A Changed Life (5 page)

Nicolette, smiling at me, took my breath away. I cursed under my breath the whole time as I made my way over to St. Clair’s cabana. No one answered the door. So I went around to the deck to find Michael, Seth, and a few girls I had known from high school.

“Paulson, what the hell are you doing at my party?” Michael asked, a bit drunk.

“Don’t worry, asshole. I’m not staying. I was just wondering why you are texting Nicolette.”

“I would have thought for a smart guy that it would be obvious.” Michael slurred his words. “I wanted to invite Nicolette and her friends over here to party with us.”

“Well, you see, Nicolette has all the friends she needs and respectively declines your invitation.”

“Is that coming from Nicolette or from you, Simon?” Michael was now suddenly sober.

“It’s coming from me, so stay away from her.” I started to walk away.

Michael bravely said, “What if I don’t, Simon? What will you do about it?”

I just turned around and simply replied, “You don’t want to know the answer to that, Michael.”

I decided to get up and go look for Simon. As I stood and turned, I smacked full into a solid chest. Without looking, I said, “Finally, you’re back. I was beginning to feel lonely without you—” I smelled the liquor as the solid wall breathed down on me.

“What the hell!” I screamed.

The solid wall arms squeezed tighter, “If I knew you missed me, my sweet, I would have been here sooner.” As his liquor infused breath breathed down on my neck. I pushed him off of me and took two steps back.

“Get off me, asshole! You’re drunk and it’s
not
you I missed.” Pushing him away as I step backwards.

Michael stood looking me up and down, with a hungry look in his eyes. I feel exposed wishing Simon was here. I wrap my arms around my waist, feeling the need to cover up. Jameson walked over to me, pulling me to his side, giving Michael the clear message, B
ack the hell away
. I was thankful for Jameson.

What happened next...I couldn’t believe my eyes? I scream. Michael is slammed into by Simon. Where the hell did he come from? Sam is hot on his heels. Jameson pulls me closer, backing me away as both Simon and Michael land in the sand.

“What the hell, St. Clair! I told you to back off and stay away from Nicolette.”

Michael throws Simon off of him and jumps up to his feet.

I was still shaking as the twins pushed their way over to where Jameson was still holding tight onto me. He looks down at me and shakes his head at the display of fists being thrown.

Turning to Michael first I asked, “What the hell is going on?” As his eyes locked down on my body, stopping at my breasts, sending shivers down my spine.

“I didn’t mean for you to get upset, but I’m not sorry I did it.”

I turn to Simon, who is breathing fire towards Michael. I wasn’t sure what was going on between the two of them, but I wanted no part of it. Back in Chicago, I witnessed many fights, and this was so not my scene. My perfect afternoon spent with Simon, and our friends was now ruined.

“And you.” Stepping out of Jameson’s hold pointing at Simon. “Really? I was having a great time, until this, whatever this was.” Shaking my head, I turn, and head back toward the girl’s cabana to collect my things. I never appreciated watching two guys fight especially not over me, been there, done that already.

Simon calls out to me. “Wait up, Nicolette!” I don’t bother to turn around or slow down for Simon, I keep moving forward, as quickly as my feet would take me. I heard Simon yell at Michael to stay put or he’d be eating sand again. I didn’t see what happened or what Michael was doing, I could only assume Michael had tried coming after me, before Simon threatened the sand again.

“Please, Nicolette. Can I explain myself and clear this up before it totally ruins our night?”

I slowed down as I counted to ten. I slowly turn around to face Simon.

Breathing hard, I lock my glaring eyes on his. “What was that back there with Michael?”

Simon just leaned over with his hands on his knees and took a deep breath before answering. “Hold on a minute, let me catch my breath.”

“I will give you two seconds, before I turn back around,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest.

“We know each other. We have history. We are not friends. I like you, okay, I genuinely care for you. But, when I glanced at your phone and saw your inbox filled with texts from Michael, I couldn’t see straight.”

“What the hell? You lied about my phone? Why?”

“I take it you never looked at them when I gave it back?”

“Why would I? You said it was a solicitor and honestly, I
was
having a great time with you. So, no, I didn’t feel the need to look at my phone.”

“Oh. I just assumed you did after I left, that’s all.”

“You
assumed
wrong.”

“I’m sorry. I saw just the one message and it was crude and dirty. Michael had probably been drinking most of the day, when he sent them to you.”

