A/N: Before we start I want to dedicate this chapter to Anna ( xCaliforniaSunshineInMyEyes ) Today is her birthday or yesterday? I can't stand the time differences but anyway... HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNA! Follow her on twitter Anna_Fresh =]

Chapter 7

"So, you just did it," Joe said more as a statement to himself instead of a question to Nick.

Rolling his eyes, well aware that his brother couldn't see him, "For the hundred time, yes," scooting out from under the car he was working on, he sat up and tossed the wrench he was currently holding into the red tool box beside him.

"You make it sound like it's not a big deal, when clearly it is. You guys are best friends and you just randomly have sex because?"

Nick stretched his legs out in front of him, leaning against the car. He shrugged, "She just wanted to," Technically he was telling the truth, but both men knew there was more.

"Nick," Joe started, moving to his side, "I'm your brother, you can tell me anything," he nudged Nick's side, "What's really going on?"

"God, I don't know," Nick huffed, running his hands over his face, "I just feel different being with her, you know? Like with the girls I get with at the clubs or whatever, I don't have the entire package with them, something is missing. But with Miley," he paused, images of last night playing in his mind. The way her hair fell around her breasts. The way her silky skin felt under his palm. The way their eyes connected. The way his heart beat raced when he was inside her as one, "I feel whole and I know that sounds cheesy but…."

Joe nodded understanding, patting his brothers shoulder, "It may sound cheesy but that's love, man."

Love? What was love? Nick had never been in love before so how the hell was he supposed to know what it felt like. He never, in his wildest dreams, ever thought he'd love Miley in that way. They'd been best friends for as long as he could remember.

Why now? Why didn't he have the feelings before. Was Love just something that caught you by surprise and decided when it wanted to pop up out of no where? If so, then love had bad timing, and the wrong people.

"But it can't be love," Nick shook his head, "Not in that way."

"Why not?" Joe challenged, "You two are practically inseparable. You've been living together for a few years, something was bound to happen between you two. You guys run to each other for support, problems, anything. She's your first call and you're her's."

Nick waved his hand dismissively, "Aren't all best friends like that? And if we were supposed to be together wouldn't we have released a long time ago?"

Joe chuckled, "You guys were just to clueless to see."

"What do you mean?"

"Whenever Miley had a boyfriend you always became over protective and you never liked a single one of them."

Nick scoffed, "That doesn't mean anything. Friends look out for each other."

"Whenever you're apart, all you can talk about is Miley and Demi tells me all Miley can talk about is you," Raising his eyebrow, Joe smirked.

"That doesn't prove anything," Nick muttered.

"I could go on and on all day but I have a business to run," Standing up, Joe dusted off his jeans, "You guys need to talk, sort out your feelings. Tell her how you're feeling and find out how she feels. Communication is the most important thing in a relationship," Pulling his phone out he began to dial a number that was burned into his brain, "Speaking of relationships," he wiggled his eyebrows, walking out of the room.

Nick nodded, laying back down, rolling under the car once again. Sooner or later he had to face her. He didn't even know what he was going to say. Last night was indescribable, even her breathing as she painted in the crook of his neck drove him insane. It was just the simple qualities with her. Not his climax or their first kiss, or the first time he was inside of her. It was watching her while she slept, holding her petite frame in his arms as she came. Just being with her, that's all he needed.

The little things that made her who she was.

He groaned, tightly shutting his eyes. He had a feeling that they would never be the same as they once was. Not after this.


Work. Be back later. Didn't want to wake you.

-Nick

Barely a full sentence that Miley had read to many times to count since she woke up that morning, in his bed, alone. On some level she was glad he had left before she'd awaken. What was she supposed to say?

Last night was great but I don't want to be in a relationship with you.

It was great, more then great. It was everything she wanted from a man, something she never found from any of her other relationships, not even Liam.

Liam. That bastard. Just thinking about him made her throat go dry and her stomach bubble with hatred. If it wasn't for him she wouldn't be in this mess, she wouldn't have slept with her best friend, and she wouldn't have felt what she did. Nick made her heart flutter, soar, sing, dance, burst with excitement. She still felt the tingles that his hands left when they roamed her body. The way his perfect lips slowly nipped at her skin. The way he stroked her back while she came for him.

Yes, a soul shattering climax is was he gave her. She'd never felt so alive. Even now, she had to squeez her legs together to stop the throbbing tingles that invaded her when she thought about it. Oh man, last night he brought out the animal in her. Her cheeks reddened wondering what he thought of her, her sounds. She'd even touched herself when she was with him, something she thought she'd never do in front of a man, or any one else for that matter.

He made her forget, which was what she wanted, but would her sudden demand make things different between them or would they go on acting like nothing ever happened?

"Ola whore," Demi sang, walking into the kitchen, swinging her spare key around her finger.

Miley looked up from the note, Demi already sitting in front of her, "Please don't call me that right now, it makes me feel even worse," she groaned.

