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“One Last Dance”

**~Haunting Decisions~**

The D.J. slows down the music as he speaks into the microphone on his headset: “Ladies and Gentlemen, get ready for the last dance for tonight. Grab your partner and get ready to slow dance. Its all about the love here tonight and I’m about to bring it to ya. This D.J. Ray lying it down and putting ya at ease. Here is a little something to relax ya.” And he plays a ballad as crowds gather to their loved ones and sway to the music.

Genesis watches Kevin and Kristin cuddle and dance to the music, bringing a small smile on her face. Turning around she sees Joey and Nadia dancing softly to the ballad that seeped out of the speakers. Howie and Angela laugh and wrap each other’s arms around each other as they sway to the gentle music. A.J. and Suzy stepped out of the club as A.J. smirks at Nick’s directions.

Nick smiles and laughs, knowing exactly what was about to happen with his friend and date. He turns back around and sees Brian sitting on stool talking a young woman as the music calms the crowd down. Nick sighs and wraps an arm around Genesis’s shoulders as she looks up and smiles.

“Care for one more dance?” She whispers, her lips curve into a soft lip.

Nick chuckles, “I’m not sure, can you keep up with me?”

Genesis laughs, “Ahhh, the question should be can YOU keep up with me?”

“I can and will. Just watch.” Nick smirks, wrapping his arms around her waist, pulling her to him. They gently sway to the music as Genesis places her hands on his arms, gazing at him.

“I’m glad we did this.” She gazes at him, a twinkle in her eyes.

“Yeah. I never thought I could dance, let alone in front of people.”

“Well you made me proud Nick.” She smiles, feeling his arms pull her to him closer. She giggles and places her head on his chest, hearing his heart beat calm and peaceful against the music and her. Nick gazes down at her and smiles. He didn’t know what to think of tonight’s events. He had heard a while back that dancing is a way of communication without words: that the actions behind it meant more than words could ever express. Running his hands through her chocolate locks, the thoughts of Farah invaded his mind, swirling his emotions around leaving him thrown off and in search of some form of answer. He glances back at Genesis, feeling her arms wrap around his stomach, her hands crawling up on his back as he smirks and glances around. He sighs: if only he could stay like this, in peace, with him wrapped in her arms with no thoughts of his possible future as a father. Just as fast the music started, it ended and he had to break away from her as much as he didn’t want to. He feels Genesis gently rise her head and smile at him as she clasps her hands into his.

“What are you thinking about Nick?” She gently whispers, tugging him through the group that’s dispersing.

“Nothing important. Just a bit tired, that’s all.”

Genesis smirks, gazing at him, “Did I tire you out that much?”

Nick chuckles, “I still have some energy if you know what I’m talking about. And I don’t tire that easily in certain areas.”

Genesis breaks into a gentle laugh, nodding her head curiously. “You don’t say? Well that’s just got me wondering now.”

“Well wonder away, I have skills besides dancing.” Nick smiles, holding her hand as they exit the club and walk back to Genesis’s car.

“Did you enjoy yourself tonight?” She whispers, holding his hand.

Nick nods and playfully pouts, “Maybe…should I?”

“Yes, yes you should have. I didn’t take you out to this club for nothing if you didn’t enjoy yourself.” She runs her hands down her dark hair, tightening her grip on his hand.

Nick smirks as they approach her car and he swings her into his arms, staring into her light eyes. “Genesis, I need to ask you something.”

Genesis giggles, her hands crawling up to his chest, “Well ask away. Though I’m a little afraid of asking.”

Nick smirks, “Actually I need to know what are we? Are we dating or just working? I’m curious cause God knows I can’t stop thinking about you.”

“You think about me?” She whispers, smirking.

Nick nods, “Maybe…”

“I don’t know what we are. What do you want us to be? Can you see us dating?”

Nick gazes at her, running his thumb down her cheeks, breathing out, “Yeah, yeah I can. But what about you? Do you see us together, can you ever see that?”

Genesis clears her throat and brushes away from Nick’s touch, staring at the ground. “I’m not sure. I don’t know what I want with you.”

Nick sighs and backs away from her, hurt evident in his voice: “Right, right. Well, I’m gonna head out home. Kevin will get pissed if I get home later than him and the others guys.” And he looks around to see his friends board Kevin’s forest green SUV ready to take off. He was about to walk away to catch up to his friends before they would leave when he feels Genesis’s grab his hand.

