Face Down In The Dirt

Chapter 13 - Sex

A/N- so I ran out of songs titles to use from the Saints of Los Angeles album for the chapter titles. Mainly because I keep extending this book, changing the ending, and then having to add more chapters. I began using titles of songs from their later years which only made it into compilation albums. They include If I Die Tomorrow, Sex, Crash and Burn, Ride With the Devil, and All Bad Things Must End. I'm deciding whether to break the last chapter into two because it's long. If I do, I'll also be using The Dirt. These titles happen to match nicely with the chapter topics. I try to match them up as best I can, and well, um... there's this chapter.

I'm honestly not sure how this chapter will sit with both sides, team Tommy and team Nikki... or even team neutral. Remember, there's still 4 chapters to go. Maybe even 5, if I split the last chapter... not to mention an epilogue, so a lot is going to happen.

Also, I'm sorry that I haven't been responding to most of your comments lately. Some make me smile, some make me laugh, some make me think, while others make me grunt. I've been nose deep in editing this book. I keep changing things and adding to it, so I find myself often not getting to the comments with replies. I'll try to do better with this chapter. I do see them all. Thank you.

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Nikki closed his eyes as he stood in the stream of soothing hot water from the shower. He drew in a few deep breaths as he wondered what the next step with Tommy was going to be. There was a lot running through his mind. Firstly, he wondered if Tommy would even still be there when he got out, especially if Mick started giving him the what-for.

Nikki's core churned uncomfortably as he thought about Tommy's near drowning. If that happened.... if Tommy died. Nikki knew he'd be wishing and pleading for the chance to just hold him again, safely in his arms. A chance to go back and redo everything that happened, so that he wouldn't be living in that nightmare. 

But the thing is, he didn't die... perhaps not even close to it. Maybe he would have pulled himself out of the rip current? There was no telling... but as they hobbled into the condo just a little while ago, Tommy was alive and seemingly unscathed, with the exception of a lingering hack and the chills. He was alive and well in all respects.... and was also still someone who rejected his kid and willfully and unashamedly cheated. 

Nikki watched the last remnants of sand mixed with suds swirl down the drain, as he rinsed himself off. He huddled under the calming stream of water, and allowed the steam to open his airways, as he inhaled deeply. He remained that way for an indefinite amount of time, as he pondered how he should proceed.

When no firm conclusions could be met, Nikki shut the water off and reached for a towel. It was time to face what laid ahead.... whatever that would be. After putting on some comfortable clothes in his room, he stepped out and strode towards the living room. The muddled sound of the TV on low volume, was the only noise he heard; no voices. When he reached the open area, Tommy, who sat on the couch, craned his head to face Nikki.

"Did Mick leave?" Nikki asked, feeling a sense of satisfaction mixed with trepidation that Tommy was still here. He took a seat on a chair in the living room.

"Yeah... ten, fifteen minutes ago. And you're lucky he's gone," Tommy replied.

"Why lucky?"

"Because your wet hair is dripping, like mine was. He freaked out on me," Tommy said, pulling the towel from around his shoulders, and handing it to Nikki.

Nikki offered a comfortable smirk. "That's Mick. He's been on my case since the moment I set foot in here." Nikki's smile faded out. "Do you feel better? How's your cough?"