Tensions Rise

Adam plopped down on the chair next to Nick, failing miserably to hide the smirk tugging at his lips. He leaned back, casually sipping his coffee, his eyes flickering between Nick's scowling face and the crushed coffee cup in his hand.

"Dude," Adam chuckled, nudging him with his elbow. "Relax before you completely destroy that poor cup." Nick loosened his grip slightly but didn't look up, his eyes fixed on the café table across the room where Jane was chatting happily with a guy. The guy, probably in his early thirties, had a friendly smile and a laugh that seemed to come far too easily. Her beautiful dark hair is pulled back in a loose ponytail, a few strands framing her beautiful face. The guy looked at her with a deep gaze and she seemed to like it. A frown forms on Nick's forehead looking at them laughing and chatting, he felt jealous. 

Adam followed Nick's gaze, his smirk widening. " Looks like that guy is from her hometown or something. Indian, maybe?"

Nick shot him a withering look. "And?"

"And," Adam drawled, clearly enjoying this way too much, "he's probably just a friend. Look, they're just talking—comfortably. You don't have to feel jealous."

Nick's jaw tightened. "I'm not jealous."

Adam raised his eyebrows, gesturing at the flattened cup in Nick's hand. "Sure."

Nick groaned, setting the poor cup down on the table with a thud.

Nick glared at him, but Adam just laughed, shaking his head. 

Adam leaned back, still grinning as he glanced at the pair across the room. "So, who is he?" he asked, his tone light, though his eyes sparkled with mischief.

Nick's gaze didn't waver, his jaw clenched. "I don't know," he muttered, his words sharp and clipped.

Adam raised an eyebrow. "Relax, Nick. You sound like you're ready to kill him."

Nick exhaled heavily, leaning forward as he rubbed the bridge of his nose. "It's just... she looks so comfortable with him." His voice softened for a second before frustration crept back in. "Probably has a crush on the guy."

Adam gave a low whistle, his smirk fading just slightly. "You really need to calm down. She's allowed to have friends, you know. Doesn't mean she's picking out matching wedding bands with the dude."

Nick shot him a glare but said nothing, his eyes flicking back to Jane. The way she laughed at something the guy said sent a flicker of jealousy through him, heating his chest.

The conversation between them slowed as Jane stood up, her movements graceful and effortless. Nick's breath hitched when the guy stood too and placed a hand on her back, walking with her toward the door.

"Hide, Nick," Adam whispered as Nick instinctively ducked lower, dragging Adam down with him behind the table.

"I'm not hiding," Nick hissed, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Yea we are not hiding." Adam muttered, shaking his head.

They watched as Richard walked Jane out.

"Look at him," Nick muttered bitterly. "Walking her to her car like he cares for her."

Adam snorted. "Dude, it's called being polite."

Nick ignored him, his chest tightening as Jane stopped near her car, giving Richard one last bright smile before climbing inside. The sight of her driving away without even glancing back stung more than he cared to admit.

Nick couldn't stop himself from trailing behind their car, his grip on the steering wheel tightening with every turn.

He parked a few blocks away, his eyes fixed on the house as he watched the guy's car pull out of the driveway and disappear down the street.

Taking a deep breath, Nick grabbed his phone and hit the dial.

"Hello?" Jane's voice answered, bright and cheerful as ever.

"Hey," he said, walking towards her and glancing in the direction Richard had left. Her eyes followed him.

"You had a date?" Nick's tone was clipped, his question more like a statement than genuine curiosity.

"Date?" Jane chuckled, her eyes lighting up with amusement. "Kind of, I guess."

Nick's jaw tightened at her playful response.

"Who is he?" he asked, his voice low but firm.

Jane tilted her head, noticing the sharp edge in his tone. "Richard," she answered casually, her lips curving into a small smile.

Nick's brow furrowed. "And who exactly is Richard?"

"He was my crush," she said with a playful shrug, enjoying the way Nick's expression darkened ever so slightly. "Years ago, though. It's a long story."