“Wait. Look, Nick I just need time to see where I see this relationship going.”

“Yeah well, time isn’t exactly in my hands. I have this week left before I go back home. I’m hoping you can decide then before it’s too late. Cause personally I can’t wait forever and I’m not going too.” Nick whispers, knowing he personally blurted that statement out to hurt her.

Genesis gulps: remaining quiet as she unlocks her car door, staring at him: quickly waving as she slides into her seat and locks the door behind her.

Nick sighs and guiltily whispers out a ‘sorry’ but it was too late for Genesis already started the car and pulled away from the lot, leaving Nick alone to ponder in his thoughts.

Howie shakes his heads as A.J. leans out the window calling their friend over.

“Yo Nick! Come on! Let’s go home man. We have to drop the ladies along the way.” A.J. peers at him, wondering what exactly could have happened that send Genesis to drive away leaving him there.

Nick shakes his head, “Uhhh, that’s alright. I have to make a phone call before I get home to you guys.”

“Dude just make the call along the way with us.” A.J. yells out, calling Nick over to them.

Kevin slumps back into the backseat with Kristin giggling as they talk quietly together, he eyes Nick out of the window and sighs. “Maybe we can come back for him if he wants to hang around here a little more.”

“Why? Nick, get your behind in here!” Brian growls out from the driver’s seat.

Nick shakes his head, “Don’t worry about me. Get the girls home. I’ll see ya there shortly aight?”

Brian narrows his eyes and sighs, pulling the SUV out of the lot, “Call us if you can’t get a ride back ok?”

Nick nods and waves them off, sitting on the curb of a sidewalk.

Nadia and Joey make their way over to Joey’s black Jaguar, glancing over to see Nick sitting on a curb in the parking lot like he was lost.

“Hey Nick, where’s Genesis?” Nadia asks as Joey unlocks his car and opens the passenger side door for her.

Nick gazes at them surprised and shakes head, “She left.”

“Left? And you didn’t get a ride with her?” Nadia asks curiously, seeing Joey slide into the driver’s seat.

“No. I think she has different plans and went straight home I guess.” Nick starts annoyed, shoving his hands into his front jean pockets.

“That’s weird. Why would she leave you alone here?”

“I was thinking the same thing.” Nick shrugs his shoulders as Nadia goes over to him, taking a seat next to him. Placing a hand on his shoulder, she sighs and glazes at him. “Nick, I know you guys are interested in each other. And whether Genesis chooses to tell you or not that’s not up to me. I just hope that you don’t give up on her. She’s been through a lot in relationships and its hard for her to trust another man. She needs time and…and I know time is not a good thing since you have like a week or so before heading back to your home in Florida, but just be friend even if you want more. She needs that Nick and well…well I can only reach to her at times. But you, you Nick there’s something there that Genesis is drawn too and can rely on and that’s something solid. Something I don’t think she felt for a long time since she dated that friend of yours.”

Nick stares at the dark velvet sky and smiles, gazing at her: “You mean Kevin?”

She nods, her eyes locked on him.

“I think maybe I’m falling for her more than I thought.”

“Then maybe you should tell her.” Nadia gets up hearing Joey calling her back.

“I tried. But it’s not that easy.” Nick claps his hands, his elbows resting on his knees as he looks at Nadia.

“No one said falling in love was going to be easy Nick.” She smiles, heading back to the car, boarding it. Joey and Nadia pull away and Joey slows the car down in front of Nick.

“Come on. I’ll take ya home man.” Joey smiles, tilting his head.

Nick smiles, “You sure I won’t be a bother?”

Nadia laughs, “Not at all. Let’s get you home before the guys break their necks wondering what happened to you.”

