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Chapter Eighteen - June 5

“For some reason I think I should be worried.”

“Worried? Why should you be worried?”

“When you’re hanging out with Leighanne I’m not worried. But you hanging out with Rochelle is like me hanging out with AJ.”

“Actually, I think you get in more trouble when you hang out with Brian.”

“Yeah, but that’s a good kind of trouble.”

It was eight o’clock at night and Rochelle had called about an hour ago to let me know that she was in town and that I was officially being kidnapped for the evening.

“Nick’s on babysitting duty,” she declared. “Get dressed. I’m taking you clubbing.”

Now I’m not someone who loves clubs, but I couldn’t say no to quality time with one of my bridesmaids, especially after she told me she was bringing her dress by the house to show me.

I had let each of the bridesmaids pick out whatever style of dress complimented them the most as long as it came in mermaid. Rochelle was the only one that had me worried; her style was unusual to say the least.

“Where are you two going again?” Nick asked.

“She said something about a club.”

“I think you should put on a jacket.”

“Nick, it’s ninety degrees out tonight.”

I was wearing a backless silver halter top, a black skirt, and silver tipped black boots. I was already sweating and Nick and I were just standing in an air conditioned living room.

“You never wore something like that when I took you clubbing on tour,” Nick complained. “I like you looking sweet and innocent.”

I laughed, wrapping my arms around his waist. He was looking like a disheveled mister mom; his Bucs jersey had dribbled formula down the front and his jogging pants were hanging low on his waist.

“Nick, I lost my sweetness the morning you de-toweled me on your tour bus after the Masquerade shoot. And I lost my innocence when we played ‘Interview Liv’ on your bus and you de-pantied me.”

Nick grinned. “Hey, that was one of my finest moments. Too bad Brian had to ruin it. Well, almost ruin it. I still got quite the treatment.”

I kissed him softly; the doorbell rang. I pulled away to find his arms still locked tightly around me. His hands slid to my bare back.

“I’ve got to answer the door,” I said with a laugh.

“Not necessarily.”

“Nick!”

With a laugh he dropped his hands. I ran into the foyer and opened the door. Rochelle was standing there dressed in head to toe leather with a pink garment bag draped over her shoulder. She whistled.

“You’re looking good Liv,” she said.

“She’s looking too good to be leaving the house,” Nick said, coming around the corner. Rochelle snickered at him.

“Jealous?” she asked. “I might just have to take your girl back to my hotel for the night.”

I could see that image playing out in Nick’s mind; his stupid smile echoed his thoughts.

“Wipe the smile off your face, Nick,” I said with a laugh.

“Where can I try this on?” Rochelle asked, jiggling the bag. I pointed up the stairs.

“The guest rooms up there two doors down on the right.”

“I’ll be right back.”

She bounded up the stairs. Her hair was currently streaked with orange. I couldn’t help but think how nicely that was going to look with the turquoise-y mermaid dress.

I didn’t have to wait long to see the real deal. Rochelle stood at the stop of the stairs and struck a pose.

The dress she had picked was absolutely modest. It had thin shoulder straps and gathering around the waist. The gathers swooped to the side where a crystal crescent moon accent provided a little bit of pizzazz.

“Ro, that’s beautiful!” I said.

“You sound surprised,” she said with a laugh.

“Oh, no!” I said, shaking my head. “It’s just…”

“Modest? Yeah, AJ said so too. But this is your day. All eyes should be on you.”

I smiled; I had the best friends in the world.

“I know my eyes will be on you,” Nick whispered in my ear as Rochelle turned and headed back to the guest room. I nudged his side, but I couldn’t help but think that while his eyes were on me mine would definitely be on him. I had seen him in a tux before, but this was going to be different. He was going to be the groom.

Nick played with the thin strings around my neck holding my halter top up. My thoughts got hazy.

“Did I mention I like this top?” Nick whispered. My toes curled in my boots.

“Hey where’s this baby you’re always talking about?” Rochelle called out. Her voice was like a bucket of cold water to my senses.

“She’s sleeping,” I called out. I pulled away from Nick and headed up the stairs. I met Rochelle outside the door of the guestroom and led her into the nursery. I quietly clicked on the nightlight; Rochelle leaned over the crib railing.

“Oh, she’s gotten so big,” she whispered. “Pictures don’t do her justice.” Rochelle smiled at me. “Y’know, I hate to say it, but she looks a lot like Nick.”

I laughed quietly. “I know. You should see her eyes. They’ve turned the exact same shade of blue as his.”

Rochelle placed a black tipped thumb on Brooke’s cheek and stroked gently. I had never seen her face grow so gentle.

“It’s your turn next,” I said teasingly.

I noticed a change come over her; her head lowered slightly and when she looked at me I noticed tears in her eyes. I knew immediately I had said the wrong thing and I felt like a cad.

