A Changed Life (10 page)

“Daddy, you don’t have to worry about Simon. He has been perfect.”

“That’s good to hear, I don’t want another incident like we had last year in Chicago.”

“Daddy, I can’t believe you’re still bringing that up. Really? It was a one-time occurrence with a really stupid drunk boy who came over to the house. I was handling it just fine, I thought.”

“You call him pinning you down on the couch, handling it?”

“You were over reacting daddy.”

“He had his hands all over you, Nicolette. I’m just thankful your mother and I came home when we did. You are too trusting...You have to be careful of teenage boys; I thought you learned your lesson.”

“I did. Thanks for the reminder. I’ll be sure to let Simon know. Okay, Daddy?” Sarcastically pronouncing Daddy for added measure and rolling my eyes.

I let out a sigh of relief when dinner was over. My parents are great, but daddy can be over the top, and with Simon he didn’t have to be. I cleared the table with my mind still on my phone call with Michael. “Hey mom, can I talk to you for a minute?” Giving my father the hint that I needed a private moment with mom, he walked out of the kitchen and said he would be in his office. He was not the right person to have this conversation with.

“What’s on your mind, honey?”

“I just wanted to tell you that Michael St. Clair asked me out today, and I told him no. He’s also the one that sent the flowers to me.”

“How did he react when you told him you couldn’t go out with him?”

“He hung up on me.”

“Well for a college guy, that’s mature. I wouldn’t worry too much about it. You said from the beginning you didn’t like him that way, so it’s better that he knows that now. However, you do know that he has been invited along with his father to our party we are hosting here at the house next month. It would make your father and me happy for you to be civil with him.”

“Mom, I wasn’t the one that hung up, he did. There is one more thing I think I should tell you.”

“What’s that Nicolette?”

“Michael and Simon have history between them, and not a good one. With Michael pursuing me now, Simon is not happy about it. He wants me to stay away from him.”

“Do you know the reason why they don’t like each other?”

“I do, but Simon hasn’t told me everything about it yet, I heard it from Bailey.”

“Ok, listen. I trust your judgment when it comes to who you want to date. Michael will get over it. It’s not like you are going to see him often, so I wouldn’t worry about it.”

“Thanks Mom. I’ll finish up in here and then I’m going up to bed.”

“Come here baby. How did mom know I needed a hug too! Oh honey, I wish I could tell you that things will get easier, but it’s all part of growing up. You’ll be ok.”

Talking with mom helped me relax, and she was right, Michael will eventually forget about me. The next few weeks went by quickly. I was spending a lot of time with Simon, and the rest of the gang. One night Simon invited me over to his house to meet his parents. He told me not to be nervous and they would love me. Simon picked me up on his motorcycle, and I was so hoping he would have brought his jeep. I wanted to look my best when I met his parents. He just laughed at my nervousness and once again telling me not to worry. I pulled my hair back in a ponytail, hoping it wouldn’t be too messy after wearing the helmet. Simon, holding my hand as he lead me into his home, only letting it go when I shook his father’s hand, and his mom pulling me into a hug. Welcoming me into their home, they insisted on me calling them by their first names, Ted and Marina.

They accepted my parent’s invitation to our party and were looking forward to meeting them. Throughout dinner, Simon’s father told many stories about Simon and his brothers. Simon turned red in the face a few times with some embarrassing stories his father shared with me. I laughed so hard, my face hurt.

Riding on the back of Simon’s bike allowed me the opportunity to wrap my arms around his muscled body and have his delicious scent all over me. Pulling into my driveway, Simon lifted me off his bike and walked me to my door. “I had a really good time tonight, your parents are great.” Simon kissed me goodnight, again causing my knees to go weak.

“I better get inside before my dad comes out. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Three more kisses later and he finally pulled away. Walking up to my room in a foggy haze, I already missed him. I was in love with Simon Paulson. Falling into bed dreaming about him and us.

I woke up early to the chaotic sounds down in the kitchen. Gracie had her hands filled with delivery people who were setting up for tonight’s party. Back in Chicago, my parents would host a huge party once a year at our house, but this one was different. Mom said it was their way of introducing themselves to California; they were so ready for tonight. Many music and movie people would be here tonight, along with some friends that my parents knew out here. I laughed to myself remembering how Alexis and Bailey were when they met John Mayer for the first time.

“Come on Nicolette, we are going to be late for our appointment.” Mom called out. Another spa day, but this time I’m looking forward to it. The thought of what Simon will think when he sees me tonight all made up, makes me smile and gives me goose bumps. After leaving the spa we stopped by the tailor’s to pick up my amazing dress. I left my hair down in loose waves that cascaded over my shoulders. I couldn’t wait to see Simon’s reaction.

Guests began to arrive, and I was patiently waiting for my friends. Jameson, Sam and the girls arrived together in one car. The girls looked hot and were hoping some available guys would be here. I didn’t want to burst their bubble, but I doubt that was happening tonight.

Waiting on Simon, I sent him a text:

Me:
Where are you?

Immediately getting a response,

Simon:
Sorry baby, running late, be there soon.

We had a dance floor set up in the back yard, and Jameson pulled me out onto it. We were all dancing and having a great time when strong arms pulled me to the side. Yes! Finally, Simon was here. I turn around and step back with the sight of Michael holding me. His eyes were traveling up and down my body as if he was visualizing me naked. “What the hell? Get your hands off of me!”

