Falling Too Deep

Chapter 30

Nick - POV:

I woke up with a painful throbbing in my head and my throat was burning for water. As I looked around I noticed I wasn't in my bed and then I tried to remember what exactly happened last night. Before I could question myself even further Tori walked in the room with a glass of orange juice and a bottle of Aspirin.

"Oh look the junkie is up," she said with a sarcastic smirk.

I rolled my eyes and tried to argue back. "I'm not a junkie, what happened last night?"

My head throbbed as I spoke so I laid back down and groaned. Tori laughed at me and handed me the medicine and juice. "You decided to try ecstasy and smoke some weed. You were high as a kite."

I popped the pills in my mouth and downed the juice while she continued. "I found you rolling joints with some flower girl and so I decided to take you home, but your security wouldn't let me in. I took you here instead and you passed out in my kitchen."

I sighed and rubbed my aching head. Hearing what I did last night made me feel horrible. Tori took the medicine and cup away from me and faked a smile. "You're welcome!"

I sat up trying to regain my strength. "Thanks Tori, you really aren't that bad."

She shrugged and pointed towards a door across the room. "There's a bathroom right there. You can do whatever you need to do and then you can leave."

I nodded and thanked her one more time before heading into the bathroom. I used my finger to brush my teeth because my breath smelled god awful and as I went to put her toothpaste away I noticed she had tons of pill bottles in her cabinet.

Maybe I could take just a few more for my headache?

Or maybe you want that amazing high again.

I shook my head and closed the cabinet. No Nick. You don't want to get addicted.

I began walking out of her bathroom but stopped myself when that voice in my head screamed at me.

Just take a few! It won't hurt!

I bit my bottom lip and sighed. I really wanted those pills. I turned on my heel and headed back into the bathroom.

* * * *

Christie and I were having a blast in California. Everyday was something new and I was kind of bummed that we only could spend a week here...but I was definitely considering visiting again. On the other hand, Eli was very sweet. We hung out on several occasions and I was beginning to enjoy his company.

Christie was trying to force something that wasn't "there", and I told her I wasn't ready to move on. I had only known Eli for three days! Today Eli invited me for a fun day on the beach, at first I was going to say no because I came here to not meet guys but to have fun with my friend; but Christie insisted and said she would be fine so I agreed.

I met up with Eli around one in the afternoon and we began walking the beach.

"Are you enjoying California?" Eli asked as he smiled down at me.

I will admit he looked extremely handsome today and seeing him in nothing but swim trunks made giddy.

"Yes I am. I love California, the weather is beautiful."

He grinned and wrapped his arm around me, pulling me closer, making me feel warm inside. But, nothing as close as Nick had made me feel.

"Well this is my area, and if you ever need help I'm your man."

I smiled up at him and walked up to the water, creating distance between us. I pressed my toes in the sand and squinted out in the distance. "Oh really? Well tell me Mr. California man, where's the best hang out spot I can take Christie to?"

He stood next to me and crossed his arms. "Hmmm...depends. What are you looking for? A club? Restaurant?"

"Definitely a club."

He chuckled and playfully nudged me. "I should've known, a New Yorker girl like you would say that."

I raised my eyebrows at him, testing him. "What do you mean a New Yorker girl like me?"

He shrugged and gave me that dazzling smile again. "You're a city girl, so I would expect that."

"So you're saying I'm predictable?"

He shook his head and chuckled. "I'm not saying that. You know...you ask a lot of questions."

I rolled my eyes and before I could respond he had picked me up off my feet and was running into the water. I screamed as the cold, salt water hit me and I started to hit his back.

"Let me down! Let me down!"

He laughed at my reaction and kept running deeper. "No way José!"

Once the water was up to my shoulders he let me go and I splashed him fiercely. "You idiot! I didn't want to get wet!"

He laughed even harder and before I knew it I was laughing. I laughed so hard my stomach began to cramp and I had to control myself. When I calmed down I looked out in the far distance and sighed. It truly was beautiful. But nothing compared to when Nick took me to Aruba. Tears filled my eyes as I remembered the time Nick and I played on the beach and then right after we made love.

Eli noticed my sudden shade and touched my shoulder. "Are you okay?"

I nodded and quickly wiped my eyes. "Yeah I'm fine, let's swim back."

He nodded quietly and we began swimming back to shore.

* * * *

Nick - POV:

I hadn't been to work since I found out what my dad did to Bradley. That was two weeks ago. My dad didn't call for me and he didn't freeze my bank accounts yet. I was astounded. Bradley's funeral was a week ago. I went. It was truly depressing seeing his family heartbroken and it made me even more distraught.

I also missed Andrea dearly. I missed her so much. I wanted to call her right now and tell her how much I loved her, but she wouldn't believe me. I had to do what I had to do though. If my dad knew I was with Andrea he would hurt her, breaking up with her was the only choice. It didn't matter who I cared about anymore, because caring just got people hurt.

When Bradley was alive, he was right about what he said to me. I was turning into my father and I couldn't wrap my head around everything I let happen. Everything was my fault. Bradley was dead because of me. Andrea was no longer my girlfriend and probably hated me because of me. Maria quit because of me. I had no friends, no family and I had no one to talk to besides my dead mother.

To make it worse I had turned to drugs to ease the pain. I couldn't help myself though. It made me feel better and it was my own little escape. I did a little ecstasy here or there, and sometimes I smoked marijuana, but once I tried that addicting white powder I couldn't stop.

