Free Dreams Do Come True by Jada Pearl Page A

OMG…my best friend is dating, Nico!” she screamed.
    “Sandy, stop being so dramatic. You act like I have never dated a celebrity before.”
    “But none has been someone you had a crush on for years, have they?”
    “Well, I guess you have a point there. You are making too much of this. This whole thing has me nervous. I mean, you know what happened the last time. That’s why I haven’t dated anyone since him. I never want to feel that kind of pain again. I didn’t get a chance to tell you, but I met Nico’s ex-girlfriend, Tina.”
    “Tina?”
    “Yes, and she is everything I am not. But Nico was adamant about her not being an issue. Still, from what I can see, I am not so sure.”
    “Oh…okay, so do you think he wants to get back with her?” Sandy asked as she finished off her glass of wine and poured another. She grabbed some fruit and started eating it. Sandy looked at her best friend and could see the emotions all across her face. She had hoped that the next man she dated would be a doctor or dentist. For whatever reason, her friend seemed to be a magnet for industry men. The women ate in silence for a few minutes.
    “You deserve to be happy. The few times I talked to you these last couple of days I heard it in your voice. It was something I had never heard with Jesse,” Sandy offered, breaking the silence in the room. Shontell looked at her best friend and couldn’t refute her admission. If she never saw Nico again, their memories definitely would keep a smile on her face.
    “What if I do go into this further? What if he breaks my heart?”
    “Shontell!”
    “I know. I know. So before you even say it, I know I can’t judge all men the same way. You know, trust is a huge thing for me.”
    Sandy looked at her friend and felt her pain. Jesse had left her in shambles when she caught him cheating, plus it took a long time to recover from the accident too. It was a huge deal. She knew it couldn’t have been her, because that fool Jesse would have been in the hospital bed next to her. It took her nearly three months before she could even get her friend out the house. It was not a good scene at all. Just as she was about to say something, Shontell’s phone chimed. Sandy was being mannish when she grabbed her best friend’s phone and read the text. Her mouth flew open, and she handed her the phone.

Nico
    Nico remained quiet for the rest of the ride to Indiana. He had his eyes closed so that they would think he was sleeping and not bother him. He listened as they were talking, though. He really started listening when John asked Dennis about him talking to Tina. Dennis claimed he was just making idle chatter with her. He stated that he was trying to get information on her friend. Nico had to force himself not to react. He felt it in his bones that Dennis was lying. Why would he bring Tina around him? Why didn’t he want him to date Shontell? He never thought his friend would betray him like this. When the bus pulled up to the hotel, he had already decided he would play his game. Dennis winning was not an option.
    Nico picked up the envelope Shontell gave him. It changed his mood immediately. After being given his key, he was about to take the stairs to his room when Martin stopped him. 
    “Son, come here. Let’s talk.”
    “What’s up, Martin?”
    “I know you are upset about Tina being at the hotel. I know what you’re thinking. I saw Dennis with her. Let me deal with him. Do you hear me?” Nico looked at Martin, but stayed quiet.
    “Why would he do that to me?” he asked, trying to contain his emotions and keep his voice low.  He kicked his foot outward. He felt like he was about to lose control. Martin put his hand on his shoulder.
    “Nico, I said I will handle him. You go hit the gym and blow off some of that anger. You are friends. Don’t let this interfere with the group. Here is something to think about…Dennis lost David when he got married. I think he sees that same thing happening to