“I get it, sort of. First, it’s my phone, and you didn’t have any right grabbing it out of my hand. Second, if this is how you handle things, I’m not sure I want to be part of it.”

“No. I just...we have history and when he drinks he gets really stupid. I don’t like the guy and when I saw those messages, the message I saw, threw me over the edge. I guess I was a little jealous.”

Reaching for his hand, “I just need for you to respect my privacy and know that I’m a big girl, who can handle jerks like Michael. Ok?”

“Always, Nicolette. I would never do anything to hurt you. You believe me right?”

“Yes. Thank you for looking out for me.” Deciding, to take a chance and be a little forward myself. “Simon, can I ask you a question?”

“Of course…You can ask me anything you want.” Squeezing his hand back.

Taking a deep breath, I go for it. “Will you kiss me?”

“You don’t ever have to ask me, Nicolette, ever.” he whispered.

Simon pulled me up against his chest while crashing his lips onto mine, making my legs turn to jelly and numbing my lips.
Oh my god, my whole body is tingling
. Kissing Simon made me forget about the issues with Michael.

Simon was the first to pull away, breaking the tight seal we had formed. “Today has been great, Nicolette. Can I see you again?”

“Uh... Isn’t it obvious? Doesn’t our kiss say it all?”

“I guess you’ll have to tell me again, because I didn’t hear a yes.”

I moved my hand to the back of his neck as I pulled him down closer to me. I pushed him toward my lips, sealing them tightly over his.

He stepped back and almost looked dizzy. “I guess that’s a yes?”

“Yes, Simon, it most certainly is and you can definitely see me again.”

Simon and I had missed the rest of the fireworks above, as we were having our own. I was okay with it, because I was where I wanted to be…in Simon’s arms.

Not wanting the night to end, but I knew I needed to get home. Reluctantly, Simon agreed to drive me home. He didn’t want the night to end either. Thirty minutes later, we were in my driveway, he jumped out of the jeep to open my door.

I smiled and silently thanked the universe for bringing him to me. He took my hand, walking me to the front door.

“Can I kiss you goodnight?” His face was flushed, waiting for me to answer. I reached up to his face and kissed him first.

He wrapped his long arms around my waist and kissed me back. He halted our kiss and took in a deep breath. “I wasn’t expecting that, Nicolette, but I’m not complaining either.”

I just smiled at him. “Thank you for a wonderful day and an amazing evening, Simon.” I gave him a quick hug and stepped inside.

“Nicolette,” he asked quietly. “Please tell me that I will see you again?”

“I promise, Simon.” I could feel my cheeks heat up as I watched Simon walk toward his jeep. I leaned up against the door daydreaming about Simon glassy eyed. Happy with the turn of events, I said softly, “California is beginning to look up for me.”

Sunshine and the alarm woke me up on a beautiful morning in September; my first day of my senior year. I leapt out of bed with happy butterflies in my stomach. Even though I miss my friends back home in Chicago, I am happy to have found new ones here. Alexis and Bailey have made my first summer in California a memorable one. We have been thick as thieves. These girls are non-stop fun. To begin a new school is hard enough, but now that I know they will be there as well as Jameson, Sam, and of course Simon, today will be easy.

I tore into my closet picking out the perfect outfit for today; I have many to choose from thanks to the shopping spree I just went on with the girls. I kept it simple. I decided on a denim mini skirt, a camisole top and light sweater. My ensemble was complete with favorite Doc Marten boots. I kept my hair down, and applied some light mascara and lip gloss. My cheeks were blushing with thoughts of seeing Simon this morning. With one last check in the mirror, I was ready to go. I greeted Gracie with a good morning hug and she had my breakfast ready for me. Gracie knew how nervous I always was on the first day of school, but I told her today I wasn’t.

“I’m looking forward to going today”.

Gracie raised her eyebrows at me with that curious look of hers.

“What”, I asked?

Gracie smiled at me, she knew me quite well.

“Are you happy about seeing Simon today?” Did she have secret radar to my thoughts?

“Yes, Simon is one of the reasons why I’m happy today.” I can easily forget my name when I thought of Simon, he is so sexy, and I can’t wait until I can wrap my arms around him today. Gathering my things, I noticed flowers on the table that weren’t here last night.

“These are beautiful, dad has great taste.”

“Not for your mom, but for you.”

I looked at Gracie with wide eyes. “Yeah, right, who would send me flowers?” I read the card, and it said: