D&B5

Neil&Nick Extra 4 🔞

Ring.. ring.. ring

Neil's phone rang mid-morning two days later.  It was Nick, as usual, who went to see who was calling.  It was Pam. Nick took a deep breath before answering.

"Hello?" Nick said.

("Uh, Nick?")  Pam's voice came through, clearly recognizing it wasn't Neil.

"Yes, it's me," Nick replied. Neil, who had just entered the house, raised an eyebrow at Nick using his phone. Nick put the call on speakerphone.

("Nick, it's perfect timing. I wanted to talk to you.") Pam began.

"Yes?" Nick replied curtly.

("I want to apologize for my aunts, Aunt Nang and Aunt Huan. I didn't expect them to speak to you so badly.") Pam said, and Nick listened silently.

("I don't want you to misunderstand me. I didn't intend to do what my aunts wanted. I only talked to Neil about the car.") Pam said in a soft voice.

("After I got home that day, I talked to my aunts. I told them not to try and force me together with Neil again. Neil and I are just like siblings.") Pam tried to explain, but deep down, Nick felt she was being incredibly insincere.  He tried to push that feeling aside.

"If you really didn't mean anything by it, that's good. Because I'm sure someone as attractive as you could easily find a boyfriend.  No one in their right mind would try to steal someone else's boyfriend, right?  Just kidding. Sorry I'm being blunt, but you're not like what I just described, right, Pam?" Nick replied. Pam fell silent for a moment.

("Yes.") Pam replied briefly.  For a moment, Nick heard a breath expelled through her nose, like someone restraining their emotions.

"Don't worry about it. Neil and I understand each other. Neil says he only sees you as a sister, and that's enough for me," Nick replied.

("If you're comfortable, then I am too.  Because from now on, I might have to go to the garage or call Neil often, and I don't want you to worry.") Pam said.

"Okay," Nick replied.

("In that case, can I talk to Neil?  It's about the car.") Pam asked, making Nick a little annoyed. He shoved the phone into Neil's hand. Neil raised his eyebrows slightly.

"What's up, Pam?" Neil said into the phone, the speakerphone still on. Pam asked about the car, chatted a bit about other things, but subtly steered the conversation back to the car.

("Are you going to the shop today, P'Neil?") Pam asked, because Neil had said he was home earlier.

"I was going to skip it.  Are you coming to look at the car?" Neil asked.

("Yes. Could you help me out?") Pam asked, her voice slightly choked. To someone unconcerned, it might sound like a sister asking a brother for help.  But Nick didn't feel that way at all.

"Shorty, should I go to the shop?" Neil turned to ask Nick.  Just then, Nick's phone rang—it was Brick. Nick didn't answer Neil; he immediately answered his friend's call.

"What's up?" Nick said to Brick.

("Are you home or at the garage?") Brick asked.

"I'm home. Why?" Nick asked. Neil told Pam he'd call back later, waiting for Nick's response.

("I'm in Kanchanaburi right now. I was talking to Day, we're planning to camp at Huai Mae Khamin Waterfall, so I'm calling to invite you to join us.  Interested?") Brick said, extending the invitation.

"Interested," Nick replied immediately. He needed a break.

("Have you asked your husband yet? If you're going, you need to get to Kanchanaburi today to prepare, right?") Brick continued.