A Little Too Late

Chapter 1

Nicole's breath hitched as she read the notification that popped up on her phone. Blackbourne Toma team announces split from fiancé. She rolled her eyes and sat her phone back down. Of course, they broke up yet again. She had lost count how many times they were in a relationship with a woman then break up around six months later. Nicole thought that if she actually tried to keep up with all their relationships her head would spin like in the Exorcist.

Shaking her head to clear the thoughts, she opened her laptop then pulled her hip length wavy black hair up into a messy bun. Opening a book and a notepad, she started getting to work on the court case she was currently working on.

Hearing her phone buzzing, she broke away from the laptop and groaned. She hadn't realized how engrossed with work she was. She answered the call, switched it to speaker and sighed, "One second Jess, okay?"

"Sure," Her best friend chuckled. "Let me guess, you lost track of time working again?"

"You know it," Nicole chuckled as she put eye drops in then blinked. "Alright, what's up?"

"Is there anyway you can bring me that Mythology and Folklore book please? I want to use it for my final paper for this class," Jess said.

"Sure," Nicole nodded. "I actually have a couple you can use."

"Thank you, you are the best!" Jessica smiled.

"I'll grab them and swing by. Just give me a few minutes to save all my stuff," Nicole said typing away then clicked save all on the documents she had pulled up. "Alright, I'll get dressed and head that way."

"Thank you, you are a life saver!"

Nicole hung up and stretched. Heading to her room she quickly threw on some jeans and Vans. She headed to her office and grabbed the four books she had on mythology and folklore then put them in her messenger bag.

Knocking on Jess' door, the door flung open and Erica, Jessica's mom, answered, "Hey Dear, come on in. She's in the living room. How is work going?"

"It's fine," Nicole smiled as she followed Erica. "I'm currently working on a case so long hours but definitely worth it."

"I'm so glad," Erica smiled, "just be sure to take care of yourself."

"Yes Momma," Nicole rolled her eyes and smiled then hugged her. "I promise I am."

"I'll swat your butt if you aren't," Erica chuckled, "I don't want you visiting me at work unless it's to hang out or have lunch with me."

"I know Momma," Nicole chuckled as she entered the living room while looking down in her bag, "Hey Girl, here you...." She trailed off seeing all the men in Jessica's living room.

"Hey Nikki, look who decided to grace me with their presence," Jessica chuckled as she watched her best friend's reaction to seeing all fourteen of her brothers sitting around her living room.

"Wow," Nicole blanked her face, erasing the shock, "about damn time."

"Ouch," Kota chuckled.

"Just stating facts," Nicole shrugged, "I couldn't even tell you the last time I heard Jessica talk about you visiting her or your mother, Dakota."

"Alright Children," Erica chuckled as she came back into the room and handed Nicole a cup. "Here you go Dear, drink it while it's still hot."

"Thank you Momma, you didn't have to," Nicole beamed looking down at the cup of hot chocolate. "I can't stay, I have work to do. I have court in the morning."

"Court?" Owen said curiously, his grey eyes stared her down through his black rimmed glasses.

"Yes Owen," Jessica scoffed, "If you ever came home you would know that Nikki is one of the best lawyers in the state."

"Well, congratulations," He said while the rest of them nodded in agreement.

"Thank you," Nicole said grabbing her bag after setting her empty cup on the coaster by Jessica. "Anyway, here you go Jess. I grabbed all four of them just in case." She pulled the books out and handed them to her. "It's better to have them and not need them then be missing something."

"Thank you so much Girl," Jess smiled as she looked through the top book. "This is amazing, you are such a life saver."

"One second," Nicole said feeling her pocket buzz. She pulled her phone out, "Excuse me," She said as she answered the call, "Ethan, what's up?" She looked confused and bit her bottom lip. "It's eight at night and we have court in the morning, I don't think it's a good idea." She looked at Jess who was nodding in excitement then at the men in the room who were watching her suspiciously. "Fine, but one drink and then I'm done. I need to be clear headed for court. Okay, no that's fine, I will meet you there. Okay, see you soon."

"You FINALLY said yes?" Jessica asked practically bouncing in her seat.