“Shit. It's Nick, go put on some clothes!” Logan mumbled.
Kristen looked down at her clothes with an irritated grunt. What was wrong with the shorts and tank top she was wearing? No matter what she wore, she couldn’t hide her huge stomach anyway. Her eyes roamed Logan's bare, hairless, super white chest, and a wide grin spread across her face.
“Maybe you should grab a shirt if you're so concerned about what the great Nick says!”
In a frenzy, he was already pulling a black t-shirt over his head, then hurriedly ran his hands through his messy hair.
“Why can't he just call?” she continued, getting more aggravated by the second. She was too hungry to move. Besides, Nick made her skin crawl.
Nick must've been leaning on the doorbell, because the incessant blare was deafening. “You look gorgeous like usual! Hurry up and answer. He's making me deaf!” She huffed, cutting off a big chunk of steak.
Logan gave her his try to be nice to Nick look, then opened the door.
“Hey. It's about time! I almost fell asleep out here.” Nick smirked, his eyes taking in Logan's shorts and bare feet. “Relaxing?” His sarcasm was obvious as he strutted in.
“Nice suit,” Logan mumbled, unable to ignore another of his elegantly tailored expensive linen suits. As his self-consciousness grew, he made an urgent attempt to find his flip flops, then gave up.
Nick was already in the dining room. “Hey Kristen. Long time no see!” He extended his hand to her. His eyes popped open in surprise at the sight of her stomach.
“Wow! Logan, you never told me you guys are having a baby! Congrats!”
“Really?” Kristen gave Logan a dirty look. Like usual, he shrugged it off.
“You guys are eating. My bad.” Nick tried to act concerned, but Kristen could see right through him and rolled her eyes. It didn’t bother him in the least. Not waiting for an invitation, he pulled out a chair at the table and settled in.
Still stewing over Logan’s failure to mention the baby, Kristen continued eating without a word.
“Hey, man, want something? Wine, food?” Logan asked, anxiously massaging Kristen’s shoulders, hoping she'd chill out.
Nick sniffed. “Wine is cool, thanks. I'm just on my way to dinner myself.” He shifted in his seat, purposely fidgeting with his gold watch. Kristen wanted to puke. His eyes fixed on her while Logan got his wine. “So what is it, boy or girl?”
Logan cut in. “A boy. Red or white?”
“White. Nice, a mini Logan—just what the world needs!” He burst into obnoxious laughter.
Kristen didn't blink. The last time she saw Nick was that night in Brooklyn, the one she desperately wanted to forget. In an instant, she lost her appetite, pushed the plate away, and wobbled onto the balcony without glancing back.
Fuck him if he thinks I’m a rude bitch. Hopefully he’ll disappear forever. Closing her eyes, she spread out on the lounge chair, enjoying the evening breeze in her hair.
Nick watched curiously as Logan's expression transformed to dread.
“She's a firecracker, isn't she? Lives up to the redhead image to a tee!” Nick never could resist a jab.
Logan fluffed it off. His head was full of Kristen. Her aggressiveness was a major turn on for him, but also a royal pain in the ass at times like this. “Yeah, whatever, the hormone thing makes it a lot worse.” As soon as he glanced at the smirk on Nick’s face, that all too familiar feeling of revulsion burned inside of him.
Kristen is right. He is obnoxious. “I'm sure she'll change after the baby.”
Nick burst out laughing. When he saw Kristen’s face turned in their direction, it provoked him even more. “Keep dreaming, my man. She was always tough. Remember that night?” He didn't blink as Logan grabbed another glass of wine, downing it in two gulps. “She was hot though, when she finally got started. I can see why you dig her so much.”
The vacant look in Nick’s eyes as the fantasy faded was replaced by a sly, knowing grin. Logan’s hand tightened around the wine glass.
Nick moved in for the kill. “How about another round with her? What do you think?” He was right next to Logan now, a rapturous look on his face.
“Are you crazy? She'll never go for that, forget it.” He let his eyes meet Nick's. The wine had taken effect, but he still had some of his senses.
Nick straightened up, his tone hostile. “Then you need to convince her who’s the boss.”
For a brief moment, a tense silence consumed them. “Let's smoke before I leave. Think she wants to join us?” Nick raised his eyebrows, lighting a joint as he gazed outside.
Logan studied Kristen. Her eyes were closed, but she couldn’t fool him. On the outside she appeared relaxed, but on the inside he knew she was fuming.
“She can't,” he snapped, grabbing the joint.
“Her loss,” Nick sneered. “What about that other one, the hot Cuban bitch?”
“What about her?” Logan mumbled, his eyes glazing.
“She was smoking hot too! You can really pick them! Tell her to bring a friend next time.” Nick's hand on his shoulder started squeezing tighter. He suppressed a chuckle when Logan flinched mumbling something inaudible.
“Hey, I almost forgot about tomorrow night!” Nick rose, fumbling in his jacket pocket for his checkbook and a pen.
Logan watched, his head in a fog.
Nick slapped a check on the table. “A little gift for the baby. Maybe that'll help change her mind.” He winked.
“Tomorrow?” Logan slurred, holding his head in an effort to stop the room from spinning. “What the hell was in that stuff?”
“Don't worry about it. Here's some more.” He chuckled, whipping out a small bag of weed. “Some NYC boys are coming in for dinner. Tell your lovely wife we'd be honored if she graced us with her presence. I'll text you the details.” He swayed slightly and shook his head. “Strong shit, huh?”
Logan nodded, regretting the sudden movement when he had to struggle to keep his balance to trail after him.
Without warning, Nick stopped by the balcony door, slid it open, and called out to Kristen. “Nice seeing you again, Kristen.” She didn't acknowledge him, and Logan was too stoned to care.
When Nick reached the door he winked, grasping Logan’s shoulders. “Work on her, Logan.”
* * *
Logan must've fallen asleep on the sofa. When he rolled over, catching himself a second before ending up on the floor, he realized his stomach was grumbling. Desperate to fill it, he fought through the pounding and flip-flops in his head and made his way to the balcony.
“Do you always have to be so rude to him, Krissy?” He held onto the patio table for a minute for support. “You know how—”
She finished his words. “—much he's done for us! Yes, I know baby, but he gives me the creeps! He is so damn sleazy! Yuck!” She watched as he threw his cold steak back on the grill and fumbled with the nobs to ignite it.
She smirked. “Please don't blow up the building.”
“Right.” He laughed, walking unsteadily over to her. “I guess you don't want this check for the baby then?” He grinned, thrusting it in her face.