Tempest In A Teacup Chapter Eight
A few days after Christmas my birthday came too. I was thirty...I was fucking thirty and I had a fucked up life. Going through a divorce with Taylor and being pregnant by Zac. Taylor had seemingly moved on to Kate while Zac was going to try and play pretend with Bethany and for now that left me alone. I have never once in my life been alone. I wasn't even sure if I knew how to be alone. I was used to always having a man there.
I also just happened to be alone on my birthday too. Taylor had said he would take the kids in case I wanted to go out with friends or something. I haven't even bothered calling any of my friends. Most of the ones I had where all drinkers or liked to go out and party. I didn't see the use in calling them up since I really couldn't party in my current condition. If Zac freaked about one cigarette he would blow a gasket over alcohol though I had always abstained from alcohol all through my other pregnancies.
Hearing a knock at the door I make a face as I put the remote I held in my hand down. I had been in the middle of flipping mindlessly through channels. Nothing ever came on, on the weekends. Standing from the couch I walk to the door and open it making another face as I see Nikki on the other side.
Nikki's arrival is a shock as she isn't someone I am particularly close too nor have I ever really been interested in getting close to her. She has always just seemed like she was better than me.
"I remembered today was your birthday," Nikki offers a smile and I nod moving aside to let her in. "I..I know you're pregnant which means most of your friends are unavailable to hang out with but I figured I could be the perfect companion. I mean I'm pregnant too," she nodded putting a hand on her belly.
I just laugh some shutting the door once she is inside. I figure Isaac probably sent her to come over. Isaac always tries to make the best of some things or tries to make sure everyone is happy. Though I haven't been close to Isaac either so I am not sure why he would send Nikki over to be with me on my birthday.
"Did Taylor send you over here?" I ask knowing he is the only other person I can think of who would have done this. He is the only one who would know I was alone today anyway. He is the only one who would have told Nikki I was pregnant. It wasn't that I was trying to hide this baby, it was just the less Hanson's that knew I was knocked up by Zac right now the better.
Nikki makes a guilty face before nodding her head, "Was it that obvious?" she asks me before walking towards the kitchen.
Following behind her I shrug though she can't see me. "Just a bit. I mean it's not a lie that we don't hang out much and very few people know that I am pregnant."
"Actually everyone in the family knows you're pregnant," Nikki informs me before sitting down in a chair at my kitchen table. "Zac may have told us all before Christmas in case you know, you got sick or anything."
Going silent I just stand there shocked by this information. I really wasn't expecting Zac to have told everyone. Not without my consent first.
"I'm guessing he wasn't supposed to do that," Nikki speaks bringing me back out of my thoughts.
I shake my head, "No...it's just I wish he had told me first," I smile hoping she can't tell that it is fake. "Do you want something to drink?" I ask feeling rude for not having asked that before now. "Or something to eat? I think I may still have some leftovers that I brought home from the Christmas party."
Nikki returns the smile with a fake one of her own, "I'll take a green tea if you have it."
"I do have green tea," I tell her before walking to the fridge and getting a bottle of green tea out for her while grabbing a bottle of water for myself. "No food?" I ask before shutting the fridge door and going to the table, handing her the green tea.
"I was actually thinking that maybe we could go out for lunch or something," Nikki smiles more before taking the green tea and standing up. "There is this new place downtown near the studio. I have been wanting to try it but haven't really had much time too lately."
At Nikki's suggestion of going out to eat I nod before opening the water and taking a drink, "I'd love that," I smile this time it's a real one. Maybe going out for lunch with Nikki will take my mind off my worries. Make me forget about Zac,Bethany, the River lie and the fact that I am thirty years old.
Nikki leaves my kitchen as quickly as she came too it and again I follow her. "We can take my car," she tells me as she goes to the front door. I only nod in response, grabbing my purse and keys before following her outside to her car. For once it's not a cold day in Tulsa. I am hoping it stays that way all the time.
Getting in Nikki's car I buckle up, staying silent as she starts her car and drives away from my house. I'm not sure what to talk about right now so I decide if we are going to talk that Nikki can start the conversation.
"Are you still going to Jamaica in January?" Nikki finally speaks after cutting her radio on. "I know last year after Jamaica you said you would go back and before you and Taylor split he booked you to go. I think Zac is taking Bethany even though Kate has decided she is still going and bringing the kids."
I frown at Nikki's words having almost forgotten about the Jamaica fan event, "They are doing that still?" I ask knowing they had canceled the second leg of the tour after Taylor ran off. They had also canceled the overseas stuff too. "I mean Taylor never even mentioned that they were still doing that."
Nikki nods, "They decided to do it last week. It was very last minute but they figured what way to show their fans they are still a band. I mean I guess they are going to need that as I am sure you'll be wanting to announce your pregnancy to the media by then."