“What, Nicolette? Can’t a friend dance with another friend?”

“Not like that and you know it. I have a boyfriend and one that won’t be too happy to see you have your hands on me.”

“Relax, I see no boyfriend here, so let’s dance.” Sam comes up pulling me aside.

“Hey Michael, she said no, so back off. We don’t want any trouble tonight.”

“Of course not Sam, we wouldn’t want to upset Simon now, would we?”

I instantly felt chills run down my arm, as I turned to see Simon walking toward us. Oh please, no fights tonight, and not here at my parent’s party.

“Hey baby, sorry I’m late. Reaching for my hand, I am slowly pulled into Simon, as he never takes his eyes off of Michael. Simon was clearly sending Michael a warning to back off. Without turning back toward Michael, I allowed Simon to lead me away.

“Before you say anything…” Simon’s kisses were silencing me, and I was relieved that he wasn’t angry, at least at me.

With another kiss, Simon whispered, “Hi” in my ear, sending electric pulses down my neck.

“Back there with Michael, I thought it was you, and then I turned around and I saw it was Michael.”

“Hey now, I’m not upset. Nicolette, I’m not going to let him spoil our night. Oh really? This is new. Normally Simon would want to beat him down by now. Let me get a good look at you. I stepped back and did a twirl. Simon was smiling from cheek to cheek. “You look beautiful Nicolette.”

“Thank you, Simon. You don’t look too bad either.” Simon grabs the edges of his jacket, opening and closing it as he twirls and strikes his best modelesque pose. I giggle at his silliness. I drink in his amazing abs pushing through his body clinging shirt he is wearing under his jacket. Running my tongue over my bottom lip, wishing I could touch him right now. He is unbelievably sexy and I just want to trail kisses up and down his perfectly defined abs. As if he could read my mind, Simon cups my face into his hands and kisses me senseless. I swirl my tongue around in his mouth not wanting to break our connection. We both let out a breath, and Simon takes my hand. He leads me back into the house, and I say hello to his parents who were now with mine. Watching Simon carefully, he looked like he was scanning the room, maybe for Michael?

We joined our friends who were waiting for us to return. Alexis greeted me with a hug. “This is so cool Nicolette, I’m having such a good time. After the party, do you want to join us at this new club Jameson knows about?”

“Sounds great, but you all go and have a great time, I’ll pass.”

“Come on Nicolette,” live a little. Bailey chimed in.

“Girls, have you looked at my boyfriend lately? Believe me, I have everything I need, so go and dance your asses off.” They both were jumping up and down and Jameson picked Bailey up into a hug.

The girls and Jameson stayed for another hour and then had left to go check out the new club. “Hey Sam, no clubbing for you tonight?” Simon smiled and wrapped his arms around my waist.

“I don’t dance, Nicolette, that’s Jameson’s area of expertise.”

“Well don’t worry Sam, I can’t dance like Alexis and Bailey, they have me beat. Simon, will you excuse me for a minute? I’m going to use the restroom and check my make-up.”

“You look beautiful, Nicolette. You don’t have to fix anything, but hurry back, okay?”

“I will.” Kissing Simon on his lips, he playfully swats my behind.

“You are driving me wild, Nicolette. Go on and go before I take you somewhere more private.” Giggling at him, I turn and make my way through the crowd.

“I have to say dude, you surprised me back there with your restraint. I thought St. Clair was going down.”

“Sam, I’m not about to hit Michael, especially at Nicolette’s house, and in front of her parents. Michael is just trying to get a rise out of me. Knowing he would be here tonight, I promised Nicolette that I wouldn’t allow him to ruin our night. Sam, I won’t be so easily blinded again, he’s not getting another girl of mine.”

“Hey man, I didn’t mean to bring up the past.”

“You didn’t Sam, but I meant what I said about Michael. This time I see him coming and I will make sure he stays away from Nicolette.”

“Don’t hit me for saying this, but it wasn’t entirely his fault. Jennifer was cheating on you, and would it matter who it was that she was cheating with?”

“What the fuck Sam? You are supposed to my best friend, whose side are you on?”

“Yours man, I always have your back, but Simon you have carried this for long enough now. You hate Michael for taking your girl, but you never talk about Jennifer and her part in all of this.”

“I have tried to hate her Sam for cheating on me, but where will that get me? She’s dead, and why talk about something that I can’t change?”

“Then why continue to hate Michael? They are both to blame for what happened that night. He knew you and Jennifer were together, so to go after her like that, yeah absolutely he was wrong. Her decisions that night led to her death, and you can’t carry that blame any more. I was there with you after she died, and I know the mental beating you put yourself through, you need to let it go.”

“I have Sam, I truly have. I love Nicolette. I can’t explain it, but I was meant to be on that beach that day. I never felt this way about Jennifer, like the way I feel for Nicolette. This is real Sam, and I’m going to let Nicolette know how I feel about her. Come on this is a party, let’s have a good time. I need to find my girl.”

With one last look in the mirror, I take in my appearance. Running my finger over my slightly swollen lips from Simon kissing me. Damn he can drive me wild with his tongue. Time to go find my guy. I make my way back to Simon, only to be stopped by Michael.

”Hey beautiful.”

Stepping back, “Michael, please don’t call me that.” I try to move pass him and he blocks my way. Raising my voice, “What are you doing?”

“Can we sit and talk for a few minutes?”