VALERIE

Sixty Five

"I don't think Vanessa is going to be happy with you." Valerie said lowly as Nick drove into the driveway of her house.

The first thing Valerie notice was that the porch light was on. When she saw that she knew her father was still awake. And he was waiting. Waiting for her specifically.

Stopping the car right in front of the walkway, Nick leaned back in his seat, he rolled his eyes at her before turning back to look at Meeko who was just sitting in the backseat panting.

"Fuck I'm gonna miss him."

"Are you sure you wanna give him to me? I mean you can keep him and I can go visit him it'll be like you have custody and I can-"

"NoPe, me and you are cutting loose ends."

Valerie looked at him in utter confusion, she parted her lips as if to say something but Nick beat her to it.

"If you take him then me and you aren't ever crossing paths again. And if I keep him then I don't want you around."

Valerie blankly stared at Nick's face.

She was obviously hurt by the way her eyes became glossy.

"I thought we were friends." She said softly and slowly.

Nick passed his hand over his face dragging it down before rubbing his temple with his index and middle finger, "I just, I don't want any misunderstandings with Vanessa you know?"

Valerie shook her head.

She didn't know where this was coming from.

Valerie herself even ageed that she wasn't going to get him back, she told herself to move on and to forget about Nicholas King. She told herself that he wasn't what she needed.

They were toxic for eachother. That much she knew was clear. No good. But for some reason she still felt the connection, the same magnetic attraction and chemistry that drew them in once long ago, it was still there, lingering, waiting to be ignited by a small flame.

Valerie looked away, "Does Vanessa like Meeko?" She asked petting Meeko on the head.

Nick nodded, "Yeah, she's gonna be crushed if you take him but he's our dog we can do whatever we want."

Valerie bit on the inside of her bottom lip for a minute before nodding her head, "I don't want him then."

"Why not? I mean me and Ness can get another dog."

Valerie shook her head, "It's fine Nick, really. He's more attached to you two than he is to me, I doubt he even remembers me."

Nick sighed, "Just take him."

Scoffing Valerie opened the passanger door, "You give up pretty quick."

"Excuse me?" He retaliated sensing the sarcasm that had dripped from Valerie's words.

"Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about. Just don't."

Nick shook his head, "Stop bringing the past up."

Valerie smirked as she leaned back into the car to grab Meeko delicately by the leash, "You know what I love about dogs?"

Nick stayed silent just glaring at her with his cold gray eyes.

"They are way more loyal than men," She scoffed as she leaned back out and went up the steps with Meeko beside her wagging his tail excitedly, "Isn't that right baby?" She cooed at the dog after she opened the front door of her house.

Standing at the doorway under the porch light she radiated brightly, "Night Nick." She hissed shutting the door behind her then proceeded to turn off the porch lights.