When Nikki mentions announcing my pregnancy I shake my head, "I can't do that this time. I can only imagine how it will look to fans when the release mentions that it's not Taylor's baby I am carrying but Zac's baby. Some fans finally started to like me in these past few years..now even more will hate me or think I'm slut. Hell I cheated on their golden god boy with his baby brother."
"But you always announce your babies. If you don't the fans are going to assume something anyway," Nikki reasons as she pulls her car into a parking space and I realize we have finally made it to the restaurant. "I'm sure they won't be that cruel I mean Bethany has a ton of followers on her twitter and she is the one who leaked Zac's dick pictures."
Feeling my eyes widen I unbuckle, "How do you even know Bethany has a twitter? You don't use twitter," I shake my head opening the door. "And I'd like to forget Zac has dick pictures on the internet thanks to that bitch," I spit out harshly before getting out of the car.
"I may have created a twitter privately. I'm not following Bethany and she isn't following me though she keeps sending me follow requests," Nikki shrugs as she too gets out of the car a smirk plastered on her lips. "I don't want to forget those dick pictures of Zac. I kind of liked them. Just don't tell Isaac I said that."
I blush when she confesses to liking Zac's dick pictures. "Trust me," I tell her as I follow behind. "I won't be saying anything to Isaac about you liking pictures of his brother's dick."
Nikki turns to me giving a small before she heads inside the restaurant. I head in behind her and soon we are seated by a waiter at a table near the windows.
"I take it from you calling Bethany a bitch you don't like her?" Nikki asks once the waiter is out of earshot.
Picking up a menu I chuckle, "I take it from you saying you like Zac's dick pictures you have a slight crush on him?" I counter as I look over the menu unable to meet Nikki's eyes. So much for trying to forget Zac or Bethany.
"Not a crush," she defends as if my question was a bad thing. "I sort of thought Taylor was the hottest at the show I attended when I met Ike. But I wouldn't mind taking a ride on Zac either."
Blushing again I continue to look over the menu, "I don't like Bethany," I confess finally putting the menu down after deciding what I want to eat. "I think she's too crazy for Zac. But Zac seems to think she is better for him because I run off when things get rough. She is his easy choice and I don't blame him for how he feels and I know I shouldn't but a part of me wants to fight for him and win him back but ever since he confessed that he loves me but doesn't trust I won't run off again I don't know how else to get him back."
At my words Nikki frowns but doesn't get to say anything. Our waiter decides then is a good time to show up and I offer him a smile as he takes Nikki's order first. He is a young man, attractive with long hair and a scruffy face. When he looks at me I blush some seeing how blue his eyes are. He half reminds me of a wanna be musician. Before ordering my own food I take a look at his name tag to see it reads Austin.
After he is gone I raise an eyebrow at the look Nikki is giving me. "What?" I ask not knowing why she is making me feel like a child who is about to get in trouble.
"He's too young for you Natalie," Nikki hisses out. "Anyway you have too much shit with Zac going on," she reminds me which makes me shake my head. "I think you should go to Jamaica though. Leave the kids here but go and maybe you can steal Zac away from Bethany for some alone time. I mean I'm positive Kate was getting some alone time with Taylor in Jamaica last year."
Glaring at her I just roll my eyes playfully, "I'd rather not think of that," I admit honestly. Kate's sex life used to be the highlight of my day sometimes but now since it involves my soon to be ex-husband it just makes my skin crawl. "And I will talk to Taylor about Jamaica tomorrow when he drops the kids off."
At that our conversation changes to an array of different topics and then the food comes which we both seem to devour in no time but then again we are eating for two. After the food is gone we stay for a bit longer before deciding to pay and go. Nikki leaves before me, my bladder deciding then is a good time to make me have to pee.
It's on my way out to the car that the attractive waiter decides to stop me, "You're Natalie right?" he asks which makes me turn my head to nod at him. I don't recall Nikki saying my name in front of him. "I'm Austin," he continues then as he looks around as if someone might hear or see him talking to me. "I..I used to date Bethany."
When he mentions Bethany I sigh,"Of course you did," I mutter sarcastically. "How did you know I was Natalie though?"
"She's a Hanson fan," he smiles as if that should explain it. "She's shown me pictures of you and your family..even after she had met Zac she used to rant about you all the fucking time, but that's not why I want to talk to you. I have something you need to know about Bethany. I'd tell Zac but I don't think he liked me well enough to believe what I have to say. My shift ends at ten tonight...do you think you can meet me at Arnie's Bar at ten-thirty?"
Chewing on my lip I run a hand through my hair. I know I can't be out too late but if he says he has something on Bethany then why not hear him out? "Sure," I say before turning away from him and leaving. I'm not sure if I will regret this but at least maybe we can both compare on how much we hate Bethany for different reasons.