“Good idea.” Nick smirks, standing up and opening the back side door, sliding into the backseat.
~*~

She didn’t know where she was going. She needed to get away. Nick’s words taunt her as she drives down another lane, passing houses, the sound of the beach waves splashing gently on the shore. ‘Cause personally I can’t wait forever and I’m not going too.’ His words, the last he said as she was boarding the car and left him there. It was cruel and meaningful. She couldn’t believe he would say that as if she was to drop her life and stop everything for him. Who did he think he was? Because he offered to help was she suppose to now bow down and worship him. Well he found the wrong woman to pull that off with. Genesis lets her thoughts wonder around as she finds a spot to park. She sniffs as she feels her eyes tear up, the hot stinging feeling invading her eyes as she pulls over to the roadside and parks. The hot tears sprang down her lids and roll quickly down her cheeks. “Then don’t wait. Is that what you want?! Then don’t wait!” She cries out to herself, looking around the quiet roadside, every once in while a car would pass by her. Her hands grip around the steering wheel tightly as she sniffs and lets the tears stain her cheeks. She didn’t have time to put up with things like this. Maybe she was expecting the perfect man, but in reality Nick can as close as her ideal man could ever be. But his attitude tonight ruined it. Something was on his mind as well, she would note how he seemed dazed at times as if something was bothering him. And what made it more hurtful was the fact he didn’t tell her about what could be bothering him. She thought she made it clear to talk with her about things but she guess she was wrong.

She wipes away the tears that trailed down her lips as she wraps her arms around herself, feeling a chill sweep down her body. She leans back in her seat and watches the beach, the waves splashing gently, uniting with the shore as one. She smiles through her tears, a peaceful feeling engulfs her as she watches the sight. The early sounds of the seagulls fluttering near the shore fill the dark sky quietly as Genesis closes her eyes for a moment, wondering if she was overreacting again. Maybe she misled Nick, what did she want from him? And why was she so surprised to hear it from him? She knew why, she wasn’t sure if she was ready for a relationship, Nick to her seemed too good to be true. She didn’t want to get into a relationship with him and ruin it for the both of them. She wanted something solid to hold on too and knowing Nick would leave when the competition is done and over with, made her wonder what will happen afterwards. She wasn’t ready to get her heart broken, Nick will leave and that was the end of the story. Would he even remember her? Call her? Write to her? Maybe even one day see her again? She didn’t know and she hated the possibilities.

She exhales slowly and starts the car up again, pulling away from the roadside and turns the car around back to her beach house to get some rest.
~*~

Nick smiles as Nadia and Joey tried to joke and ease Nick down, but nothing was working. He eyes the window, watching the passing houses besides him, remaining silent, the thoughts wondering around him. Digging though his pockets and messing with his cell phone, he finds Farah’s phone number in his cell. His heart stopped for a moment and wondered if he should call her, maybe even see this so called child that was suppose to be his. He could always find out later if the child really is his, there are tests and such to prove that. Clearing his throat, he dials the number as Nadia turns on the radio, drowning out the conversation around the car. Smiling, he was glad for that sudden luck and leans back in the backseat, glancing around at Joey laughing and driving them back to Kevin’s cabin. He gulps, hearing the ringing of the phone as it was answered.

“Hello?”

“Hey Farah? It’s me Nick.”

“Ohhh hey Nick!” Farah lets out a sigh of relief as she giggles. “I’m glad you called me. Are you ok?”

“Ohhh yeah yeah, I’m just curious if maybe we can meet or something to see Andy.”

“Awww, well when do you want to see Andy? Tomorrow?”

“Ummmm… I was thinking right now.”

“Right right now?” Farah asks, rocking her son’s crib quietly.

“Well if its gonna be a bother then I guess I’ll have to see when I have time again to see him.” Nick slumps back in the seat, gazing out the window as Nadia breaks into a loud laugh over something Joey said.

“Wait, look if you mean it, then I’ll give you the directions.”

“Ok. Yeah I want to see him.” Nick fiddles with the seam of his jeans.

Farah smiles, “Ok.” And she gives him the address, he quickly pulls out a pen from his pocket and scribbles down the address on his arm.

“Aight, I got it.”

“Alright. What time should I be expecting you?” Farah crosses over to the crib and smiles down at the infant sleeping soundly.

“Give me an hour. I got to get home and change and stuff.” Nick states, not knowing what he was doing. He needed a distraction, something that would get his mind off what happened with him and Genesis and this could be it.

Farah smiles, “Alright, so I’ll see ya here shortly then ok.”

“Aight, see ya then. Bye.” And he hangs up, seeing Nadia waves her arms to the blasting music. Sighing, he leans in the seat and closes his eyes. He managed to have taken a small nap as the car pulls up to Kevin’s driveway.