Nick's gaze lingered on her, a mix of curiosity and annoyance brewing behind his steady stare. He clearly wanted to know more, but his pride kept him from pushing further. Jane, noticing his struggle, couldn't help but chuckle.

"Okay, fine. His name is Richard. Back when I was younger, my parents wanted to arrange my marriage, and he was the first guy they introduced me to. He caught my attention, and I really wanted to get to know him. But his parents didn't like me, so they rejected the proposal. We never even met in person—just saw his photo once."

Nick frowned. "So, after all these years, you just… met him?"

"Yep," Jane said, her smile widening. "Total coincidence. He's a friend of my colleague, and we ran into each other at a diner a few weeks ago. He has no idea who I am."

Nick leaned back slightly, crossing his arms. "And he took you out on a date even though you're practically a stranger?"

Jane laughed at the incredulity in his voice. "It wasn't really a date, Nick. We just had dinner."

Nick didn't look convinced. "So, are you planning to pursue him?" he asked, his tone carefully neutral, though his clenched jaw gave him away.

Jane smirked, leaning in slightly as if she were letting him in on a secret. "Should I?"

The question hung in the air, light and teasing, but Nick didn't respond immediately. Instead, he held her gaze, his lips pressing into a thin line as if carefully weighing his words.

 "He's totally cool, Nick. Just like I thought he'd be."

Nick ran a hand through his hair, pacing on the sidewalk. "You've known him for, what, a few hours? That's hardly enough time to—"

"Don't," Jane interrupted, her voice teasing. "We had a great time. And honestly..." She paused for effect. "Don't you think we'd make a cute couple?"

Nick stopped pacing, his eyes narrowing at her. "Cute?" He scoffed.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Jane retorted, laughing, though her tone.

Nick crossed his arms, leaning against his car. He stood there for a moment longer, staring at her before getting back into his car.

"It's getting late. Go back." He says and drives off. 

Jane clearly enjoyed seeing Nick flustered, and with a playful wave, she said goodbye, heading back home.

A week later, Jane's colleague Michelle casually asked if she'd like to join a hiking trip with Richard and some other friends. Jane's eyes lit up at the invitation, her excitement almost childlike.

"Do you mind if I bring a friend of mine?" Jane asked, trying to sound casual.

"Not at all," Michelle replied with a grin. "The more, the merrier."

Later that evening, Jane dialed Nick's number. The phone rang a couple of times before he picked up.

"Hey, are you free this weekend?" She asks cheerfully.

"Why?" 

"Michelle, my colleague and a group of us are going hiking this weekend. Richard's coming too. Wanna join us?"

Nick's mood visibly brightened at first—Jane inviting him to go out? That was new. But the mention of Richard felt like a bucket of ice water.

"Richard's coming?" His tone dropped, the enthusiasm evaporating instantly.

"Yeah," Jane said, oblivious to the shift. "It'll be fun. Michelle said the more, the merrier!"

"I'm not interested," Nick said curtly and hung up without waiting for her response.

Jane stared at her phone, confused. "What's his problem?" she muttered, shaking her head and setting her phone down.

Meanwhile, back at Nick's place, his friend Adam was sprawled on the couch, cracking open a soda and enjoying the live drama.

"Why'd you turn her down?" Adam asked, his lips twitching in amusement.

Nick scowled. "Why should I be the third wheel? She doesn't want to go with me—she just wants extra company. I'm not some afterthought."

Adam raised an eyebrow, suppressing a laugh. "Dude, if she didn't care, she wouldn't have invited you at all. Think about it. If she only wanted Richard, she'd have left you out of the picture completely."

Nick huffed but stayed silent, glaring at the floor.

Adam smirked. "Do you really want them to spend more time alone? Overnight, maybe? While you sit at home sulking?"

Nick's jaw tightened, his mind racing. The thought of Jane and Richard hiking together, having fun, made his chest tighten uncomfortably.

Across town, Jane began packing her bag, humming a tune, completely unaware of the storm brewing in Nick's head.

