Somebody to You

Ch. 17

Nick

Dee & I were cuddling on the couch, with Damon between us, watching tv, when I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. I jumped, then pulled it out. I saw it was Joe, so I wiggled away from Damon & Dee as I answered it.

"She left me man." Joe was upset, but seemed more pissed, than anything.

"Chloe left you?" I asked a little too loud, since Dee perked up & was now watching me. I slipped into the kitchen to talk.

"Yea, she left me a note & the ring." Joe's voice sounded so weak.

"What did the note say?" I asked, as Dee came into the room, looking concerned. I listened as Joe read Chloe's note, then I sighed. "Wow, that sucks. But she could come around. She just needs time." I was hoping this were true, because I didn't want Joe to think he had a chance with Dee, if he was suddenly single again. I had no intentions of letting her go.

"I don't know. She's kinda devastated by this. We may be done for good."

"Don't give up on Chloe yet." I said. "Chloe is a great girl. She just needs some time. I know she loves you."

"I had so much fun with Damon, man. He really is a great kid." Joe was gushing now, not wanting to talk about Chloe was my guess.

"Yea he is. I'm glad you guys had fun. He really loved you, too, just like I told ya he would." I was smiling & Dee came up to put her arms around my waist. I kissed the top of her head.

"I want to see him again. When do you think I can?"

"I don't know when you can see him again. You'd have to talk to Dee. I'll text you her number, after we get off the phone or I will have her text you in a minute."

Dee looked up at me. "Tell him he can come over tomorrow night for dinner."

Joe must have heard her. "You're with her now, aren't you? You're with Demi & my son."

I sighed. "Yea, we were just hanging out. I'm heading home soon." I took another deep breath. "Did you hear her? She said you can come over for dinner tomorrow night. She gets off work at 3, so you can probably come over at 4:30."

Joe chuckled. "Wow, you guys are getting serious. You know when she gets off work & when to come for dinner." Now he sounded sad.

I laughed. "She worked for me, Joe, so I know when she gets off. And I'm telling you 4:30 so you can spend a little time with Damon before dinner."

"Oh. Cool. Tell her I'll be over then. Will you be there?" Joe asked.

"Do you want me to be?" I smirked.

"I don't care. I'm just interested in getting to know my son. You probably don't want me & Demi alone together." I could hear humor in his voice.

"I'm not worried, little brother." I smiled & chuckled before I hung up. I watched tv a little longer with Dee & Damon, then I decided to head home. I didn't want to make it weird for Damon by spending the night. It was different if he wasn't there. Dee seemed impressed when I told her that & she wasn't reluctant, either, when I said goodbye.

I was at the gym the next day, as usual, when one of the owners of the gym came up to me. "Hey Nick, how's it going?" He asked as I was taking a break from hitting the punching bags.

"Great."

"Listen, I know you're not able to fight anymore, but I have a job opportunity for ya, if you're interested."

I took a drink of my water. "Hell yea, I'm interested. What is it?"

"I have a few clients that come in here & they're looking for a personal trainer. I thought you'd be perfect for it. You can use the gym, of course & if you can get me some new members, I'll let you work out here for free. How's that sound?"