“Pshhhh. Hey Nick we’re here.” Nadia’s gently voice cuts into his sleep. He slowly opens his eyes and sits up, smiling.

“Oh aight. Thanks guys.”

“No problem. And hey Nick don’t let what happened to Gen get to ya. She’s a hard girl to understand. I should know and I’m a girl myself.” Nadia smirks as Nick laughs, exiting the vehicle.

“Aight, I’ll see ya guys later then. Night.” Nick waves at them as they laugh and wave, exiting the driveway and pulling away from the cabin as they drive away, disappearing further down the road.

Nick sighs and heads up the three steps to the porch, pulling out a spare copy of the keys to unlock the front door. Stepping into the cabin, he quickly makes his way pass the dark living room and enters his shared bedroom, looking for clothes to change into. He managed to have made it shortly after the other guys had arrived but they seemed so tired that all four of them were already sleeping in their rooms. Nick yawns quickly and gazes at the mirror, fixing the navy blue tank top and beige cargo shorts. Running his hands through his dyed raven spikes, he sighs and was about to step out of the room when he hears laughing coming from Brian’s bed.

Narrowing his eyes, he stands at the threshold to see Brian sit up and smirk.

“Alright, spit it out. Where you heading?” Brian’s azure orbs glitter in excitement.

“Outside.” Nick smirks, leaving the room.

Brian sucks his teeth and follows Nick, “Aww, come on, tell me. I wanna know. Is everything ok? I mean it had to be weird at the club and stuff seeing miss Farah.”

Nick sighs, rubbing his eyes: “Ask A.J. I have to head out. I’ll be back in an hour. I’m not planning on staying long ok?”

“What does A.J. have to do with any of this? Can you least tell me where you’re going?” Brian mutters, following Nick to the front door as Nick steps out, leaning on the threshold.

“Look it’s a complicated issue. I told A.J. already, so he can fill you in on it later k? I have to go. It’s already getting too late. I’ll see ya shortly k?” And without waiting for Brian’s response, he leaps off the front steps and races over the rented ford focus, sliding into the seat and pulling away, speeding off away from the cabin.

Brian shakes head, hearing A.J. behind him eyeing him curiously. “Well that interesting. Care to fill me in on it?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” A.J. smirks, slipping into the bathroom.

“Haha, real funny Alex, what is it? What’s up with Nick?” Brian persisted, leaning on the wall next to the closed bathroom.

A.J.’s voice echoes in the bathroom as he laughs. “Dude, you’ll never believe it if I told ya.”

“Try me.” Brian smirks, watching the bathroom door open, watching A.J. slip out of it. Brian stands in front of A.J. blocking him from going anywhere. “Nick told me to go to you. Is he in trouble?” He asks worriedly.

“Well if you consider being a father trouble then yeah.” A.J. tries to step to his left as Brian does the same, blocking him, letting the idea hit him.

“Father?! What? Explain now A.J.!”

“Shhhh… you gonna wake up Howie and Kevin.” A.J. smirks, trying to walk back to his room.

Brian grabs A.J.’s arm and smirks, “Father? Do you mean something went down with him and Farah?”

A.J. smirks, “Look, all I’m saying is Nicky did something naughty that he now has to pay for his actions.”

Brian licks his lips, nodding his head, “Why didn’t he tell us this?”

“I just found out tonight, like he did. Seems Farah was hiding that little secret and now Nicky gotta figure it all out.”

“Ahhh man. Wow. No wonder he seemed out of it tonight. It had to be Farah. I knew she was up to no good.” Brian murmurs, entering his shared room with Nick.

“Yeah well. Who knows what the deal is behind that? That could be her excuse to win Nick back. That or she’s just desperate.” A.J. shrugs his shoulders, entering his shared room with Howie. “I’ll talk to ya later today aight. Night.”

“Night.” Brian whispers, closing the door behind him as he makes his way back to his bed.
~*~

Genesis pulls up to her house, parking her car on the driveway. Sighing, she quickly exits the car and races up the front stairs to the front door. She sleepily pulls out the house keys and yawning, stumbles into the house and locks the door behind. She enters her shared bedroom to see Nadia already sleeping away in her own bed. Genesis exhales and strips off her clothes, changing into some pajama shorts and tank top. Yanking the bed covers off, she slides onto the soft cool cotton sheets of the bed and smiles in relief. Sleep has never been this welcoming as she closes her eyes. Suddenly she hears her name whispered out in the room.

