13.

"It's time, bitch." Danni said to me as she spread across Nick's sofa. Nick was currently working so I decided to invite Danni up to Nick's (with his permission) so I wasn't on my own.

Glenn closed the shop today as he went on a road trip to visit his brother. He would be back tomorrow evening and therefore I had two homes to myself.

"Time for what?" I asked as I cleaned Nick's kitchen. I had spent days with Nick and not once had we cleaned and tidied. The place was a pig sty.

"We're going clubbing again."

"When?" I asked again. I hadn't been clubbing since Nick and I had been together, in fact, the last time I went clubbing, Nick was with another girl.

"Tonight!" Danni exclaimed. "I need to get pissed."

"Tonight?"

"Don't do this." Danni moaned. "You've got a boyfriend, I'm proud of you, okay? But do not say no to a night out. You're all I have."

"Dan." I sighed. "I'm coming out, stop moaning." I laughed her way, she decided to laugh with me.

"Will lover boy mind?" She asked. I rolled my eyes. We were in our twenties, we weren't childish. Of course, I knew Nick would worry, especially as he worried so much about us already, however, we didn't have that kind of relationship where we got so protective of each other both of us were not allowed to do anything a part.

"He won't mind." I stated. Danni chuckled.

"Ring him and tell him."

"He won't mind." I repeated.

"He's a sexy, possessive God who has the hots for you, you never know, he might mind." She replied with a smile. I rolled my eyes again.

"Stop stirring shit." I replied with humour dripping from my voice. She laughed again.

"Go on, ring him."

I picked up my phone and dialled Nick's number. The phone rang and I hope he picked up even if he was in work.

Nick picked up the phone after three ring's.

"Cathy." He breathed, his voice sending shivers down my spine. "Are you okay?" His voice sounded worried.

"Yeah, yeah." I waved his worry off. "Danni and I are going out tonight." I stated.

"Where?"

"Clubbing in town." I replied.

"That's okay, love." Nick sighed. "Please, just behave yourself."

"You know me."

"I do and that's why I'm worrying." Nick replied. "But I trust you just like I know you'd trust me."

"Of course."

"I'll be in work all night so I'll be up for you. Make sure you ring me or text me if you need anything." Nick said.

"I will."

"Promise?"

"I promise." I stated.

Nick and I put down the phone after a few more minutes. I turned to look at Danni with a smug smirk on my face.

"You've got yourself a keeper." Danni stated as she let out some air. "I need me a Nick Abel. Sexy police man and let's you out clubbing. You don't see that in a romance novel nowadays days."

"You're so dramatic." I replied as I continued to clean. "We're not seventeen, you know, Nick has past that stage and so have I."

"Still, you're one lucky girl."

"I think so, too." I smiled. If I thought about it, I really was a lucky girl. I didn't think Nick had it in him to be in a stable relationship with anyone, not when he told me about his past with women. However, Nick was proving himself and everybody in the village wrong.

People spoke, Nick was a well known play boy around here, but he was changing right in front of everyone around him.

I knew leapords never changed their spots, but it's not the physical part of him that needed changing. A soul can change, no matter what anybody said.

Of course, I was still worried that in a couple of months Nick would get bored of me and go back to the way he was before.

My past showed me, however, that time goes by too fast to change a thing. I was so grateful for leaving Australia and being away from him, I'd do anything to be happy at this moment no matter the cost.

My past showed me that my happiness is almost as important right in the moment than anything else. I didn't give a shit about tomorrow or a day past it, right now was what I lived for.

"You want to start getting ready?" Danni asked. I looked to the time, it was nearly half five in the afternoon.

"It's a bit early isn't it?" I replied. I didn't usually start getting ready until half six/ seven, as we usually left the house around nine to get in to town.

"Not when you want to look smoking. I'm on the prowl tonight, Cath, trust me." She winked. "I haven't woken up in a man's bed since the last time we went out. It's been too long." She mused.

"Use protection."

"No, I thought getting knocked up would be a fun thing to do." She rolled her eyes. I knew where I got it from now.

"Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit." I pulled the gloves off of my hands and put away the cleaning materials.

"I'm the lowest form of everything else, I might aswell use the lowest form of wit, too."

"You're so hard on yourself."

"It's a good job I like hard things."

~

The music was so loud I couldn't help but smile. I loved the way the music blasted through my veins and through my ear drums. I loved the way everybody felt connected as they danced to the beat on the dance floor.

There was never anything better.

Danni stood tall in her sky scrapers and her mini dress. When she said she wanted to look smoking, she wasn't kidding. Her hair was long and wavy down her back and I'm sure her legs sparkled.

I wore black, again. I'm sure I could live in black. My mini dress came just above my knees and even though my heels were big, they still weren't as big as Danni's. I had never mastered the art of heel walking.

And I really didn't fancy a broken ankle tonight.

Danni pulled me up on to the dance floor the second we entered the club. She grabbed us two drinks from the bartender and pulled us in to the tightest spot on the floor.

It was so hot and tight, but I didn't care. I started to dance with Danni and the night was under way.

