Mr. Bad Influence

Chapter 13 - Part 1

Kerri turned on her side and snuggled into Nick's pillow while her phone vibrated away in the empty space next to her. This was the third time her phone had rung, and it would be the third time she was going to let it ring through.

It could be her mom. Her father wouldn't call her, not when he knew she needed space. It could be Dana, or it could be Stephanie. She couldn't care less. She wasn't ready to get out of bed and deal with the world just yet.

Sitting up on the bed, she ran her fingers through her hair, tugging at the few bunched-up strands that had gotten tangled while she slept.

She stretched her back and took a deep breath. Before she went to bed, she had made up her mind. She would help Stephanie one last time. It would put a drug supplier away, and she would be able to help Eric at the same time.

"Lord, help me close this chapter once and for all." She got off the bed, washed up, then went down the stairs.

There were movements in the kitchen, and the couch had nothing on it besides a throw that Nick had probably used as his blanket.

"Smells good," she said as she went into the kitchen.

"Didn't you learn how to cook when you went on your mission trips?"

She shook her head. "The church usually takes care of our meals. I did help some families with the preparation, but it wasn't much. I just peeled some carrots and cut some apples. I did see a horrifying scene of the villagers slaughtering a chicken. That almost made me a vegan."

He laughed.

"It was a horror show. The chicken continued running around even after they chopped off its head." She shivered as she recalled the sight.

Nick set a plate in front of her, then tilted the pan and emptied the contents onto it. "Scrambled egg with spinach and cheese. We had this at one of the French restaurants. I remembered you love it."

"Do you think we're great together because of what we used to have?"

He grinned and looked at her after cracking two more eggs.

Yesterday, when Nick got back, they had resumed their day as if Pastor Jay hadn't dropped by. Neither of them talked about what Pastor Jay had said to them, but she had been thinking.

"Do you think we're great together?" he asked.

"I'm very comfortable with you. I don't know. We still talk to each other like we used to. We ... I don't know."

"I suppose this has something to do with what Pastor Jay said to you?"

She stared at the sizzling pan as he poured the egg into it. "Maybe."

Nick swirled the pan around, then threw in a handful of spinach and cheese. She grabbed a plate and placed it next to hers.

After getting the eggs onto the plate, he put the pan in the sink and sat. "We were able to speak freely with each other because we trusted each other. I still trust you. Nothing will ever change that. No matter who I become, I will always trust you. So I'll always be great with you." His lips curled as she smiled.

He got up again and went over to the fridge. "If you don't want to talk about the past, we can talk about the present." He grabbed a carton of orange juice, put it on the table, then went back to the counter to get her a glass of water before returning to his seat. "Are you ready to talk about what's bugging you?"

She shook her head. "Because I can't, not because I won't." She picked up her fork and took a mouthful of the scrambled egg. "This is nice."

He nodded with a small smile.

"I know you're worried, but it's almost over. I'll do whatever I have to do, then I'll be done."

He stared right at her for a moment. "If you need any help—"

"You know I'll come to you."

"Will you tell me what all this is about when it's over?"

"Of course." The idea of the whole ordeal being over made her smile and motivated her. She'd call Stephanie once she left Nick's place. She took another mouthful of the scrambled egg before asking, "Are you excited about your performance tomorrow?"

He exhaled heavily. "I just hope I don't get jeered off stage again."

Lord, don't let that happen. "That won't happen."

"You'll be there, right?"

"Wouldn't miss it for the world." She helped Nick clear the dishes after breakfast, and they chatted until he had to go for his dance practice.

"I'll drive you to the gym first."

"No, it's all right." She had to deal with Stephanie first. "There's something I need to do."

He nodded after a moment. "Drop me a text when you're at the gym. I want to know you got there safe."

"Okay." He leaned forward and planted a kiss on her lips before she could react. "I'm sorry," he said after freezing up for a moment. "Habit."

She laughed softly. "I hope it isn't one you have with all your ex-girlfriends." And judging from the magazine covers, there were quite a few.

"So it's all right that I have that habit with you?"

"So you have that habit with the others as well?" She walked to her car without closing the door. "I'll see you tomorrow."

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