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Chapter 77: Nikki
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Withstanding the Odds Chapter 78: Nikki
My hand reaches out and knocks gently on the door that is partially ajar. I hear movement on the other side of the door and brace myself when I hear his deep voice call out."Nikki, perhaps this isn't the right time." I shut my eyes, knowing he is right, but I also know I cannot hold in this secret anymore. I have ruined this man's life and he doesn't even know the true reason of my being here. I know Rand didn't mean for me to come clean, but his words resonated with me. I did love Bronson, and that meant, I had to protect him, even if it is from myself.Opening the door, I walk inside stopping when I spot Bronson on the bed of his bedroom. His shirt is off, and he is starring down at what looks like a small photo. I step closer and watch his body tense, his tone muscles grow stronger as I near him."Bronson, we need to talk. It's important.""I don't want you to blame yourself." He states then places the photo back into the drawer of the nightstand beside his bed. I couldn't make it
Withstanding the Odds Chapter 79: Bronson
I look around aimlessly as my feet stomp out tracks across the pathetic attempt at the winter wonderland. Fake snow blows around from a large machine making enough noise to carry its own steering wheel, and the workers are walking around in small elf suits with matching red jingle belled shoes.What in the living hell did I just step into?"Hey, did you find one yet?" Nikki clings to my arm, and I suddenly feel loads better. I don't understand how she has the power to bring me down from anger and annoyance, to gratitude, but I'm grateful each and every time her skin touches mine.It's been two days since we made love. Cassandra leaving, Clara coming by surprise, my new attitude at work, it all came through extremely fast, but nothing makes me happier than Nikki. I feel whole around her, complete, and I never want that feeling to go away.We had spent the last two days in bed, and although I wanted today to be the same, the moment Nikki woke in my arms this morning, she had an epiphany.
Withstanding the Odds Chapter 80: Bronson
I watch as Nikki runs back over to where Jim and Landen are helping, the f*cker load the tree onto the roof of our SUV. I'm just hanging up with Rand when I hear my name being called from across the lot. I turn and spot George McCall coming over, his small granddaughter clinging his hand tightly."George, good morning." I state extending my hand out. He shakes it immediately then looks down at his granddaughter."We're getting in some last-minute shopping and Elizabeth here wanted to come and see the trees. She always enjoys picking one out for us to put right outside the home. What about you?""My girlfriend. She wanted a tree and I suppose we just waited last minute.""Girlfriend?" He asks, surprising even me. It's the first time I've referred to Nikki in that way, and the first time I have admitting to even myself that it is truly over between Cassandra and myself. Although I should have been more convinced when Rand found out not twenty-four hours after our split that she was tryin
Withstanding the Odds Chapter 81: Nikki
The ride is silent on the way back home. Embarrassment fills though me, so much so that I can't look over at Bronson. I know he is angry with me, I don't blame him, but there is a spark inside of me that is angry myself.How dare he tell my boss I am no longer working for him.Rand drives the SUV with speed I've never seen from him, and I know it's due to the fact that you could cut the tension back here with a knife.Bronson had sent Jim and Landen ahead of us and since it was nearly Christmas, he told them to just take the rest of the day off when they were finished.I take a deep breath, then turn towards Bronson, noticing his brooding mask is placed back on and is currently starring daggers at the outside world through the window of the SUV. I want to crawl into his lap and apologize. I know we need to talk but I've never been in a relationship before, I'm not exactly sure what to do. I decide to get it over with and speak."Bronson, listen I know you're angry, but we need to
Withstanding the Odds Chapter 82: Nikki
Brody: I need to speak with you.Me: Can I call you?Brody: I'll call you. Give me a minute.I wait exactly two, then nearly come out of my skin when the phone begins buzzing in my hand. I answer immediately, wanting to get this conversation done and over with."Brody.""Yeah, it's me." A shaky breath leaves me. I don't know if it's because I am so stressed out and confused on what to do about my brother, or Bronson and I's newest fight. It seems like nothing can go right for longer than a few days. "Listen Nik, I need to tell you something.""What is it?""Mick thinks that you've turned on us.""What?""I mean, I don't think anyone else believes it, but he's got Charles looking into you more and more every day, he pulls me into his suite all the time and grills me, he even accused me of seeing you a few days ago.""Brody, listen what is going on? Why is Mick so agitated?""Cops are still sniffing around us. We're running low on money. Mick overheard Marla and Anderson debat
Withstanding the Odds Chapter 83: Bronson
Pacing. It's all I seem to do with myself now. I used to be a man that could handle any situation, any display of an unnatural order and I adjust, arrange, and move forward.Until Nicole Myers walked into my life.But for once, Nikki is not the reason for my absent mind, for my consistent pacing of my foyer as my eyes are glued to the elevator doors.Last night, Nikki told me something that had me grabbing my phone and making calls the moment she went to sleep. She was righting her wrong, making good on her negative past. And if she could confront the man she took advantage of, then I could certainly call my older sister and speak to her.If Clara was surprised to hear from me, she didn't show it. We spoke for over an hour while I brushed Nikki's hair with my palm as she laid her head against my chest. She was exhausted, after we had apologized to each other, we spent the next two hours decorating not only the tree, but the entire penthouse."I think that we should all get togethe
Withstanding the Odds Chapter 84: Bronson
We take a tour of the entire floor, stopping for a while at the kitchen as mother gives me her expression. I show them the bedrooms, my office, where I hear my father scoff, and of course the pool, something Anderson and Clara equally laugh at. My family has always known me to swim, but only my mother knows what it truly did for me back then. It was my escape, and when I catch her eye twinkle then give me a wink, I know she understands my need to have one.We stop once again back at the study where the tree is and that's when I spot Nikki standing beside the fireplace looking deeply into the lit flames dancing and flickering.I march over and place my arm around her, only to have her teary gaze look up at me."Nikki? What's going on?" I whisper as my family fills in the space. She shakes her head, but I reuse to let it go."I'll tell you later." She whispers back and although it takes a moment, I nod my head in understanding. After my family leaves, she will tell me."So, this mus
Withstanding the Odds Chapter 85: Nikki
I need to tell him. That is the thought that continuously runs through my head as I lay beside the man I have fallen in love with. Bronson has been asleep for over an hour and as much as I want to join him, lay mixed into his body heat wrapped like a cocoon in between his arms, I can't.I'm holding a secret that is about to be unveiled and I have no idea how I am going to tell him.The memories from this morning come rushing though as I recall going into work to fix things with George McCall only to be stopped by Brody who looked worse for wear. I don't know how he knew where I worked, I know I never told him, but when I saw him standing besides the doors, the security guard looking him up-and-down, I knew I needed to get him out of there.His body was haggard, weak and skinny. He had been using, that much was obvious, but instead of his usual lackluster self, Brody was something I've never quite seen with him. He was paranoid. His eyes traveled around the block as if at any moment
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