Even When (Ricky + Nini)

chapter 13 - there's a haze on the horizon babe

[a/n : title is from the Harry Styles song "Late Night Talking]

Ricky stared at the ceiling of his hotel room. He'd been sullen all week. He hated being away from his family. He thought he'd forget the Greyson thing by now. But the guy was a rising star, he showed up everywhere Ricky looked.

His friend from the photography group had invited him to go to a jazz club tonight, because he thought Ricky "needed some cheering up."
Ricky fidgeted with the phone in his hand. He didn't feel very social, but staying here staring at the ceiling certainly won't make him feel better.

He sighed and punched the number into his phone. The line rang twice before his
friend's voice echoed through the speaker.
"R-man what's up?"

"Hey Alan, is it too late to take you up on that offer?"

"Not at all man. We're just getting started, I'll text you the address."

That was settled then. Ricky had something to distract himself with for the night. He got up and headed to the bathroom to get dressed before leaving.
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He ended up wearing his classic blue oxford shirt and some nice blue trousers. When he got there, Alan showed him to their table. There was a blonde woman in a pink dress sitting there. She was pretty for sure but she had nothing on Nini.

"Dude, I didn't realize you were on a date!" Ricky turned to his friend, "I wouldn't have come if you'd just told me."

"Well I am absolutely on a date." Al said, "But I'm at that table just behind yours."

"Whaddaya mean?"

"The blonde hottie is your date silly."

"She's not my date." Ricky said, "I'm married. I don't date."

"Yeah... but your wife is all the way in New York." Alan said putting an arm around Ricky's shoulder, "Kylie's right here."

"She's my wife. It doesn't really matter where she is the world, man. She's my wife." Ricky didn't like where this was going, and thought it would be best if he left. "Sorry to mislead you. But I don't do this sort of thing."

Ricky tried to turn around so he could go home, but Alan's hand was firm on his shoulders, holding him back.

"But aren't you in some sort of argument with your wife? I can see it in your eyes, you're exhausted all the time, it's like you have all this burden you're carrying."

"It's really none of your business man."

"C'mon Ricky. Just have some fun dude. It's not like I'm asking you to marry this chick, just have dinner with her and see where it goes."

"No, thank you. I'd rather go home and catch some sleep."

"You know what? Fine." Alan had probably been drinking, and he seemed kind of pissed. "You're the one missing out. What's so great about your wife anyway? I can guarantee she's not even half as pretty as Kylie, and she's probably boring."

The next few seconds were a blur to Ricky. All he knew was that his body just ran on autopilot, before you can say "jerkface"
his fist had landed on Alan's nose and some waiters were there in a split second, grabbing both of his arms. Although Nini was miles away and they were on a break, he felt protective over her.

"Don't ever talk about my wife with that mouth of yours." Ricky shrugged off the men who were holding him back, and left Alan in his shocked state.
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Ricky couldn't sleep that night. He knew he needed to call her. He realized how much she meant to him, and how much he missed her. If she'd been with him tonight, it would be her calming him down instead of those waiters. Her touch was gentle and her voice always grounded him. She was beautiful in every way, and Alan was simply not worthy enough to experience the magic that is Nini.

He sat up and checked the time, 3am meant that it was around 10 pm in New York. Nini should still be awake. He took a deep breath and dialed her number on his phone. She picked up on the second ring.

"Ricky?" Nini sounded confused, "I was wondering when you'd call. I'm sorry, you just missed Joel, he just fell asleep fifteen minutes ago."

"That's fine. I... um actually wanted to talk to you."

"Oh.. Well, I'm here."

Ricky could tell there was a glimmer of hope in her voice, and he didn't want her to have high expectations.

"Maybe we can take a little break from the break?" Ricky proposed.

"Okay. What's up?"

"I don't know, Neens. It's just one of those nights." He didn't know what to say to her. He was feeling so many things, but he simply wasn't ready to tell her. There was a distance between them now, and he couldn't pretend everything was normal.

"It's okay. I haven't really been able to sleep either for the past few days." Nini said softly. "We don't have to talk or anything. I can just stay on the phone with you?"

"Yeah. That'd be nice." Ricky said. She knew him well. In all the years they'd known each other, she never pushed him to talk unless he was ready.

For a while they just listened to each other breathing, and just as Ricky was about to close his eyes, he heard her hum an unfamiliar tune. She had the most gorgeous voice, and Ricky couldn't help himself, he had to know.

"Is that a new song you're writing?"

"Oh. Sorry. I thought you must've fallen asleep." Nini said caught off guard. "It's actually not my song. I haven't really written any songs since... nevermind. Sorry."

Since the incident with Grayson. That was what she was about to say. Ricky wished he hadn't asked and made things so awkward.

"Sorry. I just ... assumed.." Ricky cleared his throat. "Anyway, it's getting late. Joel has school tomorrow so I should probably go-"

"Ricky." Nini whispered so softly, he almost didn't hear.

"Yeah babe?" Ricky cursed silently. The pet name just slipped out so naturally.

"When are you coming home?" Nini asked. "I- I know it's not been long but.. Joel keeps asking for you. He really misses you."

And what about you ? Ricky was tempted to ask, but decided to go with : "In a few weeks. Tell him I won't be long."

"Okay. Well good night. I ... I'll see you later."

"Nini?" Ricky sighed, "When I get back, let's talk about us, yeah?"

"Okay." She sounded hopeful but guarded. Ricky hoped that he would figure it out in the next few weeks, he never wanted to be without her and he hoped time would heal everything.
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