Chasing Him (Dark Love 4)

“Keep digging, Romano, ‘cause you’re about ten feet under, and I guarantee you, you ain’t getting any conjugal visits from me,” Nikki warns him.

Eric, the cause of this petty fight, slaps his knees as he cackles uncontrollably. Sometimes, Eric just

has no idea when to stop.

“Nikki, if it makes you feel any better, Eric split his pants at Starbucks the other day. He went to pick up a quarter, and a little girl pointed it out to everyone.” Tristan laughs.

Penny shakes her head while pursing her lips. “Oh, honey, with an ass like yours, you would’ve been the talk of the town.”

“Why would you tell everyone that? I died of embarrassment. I can never go back there again.”

Tristan nods. “He was the talk of the town, especially because he wore his leopard print thong.”

Our collective loud gasps are enough for Eric to bury his head into his hands. Penny is clutching her chest but quickly nods her head as if agreeing with his choice to wear leopard print thongs.

“It was laundry day, okay?” Eric barrels, frustrated. “Quit judging me... I had nothing else to wear.”

“Hmm… actually, that does make me feel better.” Nikki smirks.

Charlie takes a slice of cake, shoving it into her mouth with enjoyment. She licks her lips, but then her face changes, almost looking nauseous. She mumbles under her breath, and all I can hear is, “Fucking jerk can’t wear a goddamn condom.”

I place my arm around her, coercing her to smile. She gives in a little and takes another slice of cake, this time a much bigger piece.

“Well, I’ll be sporting cankles soon, thanks to that jerk over there.” She points her finger at Lex.

Eric and Tristan are the first to react, sandwiching Charlie in a group hug. Rocky looks over to Nikki, and her face drops immediately. I know they are trying for another baby, and perhaps this isn’t the best thing to hear right now. She walks off to a secluded part of the patio and takes a seat, watching her son, Will, play ball with Andy. I rest my hand on Rocky’s forearm, informing him that I’ll go talk to her. He’s concerned, and it’s obvious how much this is taking a toll on both of them.

“You wanna talk about it?” I ask, sitting beside her.

She smiles at me, but underneath, I can see the pain she’s in. Trying for a baby when everyone around you is falling pregnant is a difficult emotion to get a grip on.

“I know it’s hard to hear someone else is pregnant when you’re trying,” I tell her, straight from my own experience. “When Elijah finally agreed to IVF, we only had one chance. Five eggs, and only one made it to become an embryo. Now that little embryo is trying to kick Rocky in the nuts.”

Rocky is playing with the kids, but as Andy gets him straight between the legs, Rocky winces. Oh well, he brought it on himself by saying he was invincible.

Nikki isn’t like Charlie or Kate, even though she’s a strong-willed woman. She is very reserved at times and keeps her life private. Rocky’s the woman in the relationship, always gasbagging about one thing or another.

“Just don’t understand why it’s so hard,” she admits.

“Uh-huh, or why sixteen-year-old girls have sex once and get pregnant?”

“Yes! I blame that jealousy on Rocky for always watching MTV while we’re in bed.” This time, she loosens up.

I place my hand on hers, extending the friendship. “It will happen when the time’s right. Whether it be naturally or with IVF, and when it does, this feeling will be a thing of the past.”

“Thank you, Adriana.” She smiles, relaxing her shoulders. “So, what about you and Julian? Babies on the cards?”

“We have our plate full with Andy, and to be honest, I want to enjoy him. I want to enjoy us for now.”

“Oh, I hear you. Your kitty must be as high as a kite right now,” she teases.

I laugh and realize if there’s anyone who can give me sex advice, it’s Nikki since Charlie is officially off duty.

“Can I ask you a question?”

“Sure.”

“Squirting… have you done it?”