Forever

Part 26

Nick didn't know why he was so bothered by Sarah's behaviour lately. He knew she was a good girl, and she was just having fun. She wasn't doing anything wrong. She worked hard, held him down, and would never step out on him. But, it seemed to him, that she was avoiding the wedding. Did she not want to be married? He thought women got excited for weddings, planning every last detail. He was more interested in the wedding than she was. That, mixed with her spending all her time with everyone but him, had him feeling down.

He sat in his room, alone, drinking straight from a bottle of Hennessy. He wondered if he was pressuring her to do something she didn't want to do. She always talked about her independence and how important it was to her. Did she say yes to his proposal just to make him happy? He was so confused. He had never felt this way with her before. He had always been so sure about her. He loved her so intensely, and just wanted to get started on the rest of their lives together. He wanted babies. With her, only. 

He shook his head, taking another swig from the bottle. His phone rang. It was Sarah. He laid down on the bed, answering it. "Hey, mami".

"Hey, baby" she said. He closed his eyes at the sound of her voice. He missed her so much. "I just wanted to check on you. Are you still mad with me?".

He sighed loudly. "I'm not mad, Sarah". 

"Nick, you hung up on me. And, now you sound...different". 

He laughed. "I'm drunk, mami".

"Are you going to talk to me?"

He scoffed. "Sure, I'll talk to you. What should we talk about? That you're out every night, but can't take two days out of your busy schedule to come see your fiance? Or, how bout we talk about this fiance business? I am your fiance, right? We are getting married? Because it seems to me that you really don't give a shit about our wedding. You're too busy acting like a single girl".

She was speechless. "Nick...I...."

"It's all good, mami. It is what it is".

"No, Nick, it isn't what it is. Ask Caro. Months ago, I told the girls I would say yes if you asked me to marry you. When you proposed? That was one of the happiest nights of my life. Nick, I love you. If me going out was bothering you so much, why didn't you say so?".

He laughed. "Would it have mattered if I said anything?".

Sarah was becoming angry. She didn't like how he was speaking to her. "When you told me to stay home, I did. I do what you ask, when you ask it. You're not being fair. You're being rude!".

"Am I being rude?", he asked, amusement in his voice. 

"Alright, Nick. Go drink some more. Be an asshole. I'm done". She hung up the phone on him.

Nick looked at the phone, before whipping it across the room. "Cono!" he roared. He downed the last of the Hennessy, calling Valentino's room on the hotel's phone. "You want to go out, mano? Alright. Bueno. See you in 10".

Nick checked his reflection in the mirror. He looked rough. He splashed some water on his face and changed his shirt. He picked up his cell phone, seeing a crack running through the screen. "Shit" he muttered. He pressed the talk button, his finger hovering over the send button under Sarah's name. Instead of calling her, he hit the home button, shoving the phone in his jeans pocket.

He left his room, meeting Valentino, who was on his way to Nick's room. Nick was surprised to see Ann trailing behind him. 

"Hey" she said to Nick. "Mind if I tag along?".

"Not at all" he said, motioning for her to lead them to the elevator. She smiled at him as she passed. He watched her, following her to the elevator. They rode down to the lobby, meeting more friends from the tour. They all jumped in taxi's, heading for the club. When they got there, drinks started flowing and never stopped. Nick watched Ann dance, getting up to dance behind her.