Ben returns home to find Nick grinning ecstatically on his return.

“Is everything ok?” Ben asks confused.

“It’s nothing,” Nick says trying to stop smiling.

“Really, are you all right?”

“I just beat your high score,” Nick says as Ben looks at the screen and realizes, he no longer has the top score.

“You have got to be kidding me,” Ben says irritably as he approached Nick. “How did you?” Ben becomes distracted with the game as Nick’s smile is justified. However, the real reason he was so happy was because he found the ring box and realised, Ben was going to propose to Ann. He was truly happy for them and couldn’t contain his excitement.

“I will work on this later,” Ben says and then turns to Nick. “You know, Tom and I were planning on hanging out today. If you want to join us, you can.”

“Really? I won’t be intruding, would I?”

‘Well, you are living here,’ Ben thinks but says, “It won’t be any trouble. Besides, I think you’d like to get out for a bit.”

“Sounds great,” Nick says with a bright smile making Ben uncomfortable with his upbeat persona. Ben goes to freshen up and relax while Nick continues playing.

Little does Nicholas know that Ben and Tom are now going to take him to D&Zzzz in hopes that they would find something about Nick. Right now, Nick seems really innocent and Ben wants to know something, whatever it may be.

That evening after Ann returns the two of them step with Nick wearing some new clothes he brought recently. Though Ann is concerned, Ben’s behaviour reassures her that he is helping the man out of the kindness of his heart. The men go to D&Zzzz where they meet Tom, order some drinks and just begin to enjoy the evening.

“So, Nick, you like this place?” Tom asks.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“It’s nice,” Nick says trying to enjoy himself. He looks around the room as he sips on some whiskey, at times watching the match being played on the screen at the corner of the room.

“You like football?” Ben asks sipping on his mocktail.

“I guess,” Nick replies. “You hang out here often?”

“At times,” Tom says raising his eyebrows. “Not our usual place but it’s nice.”

“So, Nick, is football the only thing that caught your eye or something else?” Ben asks as Nick looks and sees a group of women at the bar standing beside the screen ordering some drinks.

“I wasn’t,” Nick says as he blushes slightly taking a sip from his drink surprising both Ben and Tom. Ben and Tom look back and realise what Nick understood.

“Not your type?” Ben enquires.

“I don’t know if I have a type. I’d like to think I’ve dated but, those women won’t pay attention to me,” Nick says as Tom thinks back to the time he spends with Nicholas, a man with so much confidence and charisma, he can sway anyone’s heart. Despite the resemblance, the man before them seems like the type who would have drinks thrown at his face for saying something stupid.

“I’m sure you did,” Ben says. “But what do you think your type is?”

“Well, I’m not really sure,” Nick chuckles. “I guess maybe long hair and beautiful eyes,” Nick says as Ben interrupts.

“You like blondes?” Ben asks.

“Not in particular,” Nick replies. “I just think that sometimes a connection is all you need.” Tom sits observing the conversation as Nick turns to him, “What about you Tom, anyone special in your life?”

“No, just had a break up,” Tom replies and before Nick can say anything he continues. “I’m fine and I’d rather not talk about it. Sometimes it’s better to be single than with the wrong person.”

“That’s true,” Nick replies. “Ben is really lucky that way. He has the woman of his dreams.”

“Nice of you to assume that,” Tom replies.

“Oh, I’ve seen it. The way he looks at her,” Nick’s bright smiles as Ben begins to feel uncomfortable. “I’m sure she’ll say yes.”

“What does that mean?” Ben asks just as Nicholas silently realises his tongue just slipped.

“I’m sorry but earlier today I was looking for games and I found the ring box,” Nick says surprising Ben and Tom. “I know it’s not my place but…”

“But you can look through my stuff?” Ben asks now becoming angry.

“I…”

“Don’t make excuses,” Ben says. “What do you think I brought you to my house so you can invade my privacy!”

“Ben…,” Tom says as Ben abruptly stands up and begins to walk away from the table.

“I need some air,” Ben says as he walks away. Ben goes the front door and after opening it slams it shut in anger but that’s not what happens. As he turns around, he notices Nick had followed him and is now lying unconscious on the floor. As Tom rushes to his side Ben, stands shocked unsure of what happened.