Damaged Hearts

Chapter 18

Zach

The week had carried on, the tension between Brian and Nicole was heavy. I could sense it at work but forced to keep my mouth shut and play dumb. If I were Nicole, I think I'd have a conversation with Monica honestly, at this point, but that's the last thing she wants to do. It's taking everything in me to not get involved. My hands are tied until she's ready to share the news of us being together.

It's just us, on the couch, escaping from the world around us for the moment. I feel Nicole's body shift against mine, her hands tangled in my hair, her boobs brushing my chest, and her lips pressing on mine and she slowly grinds herself into me. She's straddling me. The intense heat between us makes my heart race.

But then, something changes. I feel her body tense, just a bit, but enough to break my focus. I pull back, our lips just hovering, my eyes are met with hers.

"What?" My voice low and concerned. I tuck her hair back behind her ear.

"Nothing," she murmured, but I could tell it wasn't true. I'd learned to read her by now, and it wasn't something I could ignore.

"Don't lie to me sweetheart," I said softly, brushing my thumb across her cheek. "What's going on?"

She exhales, sitting up a little, her eyes no longer meeting mine as she struggled to find the right words. "I don't know... I'm just... frustrated," she admits, her voice tight. "Brian, Monica, with my kids right now, probably having a sleepover, I can't." She shakes her head. "I can't focus on anything. Not even you."

I nod, anger about the situation fills me too and there not even my kids. "I get it, he's treating you like shit."

She dismounts from my lap, "I feel like I'm just... stuck."

I take a deep breath, trying to choose my words carefully. She needed something more than just sympathy right now. She needed action.

"Listen, Nic. Maybe this can't just be about the kids anymore. This has to be about you too, and about how you move forward."

"What are you saying?" She argues.

Taking a quick deep breath I explain, "We can't keep hiding, we shouldn't."

She looks at me, heavy in thought. "You're right. He's not keeping Monica a secret, so why the hell should we?"

"I think we need to tell Brian first though, don't do what he did, as much as you want to, don't let your kids be on the receiving end of it." I shake my head. She sighs, knowing I'm right.
"You're still the mother and this is something you have to handle. For them."

She looked at me for a long moment, the hesitation clear in her eyes. "You're right," she says.

"I'm not saying it'll be easy, if you want me there I'm there."

"You would?"

"You kidding? I'd handle this all myself if you wanted." I laugh and her face doesn't even falter. "You want me to talk to him don't you?" I guess, holding my breath.

"Would you do that for me?"

I sigh, thinking about the conversation going south incredibly fast. But, then I think about Nicole, the kids, us. "I'd do anything for you guys." I admit.

Her eyes go soft, her smile small, but grateful. "I don't deserve you."

I kiss her softly, "Yes, you do." I pull back slightly, brushing my thumb over her lips. "When do you want me to talk to him?" I ask.

"I don't know... as soon as possible?" she stifles a laugh.

"Ha, so tomorrow?"

"I guess." She shrugs.

I cup her face with my hand and bring her closer to me, "Tomorrow it is." I whisper and kiss her again. My stomach already forming knots
•••

I have rehearsed this conversation a hundred times in my head, but I don't think any amount of practice could prepare me for how it was going to go.

Heading out of the break room, I walk my ass straight into Brains office and shut the door behind me. Standing as straight as I can, hands held together behind my back as I wait for him to look up at me from his computer.

"What's up?" He asks.

My voice as smooth and steady as I can bare, "I need to talk to you about something."

Brian's brow raises and he sits back in his chair. "About what?"

"Nicole." I say with a quick swallow. Brian's expression changing from confused to guarded. He folds his arms across his chest.

"What about her?" His tone is sharp. I look down before I look back up and meet his gaze.

"I'm seeing her."

Brian blinks then lets out a scoff of a laugh, "Come again?"

"You heard right."

He stands, but I don't flinch. His voice low and quieter than anticipated, "Tell me you're fucking with me."

"Nope." I shake my head, "And I'm going to stop you right there. You don't get to do that. You don't get to act like this pisses you off. You cheated on her for God knows how long without giving a flying shit about her or your kids so, you don't get to do that." I say firm, trying to come off confident but inside I'm shitting myself, this is my boss for Christ sake.

Brian's jaw ticks, "This is just that bitches way of trying to get back at me. Don't you see that?"

I shake my head, his choice of word stirring an anger up inside me I don't think I have ever felt before. "No. She's not like that because unlike you, the last thing she wants to do is ruin her kids lives."

He steps around the desk, closing the distance between us. Our eyes locked.

"You're so fucking far out of line Carson." He growls my last name with gritted teeth.

"And you're fucking screwed because if you mention a god damn thing about this being a conflict of interest... so help me god, I will make your life a living hell, starting off with making sure you never step foot in this building again." I growl back.

Brian's chest heaves as we stare at each other,
"You'd be making a big fucking mistake for a bitch who's not nearly as perfect as you think she is." He argues and that word choice has my blood boiling again.

"Says the asshole who had the affair." I scoff and turn to leave. But before I open the door I decide to go out with one more bang.

Turning back around to look at him, "You know what's funny?" I ask and he doesn't answer but I hold his attention, "I don't know why you always bitched about your sex life with her, every time I fuck her I swear she screams my name louder than the last."

With that I walk out of his office, letting the door slam shut behind me.