“Gen…Gen…you up? I know you are. You just came in. I wanna talk to you. Gen? Gen?” Nadia whispers out annoyed.

Genesis groans and rolls on her side, throwing the cool cotton sheets over her whole body, burying herself under it.

“Oh stop it. I had to give Nick a lift today, why did you leave his behind back at the club?” Nadia grumbles, sitting up in her bed, staring at the dark bump under the sheets across from her.

Genesis grumbles and whispers something incoherent before she yanks the covers off her and sits up, glaring at Nadia. “Maybe cause I felt like it. He’s not my man Dee, I don’t have to take him with me all the time you know.”

Nadia rolls her eyes and gets off her bed, flopping down on Genesis’s bed and turning on the lights on the night stand next to her. She stares at her friend and shakes her head. “Are you for real Gen? You mean to tell me that after all that time you’ve been with him, you not feeling him?”

Genesis grumbles and leans back in the pillow staring at the ceiling: “You know what he said to me tonight?”

Nadia sighs and shakes her head, leaning back in the bed, throwing her legs on the bed. “What was it?”

“He said that he’s giving me time but he won’t wait forever, in fact he’s waiting ‘til this week for me to know what I want from him.” Genesis exhales slowly.

“Well what’s wrong with that?”

“What do you mean what’s wrong with that?! Hello he thinks I’m suppose to be head over heels with him just ‘cause we kissed and stuff.”

“Stuff?” Nadia perks up, “What exactly have you guys been doing lately that would make Nick think that?”

Genesis caught off guard, stares at the sheets on her legs, nibbling on her lip. “Just kissing. Nothing more.”

“You sure?” Nadia asks cautiously.

Genesis glares at her friend and nods her head, “Yes, I’m sure.”

Nadia places her hand on her friend’s hand: “Its hard for the both of you, especially you cause of what happened with your past relationships, but you gotta stop playing around with Nick. I really do think he’s trying his best to make things for you guys work. He was guilty when you left him, he thought it was all his fault and kept blaming himself for why you drove away.”

Genesis closes her eyes, sliding further into the bed. “I don’t want to talk about this right now. I’m so tired. Maybe I just wasn’t ready to be forced into a relationship. I like what I have with Nick now. I don’t want to rush anything and then get my heart broken when he leaves. I can’t have that happen. I promised myself I wouldn’t let a man take over me again. It hurts when that happens.”

Nadia gives her friend a comforting hug and lies beside her, “Gen you can’t let what happened in the past destroy your present and future with Nick.”

“Future? Who said there will be a future?” Genesis sleepily mumbles.

“I did and I’m sure I’m not the only one who thinks it. Look I’ll let you sleep, you’re practically passed out as I’m talking to ya, but you need to think through this. Don’t let a good man leave you ‘cause you’re too afraid of taking a chance. Night.” She kisses Genesis’s cheek and crawls over to her bed across from hers, pulling on the blanket.

“Night Dee.” And Genesis welcomes the gentle sleep to embrace her.
~*~

Nick drives down the highway and pulls out into the exit, driving down a street. He looks around and finds a tall brick condo apartment building about a few miles away from where he was at. Quickly winding his way through the twisted streets, he pulls up the condo and finds a parking place across the building. Leaping out of the car, he reaches to the building, checking the number 1515 on it. Entering the glass doors, he looks for Farah’s apartment number 12B and pushes the intercom button. In a few, he hears a buzzing and he opens the second glass door, entering the building. He hurries to the elevators and catches one to the twelfth floor, quickly hurrying down the hallway and finding her apartment door. Gulping, he raises his hand to push the alarm on her door but is surprised to see the door swing open as Farah looking more beautiful that he can imagine smiling at him. She was still wearing the same outfit from the club only she was barefooted and she holds the door open, allowing Nick to enter her place.

Nick smiles and gazes around, impressed at the place.

