A Changed Life Read online

  “Sounds great, but you all go and have a great time, I’ll pass.”

  “Come on Nicolette,” live a little. Bailey chimed in.

  “Girls, have you looked at my boyfriend lately? Believe me, I have everything I need, so go and dance your asses off.” They both were jumping up and down and Jameson picked Bailey up into a hug.

  The girls and Jameson stayed for another hour and then had left to go check out the new club. “Hey Sam, no clubbing for you tonight?” Simon smiled and wrapped his arms around my waist.

  “I don’t dance, Nicolette, that’s Jameson’s area of expertise.”

  “Well don’t worry Sam, I can’t dance like Alexis and Bailey, they have me beat. Simon, will you excuse me for a minute? I’m going to use the restroom and check my make-up.”

  “You look beautiful, Nicolette. You don’t have to fix anything, but hurry back, okay?”

  “I will.” Kissing Simon on his lips, he playfully swats my behind.

  “You are driving me wild, Nicolette. Go on and go before I take you somewhere more private.” Giggling at him, I turn and make my way through the crowd.

  “I have to say dude, you surprised me back there with your restraint. I thought St. Clair was going down.”

  “Sam, I’m not about to hit Michael, especially at Nicolette’s house, and in front of her parents. Michael is just trying to get a rise out of me. Knowing he would be here tonight, I promised Nicolette that I wouldn’t allow him to ruin our night. Sam, I won’t be so easily blinded again, he’s not getting another girl of mine.”

  “Hey man, I didn’t mean to bring up the past.”

  “You didn’t Sam, but I meant what I said about Michael. This time I see him coming and I will make sure he stays away from Nicolette.”

  “Don’t hit me for saying this, but it wasn’t entirely his fault. Jennifer was cheating on you, and would it matter who it was that she was cheating with?”

  “What the fuck Sam? You are supposed to my best friend, whose side are you on?”

  “Yours man, I always have your back, but Simon you have carried this for long enough now. You hate Michael for taking your girl, but you never talk about Jennifer and her part in all of this.”

  “I have tried to hate her Sam for cheating on me, but where will that get me? She’s dead, and why talk about something that I can’t change?”

  “Then why continue to hate Michael? They are both to blame for what happened that night. He knew you and Jennifer were together, so to go after her like that, yeah absolutely he was wrong. Her decisions that night led to her death, and you can’t carry that blame any more. I was there with you after she died, and I know the mental beating you put yourself through, you need to let it go.”

  “I have Sam, I truly have. I love Nicolette. I can’t explain it, but I was meant to be on that beach that day. I never felt this way about Jennifer, like the way I feel for Nicolette. This is real Sam, and I’m going to let Nicolette know how I feel about her. Come on this is a party, let’s have a good time. I need to find my girl.”

  With one last look in the mirror, I take in my appearance. Running my finger over my slightly swollen lips from Simon kissing me. Damn he can drive me wild with his tongue. Time to go find my guy. I make my way back to Simon, only to be stopped by Michael.

  ”Hey beautiful.”

  Stepping back, “Michael, please don’t call me that.” I try to move pass him and he blocks my way. Raising my voice, “What are you doing?”

  “Can we sit and talk for a few minutes?”

  “No, we can’t. Michael, I have to get back to the party.” Trying to walk around him, he blocks me once again with his body. Looking around for someone to come to my rescue, I guess I’m on my own. “What do want from me Michael? Planting fisted hands on my hip. I am done playing this game with you!”

  “I want you, Nicolette. I have wanted you from the first moment I laid eyes on you. I usually get what I want.” Oh my god! Did he just say that?

  Pointing my finger right into his chest, “Sorry to burst your bubble, but you won’t be getting me. I have a boyfriend and he is exactly what I want. Now. Please. Move!” I say through gritted teeth.

  Blocking me again, “We’re not done talking, Nicolette.”

  “Yes, we are!” Pushing past Michael who is still trying to block my way, suddenly grabs my wrist, pulling me back toward him. I wince in pain as my wrist twists. Anger and adrenaline giving me the courage to swing around and knee him directly in the balls. That did it, and Michael goes down holding his crotch and whimpering in pain.

