Page 70 of Blackout: Book Two

“What are you doing here?” I ask, sitting up.

He shrugs his shoulders.

“Thought you could use the company. I can leave if you want.”

“Company is nice,” I reply, cocking my head to the side as I study him. “You know what happened?” As soon as the question leaves my mouth, I close my eyes and wave my hand dismissively. “Of course you know what happened. You’re visiting me in the psych ward.”

He rubs a hand over his face before staring at me with a thoughtful expression.

“You’re important.”

His words catch me off guard.

“What?”

“Not just to Blackie or to your father. You’re important to a lot of people. You’re important to me. I just thought you should know that.”

“Nico—”

“Please, let me finish,” he interjects. “I think you're beautiful and I’m not talking about surface beauty. While that’s a great bonus, it’s your heart that’s most beautiful.” He pauses for a beat, shaking his head slightly. “Everyone around me loves someone. My father loves Maria and for some crazy reason, she loves him back. Then there is your old man and Reina, those two, love one another like crazy…no pun intended. Hell, even my brother is in love with his child bride.”

Normally I’d chuckle at the reference to Frankie and his baby mama, but I can sense this is a heavy conversation. One where humor has no place.

“But no one loves like you. Blackie is a lucky man,” he says quietly. “I need to take a step back from all this.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I lost my shit when I found out you were admitted to the hospital,” he reveals, meeting my gaze. “Like I said, you’re important to me. I won’t say more because that’s not fair to you, but you need to know the world is a lot more beautiful with you in it and please, don’t ever forget that.”

Oh, Nico.

“I don’t know what to say other than you’re important to me too. Our friendship was unexpected, but it’s gotten me through a lot of dark days.”

“And if you ever need me, I’m only a phone call away but until I get my patch, I need to put some space between me and the house of Parrish.”

“You mean you need to put some space between you and me.”

“Yeah,” he admits, blowing out a breath. “I suck at this prospect shit as it is. I mean who goes and catches feelings for a brother’s pregnant wife?” He juts his thumbs towards his chest. “This guy, that’s who.”

Winking at me, he reaches out and takes my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.

“Take care of yourself, Lace, and that baby. When it’s time for her first ice cream cone, give uncle Nico a call, will ya? I’d like to see firsthand if she’s got a favorite flavor.”

“Nico,” I say hoarsely.

“It’s all good, Lace,” he assures. “One day we’ll laugh about it.”

“After you find the love of your life and she knocks you off your feet we one hundred percent will laugh at this and I’ll bring the ice cream.”

“Shit, you better,” he teases. “Ben and Jerry’s.”

“Only the best for the best,” I murmur.

I mean it.

Nico is the best.

The best friend I’ve ever had, and he deserves the absolute best girl.

I can’t wait until he finds her and when he does, I’ll be there with a pint of Ben and Jerry’s.

Maybe two.

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