A few days after Christmas my birthday came too. I was thirty...I was fucking thirty and I had a fucked up life. Going through a divorce with Taylor and being pregnant by Zac. Taylor had seemingly moved on to Kate while Zac was going to try and play pretend with Bethany and for now that left me alone. I have never once in my life been alone. I wasn't even sure if I knew how to be alone. I was used to always having a man there.
I also just happened to be alone on my birthday too. Taylor had said he would take the kids in case I wanted to go out with friends or something. I haven't even bothered calling any of my friends. Most of the ones I had where all drinkers or liked to go out and party. I didn't see the use in calling them up since I really couldn't party in my current condition. If Zac freaked about one cigarette he would blow a gasket over alcohol though I had always abstained from alcohol all through my other pregnancies.
Hearing a knock at the door I make a face as I put the remote I held in my hand down. I had been in the middle of flipping mindlessly through channels. Nothing ever came on, on the weekends. Standing from the couch I walk to the door and open it making another face as I see Nikki on the other side.
Nikki's arrival is a shock as she isn't someone I am particularly close too nor have I ever really been interested in getting close to her. She has always just seemed like she was better than me.
"I remembered today was your birthday," Nikki offers a smile and I nod moving aside to let her in. "I..I know you're pregnant which means most of your friends are unavailable to hang out with but I figured I could be the perfect companion. I mean I'm pregnant too," she nodded putting a hand on her belly.
I just laugh some shutting the door once she is inside. I figure Isaac probably sent her to come over. Isaac always tries to make the best of some things or tries to make sure everyone is happy. Though I haven't been close to Isaac either so I am not sure why he would send Nikki over to be with me on my birthday.
"Did Taylor send you over here?" I ask knowing he is the only other person I can think of who would have done this. He is the only one who would know I was alone today anyway. He is the only one who would have told Nikki I was pregnant. It wasn't that I was trying to hide this baby, it was just the less Hanson's that knew I was knocked up by Zac right now the better.
Nikki makes a guilty face before nodding her head, "Was it that obvious?" she asks me before walking towards the kitchen.
Following behind her I shrug though she can't see me. "Just a bit. I mean it's not a lie that we don't hang out much and very few people know that I am pregnant."
"Actually everyone in the family knows you're pregnant," Nikki informs me before sitting down in a chair at my kitchen table. "Zac may have told us all before Christmas in case you know, you got sick or anything."
Going silent I just stand there shocked by this information. I really wasn't expecting Zac to have told everyone. Not without my consent first.
"I'm guessing he wasn't supposed to do that," Nikki speaks bringing me back out of my thoughts.
I shake my head, "No...it's just I wish he had told me first," I smile hoping she can't tell that it is fake. "Do you want something to drink?" I ask feeling rude for not having asked that before now. "Or something to eat? I think I may still have some leftovers that I brought home from the Christmas party."
Nikki returns the smile with a fake one of her own, "I'll take a green tea if you have it."
"I do have green tea," I tell her before walking to the fridge and getting a bottle of green tea out for her while grabbing a bottle of water for myself. "No food?" I ask before shutting the fridge door and going to the table, handing her the green tea.
"I was actually thinking that maybe we could go out for lunch or something," Nikki smiles more before taking the green tea and standing up. "There is this new place downtown near the studio. I have been wanting to try it but haven't really had much time too lately."
At Nikki's suggestion of going out to eat I nod before opening the water and taking a drink, "I'd love that," I smile this time it's a real one. Maybe going out for lunch with Nikki will take my mind off my worries. Make me forget about Zac,Bethany, the River lie and the fact that I am thirty years old.
Nikki leaves my kitchen as quickly as she came too it and again I follow her. "We can take my car," she tells me as she goes to the front door. I only nod in response, grabbing my purse and keys before following her outside to her car. For once it's not a cold day in Tulsa. I am hoping it stays that way all the time.
Getting in Nikki's car I buckle up, staying silent as she starts her car and drives away from my house. I'm not sure what to talk about right now so I decide if we are going to talk that Nikki can start the conversation.
"Are you still going to Jamaica in January?" Nikki finally speaks after cutting her radio on. "I know last year after Jamaica you said you would go back and before you and Taylor split he booked you to go. I think Zac is taking Bethany even though Kate has decided she is still going and bringing the kids."
I frown at Nikki's words having almost forgotten about the Jamaica fan event, "They are doing that still?" I ask knowing they had canceled the second leg of the tour after Taylor ran off. They had also canceled the overseas stuff too. "I mean Taylor never even mentioned that they were still doing that."
Nikki nods, "They decided to do it last week. It was very last minute but they figured what way to show their fans they are still a band. I mean I guess they are going to need that as I am sure you'll be wanting to announce your pregnancy to the media by then."
