Nic's Devotion: An Endless Series: Book One (53 page)

     My father’s nostril’s flared. I still wasn’t done
though. “And just to enlighten you, I would never dump Carrie. Not for a half a
million, not for the business, and not for my trust fund. I love her. I can see
myself spending my entire life with her. She’s awesome, sweet, compassionate,
warm, smart as hell, and she loves me unreservedly. She’s everything I’ve ever
wanted in my life but never thought I’d have. I wouldn’t give her up for
anything in the world. I sure as hell wouldn’t give her up for what you have.
You have a cold distant relationship with everyone; me, your mistresses, your
wife, although she’s just as cold as you are, but you’re also that way with
your own siblings, and you were that way with grandpa before he died. I’ve
never really seen you smile unless it’s in regards to a business deal and
that’s not even a true smile. It’s a triumphant smile, not true happiness.”

     I stood up a little shocked that my father hadn’t
already gotten up to leave as I proceeded to criticize him. “Before Carrie I
would have continued to think of you as a robotic jackass who didn’t care about
anyone, but after being in her presence and seeing her compassion and
forgiveness toward people way worse than you I now only feel sorry for you.
You’ve missed out on a lot, but I’m not going to.”

     I turned away and headed for the door expelling the
deep well of resentment and anger that I’d been carrying around my whole life
through a massive sigh. Shit, I never knew it had even been festering in there
until I let it out and now felt loads lighter. If my father came around after
that speech it would be great, as well as a fucking miracle, but if he didn’t I
wasn’t going to dwell on it.

     I was finally living the life I wanted on my rules, and
it was going to include Carrie. Life couldn’t get much better.

EPILOGUE

CARRIE

Three
Months later

     “I got it!” I screamed running across the parking lot
and jumping into Nic’s open arms. He twirled me around and gave me a deep kiss.

     “Of course you got it; you’re the smartest person
ev-er.” He stressed the last words with a grin and set me down after only two
twirls. He knew I couldn’t handle more than that or I got queasy. We’d both
discovered over spring break when he took me to a huge amusement park that
neither one of us could handle rides that went around in circles, but put us on
a roller coaster and we screamed in exhilaration. It had been great.

     It hadn’t been the only thing we’d done over spring
break. Nic had taken me for a weeklong vacation to the Caribbean. I’d protested
long and hard about him spending that kind of money on me but of course he’d
won, but I’d made him let me buy my own ticket at least. It was a drop in the
bucket to what he’d spent though. We’d stayed at the most amazing hotel and
done something fantastic almost every day. The best had been when we’d gone
deep see diving. The waters and sea life down there had been remarkable.

     I beamed at his exaggerated compliment. “I definitely
wasn’t the most qualified person applying for the job, but my volunteer works during
high school I think swayed them to my favor. It probably didn’t hurt that I had
Carl pushing for me heavily either.” I grinned.

     Carl had called me yesterday to tell me that the
Charlottesville Aquarium had an opening for a part-time diving operator. The
work consisted of keeping up the underwater tanks and even creating new
environments. It was basically a career opportunity dream job, and I’d be able
to work closely with Carl as well. Not only that, but the job paid five dollars
more an hour than the Sports shop. It was too incredible.

     An indignant expression crossed Nic’s face. “Carl
notwithstanding, they would have been prize winning asshats not to hire you.”

     I smacked his arm affectionately. “You’re biased, but
thank you.”

     Nic grinned. “So when do you start?”

     “Well, I told them I could start immediately but that I
had another job I needed to give at least a weeks’ notice so I would have to
work around that schedule for a week. They said they wouldn’t need me until
Monday of next week and as its Wednesday that means the times will only overlap
for two days.” My heart pained me a little bit that I wouldn’t be working at
the Sport’s store anymore. I’d miss working with John. He’d been a good boss
and friend, but it wasn’t like I’d never see him again. He was on campus and I
could stop in and see him any time.

     Nic gave me a frown. “I’m sure John can find a
replacement easy enough so that you’re not juggling two jobs. Even if it is for
only two days the last thing you need is to be working more.”

     I hugged him, loving it when he expressed his concern
for me. “Probably, but if not it’s only two days. Can you handle that, labor
police?”

     Nic sighed squeezing me tight to him and swung me back
and forth. “I guess, but only if you let me take you out to celebrate.”

     I slapped him on the arm. “You would use any excuse to
spend money on me.”

