Page 14 of Nicco

“I love you.” I kissed her forehead and climbed off her body and laid next to her. I watched her catch her breath and pull the sheet up over her bare breasts.

“I’m tired.”

“How? I did all the work.”

She looked over and slapped me on my arm.

Bria sat up in bed and pushed the pillows behind her back for support. “What’s up? What happened with you a Nicco, yesterday?”

“What do you mean?” I sat up in the bed and just lay back on the cushioned headboard.

“He took you away for some secret talk. You came back and I could tell something was wrong.”

“Really?” I took her hand in mine. “I feel fine.”

“Lord, come on. Something is going on here. I can read you. Something is up.”

“Nothing up.” I tried to smile, but it didn’t really take shape.

“Do you want to tell me why we’re really here?” She asked.

“I do.” I rubbed my face.

“Are you okay?” I could see the uneasiness in her eyes and I hated I even made her worry about me.

“I am. I’m okay.” I hesitated a second to come up with more words. “It’s just a lot going on here in Vegas.”

“I’m here to listen. Tell me.” She pleaded.

“I don’t know where to begin.”

Bria pursed her lips. “Begin with your brother, Nicco.”

I paused to just make sure I heard her correctly. “You know?”

“I do.”

“How?”

“Everyone else seems to know things. The security guys seem to know you’re Nicco’s brother. I heard them talking about it.”

“He’s my half brother.” I corrected.

“And you never mentioned this to me.”

“It’s complicated.”

“Complicated.” She shook her head no. “No, having a brother and saying you are an only child is a lie. That’s not complicated at all. You offered me a lie.”

“No, I don’t call him that. We just have the same father.”

“Your father that’s been dead since I met you?”

“When I told you my parents were dead, they were dead to me. My biological father died a few days ago here in Vegas. I didn’t know him and never had a relationship with him. He was married when he got my mother pregnant.”

“But he was alive when you told me he was dead. Why would you lie about your parents being dead when my parents are really fuckin’ dead?”

“I—”

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