Rickola

Rickola | Chapter Sixteen

Rickola | Chapter Sixteen

© Katelyn Moore

 I spent that night lying awake in bed. Slag! Slut! Bitch! Whore! Was I really any of those things? Just because I had been caught hugging and kissing Rick Avery didn’t mean I was. The photos didn’t exactly look innocent, but they definitely weren’t vulgar. So how could random people all over the world want to call me names like that? Worse, how could my best friend and little sister call me those things? I just had to keep an open mind. Kylie and Bianca didn’t know it was me. Surely, they would think twice if they did.

There was only one way to find out what they truly thought of my relationship with Rick, but I couldn’t just tell them; I had to discuss it with him first. After all, we were in this together. The only problem was, I hadn’t heard from him since my last frantic phone call.

Rick was sorting it all out. Well, at this time of night, he was most likely sleeping. But not being able to hear his voice, his answer for fixing this huge mess, was freaking me out. If I didn’t hear from him in the morning, I would have to find out what was going on for myself.

Luckily, I didn’t have to come up with some insane plan that would never work, because Rick did call me back. It had been well over twenty-four hours since I had seen him and when he told me where to meet him, I was so excited and nervous it was a wonder I hadn’t peed my pants by the time I got there.

It was a beautiful apartment right down the road from my own. I was somewhat surprised when he gave me the address. I knew exactly where it was and it didn’t even take me five minutes to walk there.

When Rick opened the door to the penthouse apartment, I felt a mixture of relief and anxiety. Seeing him calmed me down a little. But wouldn’t this be too obvious? Living so close to each other could mean being caught again.

Rick pulled me into a tight hug once he closed the door and all my concerns disappeared.

I loved it when he held me.

I loved his arms around me.

I loved how his smell lingered on me.

As he pulled away to look at me properly, all the angst came rushing back. I had so many questions, but the look in his eyes told me not to worry.

“It’s being sorted,” he said firmly. “You can stop panicking.”

“How is it being sorted?”

He wrapped an arm around my shoulders and led me through the apartment. Much like his hotel room, it was modern and stylish. The view from the window wasn’t as nice, but I could see my building. This just deepened my fears.

“Do you really think being this close to where I live is a good idea? Don’t you think it will just make it easier for them to find out?”

“Nola, don’t worry so much. We relocated here because of the closeness. There’s less chance of anyone following you if they think you’re just going to the store. They won’t expect me to be here, not when there are better places to stay in the city. And they don’t know who you are, anyway, so it’s nothing to worry about.”

I had a feeling he stopped himself from saying ‘yet’. “They have photos of me. And you. Together! In very suggestive positions.”

“None of the pictures reveals your face.” He brushed his thumb along my jaw. “And Myles is working to prove that it wasn’t me.”

I shook my head. “How’s he going to do that?”

“I have no idea, but it’s his job, he’ll come through.” Rick shrugged, sitting on the lounge and pulling me down with him. “Just don’t worry so much.”