When I was married to Hunter I hated when people would ask when we were going to grow our family. I struggled with infertility for years. I couldn’t believe it when I found out I was pregnant. It had happened so easily with Nick. One look at Rochelle’s face reminded me of the frustration and disappointment.

“I’m sorry,” I said quickly. “I hated when people used to ask me that.” She shook her head, but something in my face must have told her it was okay to open up. She took a deep breath.

“I’ve miscarried twice since October,” she said morosely.

“Oh, Ro,” I said quietly. I put my hand on her arm; a tear rolled down her cheek.

“I just feel horrible,” she explained, wiping her face with the back of her other hand. “AJ’s gotten so excited both times and I’ve broken his heart twice now. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong. I even quit smoking.”

“Have you seen a doctor?”

She nodded. “Yeah, but I’m having a hell of a time getting AJ to go. In fact, that’s kind of why I’m here.”

I looked at her in surprise. “What?”

“I called him a selfish son of a bitch because he wouldn’t go get some tests done. I scheduled a plane ticket and flew out here.”

“So now I’m an accessory to the crime?” I said. That caused her to smile.

“You got it. And it’s also why I’m going clubbing. AJ thinks he’s perfect and I’m not going to be the only one to suffer. I’m long overdue for a drink and a night of fun.”

Somewhere there was logic in there that was a little twisted, but I didn’t think it was my place to say so. I could see the stress and emotion etched in her face.

“Well, what are we waiting for then?” I found myself saying. “Let’s get going.”

I leaned over the crib and kissed Brooklyn’s soft cheek. We bounded down the stairs; Nick was watching television in the living room. He looked up as we entered.

“We’re going to take off,” I said, grabbing my purse from the table. His hand wrapped around my wrist and sent me off kilter. I lurched forward; my face bumped right into his.

“Be careful, okay?” he said softly. I smiled and gave him a kiss.

“It’s my middle name,” I said lightly. He looked at me doubtfully.

“I’ll bring her home in one piece,” Rochelle said, waving off his concerns.

We headed out into the muggy night air. I began to walk to my car, but Rochelle tugged me back.

“I said I’d bring you home in one piece,” she reminded me. I saw a taxi round the corner.

“It’s not a limo, but it will serve our purpose.”

“An alcoholic purpose?” I guessed. Rochelle smiled.

“Damn straight.”

--------------------------------------------------

Three and a half hours later I was buzzed out of my mind, standing on stage with a microphone in one hand and a margarita in another. I was squinting at the screen desperately trying to figure out the words to Kenny Chesney’s Out Last Night.

Yeah we went out last night / One thing started leading to another / Out last night / Hitting on everybody in their mother / There were people doing body shots out on the bar..

I heard some catcalls from a group of college boys. Even though I couldn’t tell it, I was slurring badly, but having a blast doing so. By the end Rochelle scrambled up and we babbled through a duet. When we climbed off stage, the college boys were waiting for us with free shots. Rochelle grabbed both and downed them. I waved feebly, ignoring their advances.

“Let’s get out of this joint,” Rochelle declared. We teetered towards the door, still singing lines to random songs. We had just walked outside when my phone rang. I fumbled in my purse and held the phone up to my nose.

“Ignore it,” Rochelle declared, waving her hand in front of her face as if it was a mirage.

“It’s NICKY!” I said happily. I leaned against the building; the cars zooming past on the street made me dizzy, er dizzier. I pressed talk on the phone.

“Hellloooooo?” I called out into the night.

“Liv? Where are you?”

“Hi Nicky,” I said happily. “Where are youuuu?”

“I’m home. Are you okay?”

“Of course I am!” I dropped the phone and scrambled on the sidewalk to pick it up. Rochelle was puking her guts out over a trashcan.

“Helllooooooooooo?”

“Liv?” His voice seemed far away; I realized I was holding the phone upside down. I turned it right side up and pressed it against my ear.

“Do you know how hot you are?” I babbled happily.

“Liv? How much have you had to drink?”

“Just a sipple.” I snorted. “Sipple. Isn’t that a funny word?”

Nick sighed.

“Rochelle’s not picking up the phone and AJ’s here with me. Where are you guys? We’ll come get you.”

“AJ?” I said. Rochelle turned.

“Tell him he’s an asshole!” she called out.

“He’s an asshole!” I repeated into the phone.

There was some muffled talking and then AJ came on the line.

“Liv, can you put Rochelle on?”

Rochelle stumbled towards me. I held out the phone.

“Your husband wants to speak to you,” I said, tossing my head back. The back of my head connected painfully with the brick building that was holding me up. As stars danced in front of my eyes she took the phone, disconnected, and stuck it back in my bag.

“Let’s go,” she said, hooking her arm through mine. We stumbled into each other as we made our way down the street.

“Wh—where?”

“Who cares?”

In my alcohol soaked brain, she made sense. I laughed.

“Yeah. Who cares?”