Just One Song

chapter Twenty-Two





Nicole

We head to Rue21 for dinner. Apparently, it’s some fancy restaurant where everyone who wants to see and be seen goes to be, well, seen, I guess. I look around the magnificent restaurant nervously. A few paparazzi photographers were outside when we entered and yelled at Zack and me questioning our relationship and his with Rachel. Just one night. I want to go one night out in public without her name being thrown out there. I try to brush it off like it’s no big deal, but truthfully, I’m still not over her ridiculous shenanigans she pulled just over a week ago. If I think about it, I can still feel her evil claws on my shoulder. The thought alone makes me shudder.

“Are you okay?” Zack asks me as we wait for our meals.

I glance around the restaurant again recognizing several familiar faces, mostly from films. I also notice several sly glances cast our way and the whispers that follow them. I assume they’re trying to figure out what Zack Walters sees in a no-name like me. I quit asking myself that question the minute I realized I loved him and he loved me because I could never come up with a good answer. Maybe they could give me one, I think sarcastically.

“Just nervous, I guess.”

“About eating?” Zack’s crystal green eyes dance in a teasing way.

“People are looking at us,” I say as I fidget with the napkin in my lap. “Probably trying to figure out what in the world you’re doing with someone like me.”

“You mean a beautiful and intelligent woman? Yes, I could see how they’d be confused by me keeping such company.”

“Funny.” I roll my eyes. “You know what I mean. Why did you bring me here? This place is a far cry from SportsPro and Brian’s Place. There isn’t even a burger on the menu - it just doesn’t seem like you.”

“Because they have the best steak.” He knows, based on my doubtful expression, I don’t believe him for a second. “And because I knew there would be lots of photographers here tonight. I’m not trying to thrust you into the tabloids, but I figure that the more likely people see us together, and the more we’re photographed now, the less they’ll follow us around later. Eventually, someone will end up in drug rehab, or get busted drunk driving, or have an affair, or whatever, and the interest in us will die down. I just figure we can get it out of their system while you’re still here.”

It makes some sense, I guess. Although I still would have preferred to go somewhere and play pool with a beer than sit in a fancy restaurant with white tablecloths and crystal water glasses. I also don’t particularly enjoy feeling like a piece of cattle, someone to be stared at and picked apart when out on a date. I may have to toughen up my skin a bit if I want to survive in L.A.

“What should I do with my condo?” I ask hoping to change the subject.

“Whatever you want to do with it,” he answers after thinking for a minute.

“You wouldn’t care if I kept it?”

“Not really. It could be a good place to stay when we visit.” I smile at the thought of us visiting Minnesota. Me and Zack together. We are actually talking about this – hell, we are actually doing this. The thought causes a warmth to spread throughout my body. This is really happening, and I realize that I’m no longer scared.

I consider what he said. Zack is right, it would be an easy place to keep for when we went back, but it also had never been my home. I had only moved in a few months before meeting Zack to begin with.

“I think I’ll sell it.” His questioning expression causes me to explain. “It was never really my home, you know. I’ve barely lived there, and my parents have enough room for us to stay, or hotels, I guess. I’m not sure it’s important enough for me to hang on to.”

I love seeing the easy smile that spreads across Zack’s face as I gave him my answer. Me being willing to give up my home, for him, gives him security that I didn’t realize until now he might still need.

“I love you, you know.”

“I love you too.” Really, I want to jump across the table and kiss him passionately, but I don’t think that will go over too well with the other customers so I try to stay in my seat and just let my love for him flow through my expression.

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t the talk of Tinsel Town.” The voice behind me sounds like fingernails on a chalkboard. Apparently one night without Rachel McAllister is just too damn much to ask for. I refuse to remove my eyes from Zack as she walks up to our table.

Zack spares her a quick angry glare before returning to me. Apology is written all over him. “This is only a table for two, Rachel.”

“Yes, yes, I see that. I wonder who will be keeping you company at this table for two when you’re little toy here flies home – wherever that may be.” She waves her hand around, dismissing me. It pisses me off. I sit there debating silently whether to stick up for myself and cause a scene or to just let Zack handle it. I don’t want her to think she can walk all over me without me dishing it back, but I also don’t want to embarrass Zack.

He is still smiling at me, but no longer is it filled with apology. His grin is devilish, and sexy.

“Actually, Rachel.” He moves his eyes from mine to hers. “Nicole and I are moving in together. She’s moving here, to my house. With me. There will never again be someone sitting at a table for two with me unless it’s her.”

I bite back my smile, just a little bit, to keep myself from laughing. She is furious and for some reason, I think it’s hilarious.

Her hands are clenched tightly into fists at her side. I wonder briefly if she is going to punch me. She certainly looks like she wants to.

“You can’t be serious. You’re moving in with that?” Her disdain for me is obvious. I briefly glance around and wonder how many other people who are watching the scene unfold think the same as her, but I try to push that thought to the back of mind quickly. I have no need to be insecure.