"Yea, Joe called me a little while ago and told me all about it," she chuckled, "I told you that one day it would happen and it did," she sang.

"Why are you so happy?" she asked, squinting her eyes, "Usually a friend would be a little more caring when their friend was heartbroken on their anniversary and they go and sleep with their best friend in the same night."

"What's there not to be happy about?" Demi challenged back, "You finally got rid of Liam, who you now know was just a chewed up piece of gum you just happened to step in, and now you have your best friend who would die for you. I don't see the problem."

"The problem is that we are friends. F-R-I-E-N-D-S. How is there not a problem, plus I don't even want a relationship right now."

"Why not Mi?" Demi questioned, "You finally have a great guy that you know will always be there for you, friends or more."

Miley sighed, "It's just bad timing and I don't even know if he feels the same way. You know how he is. All he is looking for is a one night deal and that's what he got. He isn't going to want more."

"You don't know for sure. I say you go down to the garage and talk with him," Demi glanced at her watch, "It's almost his lunch break anyway. It's perfect," She encourage with a smile, "I'll even drive you down there."

"Ok," Biting her lip, her stomach flip-flopped with nerves and a pinch of excitement, mostly nerves.

"Come on," Demi stood, beckoning for Miley, "Let's get ready."

As they walked into Miley's bedroom, Demi stopped.

"What?" Miley asked, starting to walk into her closet.

"So, was he good?" She raised her eyebrows, with a smirk.

Miley blushed, and nodded shyly, "The best, Dems," she shook her head, "But that doesn't matter because nothing is going to happen between us."


Nick studied her. The woman who had an everlasting grip on his heart and neither of them wanted to admit it. The slight breeze coming through the open door of the diner, lifter he hair, swooping it over her shoulders.

They barely said one word to each other since Miley unexpectedly walked through the garage doors, just moments ago. They only heard each others voice when they gave their orders to the waitress.

To say things were awkward was understatement.

"So what?" Nick spoke, grabbing Miley's attention, "Is this how things are going to be between us from now on? Awkward."

Miley gulped, "I hope not," she giggled slightly, trying to lightened the mood. Nope, didn't help. She cleared her throat, "Listen Nick,"

"Here ya' go darlings," The waitress said cutting her off. The older woman placed their plates in front of them.

Miley slightly brought the corners of her mouth in what she classified as a smile at that point. As the lady left, Miley looked forward again, seeing Nick's straight face hadn't changed.

"Nick," she sighed, "Last night was amazing. Really amazing," a small smile curled up on her lips, "It was everything I'd ever wanted with intimacy but…" Her throat tightened as his eyes frantically searched hers with the element of disappointment.

"But what?" He demanded, eyeing her

She closed her eyes, "But I'm just not in the right state of mind for a relationship right now," finishing her sentence, she looked at him, regretting it. She didn't know why he seemed hurt, her didn't like her that way, right?

Her fear rose at each deep breath he took, "Then why did you have sex with me, huh? Please tell me that cause right now I'm a bit confused," he seethed, "What did Liam do to you that was so bad you needed to forget?" his voice began to rise with anger.

Miley looked down at her untouched food, tears collecting in his eyes, "He cheated on me," she mumbled.

Nicks breaths decreased. The girl that he saw breaking last night was back, he couldn't relive that—he couldn't see her relive that. Hesitating, but doing it anyway, he reached across the wooden table, placing his hand ontop of hers, "Mi, I'm sorry. Do you want me to beat him up?" He asked, cheekily, tilting his head.

Giggling, she looked up again. That's what he wanted. To hear her laugh. She shook her head.

"But I'm still confused," Her smile dropped, causing his heart to do the same.

"You make me feel better, Nick," her voice cracked as she shrugged, "I just needed to forget."

"We could have done something else to make you forget. Why that?"

"I don't know. I just—I guess I wanted to feel something different," Her eyes sparkled with gratitude, "And you gave me the best feeling," she whispered.

Nick smirked, cockily, leaning back in his side of the booth, "I kept telling you I could make the ladies scream," he wiggled his eyebrows.

"Shut up," she muttered, blushing.

This. She didn't want to give this up. Their friendship, the way they were so comfortable with each other and now that they had that intimate level she wanted more. She knew the taste of him, the feel of him, and now that she knew all of that she didn't—couldn't give it up now.

"You know," she began, her heart going a mile a minute, "We can still do this."

"What do you m—" his eyes went wide, catching onto her message.

"Friends with benefits," she finished for him. She folded her arms on the table and leaned forward, "We can still be friends but with the sex. No complicated relationship," she paused, waiting for his response, "What do you say?"

Nick cleared his, "I should get back to work," he hastily stood up, digging into his pocket. Carelessly he tossed the money on the table, "I'll see you at home," and with that he left her sitting there, dumfounded.

A/N: Review Please? There ya go =] haha. Hope ya like it! I would marry each one of you if I could cuz you guys are just that amazing! Love yall!

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