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1353 Words
Dominic had been caught up for the rest of the week. His time torn between his show and his conference calls to his lawyer. Between calls, he hosted shows and yesterday he spent the better part of his day packing up his work so it could be shipped to LA. In the rare minutes he had to himself he texted Nicki. He didn’t tell her about his contacting his lawyer. He didn’t know for sure yet what he could do, and he didn’t want to get her hopes up. No this was a secret he would keep to himself until he was sure what was going to happen.
He had to ship out tomorrow, and he wanted to see Nicki once more before he was back on the interstate. Once he was gone, it would be nothing but texts and e-mails. Back to the distance. Last night he had suggested coming out to see her in the morning but being a Sunday Nicki refused, saying she had to go to church with her family. Since he knew where she would be, he decided to show up anyway.
Dominic walked into the church and looked around for Nicki and her family. He spotted them in the pews and made his way over taking a seat next to Nicki. She stared at him surprised. “What are you doing here?” She whispered as the preacher preached.
“It’s Sunday; I came for mass.” He smiled.
“You did not don’t lie; this is a house of God.”
“I’m not. You know my Grandfather was a reverend.”
“I thought you said he was a rock star?” Nicki challenged him.
“He was, but my Mother’s father was a reverend. I went to mass every time we visited.”
“Hush,” Mitchell whispered.
They both went quiet for a few minutes and then Dominic started to whisper again. “I’m leaving for LA in the morning.”
“I know.” She whispered back.
“I thought maybe you would like to get out of this little town for a few weeks.” He offered. Nicki looked up at him looking a little confused.
“And go where?”
“LA.”
“Are you asking me to go with you?”
“My car seats two.” He smiled.
“I can’t afford a trip like that.”
“That’s the beauty of this trip it is all expenses paid.”
She eyed him suspiciously. “What do I have to do for this all-expense paid vacation?” She asked.
Dominic smiled. “Nothing, just have some fun.”
“I don’t think so. I can’t go on a road trip.”
“Why not?”
“Hush.” Mitchell snapped again.
“Why not?” Dominic insisted a little quieter. “Come on Doll; you owe me an answer.”
“Because I don’t want to.” She snapped. “I can’t just pick up and go because you want me too.”
“Why what’s holding you here?”
“Dominic I’m not going. That’s the end of it.”
“Fine.” He growled and got up. He took the hotel business card from his wallet and tossed it on the pew next to her. “If you change your mind I’m leaving at eleven.” He was too annoyed to stay and listen to the preacher.
***
Nicki watched Dominic walk out in a huff. Everyone was now looking at her, and she just wanted to melt away and hide. “What did he want?” Millie asked scooting closer.
“He wants me to go LA with him,” Nicki confessed.
“So why don’t you go?”
Nicki looked at Millie like she was crazy. “What would I do in LA?”
“You’re just scared to leave home. I bet if you went you would have the time of your life. It’s good to get off the farm every once and a while.”
“I’m not running off as you did it almost killed Dad.” Millie had taken off with Jove after only knowing him a week. They had run off to Italy together. She had been gone for almost a month before she came home pregnant. She wasn’t making the same mistake Millie had.
“Forget Dad you have to do something for yourself. You can’t live your life for Dad. Nicki, you really should go.”
“Hush!” Their father snapped. “This is church shut your mouths.”
They didn’t speak another word until after service. As they left the church, Lacy and Millie cornered Nicki. “Millie says Dominic asked you to go to LA with him?” Lacy asked.
“Yes, he did,” Nicki confessed.
“Why don’t you go?”
“I barely know the man.”
“That’s such an excuse,” Millie said.
“It’s not an excuse. I…” Nicki trailed off as she watched Mark watching her from across the parking lot. Why was he watching her? Accidents will happen. His words echoed through her mind. Dominic had angered Mark, and unfortunately, she still had to live here with him. His unwavering interest in her made her nervous. Her pulse fluttered, and her palms became sweaty. Flashes of her assault raced through her mind. She was going to faint.
“Nicki are you alright?” Lacy asked concerned. Her sisters looked over at Mark and instantly knew what was wrong. “Think about it Nicki; if you went on this trip, you would get away from Mark and his friends. Give him time to cool down, so nothing happens.” Lacy had a good point. Getting away from town no longer sounded like a crazy idea.
***
Dominic placed his bag next to the front desk. He signed the credit card slip and checked out. Returning the card to his wallet, Dominic picked up his bag and headed for the door. He went out into the parking lot and tossed his suitcase in the trunk. Dominic was getting into his car when an old blue pickup truck pulled up behind him blocking him in. The door opened and out stepped Nicki in a long white sundress.
She offered him a sweet unsure smile. “Did I make it?”
Dominic smiled and opened his trunk. “You just made it.”
“My bag is in the back if you wouldn’t mind.” Dominic reached into the bed of the truck and grabbed her suitcases. Tossing it into his trunk, he looked into the truck and waved at Lacy. “I’ll take her from here.”
“You take good care of her,” Lacy warned.
“I will.” He promised and opened the passenger door for Nicki. He helped her in and then joined her. He waited for Lacy to pull away and then he pulled out and pointed himself west. “I’m glad you changed your mind.”
“Well, I decided I needed to get away from Devon for a few weeks. I’ve never travelled, and I otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford such a trip so I would be crazy to pass it up.”
“What was the real reason?” He asked as they drove along. He wasn’t a fool she had another reason.
Nicki looked down. “I just needed to put some distance between Devon and me.” Dominic decided he wasn’t going to push the matter. It didn’t matter why she came along, but he would make sure she was glad she had.
- Writer
