"From This Day Forward (Part 3 to One Night Stand)"

"Nick's Past"

Summer had finished all her errands & baby shower planning for the day, she even managed to have an impromptu lunch with her now friend, former boyfriend, Dylan. She quickly checked her watch which read 2:10. She knew she was late & he messed up. She called Nick to tell him she was on her way. He sounded a bit off on the phone. She quickly texted her Grandma to let her know where she'd be in case she needed anything else for the baby shower. Summer reached Nick's air bnb, parked her car & walked towards the door. It was a cute one story cottage with a clean, white picket fence bordering the lawn from the sidewalk. Summer knocked on the door & waited for Nick to open it. She was a little uncomfortable meeting him at the air bnb, but it was a better choice than him coming to her house. Public areas wouldn't have worked for his session either as there were people around & it might distract him.

Summer: Hey Nick.

Nick opened the door, but was expressionless. Summer began removing her coat & set her bag down.

Summer: I am so so sorry I'm late. It was unprofessional of me. We can get started right away if you're ready.
Nick: I've been ready.

Nick sat down on the couch & crossed his arms. Summer could tell he was upset. She sat on the couch across from him. She started off with breathing exercises to try to calm Nick down. It worked a little as he started to sit back into his seat & eventually uncrossed his arms. Nick started his session out by talking about his childhood. A subject Summer hoped he'd talk about, but never had until today. His childhood seemed normal up until he & Nat, his twin brother had turned 10. Nat had music lessons every Friday afternoon & during that hour, their dad took Nick back home where he would abuse him in their basement. Summer remained quiet & continued to listen. Nick was cold & didn't cry even if what he was talking about made Summer emotional. She kept her composure & listened closely to every word Nick said.

Nick: He took advantage of me & did this every week for that year. I remember regretting not taking music like Nat had. If I only took music, this wouldn't have happened to me. Ever since that time, I hated my father, but I think I took it out on my mom especially. I felt like she was letting me down.
Summer: Did you ever tell you about your dad?
Nick: No. I thought about it. But then I didn't want my mom to leave my dad. She loved him too much. She worshipped the ground he walked on.
Summer: Did you tell anyone about what your dad did to you?
Nick: No. Not even my brother.

Summer scribbled a few things in her iPad. Nick got up & walked around to the kitchen. He did this a few times in between his story about his childhood. It looked like he had been drinking long before Summer got there.

Summer: Don't you think you've had enough to drink?

Nick set his drink down & leaned over the kitchen counter with his eyes closed. He was drunk.

Nick: Don't worry, I'm not driving or anything.

Summer was glad she was making a breakthrough in his sessions. Nick veered away from talking about his childhood & instead started talking about how he's never had a lasting relationship. He talked about how girls always made excuses not to go out with him.

Nick: So Nat keeps telling me that you don't want me, a boy because you already got your man. I just wanna know Summer. Why him instead of me? I get it he's older & you guys have a past. But come on. I've got money. I've got a car. I'm smart. I'm easy on the eyes. What am I doing wrong?
Summer: Maybe we should reschedule this session.
Nick: No need for that. Have a seat.
Summer: Nick, I'm not comfortable.
Nick: Sit down.

Nick walked up to Summer & sat next to her. She leaned away from him & he got closer. He sniffed her hair as he held a strand of it in his hand. She closed her eyes & continued to lean away from him. She held her phone in her hand & tried to text someone, anyone for help. Nick saw what she was doing & took her phone away & set it on the coffee table.

Nick: Uh uh uh... I wouldn't do that if I were you. My session isn't over yet. There's still 10 more minutes left.
Summer: Please don't do anything you'll regret. Please don't hurt me, Nick.

Summer could feel her heart beating out of her chest. She was afraid of what Nick might do to her.

Nick: You think I'd hurt you? I would never do anything to hurt you. Summer, I love you.
Summer: Nick, please give me my phone.
Nick: First answer my question.
Summer: Which question?
Nick: Why Jay & not me?
Summer: Jay's my...
Nick: Boyfriend. I know. Don't you think I know these things?! Ok, ok... I want to know what he's got that I don't.
Summer: It's not about what he has. It's about how he makes me feel.
Nick: Which is?
Summer: He makes me feel safe. He makes me feel loved & secure. I can trust him. And... he just knows me.
Nick: I can give you those things.
Summer: Nick, Jay's known me for a long time.
Nick: I know you, Summer. I do. I've watched you from a distance, but I think I know a lot about you. Like the way you sprinkle cinnamon in your coffee. Or how you like to match your shoes with your purse. And the way you check the silverware at every restaurant you eat it just to double check it's cleanliness.
Summer: Nick, may I have my phone back now?
Nick: You don't really care about me do you?
Summer: What do you mean?
Nick: You pretend like we're friends, but I'm just a client.
Summer: No, we're friends.
Nick: Prove it. Bring me to meet your family.
Summer: Ok. Ok. I will.
Nick: But you have to tell them I'm your boyfriend.
Summer: But they know that I'm with Jay.
Nick: Things happen.

Nick opened Summer's phone.

Summer: What are you doing?
Nick: Oh just looking for something...

After a minute of looking through Summer's phone, Nick handed the phone back to Summer.

Summer: What did you just do?
Nick: I now have Jay's number. And I can tell him about that time on your couch when we got close. Remember?
Summer: Nick, that night didn't mean anything.
Nick: It meant something to me.
Summer: Please don't...
Nick: Does Jay even know we traveled to Seattle together?

Summer remained quiet.

Nick: Ladies & gentleman, I think we've found ourselves a winner!
Summer: Nick, let's talk about this.
Nick: I'll talk. You listen. If you convince your family at your sister's baby shower that I'm your boyfriend, I'll withhold this little secret from Jay.