Page 104 of The Sounds of Her

Nick frowns at the change in topic, but he contemplates the question. “Not sure when, but yeah. We want to be together, and I want Elsa to know she’s the only person I will ever want. Speaking of which, I want to talk to you about something.”

“Yeah?”

“Elsa is spending more time in New York. I don’t want her to get a place on her own if she makes the move. Janie is looking for an apartment, for both of us.”

“You’re moving in together?”

Nick nods, looking at me as if he’s breaking my heart. Jesus. “You good with that?”

“Of course, I’m happy for you, man. Even if you are abandoning me.”

“I figure you were getting fed up with all the sex we’re having while you’re alone in your room.” He finishes his coffee and looks at his watch.

“Fuck off,” I laugh.

“Arch, can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“If there is something you need to talk about, you can talk to me.”

“You’re like a woman.”

“Can’t help if I’m in touch with my emotions and attune to yours,” he grins. “Our moon cycles are in sync.” His smile slips away. “You were there for me last year, through that whole thing with Atwater.”

His bio dad. He never talks about him. After he showed up at our apartment, Stone and I chased him away. Atwater got the picture. Nick wants nothing to do with him.

The whole situation is messed up, Nick having three half siblings who don’t know he exists, but he doesn’t let that get to him, at least not openly.

For a moment I stare at him in silence. I know what Brooke wants me to do. I need to tell the others. It hurt opening up to Brooke about the trauma of losing the baby, but at the same time, it released some of the tightness that keeps gripping me every time I remember.

“If I tell you, you’ll keep it between us?”

Nick doesn’t hesitate. “Of course.”

Taking a deep breath, I tell him everything. He curses a few times, but he listens without interrupting me. When I shrug, letting him know I’m through, he leans forward, gripping his empty mug between his knees.

“What can I do?” he asks.

“Nothing you can do. It’s done, I just have to move on. At least things are getting easier now I’m talking about it.”

“Moving on from something like that. Fuck, Arch,” he stares at me for a moment. Nick isn’t like Adam, his reaction will be a lot different to Nick. “I’ll do anything you need. Even dealing with her, so you don’t have to.”

“B deals with the execs. I never have to see her if I don’t want to.”

“The offer is here. I’ll keep this to myself. When you tell the others, I won’t let on.”

“Thanks.”

“What about Brooke?”

“What about her?”

“You have feelings for her?”

“You really are turning into a chick.”

He shrugs like he doesn’t care. “Might as well get it all out in one session,” he grins. “None of us are blind.”

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