Chapter 43

“Sam, hey in here…” said Nick as Samantha walked into a kitchen to see Nick standing there holding Megan and Howie cooking eggs and Bacon.

“Hey Sam!” said Howie, “Bacon or eggs?”

“The eggs are damn good…” said Nick as he looked at her, “You okay, you look confused.”

“We’re at Howie’s house?” asked Samantha as she looked around.

“Yeah Jake don’t know how to find you here so .. after we left my house last night and we started driving you fell asleep and I called D.” said Nick, “Until we figure out what we’re going to do.”

“Okay… no thanks Howie, I’m not much of a breakfast person.” Said Samantha as she walked over and took Megan from Nick, “I woke up and didn’t know where I was and I kept calling you and for Megan and nobody came.”

“I’m sorry, we just came downstairs.” Said Nick.

“It’s okay, we’re safe.” Said Samantha, “So what are we going to do?”

“Well it’s none of my business but..” said Howie as Samantha interrupted him.

“It’s okay Howie, what we’re you going to say?” asked Samantha.

“Jake isn’t really dumb from what I can tell and he’s going to know that you’re in either Tampa or Orlando or West Palm Beach, isn’t that where you’re parents are….wherever they are, he’s going to think you’re in those places, so don’t stay in any of them. If you want to leave him and start over you really need a new place, maybe not so far away but enough for him to know not to look for you there.” Said Howie.

“You’re right D.” said Nick as he put a piece of Bacon in his mouth and chewed on it, “You’re right, now… Sam, where do you wanna start over?”

“I don’t care, I mean I can stay in Tampa…” said Samantha as Nick and Howie interrupted her at the same time.

“No Tampa, Orlando maybe… no Tampa.” Said Nick, “Miami?”

“No.. I don’t like Miami.” Said Samantha, “Jake never comes to Orlando. He hasn’t been here since we’ve been together.”

“True, and he’s going to think Nick somewhere in the Tampa area.” Said Howie.

“We can go to my family’s ranch in Cali..” said Nick.

“No!” said Samantha and Howie at the same time.

“Oh yeah Nick, what’s your mom going to think if you bring some girl there to live that has a baby and all that.. please.” Said Samantha.

“Uhh.. well how about like Daytona Beach or Jacksonville, Tallahassee, or Ft. Lauderdale….” Said Nick.

“Who says it has to be Florida?” asked Howie as Samantha looked over at him.

“I think Orlando would be good because not only is this like the groups base but… all of the guys are here and I know my way around…” said Samantha.

“And you will get lonely one day and find your way back to Jake.. no Sam.” Said Nick, “Don’t look at me like that you know it’s going to happen unless you’re far far away.”

“Lexington? Kevin’s there or Atlanta, Brian’s there…” said Howie.

“I really don’t care, just surprise me. I called the station and told them I had to leave so just wherever.. I really don’t care anymore.” Said Samantha as she walked out and Nick looked over at Howie.

“You’re gonna get with her aren’t you?” asked Howie as he started to smile.

“I’m gonna do my damnest.” Said Nick as he smiled and walked out.

“Samantha walked into the room that she woke up in, holding Megan as she sat down on the bed and started to cry when Nick peeked in to see her and she looked up at him.

“What?” asked Samantha.

“Right now… we’re going to decide where do we wanna live?” asked Nick.

“We?” asked Samantha.

“Yeah well you don’t wanna be alone 24/7, 365 days a year do ya?” asked Nick as he smiled.

“No..” said Samantha.

“Okay, where?” asked Nick.

“I don’t really care, it’s your choice.” Said Samantha.

“How about Jacksonville.. it’s on the beach…” said Nick.

“Panama City?” asked Samantha as Nick started to smile.

“Get a beach house.. that could be cool.” Said Nick.

“You think?” asked Samantha.

“As long as we’re away from Tampa and we’re together, I think it’s going to be okay.” Said Nick as Samantha smiled and hugged him tight and Nick smiled knowing that hopefully things were going his way.