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I know I said that the last chapter was going to be the last chapter but I lied. This idea came from a rumor I had overheard a little while back.

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Ch16: Say my Name

A year later...

Oh geez I messed up. I don't even know how to explain to him why I did that. I can't believe I did that to Nick after all we had been through. Oh this is just awful. Sorry won't even begin to cover it. How do you apologize to your husband when you say another name's while making love?

So here I sit naked on my bed. I was able to see Nick as he was leaving for work and we thought we could sneak one in. We were just about to finish and I said Lou. Nick just left. I don't even know how I should handle this it is definitely embarrassing.

Nick's POV

Today, we had a field trip and are coming back now. Some of the kids left with their parents and a lot of the others riding on the other bus. Ms. Zimmer the cosmetology teacher and I ran a joint field trip. So a lot of the boys left because they wanted to see the cos girls.

There are a few kids on my bus but they're listening to their pod things and playing on the phones. And I guess you can tell that I'm trying to avoid the fact that my wife called me a different man's name in the bedroom this morning. I can't believe it.

We have gone through so much. And it's been so long. So long. Now I feel betrayed. I thought we had a trust and now I wondered if she thinks about him all the time. I thought she would have come to me if she was having trouble. But I guess I was wrong.

Her life wasn't the one that was completely turned upside. She wasn't shot lost a lung. She didn't have all her friends turn their back on her. I've sacrificed so much for her and I don't regret it but I wonder if she does.

She's been trying to call me all day but I haven't answered. I'm mad and I have a lot of mix feelings.

"Mr. Stokes," a student, Arnelle, says to me. Arnelle is a troubled teen; he's had a tough childhood from what I have gathered. "You alright? You seem kind of out of it,"

"Long day..."

"I hear that," he says turning then talking to another student, Jimmy.

Arnelle is a tall kid, a basketball player. He is an alright student, a terrible test taker and note taker. He's got a lot of swag as he says, with his baggy pants and fitted caps. Jimmy is a somewhat country boy at heart. He plays baseball and he and Arnelle are the best of buds. It reminds me of Warrick and me.

"Mr. Stokes!" Michael says, he's another student he's got the highest average but I can't figure out how he's gives off the impression of a dumb jock and he hangs with Arnelle and Jimmy.

"What?" I ask them confused.

"Dude don't ask him. That'll be weird," Jimmy says

"Whoa bro," Arnelle adds "I want to see what Stokes says, go mikey boy," Arnelle will usually call me Stokes or hiccups.

"Me too," Michael's girlfriend Vicky says all of sudden all of them are debating whether to ask me or not.

"What's going on?" I ask pushing up my glasses turning around in my bus seat.

Aging has been unforgiving on my eyes.

"Rumor around school is that Meghan is FWB's with Charlie," Vicky says, Charlie is a student my class he's quiet strange but I guess in a cool way... I don't know.

"FWB?"

"Friends with benefits, that's like the new thing,"

"Oh..." I say knowing all too well about the subject "that never works," the kids awe and look surprised.

"How do you know? Sex with no strings attached sounds nice," Arnelle says smiling.

"It does sound nice but there is always strings attached. What if the girl you're sleeping with is with other guys or vice versa? Feelings always get involved," I say showing my wedding ring.

"Mr. Stokes, how'd you meet the misses?" Vicky asks I smile and laugh.

"We used to work together. She was my best friend,"

"FWB's?"

"I... I guess you could say that,"

"Yea boy!" Arnelle says excited.

"Listen if you really want to know the dangers of that. Remember a case a couple years back when a cop killed himself and shot his fiancée's lover then his fiancée. That puts a lot of stress on people and you never know who you're messing with,"

"Mr. Stokes, wasn't that you?" Jimmy says, I release a deep breath and nod.

"But was she worth it, Mr. Stokes?" Arnelle asks looking directly at me.

"Oh yea, everyday" except for today.

When we arrive back at school I saw Catherine already there standing in front of the building. She looks beautiful, she always does.

"Who has to go to the classroom?" I ask Jimmy and Arnelle raise their hands.

"Your rides are all here?" I get a mix of nods and yes's. "Alright I'll see you all Monday," I say as the doors open and they practically run over each other getting off.

"Nick," Mrs. Zimmer says "can you let some of the cos girls in? I have a doctor's appointment that I'm going be late for if I don't leave right now,"

"Sure no problem,"

"Life saver thanks!" she says running to her car. I follow the students to the front of the building where Catherine is. Arnelle walks up to her.

"Are you Mrs. Stokes?" he says I look at Catherine her face is puzzled. Catherine didn't take my last name.

"Umm… Yes"

"You're a lucky woman. Hiccups is a great guy," he says shaking her hand "take care of him," he says running off to meet up with Jimmy.

"Hey babe," I say her face lights up in happiness but also in great surprise. I lift her up in a sweet hug as I feel the hiccups come.

"I'm so sorry. I don't even..." she rambles but I give her a small kiss stopping her.

"Some of the kids need to go to the classroom... Walk with me," I say taking her hand.

On our car ride home it was very quiet I kept looking at her but she just looked at the window as if avoided me.

"Why?" I ask she covers her face. But I try and pretend to be happy but in all realness I feel like I'm losing my mind and wife. "Is it something I did? Did I do something that reminded you of him?"

"I don't even know why,"

"Do you think about him while we..."

"No no... Not at all Nicky,"

"Then why did you say his name?" I'm very reluctant to Lou aloud as if his name is bad luck, but it does bring back bad memories.

"Ok! He's been in my dreams these last couple nights. I was focused on you but all of a sudden I felt like he was there like he was going to bust in on us,"

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I thought you would get more mad,"

"No what makes me mad is that something is bothering you and instead of telling me. I get to feel insecure to a dead man," I say as we stop for a red light finally I'm able to look at her and try to register what she's thinking. She pulls me into a powerful kiss.

"You shouldn't feel insecure you're the best man I've ever been with. Not just in the bedroom either... You're the nicest, sweetest, funniest man. You're a great father to Ellie and Lindsay... And I am blessed that every morning when I wake up your there laying next to me," I feel a wave of relief and smile "I love you and I'm very blessed to have you in my life,"

a little fluff never hurt no one :)