Chapter 130 Chapter 130 Feathers
I peek inside the living room.
Nick is sitting on the plush couch with his cousins, all of them glued to the TV, watching basketball and yelling like their lives depend on it. The energy in the room is loud, chaotic, normal. Almost too normal.
Gemma and I just sent his parents and grandparents away for the next two days. That alone feels surreal. I was surprised they agreed to go.
I had to call Mike to make it happen. I asked him for a favor—we still haven’t even gone on our second date yet—but I wasn’t asking for anything to be comped. I just needed help putting together two nights away for Nick’s family. Shows, meals, spa treatments, nice suites—something to keep them occupied, distracted.
Gemma paid for all of it. She didn’t even hesitate. She insisted.
Mike told me he’s been busy with school and work, taking summer classes. I told him not to worry—I’ve been busy too. I mentioned, vaguely, that a friend has cancer and I’ve been spending time with him. He didn’t ask questions. Just told me to let him know when I’m available again. It’s going to be a while.
Nick’s mom asked what we were planning. I didn’t lie to her. She smiled, but there was a heaviness behind it. Then she thanked us—for keeping his spirit alive. She told me that when I’m not there, he barely leaves his room. He doesn’t eat. That hit harder than I expected. I can’t even imagine what it’s like, watching your only child fade like that. She also told me—half embarrassed, half amused—that she and his dad have been wearing earplugs at night. Even then… sometimes she can still hear us.
And the bed. Apparently, we make it hit the wall pretty hard.
Erika comes up behind me, Tish right on her heels, and then Gemma joins us. The four of us stand there, peeking into the living room like we’re plotting something dangerous.
Nick looks over and catches us.
He smiles instantly.
His cousins notice and start shoving him, teasing him like they know exactly what’s going on. He probably told them.
“So…” Alfredo, one of his cousins, leans forward with a grin. “Are you ladies doing this because you feel bad for him?”
“No, dumbass!” Tish snaps immediately. “We love Nick. We would do this for any of our friends in the same situation.”
“Anything you want, Nick. Anything,” Erika adds, softer but just as firm.
“Seriously,” Gemma chimes in, stepping forward. “If there’s somewhere you want to go, something you want to do—I got you. I’ll plan it. We’ll make it happen.”
Nick smiles again, and I can see the faint color rising in his cheeks. He’s shy. Always has been.
I watch him reach for a bottle, shake out a pill, and swallow it quickly. His movements are subtle, but I catch it. Our eyes meet right after, and he blushes harder.
“You guys are like Make-A-Wish for adults,” Larry says, stretching out on the couch with a grin that doesn’t quite sit right with me.
My girls start heading upstairs toward Nick’s room.
I step inside and hold my hand out to him.
He hesitates for just a second before taking it and standing up.
There’s a stiffness in his movements now. Not obvious—but it’s there. Careful. Controlled. I pull him into the hallway, away from everyone else.
Their house is incredible. His dad designed it himself—custom everything. High ceilings, wide spaces, oversized details that scream money without being tacky.
“Are you okay?” I ask quietly. “What did you just take? Does anything hurt?”
“Don’t do that,” he says, shaking his head. “You sound like my mom.”
He pauses, exhaling. His temper has been flaring but only because he is in pain.
“I’m sorry,” he adds softer. “I’m okay. Just… nervous.” He hesitates, then admits, “I took Viagra. And before you say anything—I’ve been taking it for about a week. My stamina isn’t what it used to be.”
We start up the grand staircase, moving toward his room, but I stop at the top.
“You could have told me,” I say, turning to face him. “I’m fine not having sex. We can just hang out. Or figure something else out. I don’t want you to feel like you have to do anything for me.”
“I want to,” he says immediately.
There’s no hesitation in that.
“Every day we spend together…” He trails off, then gestures between us. “I hate myself for not doing this sooner. Two years ago—when you came back from your trip, before we went to see Ivan—I should have said something. Asked you out. Where would we be if I had the balls back then?”
“We’d be fucking married,” I mutter under my breath.
His hands come up, gently cupping my face, tilting my chin so I have to look at him.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” he asks softly. “Tell me the truth.” He kisses me—barely there, just a brush of his lips—and it still sends chaos through my entire body. “I am perfectly happy with just you.”
“Are we dating, Nick?” I ask.
I need to hear it.
I need to know what he thinks this is.
He looks away, like the answer scares him. Like saying it out loud makes it real in a way he can’t control.
I reach up, grabbing his chin and pulling his gaze back to mine. He nods. Blushing again. God, he’s too fucking cute.
“Okay,” I say, softer now. “Then are we exclusive? Is that what you want?”
My hand slides down, resting over the growing bulge in his sweatpants. I rub gently, slow, feeling him react instantly.
“Because even if we were…” I add, voice low, teasing but honest, “you know I always share with the girls. And they don’t count. Not the way you’re thinking. And... this is about you, not me.”
He lets out a shaky breath.
“Why does it feel like I’m about to cheat on you?”
“It’s just nerves,” I murmur. “You’ll be fine. You’ve done this before.”
I reach for the door handle and push his bedroom door open.
Everyone is already inside.
And in lingerie.
Gemma is wearing a crystal-covered bra and matching panties, catching the light with every movement. Erika is in a red bondage set—straps, lines, confidence. Tish is…
I blink.
Fuzzy.
Feathers.
I can’t help it—I laugh.
“What the hell are you wearing?” I ask, shaking my head.
She shrugs. “It’s cute.”
“Good thing it’s all coming off,” I mutter.
Nick hesitates behind me. “I’ve never had this many girls before.”
I take his hand again, pulling him inside, then reach back and lock the door.
“We’ll take care of you,” I say with a wink.
Then I grab the hem of my dress and pull it up and over my head, letting it fall to the floor.