Time After Time ✔️

Chapter 7

After we got settled back at Chris's house at the end of the party I nudged him in the shoulder as we sat on his couch, "I think you irritated your date by singing with me and not her."

He rolled his eyes, "it was a date I didn't ask for. And I wanted to sing with you."

"Oh yes. Thank you for that."

He laughed, "you're most welcome. You're invited to brunch at my mom's house tomorrow before you go home. My mom and Scott love you."

I rested my head on his shoulder, "at least your mom likes me."

He shrugged, "everyone likes you."

I laughed, looking up at him, "no they don't."

He turned to face her, "did someone say something to you?"

I shook my head, "no. Just overheard some stuff. It's fine. I don't want to make a big deal out of it."

He sighed, "fine. Can I ask how serious it is with this guy back home?"

I laughed, "his name is Eric. And we've only been out a few times. Some kissing. That's all. Is that what you want to know?"

He smirked, "better kisser than me?"

"You're ridiculous. And Amber? Going to see her again?"

He shook his head, "no." He leaned towards her, playing with her hair, "I told you, I like brunettes."

I laughed, "you really want me in your bed tonight, don't you?"

He nodded, "I've wanted you in my bed for a long time."

I straddled him on the couch, "see when you say things like that, there's certain implications."

He smirked, grabbing her hips, "like what?"

"I think you know."

"What are you asking Nik?"

I shook my head sighing, "nothing. Never mind." I tried to get up but he pulled me back down on him hard, eliciting a small moan.

"What is it you're wanting me to say?"

I sighed, resting my arms on his shoulders, "why did you never try asking me out again? You asked the once and never brought it up again."

He shook his head, "you said you wanted to be friends. If I had, would you have said yes?"

I hesitated, "why haven't you settled down Chris? Gotten married? I know you want to."

He shrugged, "I haven't found the right girl. Why haven't you? And you didn't answer my other question."

"I don't know Chris. Why did you buy this necklace for me? Have you bought something like this for Tara?"

He shook his head, "no. I've also never slept with Tara."

"Exactly."

He groaned, "exactly what? What is your point? I bought it for you because I wanted to. Now, are you going to kiss me or not?"

I sighed, "no. I don't think I will. I'm going to bed." I got up from the couch as I heard him groan again. I laid on back on the bed, hoping he would come into the room, but he never did. So I eventually went to sleep. I thought he would admit he had feelings for me, but I guess he didn't feel the same.

***********************************

I come out in the morning and hear Chris playing his piano. I set my bag on the couch and sat next to him on the bench. I rested my head on his shoulder as he stopped.

"Are we going to talk about last night?"

I shook my head, "I don't think so. There's nothing to talk about Chris. Let's just go to your moms."

He nodded, "fine."

When we got to his mother's house, we greeted Lisa in the kitchen, "thank you for inviting me today."

Lisa smiled, nodding, "of course. We know you're close with Chris. Just wanted some time to get to know you a bit."

I sighed, "great." 

Chris laughed, nudging her, "come on." He led her to the dining room in a seat next to him by Scott.

Lisa started, "so Chris says you met in LA?"

I nodded, "yeah. I was visiting a friend and I spilled a drink on him."

"Two drinks."

"Yeah yeah." I laughed as I felt him nudge me.

Shanna rolled her eyes, "and you guys haven't dated?"

"No. I was just finishing college and moving back home." I looked at Chris to see him looking at me, "I didn't want to start something with someone that was going to have such a sporadic schedule."

She pointed to the necklace, "and does he always shower you in gifts?"

Chris interjected, "hey." 

I pushed him back in his chair, "I don't owe you anything, but it was a birthday present. I never ask him for anything, ever. Except for time."

Chris shook his head, "it isn't really any of your business Shanna. Were you the one that said something about her last night?"

"I don't need you to defend me Chris, we aren't together. If it bothered me, I would have said something to her. But I don't care what anyone has to say."

Chris slammed his hand on the table, "well I do. You're my friend and my family, who barely even knows you shouldn't be talking about you behind your back."

Lisa interjected, "no. Shanna, were you talking about Nikki behind her back last night?"

I groaned, "seriously it's fine. We're all adults. I don't care."

Chris reached for her hand but she pulled it away, "what did she say?"

I shook my head as I heard Scott speak up for me.

"That she was using you for your money, hence the shiny jewelry. And that you have her stashed away as someone to sleep with, and that's why you haven't brought her around."

"Scott!" I groaned, "that's enough." 

Scott shook his head, "no. Her and Tara were way out of line. They don't even know you."

I got up from the table, to the bathroom as I heard Chris yelling. After a few minutes I heard him come into the bathroom with me, "Chris. Just go. It's fine."

He shook his head, "it is definitely not fine. I'm sorry Nikki."

"I should just go. Thank your mom for me." I tried to leave the bathroom but he stopped me, making me turn to face him.

"Please don't go. Not like this." He cupped her cheek in his hand, "Nik. Please."

I shook my head, "do you have feelings for me Chris?"

He hesitated, "I, I don't know Nik." He shook his head, "not like this."

I sighed, removing the necklace, "well I can't accept this. They're right. You don't get this sort of gift for just a friend. I need to go home. I don't know when I'll be back Chris. I'm sorry." 

He watched her place the necklace and his key in his hand, leaving before he could say anything.