When Nikki mentions announcing my pregnancy I shake my head, "I can't do that this time. I can only imagine how it will look to fans when the release mentions that it's not Taylor's baby I am carrying but Zac's baby. Some fans finally started to like me in these past few years..now even more will hate me or think I'm slut. Hell I cheated on their golden god boy with his baby brother."
"But you always announce your babies. If you don't the fans are going to assume something anyway," Nikki reasons as she pulls her car into a parking space and I realize we have finally made it to the restaurant. "I'm sure they won't be that cruel I mean Bethany has a ton of followers on her twitter and she is the one who leaked Zac's dick pictures."
Feeling my eyes widen I unbuckle, "How do you even know Bethany has a twitter? You don't use twitter," I shake my head opening the door. "And I'd like to forget Zac has dick pictures on the internet thanks to that bitch," I spit out harshly before getting out of the car.
"I may have created a twitter privately. I'm not following Bethany and she isn't following me though she keeps sending me follow requests," Nikki shrugs as she too gets out of the car a smirk plastered on her lips. "I don't want to forget those dick pictures of Zac. I kind of liked them. Just don't tell Isaac I said that."
I blush when she confesses to liking Zac's dick pictures. "Trust me," I tell her as I follow behind. "I won't be saying anything to Isaac about you liking pictures of his brother's dick."
Nikki turns to me giving a small before she heads inside the restaurant. I head in behind her and soon we are seated by a waiter at a table near the windows.
"I take it from you calling Bethany a bitch you don't like her?" Nikki asks once the waiter is out of earshot.
Picking up a menu I chuckle, "I take it from you saying you like Zac's dick pictures you have a slight crush on him?" I counter as I look over the menu unable to meet Nikki's eyes. So much for trying to forget Zac or Bethany.
"Not a crush," she defends as if my question was a bad thing. "I sort of thought Taylor was the hottest at the show I attended when I met Ike. But I wouldn't mind taking a ride on Zac either."
Blushing again I continue to look over the menu, "I don't like Bethany," I confess finally putting the menu down after deciding what I want to eat. "I think she's too crazy for Zac. But Zac seems to think she is better for him because I run off when things get rough. She is his easy choice and I don't blame him for how he feels and I know I shouldn't but a part of me wants to fight for him and win him back but ever since he confessed that he loves me but doesn't trust I won't run off again I don't know how else to get him back."
At my words Nikki frowns but doesn't get to say anything. Our waiter decides then is a good time to show up and I offer him a smile as he takes Nikki's order first. He is a young man, attractive with long hair and a scruffy face. When he looks at me I blush some seeing how blue his eyes are. He half reminds me of a wanna be musician. Before ordering my own food I take a look at his name tag to see it reads Austin.
After he is gone I raise an eyebrow at the look Nikki is giving me. "What?" I ask not knowing why she is making me feel like a child who is about to get in trouble.
"He's too young for you Natalie," Nikki hisses out. "Anyway you have too much shit with Zac going on," she reminds me which makes me shake my head. "I think you should go to Jamaica though. Leave the kids here but go and maybe you can steal Zac away from Bethany for some alone time. I mean I'm positive Kate was getting some alone time with Taylor in Jamaica last year."
Glaring at her I just roll my eyes playfully, "I'd rather not think of that," I admit honestly. Kate's sex life used to be the highlight of my day sometimes but now since it involves my soon to be ex-husband it just makes my skin crawl. "And I will talk to Taylor about Jamaica tomorrow when he drops the kids off."
At that our conversation changes to an array of different topics and then the food comes which we both seem to devour in no time but then again we are eating for two. After the food is gone we stay for a bit longer before deciding to pay and go. Nikki leaves before me, my bladder deciding then is a good time to make me have to pee.
It's on my way out to the car that the attractive waiter decides to stop me, "You're Natalie right?" he asks which makes me turn my head to nod at him. I don't recall Nikki saying my name in front of him. "I'm Austin," he continues then as he looks around as if someone might hear or see him talking to me. "I..I used to date Bethany."
When he mentions Bethany I sigh,"Of course you did," I mutter sarcastically. "How did you know I was Natalie though?"
"She's a Hanson fan," he smiles as if that should explain it. "She's shown me pictures of you and your family..even after she had met Zac she used to rant about you all the fucking time, but that's not why I want to talk to you. I have something you need to know about Bethany. I'd tell Zac but I don't think he liked me well enough to believe what I have to say. My shift ends at ten tonight...do you think you can meet me at Arnie's Bar at ten-thirty?"
Chewing on my lip I run a hand through my hair. I know I can't be out too late but if he says he has something on Bethany then why not hear him out? "Sure," I say before turning away from him and leaving. I'm not sure if I will regret this but at least maybe we can both compare on how much we hate Bethany for different reasons.