After two more hours, it was fair to say that I felt drunk. I was way past the point of tipsy.

Sadly, I hadn't heard a thing off Nick and even though I was missing him strongly, I was having such a good time. I thought about him, in fact, the drunker I got, the more I thought of him.

I wanted him, I always did. But right now, I wanted him more than anything. Alcohol was just no good for me.

As I wobbled to the toilet, I got my mobile out of my clutch and dialled his number. I hope he wasn't busy, I just wanted to hear his voice.

Nick picked up with fast speed.

"Are you okay?" He asked. I giggled. "What is it, Cathy?"

"I missed you." I slurred. Even though I slurred, the passion was still in my voice. I did miss him, it had only been a day and I missed him.

"I miss you, too, baby." Nick sighed. "Are you drunk?" His question made me giggle again.

"A little." I laughed. Nick chuckled quietly.

"I hope you're behaving."

"I promise I am." I couldn't keep the smile off my face.

"As long as you're happy." Nick stated. "Then I'm happy too. Just make sure nobody puts their hands on you but me."

"They won't, I won't let them."

"Good girl." Nick breathed. "Go and have some fun, you don't want to be talking to me all night. I'll see you tomorrow morning."

"Bye, Nick." I breathed. "I like you." Nick chuckled.

"I like you, more." With that, I hung up the phone. I held my phone tightly against my chest and closed my eyes tight. It didn't matter where I was or who I was with, I would never get him out of my head.

I wobbled out out of the stall I was currently in and went back to the booth Danni and I picked up throughout the night. Danni sat on the black leather chair next to a blonde headed boy who was wrapped all around her.

Men in clubs didn't pull me to them anymore. Even if they did, I compared them to Nick no matter how good looking they were. None of them would ever compete with Nick, not with my feelings towards him already.

As soon as Danni saw me beside her table, she left the blonde headed boy and came barrelling over to me. He couldn't keep his eyes off of her, I smiled over at him and he winked when he saw me looking.

Danni latched on to me as soon as she came over. She was so drunk, she couldn't stand straight. I wasn't that bad, but it was still hard to keep us both up. The room was spinning and my legs felt like jelly from all of the dancing.

Suddenly, I felt a hand grab on to my arse. I sat Danni back down with a small push and turned around until I saw a red shirt before me.

"Excuse me." I shouted in to his ear. He smirked down at me, but he didn't look like Nick. I looked to him with disgust. It was never okay for a man to just go up to a woman and touch her without permission.

The aggravating thing was, he was smirking like a proud little boy.

The red shirted man touched my arse again and I lost it. Without another thought, I pushed him forcefully backwards. I wanted him to leave me alone, I didn't want him to ever touch me the way he did. However, the man tripped over the chair standing behind him and he went straight in to the round metal table. It collapsed beneath him with a thud.

The thud was so loud, people from all angles of the room looked our way. Without another though, two strong arms came around my waist and I was hoisted upwards and outwards.

"Get off of me!" I screamed at the security guards holding me up. "Let me go!"

The arms wouldn't budge and the movements wouldn't stop. I tried to wriggle free, I tried to get out of the strong gasp but the strong gasp was just too strong. I started to panic, I started to panic as this man held me up above his shoulder.

"Let me go!" I pounded his back harshly as I breathed heavily inwards and heavily outwards.

"I'm calling the police." His voice was loud and strong as he dumped me down on to the concrete outside of the club.

Once he said police, I mentally cringed. Even though I was still drunk, I still knew who was on the job tonight and Nick was one of them. I hoped to the high heavens Nick wouldn't be here to see me like this. Not like this, not again.

"No, please." I pleaded. The man shook his head.

"They've already been called, Miss. We don't tolerate assault."

"He was grabbing me!" I stated.

"We don't tolerate assault." He repeated. I looked to him and shook my head with disgust his way.

"But you tolerate sexual assault?" I questioned. The security guard looked down at me, his brows furrowing.

"Miss, just be quiet."

"You're a pig, you're all pigs." I spat. "He was touching me up without my permission, all I did was push him."

"You can explain yourself to the police."

"This is a joke. You're a joke." I stated. Just I was about to open my mouth and have a go at him some more, I heard the sirens of the police car before I saw the flashing lights.

Fuck.

The car came speeding up to the club, which was totally unnecessary. I wasn't some kind of serial killer who had been on the wanting list for decades. I pushed a man for touching my arse and I get treated like some sort of criminal.

And that man was still let free to enjoy his night.

Once the police car stopped on the curb in front of me, I lowered my head and prayed Nick didn't get out of that car.

Firstly, I saw Alice come barrelling out of the car like she was some sort of wizard in the police force. I knew what was coming next, Nick always worked with Alice.

Nick bounded out of the car, the air charging with electricity around us. As soon as he got out of the car, as soon as he felt it too, he looked my way. His eyes binded on to mine, I looked to him with apology.

"What's going on here?" His voice came out. It boomed and caught everybody's attention around him, especially mine.

