When Hate Turns to Love

Ch. 5

Nini couldn't catch a break. She was late getting to Ricky's house for her "lessons". Everything was going wrong. She had done the completely wrong assignment for one of her classes, stepped in a pile of dog crap, and accidentally spilled coffee on one of her professors. On top of that, she got a call from the school saying that she had to come pick up her kids. Connor had gotten into a fight, upsetting his sister in the process, so they were both kicked out for the day. Nini struggled not to cry as she rang Ricky's doorbell, Charlotte and Connor at her sides. Big Red answered the door.

"I'm so sorry I'm late, Red." She said immediately. "Things are out of control today."

He smiled widely.

"No worried, Nini. Ricky's not ready anyway. Come on in."

Connor followed Red quickly, enamored by the redhead. Charlotte hung behind, and Nini knelt in front of her shy daughter.

"What's the matter, Char?" She asked.

"He's big." Charlotte whispered.

"Who? Red?"

Charlotte nodded. Nini smiled and hugged her daughter.

"He's a big, ole' teddy bear," Nini said. "I promise."

Red just smiled down at the kids once they were all inside.

"I have a game room here. Wanna go find a game to play?" He asked, excitedly.

"Yes!" Conner pumped a small fist in the air.

"Alright, my dude!" Red high-fived Connor.

Big Red knelt in front of Charlotte when she didn't respond.

"Do you wanna go play some games kiddo?" He asked, holding out his hand.

Charlotte eyes the man, nervously, and then shyly placed her hand is his.

"My name is Charlotte. Do you have Hungry Hungry Hippos?"

Red stood and laughed, still holding the small girls hand.

"You bet I do, Charlotte. What's a game room without Hungry Hungry Hippos?!"

Nini watched in awe as her shy daughter walked away with him.

"He has a way with kids."

Nini jumped out of her skin as Ricky appeared beside her.

"You scared the hell out of me!"

Ricky just laughed and steered her towards the room they were in the day before.

"Now-" she began but was interrupted when her wrists were pulled together with something cold.

She squealed when she looked down. Ricky Bowen had just handcuffed her to herself!

"What the- get these off of me!" She cried as Ricky pocketed the key.

"Not happening." The curly-haired nuisance said, sitting at the head of the table like royalty.

"You can't- you can't just handcuff a person!" Nini continued.

"Call it insurance." Ricky said.

"For what?!" Nini yelled, struggling against the cuffs.

"Because you don't know how to use your words when you get angry." Ricky said, his blue eyes iced in anger.

Nini felt herself turn red. He actually handcuffed her to stop her from hitting him again. She felt like a child. Eventually, she quit struggling and sat across from him quietly.