     “You know me so well, but even you can’t argue that
this warrants a celebration.” Nic released me leading me toward his truck. The
same truck he’d had before his father had it repossessed. Nic had the truck on
a lease program when his father was paying, but now that he was paying for it
he decided to buy it out right using some of the funds from his trust.

     Nic assisted me inside with another kiss and then went
around to the driver’s side. “I’ve got some good news about the job.” I said as
he climbed in.

     He started the engine. “And what is that?”

     “I’ll have most weekends off because of how busy the
aquarium gets during those times. They don’t want me in the tanks during those
hours unless they need me for something special.”

     Nic whooped. “That’s awesome. This summer just got ten
times better.”

     I grinned. Nic had hated me working every Saturday. I’d
taken off a few Saturday’s to go to the beach with him and all our friends but
it hadn’t been enough for him. “Before we go out to celebrate can we go back to
my apartment so I can change into regular clothes? These dress clothes are too
confining.” Now that I was a Sophomore I no longer had to live in the dorms.
The University supplied me with on campus apartment instead.  

     “On it.” Pulling out of the parking lot Nic headed back
to the college.

     “You know you’re going to need a car now that you’re
working off campus.” Nic commented blandly.

     I rolled my eyes and sighed. “You may still have a
problem with mass transit, but I don’t.”

     Nic blew out an exasperated sigh of his own. “I don’t
know why you’re arguing with me, you know I’ll eventually get my way.”

     I gaped in astonishment. “Oh my god, Nic, you can’t
always get your way.”

     He frowned in confusion. “Are you sure, because it’s
pretty much been happening that way so far.”

     I couldn’t stop the laugh that burst out of me, because
it wasn’t far from the truth. He was quite the manipulator of events. “You are
not buying me a car.” I exclaimed in frustration.

     “Then I will just have to drive you and pick you up
during those times that I’m not at lacrosse, and if the times intersect you
will have to take my truck and I will get a ride with the guys. We will have to
do some planning and scheduling but I’m sure…”

     “Oh my god.” I repeated in amused aggravation. “You’re
doing it again; trying to guilt me and wear me down. Unfortunately, it won’t
work this time because for one; I don’t have a license, and for another I can
get on a bus no problem anytime I want without any input from you.”

     “You don’t have a license?” Nic’s eyes were wide in
amazement. “How am I just finding this out now? Who over eighteen doesn’t have
a license?”

     “Do you want an actual percentage because I’d take a
guess and say it’s pretty high, especially for those people living in third
world countries?” I replied tartly feeling a little indignant. It cost money to
get a driver’s license, money I hadn’t had at the time, and it’s not like I’d
planned to get a car any time soon. I’d just started saving a significant
amount of money when I’d left my mom’s house, and if I wanted a reliable car I
would need another year of savings probably.

     “Uhggg,” Nic’s face displayed instant regret. He gave
me a contrite look. “Sorry honey. Us trust fund babies have this stupid gene
that sometimes rears its head indiscriminately.”

     “I love you so I guess I will just have to deal with
it.” I gave an exaggerated sigh of aggravation, but then I gave a real sigh.
“And unfortunately, I agree with you. I’ve saved a bit of money in the last
couple months, so I should finally get a license.
But
that doesn’t mean
you’ll be buying me a car.” I growled.

     We ended up arguing the entire ride back to the
apartment…well, Nic argued, I kept up a repetitive
‘no’
. Nic was pouting
as we walked into my apartment. Shaw, my roommate, looked up from watching
television at our entrance. Ever since Shaw had taken that seat next to me in
class showing her support for me even though she hadn’t known me we’d become
good friends.

     She kind of reminded me of me before Nic. She didn’t
seem to have any friends besides me, and whenever I invited her to any parties
or get-togethers at Nic’s house she refused; citing one excuse after another.
Shaw also downplayed her looks like I had. She had long, dark red curly hair
that kind of reminded me of the girl in the
Brave
Disney movie that she
confined in a messy bun most of the time, and she never wore make-up. I thought
she was gorgeous but she seemed to not care about her looks, or boys, or even
girls besides me. Not that I thought she liked me in that way, but she just
pretty much gave everyone the cold shoulder. 

     Shaw wasn’t timid or shy though. She stuck up for
herself and even for me when people had said things to me after the news about
my past had come out. When I’d gotten the school housing apartment I’d asked
her if she wanted to share it with me because I’d wanted a roommate and she was
basically becoming my best friend, besides Amanda.

     Shaw had also decided to stay at the University during
summer break and was working some kind of computer job, but she was able to
stay home and do it.

     Shaw smiled when she saw me but then frowned. “You
didn’t get the job.” She stated looking sad for me.