The first time I tried cocaine I was at a party with a bunch of dealers. I didn't want to try it because I knew it screwed up people, but I ended up trying it and I couldn't stop. Some hypocrite I am.

The days got worse and when I tried to stop taking it I couldn't. I needed it wherever I was and I even found myself digging through my old brief cases for the leftover drugs. When those sources ran out I was looking up local drug parties just to get that rush.

It was addicting. Like sex. Oh who am I kidding nothing beats sex, but it was second best.

Today was a boring day. I was laying in bed, smoking a joint, thinking of Andrea. I really missed her. I wanted her next to me, butt naked. I wanted for her to look up at me with those beautiful hazel eyes and bat her long eyelashes up and down. I wanted to feel her soft kiss and I wanted to make her say my name.

I closed my eyes and puffed on my joint breathing in the smoke. It calmed my nerves and made me feel so high...like I could fly. Fly anywhere. Maybe I could fly to Andrea and tell her how I much I loved her.

I wonder what she was doing right now..

* * * *

Andrea - POV:

Eli handed me my martini and I smiled up at him. "Thank you."

He grinned. "No problem."

Christie smirked at us and sipped her drink. "Eli why don't you ask Andrea to dance? This song is great to dance to."

I glared at her and Eli chuckled, before stretching out his hand. "Andrea? Do you wanna dance?"

I smiled politely at him and took his hand. "Sure, why not?"

We headed towards the dance floor and Eli pulled me close. My breath hitched in my throat as he wrapped his around my waist. I chuckled nervously at him and looked at everyone else who were dancing faster.

"Eli this is a fast song you know?"

He shrugged. "I wanna dance slow, so I can look into your beautiful eyes."

My face flushed and I looked away from his gaze. He was bluntly flirting with me. We began to dance and while we did Eli didn't look away from my eyes once. It made me feel a little insecure and uncomfortable, but once I looked into his eyes I immediately felt okay. And as we danced, he held me so gentle like I was a newborn, he actually made me feel safe and no one ever made me feel that way besides Nick. 

In that moment I realized that maybe it was alright for me to move on. Nick sure didn't want me and Christie was right...I couldn't wallow and wait for a guy that didn't even love me. Sure enough, my decision was clear...I had to forgive and forget. Nick was my past now and I needed to focus on myself, my friends, and my shop that needed rebuilding. 

Before I knew it the song was over and Eli had released me and was beginning to dance faster. 

"Dance faster New York."

I rolled my eyes and laughed at his new pet name for me. I began dancing faster and even Christie joined us and we danced the night away.

* * * *

I hadn't seen Eli for a few days after the amazing time we had at the club, but Christie and I spent every day together - going to the spa, shopping and other girl things. It was really fun to hang out with my best friend and not have to worry about anything else. We were leaving in a couple of days and I wanted to make the best of my trip; so on the final day while Christie went to the nearby spas I hung out with Eli. 

We had lunch and then afterwards we headed to the beach. But instead of going to the regular spot like everyone else he took me to a private spot by the pier. It was fantastic because you could literally see the whole ocean and the water by the pier was extra clear. We sat on the edge of the pier and I rested my feet in the water as I stared out at the boats passing by. 

"Are you having fun?" Eli asked.

I nodded and smiled at him. "Of course. I always have fun when I'm with you."

He grinned at my comment and put his arm around my shoulders. "I'm glad. I really like you Andrea. You're different from other girls."

His compliment was nice, and I wanted to accept it, but for some reason I couldn't. "You're a cool guy Eli."

Suddenly, he leaned over and kissed me dead square on the lips. My eyes widened and I was in total shock, but I didn't pull away. I let my eyes close and I kissed him back and as we kissed I was really upset because there was no spark. I didn't get a warm feeling, or butterflies in my tummy. It was just a kiss. 

I pulled away quickly and ducked my head completely embarrassed that I didn't stop him sooner. Eli put his hand on my shoulder and sighed. "Andrea, I'm sorry. Too fast?"

I shook my head and looked up at him. "No, no. It's fine. I wanted you to kiss me, it just wasn't what I was expected." 

He looked at little hurt by my comment so I tried to come at it with a different approach. "I mean Eli you're a nice guy, and I'm starting to like you...but-"

"There's another guy, huh?"

I frowned and buried my face in my hands. "Not exactly."

He rested his hand on my back and rubbed it reassuringly. "Tell me Andrea."

I glanced at him and his expression was so sincere that I began to pour my heart out. "The reason I came to California is because I just went through this horrible breakup. I needed an escape and anything that would help clear my head. I thought hanging out with you would help me get over it, and it did for a while...but I'm still in love with the guy who dumped me. When you kissed me I realized that." 

Eli nodded, not saying a word which made me feel even worse. "Eli you are a great guy, but I don't want to pretend we have something when we don't. I love being your friend and I hope you're okay with that. I mean, you're a wonderful guy and any girl would be lucky to date you. But, I guess I'm not that lucky."

Out of nowhere Eli began smiling. Smiling! I just turned him down and he was smiling? "Andrea...I get it. You're just confused right now and it's fine. I really like you but I will be willing to just be friends if that's what you want."

I smiled back at him and gave him a big hug. "You truly are amazing. I'm glad I met you."

We ended the hug and Eli nudged me playfully. "Hey, that guy is an idiot for breaking up with you."

I scoffed and looked out at the ocean. Yeah, some idiot alright. 

* * * *