  I look down at my wrist which is beginning to swell. Standing over Michael, “Don’t you ever touch me again you bastard. I have had enough of this shit, Stay. Away. From Me!”

  I leave Michael still knelt down in a fetal position. I go to my bedroom to grab a sweater so I can cover up my arm. I can’t have Simon or my parents see this right now. I take the back stairs down to the kitchen to grab some Advil for the swelling. I walk around and find Simon still talking with Sam. Simon sees me approaching him and smiles. Without words being spoken, I walk right into the safety of his arms.

  “Don’t you ever touch me again you bastard. I have had enough of this shit, stay away from me!” Waking up in a cold sweat to hear Nicolette’s words play over and over in my head. Fuck! Why did I push so hard? What makes me a bastard? Because I like this girl, and wanted to know her better? She freaks the hell out and kneed me into my nuts, where I can still feel pain.

  I’ve never put my hands on a girl before. If she didn’t jerk her body away, her wrist wouldn’t have twisted the way it did. Now I have to go downstairs and explain it to him. Damn it. My father will go off on me or not care; I guess we will find out.

  “Dad, can I talk to you for a minute?” My father and his lawyer looking up at me clearly annoyed for being interrupted. I don’t give a shit, this can’t wait.

  “What is it Michael? I’m very busy.” I scoff, what else is new? With my voice a little louder, and not asking this time. “What I said Dad, I need to talk to you.”

  "John, leave us please. My son obviously has something on his mind. Ok Michael, you have my attention now, what is it?”

  “Gee Dad, thanks a lot.”

  “Michael, I don’t have time for your games right now, either you tell me what you want me to know or get the hell out of my office.”

  “Fine! Last night at the party, I was talking to Nicolette. Things got out of hand, and when she tried to leave, I pulled her back to talk to me. She freaked and her wrist twisted.”

  “You did what! Come on Michael, you know better than that. What were you thinking putting your hands on that girl?”

  “Give me a break dad, Dad. Don’t twist it around to make it sound worse than it was. All I wanted was a few minutes of her time, and she freaks out and tries to stomp off. So, I reached for her hand. She overreacted and then that’s how her wrist got hurt. You know what I got Dad? A kick in my balls.”

  “What the hell is wrong with you, Michael? I told you to keep your hands off that girl. She is in high school for cripes sakes.”

  “Dad, it doesn’t matter that she’s in high school, I love her and I want her to be with me.”

  “Did I hear you right? You love her? Michael, you don’t love this girl, you don’t even know her. What is this, another repeat from last year? You know how badly that turned out for you.”

  “I know what I want. I’m not going to stop trying to make her see that.” Dad rushing over to me from behind his desk… grabs me by my collar.

  “Listen to me son. You have to stop this obsession you have with this girl. If she has said she is not interested in you, then you need to leave her alone, do you understand me, Michael?”

  “If I don’t? What then? Will you send me away again like you did last time?”

  “That’s not fair Michael, and you know it. What is unfolding now before my eyes is not the same as last year with that girl. She came to you with her own free wil
l; you had no way of knowing what she was going to do.”

  “That girl meant nothing to me! Nothing at all, she was just a piece of ass that gave it up to me, nothing more.”

  “Michael, she was someone’s daughter. How can you be so cold and callous? I just don’t know what is wrong with you?”

  “Nothing is wrong with me dad, and it’s not my fault that Jennifer is dead. I’m tired of taking the heat for this. Jennifer was the one that got behind the wheel when she was fucked up. All I did was dance with her at that stupid party. I have heard it from everybody, and I’m so over it. From you… down to golden boy Paulson and for what Dad? Over some slut that was fucking us both!”

  Slap! Across my cheek. “That’s enough out of you. You will stay away from that girl, or I will strike at you anyway I can. Grow the hell up and be a man.”

  “Fuck you. I am what you made me Dad. This is what you get when you abandon your own son.”

  “Not this again, Michael. What? I didn’t give you enough attention? I was working for Christ sake.”

