Whole Lotta Love (a sequel to Crush)

Part 2

Nikki's p.o.v. -
Honestly how did I answer his question?  I did not even know the answer.  It was a weird secret.  I'm not sure why I couldn't tell him.  It was bad but even I had no clue how bad.

It was a weird situation. 

Ryan asked again "Nikki?  What is wrong?  What was bothering you yesterday?  I can tell something was and might still be."

I said "Look Ryan I love you but I don't know how to answer that question."

Ryan looked at me confused "How come you don't know how?  What could be making you unsure how to answer?"

I said "There's a year of my life I have no memory of.  I still don't know about that year.  That was 11 years ago."

Ryan said nothing and did nothing. 

I hated his look.  What was he thinking?  Would he try to help me recover this missing year?  Would he leave me?  Would I ever even find out what happened?

Suddenly Ryan just got up and left the room.  I searched his house but he was nowhere to be found.  I assumed he had left and decided to leave me alone.

I sat there crying on his bed with my face buried in his pillow.  I was so tempted to leave the ring on his dresser and leave.  As I started to take the ring off I heard a voice say "What are you doing?"

I didn't stop.

The voice came closer and I could feel a set of strong arms wrap around me.

The voice said "Don't.  I love you!  We will find out what happened.  I am going to marry you.  I won't leave you ever!  I just needed a moment."

Hearing those words was all I needed to slip the ring back on my finger and ask "Really?  If I haven't been able to for 11 years how do you plan on helping me?"

Ryan said "I don't know yet.  Maybe you can try hypnosis."

I said "I tried that.  It didn't help."

Ryan heard my phone ring and asked "Are you going to answer that?"

I did and got a shock.

The voice on the other end said "Do you accept a collect call from Chicago?"

I said "Okay."

The voice changed and I heard something I hadn't in years.  Something that sent shivers down my spine. 

As I listened Ryan grew very concerned and wondered if this had anything to do with my missing year.

The voice said "Hi Nikki.  It's been a long time hasn't it?  I bet you didn't think you'd ever hear from me again.  You have quite a surprise for your fiancée to receive for your wedding.  Yes I know about it.  I have someone watching you.  I know you slept with him on a bluff in Los Angeles.  Who knew you'd be so open about where you'd have sex with a guy?  You were never that way with me."

I said "I never slept with you.   I barely knew you.  What do you want from me?"

The voice said "You'll find out on your wedding day."