The Sins of Our Fathers

Rivals

“Don’t get me wrong I love having you guys here, but I think it would be best if we each had our own space.” Astra stood facing Oliver and Nicole sitting on the couch.

Both had a slight frown to their faces as she continued to talk. Astra felt bad, but she needed some space. She couldn’t keep living in such a small apartment with the two of them. She needed her space even if it was only at night to sleep.

“There’s so many apartments in this building you could move in across the hall or next door.” Astra suggested. “Why don’t we go look at some of them.”

“Let’s look at the one across the hall first.” Oliver said standing to his feet.

Astra could see he was upset, but he was trying to be supportive of what she needed. Nicole on the other hand was scowling at the two of them, her arms crossed around her chest. Why was she so upset? It’s not like she had known Astra for very long.

Astra turned on her heels heading for the door to exit out of the apartment.

“Let’s go Nicole.” Oliver growled in irritation when Nicole remained quietly scowling on the couch.

“This is stupid.” Nicole scoffed stood up. Walking toward the door Nicole stopped glaring back at Oliver. “Oh Oliver. Don’t tell me what to do.”

“Whatever just get the f**k out of the apartment so we can tour the apartment.” Oliver rolled his eyes at her unfazed by her glaring gaze and stern tone of voice.

The way Nicole was acting Oliver might not have to wait much longer for her to slip up and show her true colours to Astra. Following behind Nicole out of the apartment they met Astra in the hallway.

Crossing the hall, they enter an almost identical apartment to Astra’s. Walking into the living room the floors and walls were identical. This living room had a big black leather sectional facing a massive flat screen television on the wall.

The kitchen had a big island with three black stools to sit. The cabinets where grey and the appliances stainless steel. Walking down the hall led to a big master bedroom with a queen size bed on the one wall facing a big floor to ceiling window.

Off to the side of the room in the corner sat a dark oak bookshelf stuffed with books. Two black chairs sat in front of the bookcase. The bathroom was basic with a walk-in shower, white vanity, and a toilet.

Looking through the apartment Oliver was pleasantly surprised. He could see himself living in this apartment.

“Well, what do you guys think?” Astra asked turning to face Oliver and Nicole as they walked back into the living room.

“I’ll take it.” Oliver blurted out before Nicole could try to claim the apartment.

“Sold to the tall man in the back!” Astra shouted smacking her hand down as if she was smacking down an imaginary gavel. “One down and one more to go. Let’s keep looking.”

Not wasting anymore time Astra turned around skipping out of the apartment. Oliver couldn’t help but smirk watching her skipping along. Her positivity was infectious. Walking toward her he almost left the apartment when he realized Nicole wasn’t following them.

“Not to be rude but this is my apartment now and I would prefer you not in here.”

“Don’t worry this is the last time I’ll be in here.” Nicole spat at him now following him out of the apartment.

What is her problem? Why is she acting like a spoiled child pulling a tantrum? Oliver was beginning to lose his patience with Nicole. She was being ridiculous with how she was behaving.

They spent the rest of the morning going through apartment after apartment. Every single one they went through Nicole found an issue with. Oliver didn’t know how much longer he could take. She was now starting to upset Astra with her childish behaviour.

“What about this one?”

“It’s not too bad, it’s just I really like the apartment you are in, and there is two bedrooms we could just be roommates?”

“I don’t know,”

“We just spent half the day looking at all of the apartments in this building just pick one already.” Oliver snapped glaring at Nicole.

There was no way he was going to let her weasel her way into Astra’s apartment. Astra made it clear she needed some space, and Oliver wasn’t going to let Nicole force her way back into the apartment.

“Oliver!” Astra gasped looking up at Oliver surprised by his outburst.

“No Astra he’s right.” Nicole looked away from them. “I did like apartment 316.”

“Then it is settled I am going to take apartment 315, and Nicole is taking apartment 316.” Oliver clapped his hands loudly to signal the end of this horrid affair.

“Look at that we did it!” Astra jumped up and down a big grin on her face.

She wouldn’t admit it out loud, but she was relieved Nicole and Oliver had picked their apartments. She was finally going to get some much-needed space. Now that they each had their own apartment, she could burrito herself in her blanket at night and just relax alone on the couch or in the bed.

After hanging out in Astra’s apartment the rest of the day Nicole made her goodbyes before exiting the apartment leaving Astra and Oliver alone.

“Are you excited to get to sleep in a bed instead of a couch?”

“Yes! No more neck cramps and back pain for me.” Oliver said with a big grin.

“I hope you understand that I do love being around you guys. I just don’t think we should be living together. We all need our space.”

“I understand Astra, and I agree.” Oliver slid over now sitting right beside Astra.

They finally where alone and he wasn’t going to waste any more time. Moving his behind Astra, he rested his arm on the couch allowing him to move closer to her.

