki, right?” I say with some attitude.
She laughs. “Of course, Nik.”
“Can I also be there when you tell your parents?” I ask as I give her an evil smirk and take hold of her hand to see her ring.
She shakes her head at me, eyes wide as saucers. I burst out laughing. “It'll be okay, don’t worry, Layla. Holy f**k this diamond is massive!” Wow.
We all head out to celebrate.
While we are eating, I’m seated opposite Kade. “So, as you guys know I’ve been doing my internship at Regal Public Relations, and its going really well. I’m ready to move out of my parents', though. It’s hard to travel back and forth all the time, and I’m excited to finally break free from the nest. Anyone know of places to rent around here?"
“Why don’t you take Layla’s old room at the house, Nikki?” Chase says instantly. I freeze. Oh, shit.
“Yeah, no, I don’t think that will work,” I say, looking up at Kade, my eyes slightly narrowed.
“Why not? I think it’s a good idea,” Kade says, now smirking at me.
“You should do it, Nikki, I'd see you all of the time because I’m always over there, and Kade and James are fun to live with. Never a dull moment, that’s for sure,” Layla says, sounding hopeful.
If I do this, I can’t avoid Kade anymore. The upside would be getting to see more of Layla and it’s significantly closer to RPR. “I guess I could give it a try. It’s sort of close to my new job,” I relent.
I notice Kade instantly looking relaxed, and maybe even a little smug. He has a plan, I can sense it. I groan inwardly.
I glance up at Layla to see her eyes on me, scrutinizing me. “I need to go to the bathroom,” she announces, looking right at me, putting down her fork.
“Good for you, Layla,” Kade says cheerfully.
“Would you care to join me, Nikki?” she says, more as a demand than a question.
Uh oh, busted.
We walk into the bathroom and she glares at me. “You and Kade. Explain now. The truth.”
I sigh, resigned. “We slept together. Before you moved in with them.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” she asks, sounding hurt.
“You had just moved in with them, and then started dating their brother. The whole thing was awkward,” I explain.
“So what’s going on with you now?” she asks, her finely arched brows furrowed.
“Nothing. It’s complicated. But for now, nothing,” I can’t tell her anything else just yet. I hate keeping things from her, but this is something I need to do on my own. She also knows all about Ben and what he did. Heck, the girl even had her own screaming match with him. Then she sent Ryder on an errand. Ben never uttered a single word about me again, nor did anyone see him. Last I heard, apparently he moved to another state.