Ah, sorry, kind of forgot that I posted this story and then I wanted to read it over/edit it before I posted it. So here ya go. It may not seem like it, but there are only a few chapters left. I haven't 100% decided on the ending yet though so feel free to give some input.
The next morning I was woken up to the sound of squawking chickens and a beautiful female voice. Miley, I realized right away. Even though it was early I scrambled out of bed and threw clothes on over my boxers.
When I got down from the loft I saw Miley collecting eggs while singing to herself.
It took her a moment to notice me, but when she did, she smiled.
"Oh hey, Nick," she said with a grin.
"'Oh hey, Nick'?" I mimicked, "That's all I get?"
"What were you expecting?" she said with a smirk as she finished putting the last of the eggs in her basket.
"Hmm... Maybe a kiss?" I asked flirtingly.
She shook her head, "how about a horse ride?"
This took me completely off guard.
"I, um, well, I'm not-"
"You've never ridden a horse," she said calmly as if this was normal. She didn't make me seem like an idiot and I appreciated it. "I'll teach you."
I was about to protest, but then she looked me straight in the eyes and it felt like some sort of test. I looked back at her bright eyes and I realized that whatever game she was playing would be completely worth it in the end.
"Okay," I agreed.
It went about just as good as I expected. I got up on the horse and Miley showed me how to steer and how to sit and squeeze my legs to make the horse go. It was a slow process, but eventually she took me (slowly) to a small hill that overlooked her land and the town. The sun was still low in the sky and a heavy mist hung over the fields.
I let out a whistle, "Is that all yours?"
"Yeah," she said with a smile, "Half of it used to be my mom's family's and the other half my dad's. That's how they met. And when they got married they just combined the two properties."
"When can I meet your mom?" I asked with a smile just imagining all the ways I could charm her and make Miley want me. I've learned that girls like Miley want a guy who gets along with her family.
"She died," Miley said matter-of-factly.
"Oh… I-I'm sorry," I said unsure of myself. I didn't know what to do. I'd never experienced something like this. It added a whole new dimension to Miley.
"It's okay… you know, we should get back," Miley said and then turned her horse around and began to gallop away.
"Wait! Miley!" I yelled and tried to turn the horse I was riding around. It was nowhere near as smooth as when Miley did it, but it worked. I squeezed harder to urge the horse faster. Soon I was bouncing up and down and trying to hold on tightly. I knew my legs were going to be sore later, but I just wanted to catch up to her.
I couldn't though. By the time I got to the barn, Miley had already unsaddled her horse.
"Miley," I said gasping for air. That ride really winded me.
"Here, let me show you how to unsaddle her," she said, acting as if nothing had happened, like she hadn't just ran away from me.
"Miley," I said again, grabbing her wrist as she tried to turn away from me. She looked at me as if daring me to say anything and the truth was I didn't even know what to say. Instead I slid my hand down into hers and squeezed it firmly, but gently. Then I pulled her closer and wrapped my arms around her.
Her own arms wrapped around my neck and she held onto me tightly in a way I'd never been held before. I rubbed her back gently, not in a sensual way, but in a comforting way.
After a few moments, she pulled away from our intense embrace and quickly began to prattle on about taking care of the horse again.
Her change of subject didn't fool me though. Something, something I was sure of at the time, had definitely happened between us. The hug we shared was no ordinary embrace.
That night was my first performance. I was putting my guitar back in it's case so I could get ready to leave when I saw Miley's face popping up over the edge of the loft.
"Ready to go?" she asked me cheerily.
"Yep," I said picking up my guitar case and placing it on the platform so I could lower it. Miley made her way down the ladder and I followed. She had already lowered my guitar by the time I got down.
"Cute outfit," I said yanking one of her braided pigtails. She had the same shorts she was wearing the night before and another plaid top, complete with cowboy boots.
"Thank you," she said, doing a little curtsy, "So will you do me the honor of escorting me to the bar?"
"Of course," I said giving a little bow of my own just to see her giggle. The things I was already doing for this girl… if only I had seen the signs then.
We walked down Miley's property and down the streets until we made it to the bar. Miley went to punch in and I went to talk to Paul.
"My boy!" Paul said when he saw me. He was drying some glasses at one of the tables. The place didn't open until five so the place was still empty except for a few employees. I saw Leslie and gave her a little nod, just to keep my options open.
"So I was thinking," Paul said, putting an arm around me, "We'll warm everyone up with the usual band, then we'll put you up there. Just play whatever you've got for as long as you want. When you're done, just try to catch Miley's eye and we'll send her up there. I think she was planning on playing guitar tonight. Then when she's done, the regular band will go back up again, but you're welcome to stick around as long as you like. If you're up to it later, you can even go on again. I won't even throw you out if you're not buying."
I laughed at his joke, but my palms started sweating the moment he walked away from me. This was it. I had been playing guitar and writing forever, but I hadn't exactly had a lot of experience performing in front of people. I tried to imagine the empty club filled with people watching me perform, but it just made me more nervous.
"So I hear you're my opening act," Miley teased me, sliding up beside me and nudging me gently.
I faintly smiled at her, but it's all I could muster as that point.
"Hey, what's wrong?" she asked, her tone going from playful to serious.
"Nothing… just getting ready to perform."
"Oh so you're nervous."
"I'm not—" I started to say, but was interrupted by a disapproving look from her. Her hand slid into mine, much like mine slid into hers earlier.
"Don't be. You were amazing last night. I promise everyone liked you. And even if you're bad, at least you're cute."
I smirked at her confession, "Oh, so you think I'm cute?"
"Of course, I don't kiss boys who aren't cute."
I was surprised because it was the first time that she acknowledged the fact that we kissed. I quickly recovered though and continued smirking.
"Oh good, I was starting to think that was a dream."
She shook her head at my teasing and then ducked beneath the bar to do some more set up for tonight.
I stared out at the crowd as I finished my first song. Almost everyone was clapping enthusiastically. I grinned. I was nervous before, but being on stage, it felt right. Watching the people clap along and dance to my music was great. It felt like I had some kind of connection with every person in the room.
"I'm Nick Jonas," I said with a cocky little grin, "And if you like my music, please tell any record companies you know."
A laugh came from the crowd and I smiled wider before launching into the next song. I looked out at everyone again. This song was more upbeat and people were dancing and even the old men at the bar were tapping their feet. Behind the bar, I saw Miley. She was facing away from me, probably mixing a drink or something, but her hips were moving along to the beat and it was a serious turn on. Especially because it was my music she was dancing to.
Coming here was a gamble, but in that moment, staring out at the crowd enjoying the music I wrote, and seeing Miley, I knew it was the best decision I've ever made.