  “It’s more than that and you know it. You have been a ghost around here since Mom died, and left me utterly alone. If you don’t like how I turned out, than that’s tough shit.”

  I turn and leave my father’s office, and slamming the door behind me. Damn it! Why the hell did I even try to talk to my father? I look at my mother’s picture, and say, “sorry.”

  Remembering my fight with Michael last night, how did I end up in this situation with him? Ugh…I’m a complete idiot. This is the last thing I need right now. I pull my arm out from under the covers and examine my wrist. I have some bruising and clearly you can see Michael’s thumb print, but most of the swelling has gone down. Keeping it hidden from Simon last night was no easy task. He kept trying to hold my hands, and I jerked my hand back at least once. He gave me a look after that, but I played it off. I’m stupid! How is Simon going to react when I tell him about Michael, and let’s not forget my Mom and Dad?

  Maybe I will stay in bed under the covers all day. No such luck…knocking at my door, I grumble and turn over and look at the clock, ten o’clock. Tossing the pillow over my head to drown out the insistent knocking. “Good morning sunshine!” Gracie greets me.

  “Go away.”

  “I’ve been…”

  Without uncovering my head and mumbling something sort of coherent. Can’t you just tell them I’m still sleeping? Please?”

  “Why would she do that when clearly you are not?” My father now raising his eyebrows at me. “Good morning sweetheart! Rise and shine!” Slowly I move the pillow from my head and turn onto my back, rubbing my eyes, still sleepy.

  “What has you in such a good mood?”

  Pulling my covers off of me, “Why not be in a good mood? Our party was a success. Your very smart and talented father made some good contacts and have lined up some new projects for the future. Daddy playfully swats me with my pillow, “Now get up!”

  He walks over to the side of the bed and puts the back of his hand on my forehead.

  “Nope, no fever. Just checking.”

  “Daddy!”

  “Well, just want to be sure you’re not coming down with something.”

  “Not hungry. Tired. Just a bit longer, please…daddy?” A flip of my eyelashes with my shy smile gets him every time. He seemed satisfied with my answer; he kissed me on my head and let me be. I hated to lie to him. I wanted to tell him about Michael, but I wasn’t ready. Cowering back under my covers, I drift back off into sleep.

  “Hey, where’s Nicolette?” Mom asked.

  “She’s still in bed, and wants to sleep. I thought she may not be feeling well, but she didn’t have a fever.”

  “She was up pretty late, I had forgotten to mention that I was talking to Simon’s mother last night, and she has offered to give Nicolette a private tour of the campus whenever she wants to see it.”

  “Christina, don’t you think that’s a bit premature to start touring a college campus? It’s only fall; don’t you think we should leave that up to her?”

  “Mason, it’s not a big deal, but it wouldn’t hurt to visit some schools out here.”

  “Did you forget that Northwestern is still her first choice?”

  “No, I didn’t forget, but kids change their minds all the time. She is really beginning to like California, and may decide to stay here.” I’d had enough of eavesdropping and decided there was no better time than the present to make my presence known.

  “Planning my life again, Mom?”

  “Well, good morning to you too honey, or should I say, good afternoon? Your father and I were just talking, so please don’t be defensive.” My stomach hurt with the thought of telling them about Michael. The bruising on my wrist was clearly noticeable, and I couldn’t hide it any longer from them.

  “Mom, Dad, I have something to tell you.” Their faces changed from smiling to worry.

  “Nicolette, what is it?” Mom stood up from the table to reach for my hands, but I jerked my sore wrist back. What’s wrong and why are you hiding your arm?” I don’t know why I was so nervous to talk to them, tears forming in my eyes. Dad stood up, and came over to me too, wrapping his arm around my shoulders, waiting for my answer.

  “Last night, Michael surprised me coming out of the bathroom. I was headed back to the party, to Simon, but he blocked me. We argued, and when he continued to hold me back from leaving, this happened.” I lifted my arm and showed them what I was hiding.

  “Oh my god, it’s black and blue and swollen,” my mom shrieked.