Her spoken words break Zack’s calm exterior. He is pissed. The only time I’ve seen him so mad was when Ethan spoke to me in Chicago. He jumps out of his seat and slams his fist down on the table. Our glasses rattle and the candle on the table blows out. Almost everyone in the restaurant stops what they’re doing and just stares at us.

Crap. That was the last thing I wanted.

“You will never, ever, talk to Nicole, or about Nicole, in that way ever again. We have been friends for over two years, Rachel, and if you don’t wish to permanently end it right here, I suggest you apologize and leave. Now.” His voice has risen by the end of his statement and I see our waiter scurrying over to our table to diffuse the argument before it gets even worse.

“Zack,” I quietly hiss trying to get his attention. “Sit down.”

Rachel glares at me before storming away. She does not, however, apologize like Zack demanded. Not that I’m surprised. Secretly, I hope their friendship is definitely over. I don’t think I can handle any more run-ins with her. She drips pure evil and is filled with jealousy. It’s not the best combination for the new girlfriend to have to endure.

“Is there anything I can do to help?” The waiter at our table nervously looks between us. Scenes like this apparently don’t happen frequently at Rue21 and he doesn’t look equipped to handle the fall out.

Zack is still standing, his arms shaking in anger, but he says nothing. He glares out the door that Rachel had left and I can see his chest heaving deep angry breaths.

“I think we’ll be leaving now,” I quietly answer the waiter. “Zack? Can you pay the man so we can go get a beer and play some pool?” I smile cautiously trying to help him calm down.

He takes a deep breath and reaches in for his wallet. He throws several hundred dollar bills down on the table which makes me raise my eyebrows. I don’t know if our dinner is really that expensive or if Zack is so distracted he doesn’t realize what he has just done. Based on the tension on his face, I don’t think it’d do any good to ask.

“Sorry for the trouble,” he says roughly and reaches for my hand. I take it and allow him to lead me towards the front door.

“Keep your head down and say nothing when we leave. I’m sure anyone who is outside right now will be wondering why Rachel just left and why we’re following. There will be enough gossip from those who saw what happened - I don’t want us to add to it,” he whispers forcefully in my ear when we reach the front door. He places his arm firmly around my shoulders. It’s not a comforting embrace, but protective.

Once outside, the flashes are almost as blinding as the red carpet. “Zack! Did you say hello to Rachel? Is it really over? Zack, tell us about your girlfriend!” The questions seem unending as we quickly walk up the sidewalk to his car. They crowd us every step of the way trying to bend down and get a shot of our faces, but I do what Zack said and never once look up, as hard as it is to not look simply out of curiosity.

Finally, he shoves me into the passenger seat of his Roadster. He quickly shuts the door and rushes to get in his seat. The entire time flashing bulbs are glistening off the car’s side and front windows. I stare at my hands in my lap, willing myself to not look up and give them the shot they want. And what a great shot it would be, me looking terrified and pissed at the same time. Zack says nothing as he pulls the car out into the street while avoiding running over the photographers.

I’m slightly disappointed we don’t at least nick someone. Several minutes later I glance over at him to see his jaw clenched in anger, his knuckles white where he grips the steering wheel tightly.

I lean over and gently place my hand on his thigh hoping to soothe him. I wait for what seems like way too long until he exhales a deep breath and moves one of his hands from the steering wheel and places it on top of mine.

“I’m sorry about that,” he says quietly, his tone still furious.

“It’s okay…”

“No, Nicole. It is most definitely not okay.” His tone says this is absolutely not up for discussion. And since I want to calm him down instead of increase his anger, I nod silently and say nothing. “God, I had no idea she was such a –“

“Witch?” I finish for him.

He snorts softly. “Yeah, that or something that sounds similar. Seriously, I’ve known her for years and I have never seen this side of her.”

I try to maintain a calm exterior, even though inside my stomach is flip-flopping at the thought of Rachel and her wanting Zack, and clearly not ready or willing to give up trying to get him. It makes me sick just thinking about it. “Well, she wants you. And she’s jealous. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, or so the saying goes I guess.”

“I just can’t believe she would say that.”

“I really don’t want to keep talking about her, Zack. Can we just forget it happened?”

He turns to me, examining me as I sit next to him. “How can you be so calm about this?”

“Oh trust me, I’m not,” I say smiling evilly at him, “but I’m also not going to let her ruin my night out with you. Will you promise me something, though?”

“Anything.”

“Don’t see her while I’m gone. I trust you, I just don’t trust her and I know she’s going to try something to get you back.”

“Trust me, I have no desire to ever see Rachel again.”

“Okay then, let’s just put the dinner behind us and go home.” His hand tightens around mine.

“Can we have dessert, too?” He wiggles his eyebrows and smiles. He is absolutely not talking about dessert in the food variety.

I look at him through half-hooded eyes and slowly drag my tongue across my bottom lip before biting it gently. “Sounds delicious.”

His mouth drops open and his eyes widen. “God, you’re sexy, woman.”

“Just take me home, Zack.”

“I like the sound of that,” he says, this time sounding more content than sexy.

I do too.