“Thank you.” Astra peaked up at Oliver through her lashes a light blush kissing her cheeks.

Before she knew what was happening Oliver leaned down slamming his lips to hers. Passion crashed over her with each kiss sending tingles up her spine and goose bumps down her arms.

“Goodnight, Astra.” Oliver broke from their kiss whispering in her ear.

“Night Oliver.” Astra gulped.

Standing up Oliver walked over to the front door. Opening the door, he stepped halfway out before looking back at Astra. Smirking he winked at her then turned exiting out of the apartment leaving Astra alone.

Crossing the hall Oliver opened the door to his new apartment stepping inside. Darkness consumed him as he stepped in. Looking around for the light he suddenly stopped his body stiffening. Someone was in here with him.

Finally finding the switch on the wall he flicked the lights on to find Nicole sitting on the couch. Her arms crossed over her chest and a look of disgust and what he could only figure was hate in her eyes.

“What are you doing in my apartment Nick?”

“My names Nicole not Nick.”

“You didn’t answer my question…Nick.” Oliver said his eyebrow lifted an arrogant smirk on his face.

Standing up from the couch she walked over to Oliver. Stopping right in front of him.

“Stay out of my way.” Nicole aggressively stabbed Oliver in the chest with her index finger.

“Not a chance Nick.” Oliver smacked her hand away. Who did she think she was to threaten him?

“You don’t know who you are messing with.” Nicole walked around Oliver toward the front door.

“I thought you don’t remember who you are?” Oliver could see the irritation in her face. He knew he got her there. How could she threaten him with that if she didn’t know who she was? She had just slipped up and confirmed that she wasn’t as innocent as she was playing.

“Just back off Oliver.” She added looking back at him before exiting out of his apartment.

Astra sat in shock staring at the door for what felt like hours. Her fingers traced her lips where Oliver had kissed her. She didn’t know what to do or think in that moment. She had thought of Oliver as only a friend, but after that kiss she was seeing him in a new light.

He was obviously gorgeous. He looked like a walking god; he was so gorgeous. Part of her wanted to go after him, but another part of her nagged at her that she still didn’t really know him.

After several minutes of arguing with herself she let out a frustrated sigh standing up from the couch heading to her front door.

KNOCK…KNOCK

A small smirk curved her lips at the knocking on her door. Well, I guess he couldn’t stay away. The thought sang in her head making her smile widely.

“Back for more I s…” Astra swung the door open to see Nicole. “Oh…Nicole hey. What’s up?” Astra said trying to hide her slight disappointment that it wasn’t Oliver.

“Can I come in?”

“Sure. Come on in.” Astra stepped to the side allowing Nicole to enter.

Nicole rushed into the apartment. Stopping in the middle of the living room she faced the window. Her hands nervously rubbing down her shirt.

“What’s going on?” Astra walked towards her. Something was clearly wrong, but what could it be?

Stopping behind Nicole she waited for her to respond, but nothing came. Nicole kept facing away from Astra running her hands nervously down the sides of her shirt.

“Nicole? Are you okay?” Astra asked. “Nic...” Before Astra could get her name out Nicole spun around grabbing onto Astra yanking her to Nicole.

In one swift movement Nicole smashed her lips onto Astra’s The kiss unlike Oliver’s was rushed and needy. It was almost as if Nicole was trying to force all the passion and pent-up feelings, she had into that one kiss.

Don’t her wrong Astra couldn’t deny the kiss was electrifying sending sparks all over her body, but it wasn’t loving like Oliver’s. It was almost as if Nicole was only kissing her to force Astra to pick her over Oliver.

When will these two-stop battling each other? This was going to end badly for them both. Why where they trying to force Astra in the middle of their twisted battle. Was she just some trophy for them to battle over? Did they even care about her or was this all some twisted game of tug a war, and Astra just being the rope for them to pull back and forth.

Breaking the kiss Nicole brushed her hand along Astra’s cheek a small smile on her face.

“See you tomorrow.” Nicole whispered quickly kissing Astra one more time before walking back to the front door and out of the apartment.

“What the hell was that?” Astra asked in disbelief standing in the middle of her living room all alone and completely confused.

Turning on her heels Astra walked over to the front door quickly locking it before another person could rush in and attack her with a

kiss.

“Whose next Mr. Pokey?” Walking back into the living room she glanced over at the cactus. “Don’t even think about it Mr.!” Astra pointed at the cactus a stern looking on her face.

This day and night went completely different then she had hoped for. Nicole had been acting childish all day about picking an apartment, then Oliver kissed her with so much passion and love. Just as she was thinking the night was over Nicole showed up kissed her as well.

“What a night.” Astra shook her head in disbelief. “Until tomorrow, Mr. Pokey.” Astra tipped her imaginary hat to the cactus before

turning and walking through the living room toward her bedroom. She better get to bed now before something even crazier than two people kissing her happens.