  “It’s not that serious mom. I just have fair skin, so it looks worse than it really is.”

  “Who are you trying to convince Nicolette, me or you? This is swollen, and I am taking you to a doctor to have it looked at.”

  “Mom, that’s not necessary. It’s sore and tender. I took some Advil after it happened. Really, mom, it’s not that bad.”

  “You should have put ice on it! Better yet, why didn’t you come and get us right away?”

  “Mom you were in the middle of your party. I didn’t want to bother you.”

  “Bother me! Are you kidding, Nicolette? You are our daughter for crying out loud. Mason, I can’t believe this happening. Our daughter gets assaulted in our own home, and we didn’t even know.” My mom began to cry. I felt sick.

  “Daddy, please say something. Watching my father, he is taking deep breaths and pinching the bridge of his nose. Daddy, I’m sorry. I didn’t want to upset you. It really didn’t hurt or look that bad last night, so I just went to bed after everyone left.”

  “Nicolette, please sit down and explain what happened with Michael.” Dad pulled out my chair and gestured to me to sit with him and mom at the table. He clenched his jaw as he asked me more questions. “Start from the beginning, Nicolette.”

  Sitting with my knees pulled to my chest, I can’t deal with this right now. “I told you all there is to tell. How many times do I need to explain it?”

  “Do not take that tone with me young lady. Dad now pointing at me. Tell me right now what the hell has been going on with Michael, and how you ended up with an injured wrist?”

  I look to my mom for help, and she looks at me wide eyed. I had told mom about how Michael was pursuing me, and not my father.

  “Well, I’m waiting.”

  “Daddy, please calm down.”

  “I’ll calm down when you start talking, Nicolette.” Getting up and shoving his chair back. “This is not like you to keep things from us, and now a boy comes into our home and hurts you, but no, Nicolette, you don’t tell us. This is what I won’t calm down from, so start talking now.”

  Mom is now standing up and walking over to my father. Grabbing dad’s hand to talk to him, but he wasn’t having it. He pulled away from mom and shot daggers at me, daddy looked scary to me, and I was responsible. “Mason! Can I talk to you inside for a minute?

  Please come with me?” Without looking at me, he followed my mother back into the
house, and I was left alone.

  Why, didn’t I just talk to them? I have never seen my father look at me the way he just did. I’ve never really been in trouble; he’s acting as if I broke his trust. I gripped my knees harder and cried until my parents re-joined me. Dad wrapping his arms around me, calming me with his now softened voice.

  “I’m sorry baby, please stop crying. Seeing bruises on my daughter doesn’t sit well with me, Nicolette. I feel like punching something. Are you okay? You must tell me the truth.”

  “Yes, Daddy, I’m fine.”

  “Mom filled me in about Michael, now can you tell me about Simon and his history with him. How do you fit into it?”

  “I don’t dad, I’m only involved because I’m dating Simon. Simon’s girlfriend who died last year in a car accident was cheating on him with Michael. There’s much more to the story dad, but it really doesn’t have anything to do with what happened to me last night. You see, I met Michael at his father’s Fourth of July party, well that was the same day I also met Simon. Michael had been flirting with me throughout the party, but I wasn’t in to him. I met Simon, and I instantly was attracted to him. Michael hasn’t gotten the message that I’m not interested. Simon has warned him to back off of me, but because you and mom work with his father, I have been trying to maintain some civility between us.

  To please Simon, I tried my best to stay clear of Michael. Every time they are in the same room with each other, things get tense and I didn’t want them to fight. I also didn’t want to cause trouble for you and mom. I guess me trying to do the right thing by everyone back fired in my face.”

  “Oh honey, this is not your fault. Don’t you know you can come to us with anything? No matter what it is?” Crying again, I nod my head and dad just pulls me into his chest for a hug. “Come on now, enough with the crying. Nicolette, let me see your wrist.” My father examined my wrist, turning it slowly to make sure I could move it. I winced a little when he pressed on it, but I could move it. I think it’s just sprained, why don’t you go upstairs and get dressed, and then come down and I’ll wrap it for you.”