Don't You Remember? (HSMTMTS Sequel to Meeting Me Halfway)

Chapter 17. |Respect|

Ricky Bowen
I bite into my cold chicken tender and palm my forehead. I resist the urge to go follow Nini but she seemed like she needed some time away from me or to cool down. I didn't know I could anger her that much, I was just so caught up with work and shit it-

God I am dumb.

I throw my food item down and wipe my hands on a napkin before getting up and going the direction Nini went. Before she gets to whoever this Nick guy is and try to find a proper way to apologize to her.

I get the loud music in the background outta my mind and venture the arcade. She couldn't have gone far as I just let her go maybe 3 minutes ago, but then again, this place is huge.

I look around and put my hands in my pockets, trying to think about how to say sorry but nothing comes up. She's pissed and I guess she had every right to be but I seriously don't think it's that big of a deal. I mean..I said sorry and she wants more? What else do you want from me woman?

I scavenge the area and gaze at everyone with a little girl, but not creepily. That could probably get me in big trouble.

Just as I see a woman close to resembling Nini, I feel a bump and immediately, liquid pours onto me.

"Oh fuck!" I hear a voice say as I turn around. I look to see a man with black hair, fixing the half empty drinks in his hand. "Oh dude, shit, I am so sorry. I should've paid more attention."

I stupidly wipe as much of the...Fanta soda.. off of me and sigh before chuckling. "It's-..it's fine man. You're all good."

"You sure? I can get you some napkins and-.." he pauses and looks at me a bit closer. I retaliate a little and raise a brow. "Uhm..I'm sorry but are you..aren't you Nini's boyfriend?"

My neutral resting face nods. "Yeah I am...you uh..you Nick?" I continue to wipe my jacket.

"Yeah, well. Hey." He laughs, "Uhm, Nini's talked a great ton about you."

"Hm. Well I've just heard about you today..just 5 minutes ago." I say, hiding my annoyance. This man is good looking and hope to god better not have any intentions with Nini.

His smile fades as he hears my sentence. "How-..she's never talked about me to you?" I shake my head and close my parted lips. He scratches the back of his head. "Oh..well. I'm Nick O'Neil and I'm a co worker of Nini. Are you looking for her and Athena?"

"Yeah." I keep my voice just a little obviously annoyed. "Yeah I am, you know where they are?"

"Yup. T-this Fanta was for Athena but I suppose I'll get her a new one soon." He begins walking and I reluctantly follow him. "So, how are you Richard? Is it Richard?"

"Yeah, it's Richard..and I'm fine. What about you?"

"Oh I'm alright." He says, unintentionally cheerfully. He seems like a nice guy, really, but there will always be something off with a new person that enters me or Nini's life. "I'm just here having a blast."

"Mm. Weird question," I force a laugh, "how old are you?"

"Twenty five. I uh..I just moved here from Chicago so I'm just learning my way around here."

I swallow back my words but they eventually come up again. "Chicago? What side?"

"More so the..North Side. Originally, I am from the south but that was a little too dangerous for my mom and she didn't enjoy it so..North it was. Are you from Chicago or something?"

"No, I'm originally from Salt Lake but I moved to Chicago for a little bit so I was just wondering."

"Got it." We turn a corner. "So what side did you live on?"

"South. You're right, it is dangerous but at least it was entertaining. Something new was going on every night."

"I mean Chicago is Chicago. There'll always be something entertaining every night."

We walk in silence for a little bit, allowing me to take my time and take my jacket off. I need to wash it anyway.

I feel Nicks eyes on me but I just ignore it and fix my shirt that luckily had no hint of Fanta on it. I hear him swallow just as I see Nini holding Athena by the spin the wheel for tickets or something like that. Before I can walk over to them, Nick words stop me, but I'm glad it did.

"By the way, Richard," he says, tapping the cup in his hands, "I don't know if you think this way, but just know I have no intentions on Nini or anything. From the way you've looked at me, I feel like you think I'm trying to hit on her or something."

I slightly grin as he says that. It's truly a relief.

"Hm. I'm sure you..don't have any intentions on her. Well at least, I hope you don't."

"I don't dude. I got a girlfriend back in Chicago and I'm just here as a friend. I don't want you thinking I have any intentions other than that. Especially since you guys have a, very smart and gorgeous, daughter. I don't want to break your family apart." He chuckles. "I'm not sure why I'm saying that like I even can, but I'm just letting you know."

I grab my hand sanitizer from my back pocket that I decided to end up carrying after that pandemic that happened a couple years back in sophomore year of College, and put it on and nod. I respect him, I really do.

"Thanks, I truly appreciate that man. You've earned my respect, not gonna lie." I smile.

"Yeah of course. Just doing the basics."

I look at Nini and decide to head over to her, hoping that she'll take it down a notch in front of our daughter. Nick follows behind me and as soon as I reach Nini, Athena's face lights up.

Bro. FUCK SCHOOL Jesus of mother's nature, this is really impacted my writing and my reads and I'm sorry about it! I have to do it late at night where it's the only time I'm free but tired so it gets rare.

I'm trying for y'all :)

Enjoy Your Day or Night!
-CR❤️