A Special Summer(49)

“Dude what gives? What got you all ready to explode?” This time.

“Summer.” Nick stated with irritation.

Kevin nodded his head as the name rolled off Nick’s tongue in disgust. Without saying a word, he gave Nick a look which told him to proceed. Kevin sat quiet as Nick told him about his confrontation with Summer.

Letting out a low whistle, Kevin asked in disbelief, “Man, you called the girl a whore to her face?” He didn’t even mention the fact he had compared her to Veronica. Anyone close to Nick knew he detested the woman. Did that mean he felt the same about Summer? Mmm, poor Summer.

Nick nodded. “I was so pissed off I lost control. I didn’t mean to say that to her.”

“How much control did you lose?” Kevin gaze was intense as he looked at his friend.

Nick hissed, “Damn! Kev, man I told you once don’t make me tell you again. I would never put my hands on Summer to hurt her.”

Throwing up his hands signaling he meant no offense. “A’ight man, my bad. I just know this whole situation has you uptight. I don’t want to see you do anything stupid.”

Nick grunted. “Uptight ain’t the word. I’ve never let a woman get as close to me as Summer. Not even Veronica. I started feeling things for her I never felt for any woman.”

Kevin grinned at his friend. “Don’t tell me my man done went and got himself bit by the love bug.”

Kevin cracked up when Nick let out a string of expletives. “I wouldn’t say love, but I do care a lot about her, especially since she’s carrying my baby. Never thought this day would come. Man, that’s why I’m all messed up in the head right now. It really hurts to know if I never found out Summer was pregnant she would’ve kept my kid from me.”

Kevin held his grin. Nick was in denial. He’d never admitted to anyone that a woman had hurt him. Women didn’t hurt the invincible Nick Stiles. It was usually the other way around. Not even Veronica had hurt him. He was more outraged, his ego bruised, than hurt. He had never cared for Veronica the way he had for Summer. Nick himself had just acknowledged as much. Kevin didn’t understand it; he saw it plain as day. Why couldn’t Nick see it? Nick was in love with Summer. How else could she have hurt Nick if he didn’t love her?

“Man what’s up with that goofy grin?”

Shrugging his broad shoulders, Kevin replied, “Oh, nothing man, nothing at all.” Kevin didn’t dare push. Nick eventually would conclude he was in love with Summer. Kevin just hoped it wasn’t too late. A person could only take but so much harshness. As far as he was concerned Nick was tittering on the fine line of being abusive in his behavior toward Summer. He had indirectly told him as much. Whether he meant to treat her that way wasn’t the issue, he had. Kevin kept his faith in his friend, his brother. Once Nick simmered down and was thinking with a rational brain in that stubborn head of his, he’d see the error of his ways and make things right between him and Summer. After all Nick loved the girl, and to Kevin’s surprise embraced the idea of fatherhood.

Kevin made a mental note to restock his condom supply. Rising to his feet, heading to the kitchen, he yelled over his shoulder, “You want a beer, man.”

“No, I’m cool.”

The two men talked for hours. When Nick stepped outside a new day was dawning. He’d been so angry, needing space from Summer that he’d left her alone all night unattended.

“So much for making sure she and the baby was taken care of.”





Chapter 21




Over the next few days, Summer and Nick barely said two words to each other. They only spoke when necessary. His stubbornness and inability to forgive were major character flaws she found unbearable to cope with. If it weren’t for her present physical condition, she would’ve packed her bags and left days ago. Instead, she moved into the guest bedroom and avoided Nick at all cost.

Nick had taken to playing the avoiding game as well, spending more hours at the office leaving Summer in the care of Joan. Summer didn’t mind at all. Joan was good company and she liked the older woman a lot. Though Joan was old enough to be her mother they shared some of the same interests. They both loved romance novels, game shows, soap operas and crossword puzzles. When Summer begged her to watch Jerry Springer with her Joan playfully remarked, “Chile I ain’t watching that silly mess.” Within the first five minutes of the show the two were laughing hysterically at the crazy charades paraded on national television.

Joan was a good listener and a wise woman. With everything weighing so heavy on Summer, she confided in the older woman. Talking to her parents, Ava or Starr wasn’t an option. Joan sat next to her on the bed closely listening as she told her every facet of her relationship with Nick. From how they met, to the week they spent at his cabin, to how she was heartbroken when he ended their relationship, and how surprised she was to learn she was pregnant. Joan was the only soul she had told Nick threatened to get custody of their baby and how she feared he would go through with doing so.