Nick finally grabbed his phone and called her. His hands were slightly shaky, though he'd never admit it.

Jane picked up after a few rings. "Nick?" Her voice was soft, curious.

"I'll come," he said without preamble, his tone a little sharper than he intended.

"Oh?" Jane said, surprised but clearly pleased. "You sure? You didn't sound interested earlier."

"I changed my mind," Nick said simply. "What time are we leaving?"

"Saturday morning, 7 a.m. sharp," Jane replied, her excitement bubbling through the line. "I'm glad you're coming, Nick. It'll be fun."

"I'll see you soon. Bye." Nick hung up, tossing the phone onto the couch with a huff.

Adam chuckled, shaking his head. "Man, you're whipped, and you don't even know it yet."

"Shut up," Nick muttered, though a small, grudging smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

Nick pulled up in his Range Rover, adrenaline coursing through him as the morning sun peeked over the horizon. As he approached Jane's building, Adam sat casually in the passenger seat, his eyes locked onto a figure standing by the entrance. "Looks like someone is earlier than us." He glanced towards Richard. Nick saw him waiting by the entrance, a casual grin on his face that sent a surge of anger through Nick.

Nick parked with precision, his grip on the wheel tightening as he spotted Jane coming out of her apartment with a travel bag slung over her shoulder. Richard smiled at her.. Before Richard could take a step towards her, Nick shot out of the car, his strides quick and purposeful.

"Nick!" Jane exclaimed, her face lighting up in surprise. She hugged him tightly, her happiness radiating like the morning sunlight. "I really thought you wouldn't come at the last minute."

He grinned, the warmth of her embrace soothing his earlier irritation. "You know me—I like surprises," he replied, reaching for her bag and handing it off to Adam, who raised an eyebrow but took it without a word.

"Oh, and this is Adam," Nick said, motioning to his friend.

Jane extended a hand, her smile polite but friendly. "It's nice to meet you, Adam."

Adam smirked, shaking her hand. "Likewise. Heard a lot about you."

Nick didn't waste a beat. "You're riding with me," he declared, gently taking Jane's hand, his tone casual but his grip resolute.

Jane tilted her head, amused by his sudden possessiveness, but before she could respond, her gaze shifted to Richard, who was standing with Michelle and a small group of others by his car. She tugged her hand free from Nick's, flashing him a smile that was both apologetic and teasing, and walked over to greet them.

"Hey," Richard said, pulling her into a quick hug. "Good to see you again."

Nick followed close behind, his posture stiff as Jane introduced him and Adam to the group. When Nick and Richard shook hands, the air between them seemed to thicken. Their handshake lingered a second too long, turning into an stare-down.

Jane cleared her throat, glancing between them. "Alright, let's get moving," she said brightly.

"Let's go," Richard agreed, stepping back and opening the door to his car. A few of Michelle's friends climbed into the backseat, leaving the front seat.

Nick's heart sank for a second, his mind racing. Was she going to ride with them?

But then Jane turned to Richard, giving him a polite smile. "I'll ride with Nick," she said lightly.

Nick didn't bother hiding the smug grin that spread across his face as Richard's expression faltered, if only for a moment. He sent Richard a look that was equal parts victory and satisfaction.

But Richard recovered quickly, a sly smile creeping onto his lips. "Well then," he said smoothly, his gaze darting between Jane and Nick. "You wouldn't mind if I joined you guys, right?"

Nick's pride took a nosedive as Jane looked up at him, her expression unreadable but expectant. He hesitated, but then nodded stiffly, masking his irritation with a tight smile.

"Of course not," Jane said, seemingly oblivious to the tension.

Richard turned to Michelle, tossing her his keys. "Think you can handle my car?" he asked, a glint of mischief in his eyes.

Michelle gave him a knowing smirk, her eyes flicking between him and Nick. "Sure thing," she said, climbing into the driver's seat with a shake of her head.

As the group rearranged themselves, Nick's mind raced. This was going to be one long drive.