"Assault, sir." The security guard stated matter of fact. He obviously respected Nick as he bowed his head at his figure.

"That's bullshit." I let out loudly. Nick pointed his eyes my way, his forehead crinkled with a frown. He was basically telling me to shut up. My anger boiled.

Why isn't anybody listening to me? Why can't anyone see that I wouldn't hurt him on purpose. It wasn't even assault, I just pushed him away from me. Nick should understand, why is he angry with me?

"I'll take her." Nick stated. Alice had a smug smile on her face and I wanted nothing more than to pull her down a peg or two.

"Nick-"

"Shut it." His voice came out. I stepped back in shock. Why would he even think about talking to me like that? He watched me as I moved, but his face didn't change. He swallowed loudly, his eyes were still dark as he watched me with irritation.

I hope my anger showed his way too.

"Come on, Nick, let's take her to the police station." Alice said. Nick turned to her but turned back to me straight after.

"I haven't done anything wrong!" I exclaimed. Nick bounded over to me and took my arm in to his hand.

"Alice, prowl the streets whilst I take her back."

"Abel-"

"Do it, Alice." His voice sliced through the air with demand. I'd do anything he said too with that kind of voice.

Nick pulled me in to the police car, not in the passenger seat but in the back seat. Nick buckled me up but there was no soft gentle touches involved, in fact, he felt aggressive, too rough and harsh as he touched the belt.

Nick buckled himself up and got the car in to motion. There was a silence.

"Nick, you have to believe me." I said. "I didn't assault anybody-"

"Cathy, just be quiet." His voice still sounded irritated.

"You're a bastard." I gritted. "Get me out of this fucking car."

"Cathy-"

"Get me out!" I shouted. "How could you? How could you speak to me like this? Like you're irritated with me when I've done fuck all. You can go and fuck your self."

"Cathy, shut your fucking mouth." He hissed.

I took my seat belt off my body. Nick looked to me in the rear view mirror with anger.

"Put your seat belt back on." He demanded.

"Stop this car and let me out, right now." I demanded back.

"I have to take you to the police station, you've been charged with assault, Cathy!" He boomed. My teeth gritted harshly.

"I didn't assault him." I gritted. "Let me out of this car right now or I swear to God, Nick, it will be the end of us." I was so livid, so angry I didn't know what I was saying. I wanted him to do as I told him, I wanted to get out and away from him.

The car came to a quick halt. The doors weren't unlocked but at least the car had stopped.

"Cathy." Nick's voice turned gentle, his voice sounding almost worried.

"Let me out." I said harshly.

"Just come to the station with me, we won't be there long and I can take you home." I shook my head.

"I said let me go."

Nick turned to me in the back seat. His face was one of worry. I knew he was pleading with me to stay, to do as I was told but there was no way I could. I was so angry I couldn't even think, I just wanted to be on my own.

Nick sighed and the doors unlocked. I gave Nick one last look before leaving the car.

"Cathy-"

"Leave me alone." I let out. The streets weren't dark and I was only a minute away from my home.

Nick's car stayed with me until I was at my house, he didn't once leave me to walk on my own. Even though the gesture was nice, I was just too angry to care.

I got home and as soon as the door was shut, I let a tear fall from my eye. I stayed there with my back against the door and fell asleep with the clothes I wore tonight.

My sleep was troubled and my back ached, however, I was too tired to move.

Anger really pulled the energy out of you.

~ I woke up with a startled start as I heard pounding on the front door. My body vibrated with the sounds and my head pounded.

"Cathy, open the fucking door!" I heard Nick's voice and my heart shot in to action.

"Go away." My voice gruffed and I coughed the grit away from my throat.

"Just let me in." He demanded.

"I don't want to speak to you."

"I haven't been able to think straight all night. I was just doing my job."

"No, you spoke to me like fucking shit. I'm your girlfriend and I didn't assault him. You should believe me, why would I do that?"

"I do believe you!" He exclaimed. "I believe you."

"He was touching me, Nick." I let out. I could hear Nick's breath through the wood of the door. He took an in take of breath.

"Cath-"

"He was touching my arse and all I did was push him away from me. The real assault that went down in that place was him and his assault on me. The security guards only cared because the table broke, but I didn't mean for that to happen."

"Oh, Cathy." He let out quietly. I could barely hear him.

"You knew I wouldn't do that to anybody." I sniffed. "Just leave me alone, please." I pleaded.

"I can't." Nick said. "I'm sorry, please let me in and we can talk."

"No, I don't want to talk, I just want you to leave me alone."

"Don't do this." He pleaded.

"Go." I demanded.

"I'll make it up to you, just don't give up on us." Nick pleaded some more. "Of course I believe you, I always will."

And even though I knew he was telling the truth, I just wanted to be on my own for the time being. I was tired, pissed off and hungover. I didn't need him pounding on my door and pleading.

"I'm coming back later and you'll let me in so we can talk." Nick stated. "I'm not staying away for any longer than that."

"Fine." I whispered.

"I'm crazy for you." Nick stated. "I'm so crazy for you I've never felt so alive."