     I shook my head with a joyful grin. “I did. They told
me right then that they were happy to have me as I’d spent many hours
volunteering there already.”

     Her smile returned but she looked at Nic with mild
irritation.  “Why were you scowling then? You’re supposed to be happy your
girlfriend got her dream college job, dickwad.”

     I didn’t gasp anymore at Shaw’s language, or take it
seriously that she called my boyfriend names. She did it with everyone, and I
knew she did it mostly to irritate people. Nic hadn’t liked it at first, and
they’d both taken some time to get accustomed to each other, but they got along
with each other now. When he’d come across her reaming some guy out for
disrespecting me I think she’d won him over for life, and I think it’s why he
put up with a lot of her attitude.  

     I waved my hand behind me rolling my eyes. “He’s happy
about the job, he’s just mad because I won’t let him buy me a car.”

     Nic pulled me back against his chest and growled into
my neck. “It would have been the perfect ‘you got your dream college job’
gift.”

     I shivered at his breath on my skin before melting into
his embrace. Any thoughts of disagreeing floating from my mind as other
thoughts replaced it…naughty thoughts.

     Shaw turned away with her own eye roll. “Before you two
get too engrossed with each other; Carrie, did you get my message?”

     Distracted with my thoughts and Nic’s hard body pressed
against me I mumbled. “Message?”

     Walking into the living room Shaw grabbed a glass off
the table and headed for the kitchen. “Someone stopped by to talk to you, a
lawyer. He said he has some business to discuss with you. I texted you about
it.”

     Nic’s arms stiffened around me at Shaw’s words and my
mind focused as well. A lawyer was looking for me? That didn’t sound good.

     I reached into my purse for the phone Nic had forced on
me, but which I gave him twenty dollars a month for…because that’s all I could
get him to take. “No, I turned down the volume during my meeting and forgot to
reset it. Did he say anything else; give any kind of clue what it was about?” I
asked worriedly.

     Shaw stepped up to the refrigerator refilling her water
glass from the built in water dispenser. “No, sorry. He left his business card
there on the counter though and said to come by as soon as possible.”

     Nic moved around me swiftly before I could even take a
step. He swiped up the card and stared down at it with a frown. “Aaron
Millington. I don’t recognize the name. His address isn’t too far from here,
about fifteen minutes.” Nic looked up with a frown.

     I wonder if he thought the lawyer had anything to do
with his father. Ever since the trust fund situation Nic hadn’t heard anything
from his father or mother. I was more upset about it than he was. I’d never met
either one of them but Nic said ignoring him was something they’d done their
whole lives so it wasn’t anything new. 

     How Nic grew to be such a loving individual with two
cold parents was a miracle. He’d mentioned Maggie, the live in maid, and how
she’d basically raised him, how great she was, and that it was her that had
instilled in him the concept of love and affection. I was hoping to meet her at
some point. 

     “I’m going with you.” Nic stated emphatically.

     I nodded, knowing there was no way I’d be able to talk
him out of it, and I wanted him there anyway. “Should we go now?” I asked.

     Nic frowned down at the card again and sighed. “Might
as well get it over with.” He walked over to me and kissed me gently staring
into my eyes intently. “No matter what it is we’ll take care of it together,
okay.”

     I smiled letting any deep concerns seep out of me. We
could
get through this together. With my lips brushing his I whispered. “Together.”

     Nic hauled me closer and took my lips forcefully. I
returned the kiss just as fervently reaching my arms around his neck to pull
him even nearer.

     “Man you two, can you please take it to another room.
You know I can’t stand that touchy feely crap.” Shaw chuckled uncomfortably.
The only time Shaw seemed timid was when Nic and I would get hot and heavy with
each other.

     I pulled away with a gasp. Nic stared down at me with a
wicked grin and I shook my head at him. He always made me forget where I was.
Taking a step back I caught my breath. “I’m going to go change and you’re going
to stay here so we don’t get sidetracked.” I stated halfheartedly.

     Nic’s expression transformed to total innocence, but
the heat in his eyes couldn’t be veiled. “I wouldn’t do that. Let me just head
in there with you and grab something I forgot earlier.” He shuffled me ahead of
him toward my room caressing his hands over my shoulders and arms. I knew where
this was headed but had no desire to stop him. My rapidly escalating desires
were actually completely opposite of that.

     “I’m going out for a quick walk.” Shaw rushed around
grabbing her purse and shoes and ran for the door.

     “Thanks Shaw.” Nic said as he nipped down my throat.