~*~ Only Time ~*~ Ch. 17 ~*~
by rockstar
 
 

"I don't know what you're doing here, Felicity, but I want you out. Now." Chad said calmly and forcefully.
"Oh, well, isn't this nice. All of Julian's children. Together at last."

"Did you not hear me?" Livvie and Nikolas just stared at Chad and Felicity as they continued their verbal battle.

"Oh, come now, we're family." Felicity said, kicking herself for saying those words to him.

"No -- no, we are not family. Not even close." Chad said angrily.

"We're blood Chad and that means we are more alike than you'll ever know. That also means that we're either friends or enemies."

"Well, that first ones out. See, I prefer to like my friends."

"And those I hate are my enemies. Looks like you are a definite on that list."

"I'm pretty busy tonight, so what do you say we continue this another time?"

"Oh yes." Felicity looked around Chad's club. "These people have no idea they're in a place owned by a Crane. I wonder how many would be left if they did."

"Are you threatening me?"

"No, of course not. Just thinking out loud. But remember, Chad, I always get what I want. One way or another." Felicity said, turning around.

"Now, that was a definite threat." Livvie said.

Felicity opened the door and looked back at Chad, "When I'm through with you, Chad, you are going to wish you've never stepped into this town. But I will need a little help in getting rid of you," she smiling devilishly and walked out.

"She's right, though," Nikolas said, "you are like us. In ways." Without a word, Chad walked away from Livvie and Nikolas.

"I don't think he really liked hearing that twice in one night." Livvie said.

"Yeah, listen, you have fun here, all right? I have to go find Kay."

"All right. Be good. Or at least try."
 

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Simone took a drink of her soda as Kay paced nervously in front of her. "God, where could he be? Do you think he stood me up? And he's halfway back to New York? God, what was I thinking? A rich, hot, funny, baseball loving guy actually liked me! Did I mention he likes baseball?"

"A few times." Simone laughed.

"Man, I am such a fool."

"But a beautiful fool." Nikolas said, whisking Kay around to face him.

"Nik -- you came."

"You didn't think I was cutting out on you?"

"No way." Kay said, was Simone rolled her eyes and stood up, "Oh, Nikolas, this is my very best friend, Simone Russell."

"Hey, how's it going?" Nikolas said.

"Fine, fine. Listen, I'm going to go get a drink and see if I can find Chad."

"All right." Kay said as her and Nikolas sat down, "So-" she started.

"Why am I late?"

"Yes."

"If you really want to know."
 

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Chad leaned against the bar and hung his head and sighed.

"Hey good lookin'. This is a fly joint." Chad turned around to see Rosy in a short, dark pink, one shoulder dress, looking as jazzed up as can be.

"Roxy?" Chad said slowly, making sure he was correct.

"Guilty. Listen, I know we haven't had a chance to talk since that blow out at the Book Cafe. And I am sorry about it all."

"It's all right. It's all right." Chad said, as Jax walked up next to Roxy.

"I don't think we've been properly introduced," Jax said, extending his hand, "Jasper Jacks."

"Chad Harris," he said, shaking his hand.

"Aww, isn't this nice," Nelly said, walking up to the group. "You all getting along."

"We would've thunk it, huh?" Roxy said, jokingly, as she and Nelly had eye contact.

"Hey, Aussie buddy, umm, what do you say, we try out this dance floor?" Roxy said, pulling Jax along.

"Oh, all right. I'll see you two later." Jax said.

"Have fun." Nelly said, as she smiled at Chad.

"Whoa, Roxy, dear. What's going on?" Jax asked after Roxy stopped pulling him along.

"Nelly wanted some time alone with him and we need to give it to her."

"But I thought you were supposed to watch Chad." Jax said, as Roxy started dancing to the beat.

"Well, I am. I mean, it's not like I'm going to be stalking him and my sister, I just told Julian that I would watch to see how his son's opening night went. Personally, I feel sorry for the guy. I mean, it seems like he's trying pretty hard to get in his sons life and Chad's obviously just full of a lot of anger and stress right now, to deal with his parents."

"You're such a good heart." Jax said, as he kissed her cheek.

"Why thank you, now dance with me, Aussie man."
 

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"Hi Gwen," Simone said, sitting next to Gwen at the bar, "The club looks great."

"Hey. Thanks, but I'm only the silent partner. Chad deserves all the credit on turning this place around so fast and greatly."

"Speaking of Chad, have you seen him tonight?"

"Yeah, earlier."

"Do you know where he could be now?"

"He's probably around here somewhere. Here I bet Rick knows. Hey, Rick, do you know where Chad is?" Gwen asked.

"Right down there with that woman," the blonde bartender said, pointing.

Simone followed the direction of his finger, "Who's that woman?"

"Oh, that's Nelly Watson. She's from Boston." Gwen said.

"How do her and Chad know each other?"

"I don't know. They do seem very friendly though."

Simone smiled. Chad and another woman? It seemed kind of soon, but maybe that's for the best. Simone smiled again and changed her mind about talking to Chad. At least for then.
 

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Nelly ran her finger over the rim of her drink nervously as Chad kept both eyes on her.

"So, Chad, I was wondering...." Come on, girl! Do it! Roxy's voice boomed in her head. "I was wondering, you know, you and I, we really sort of-" Nelly went on as Chad's focus went to the entrance of the building.

"-and you and I, we could go out sometime--"

"You know what? I'm sorry. I'll be right back. Sorry." Chad said quickly, walking past her.

"--Or I could just stand here and think if I've ever made a bigger fool of myself. No, I haven't."
 

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"All right, you know what you need?" Kay said, standing up followed by Nikolas.

"What's that?" he asked.

"To have fun. Cut loose. Enjoy life. Carpe diem."

"Sounds dangerous."

"It might be, but I guess we'll find out soon."

"No, you won't." Noah said, making Nikolas and Kay turn around, both shaking their heads in disgust.

"What are you doing here, Noah? And it better not be what I think it is." Kay said.

"I'm sorry, Kay, but your brother isn't going to be able to answer that right now." Chad said stepping between Noah and Kay and Nikolas. "Get out."