“You look surprise I could afford a place like this.” Farah smirks, closing the door behind her. “Well Andy just fell asleep, but I can show you him anyway. Be quiet though, he’s a pain to sleep like someone I know.” She smirks, her blonde tendrils falling over her shoulders. Nick follows her down the crème colored tile hallway and enters her bedroom where the infant’s white crib was located. He watches Farah lean over a pile of blue and green bundle of blankets, lifting the small person out of the crib. Smiling, she eyes Nick and whispers quietly so as not to disturb the baby. “Come here Nick. Look.”

Nick walks over to her and gazes at the bundle smiling. He gasps and rolled his eyes over the child’s face. It was disturbing to see that same face he had when he himself was a baby.

“Identical isn’t he? She whispers to Nick.

Nick gulps, nodding his head as Farah sits on the edge of her unmade bed, cradling the infant.

“Come, hold Andy.” She whispers, patting at the empty side of her so he can sit.

Nick gulps and does as told, eying the infant slowly.

Farah hands the infant over to him as Nick cradles Andy, fearing the baby will wake up crying.

“Just hold his head like this, he likes it when you do that.” She whispers, fixing Nick’s hands so he was cradling the infant properly. “So do you believe me now? He looks just like you.”

Nick sighs and gazes at the infant, smiling. His traces his index finger and touches the sleeping infant’s cheeks, smiling. “I, I’m not sure what to think. Farah, this can’t be my kid. Sure he looks like me, but, but it can’t be.”

Farah straightens up, “Why? Why can’t it be? You’re not sterile Nick and I’m not. So why do you find the fact that you created another human being not real?”

Nick shakes his head and sighs, “I just don’t know what to think.”

Farah nods, gently taking the infant and placing him back in the crib. “I know it’s still a shock for you. I should have been more mature about this and handle it properly. I should have told you when I had the chance. But I didn’t and I’m sorry.”

Nick stands up and brushes a lock of Farah’s golden tendrils behind her ears. “It’s alright. It must have been crazy gong through that alone. I just, I just don’t know what to do. Farah, I still don’t think this could be my kid, I, I don’t know.” He whispers out nervously. “I can’t support this baby like I want to: I’m not ready to be a parent Farah.” He chokes out, gazing at the infant sleeping.

“And what? You think I asked to be a mother. It takes two Nick, I can’t get pregnant on my own. I’m just asking you to be a part of his life. This is your son whether you think so or not. And all the tests you take will tell you what I already know.” Farah wraps Andy up, stroking his little head: the little fair colored baby fine hair was slowly growing in.

Nick rubs his eyes, sighing. “This is a mess.”

Farah exhales and exits her room along with Nick, closing the door behind her.

“Nick, I guess I’m glad to see you here. The fact that you came here on your own means a lot to me.”

Nick nods and yawns, “Yeah thanks. I guess what you said hit home to me.”

“Nick, I want us to start over again.”

“What?” Nick squeaks out.

“You and me. Nick, I love you and seeing you again tonight proved it. This is why I wanted to be with you back on the first day we met.” She whispers, running her fingers through his black spikes. Smiling, she giggles, “You went black on me. I like your natural hair color.”

Nick smirks, allowing her to touch him as he stares at her. “I don’t think it’s a good idea for us to get together. I’ll help out with Andy as much as I can, but you and I, I don’t see us being together.”

Farah pulls her hand away from his hair and frowns, “Nick I know. I’m just being honest with you. And I’m just grateful you’re in this child’s life. Maybe you can stay over, it’s already late and you look really tired.”

Nick gulps, shaking his head, “Thanks, but I already told the guys I would be home. I don’t want them getting all concerned and stuff.”

“You didn’t tell them did you?” Farah takes a seat in the small lavish living room.

Nick shakes his head, “No. I didn’t want them to worry or something.”

“Ohhhh ok.”

Nick nods and turns to head to the front door when he feels Farah touch his back.

“Nick wait.”

“What?” He turns to look at her as she quickly leans into him and kisses him slowly, tasting every bit of his soul with that kiss. Nick opens his eyes and breathes out, seeing her pull away. He licks his lips and gasps, touching his lips.

She smiles and opens the door. “Get home safe ok. We’ll meet up later when Andy wakes up ok.”

Nick still in shock from her action, simply nods and stumbles out of the door. Waving bye, she closes the door and he stands there, staring at the door in shock. “What the hell just happened?” He whispers to himself, touching his lips as he slowly makes his way back to the elevator bank.
~**~

**~To Be Continued…~**