Disclaimer: Based on real events, but some things are made up to help the story. Slight AU. Goes in a different direction.


Chapter 9 - February 6th, 2017


"When you think of stopping, let's keep on rocking to the rhythm of our hearts." - Excerpt from Good and Broken, Miley Cyrus


If Miley hated Nick right about now, he wouldn't blame her.

Why? Well, because he hated himself.

He had totally ruined things in her world, and somehow (like it always had), the press had gotten all of it. Yes, every single stinking detail. Minus the lemonade thing, of course, but what's done is done. Things were so messed up, and he hadn't heard from her since. So here he was again: brooding and moping in his house as if nothing had ever happened.

But things had happened—and this time, he just didn't know how to fix things.

"It's official. Your life is done."

Nick's head snapped up. "How did you get in here, Joe? The door was locked."

"What can I say?" Joe smirked. "Born talented."

Nick rolled his eyes. "No, but seriously. That's creepy. It's like you jump in whenever the plot demands it."

"What plot?" Joe demanded, taking a seat in Nick's uncomfortable couch. Well, Nick was actually sitting in it, so he should know (!). He shifted in his seat, and Joe sighed in contentment. Nick balked quietly. Did he actually like sitting in such an uncomfortable sitting apparatus? Nick swore that couches were invented to look good, not feel good. Screw the, er, couch makers!

Nick sighed. "Joe, what're you doing here anyways? I swear you spend more time here than at your own place."

"I need advice."

"On what? Your love-life? Your house? Your career? Your music? Your band? Your hair products? Your clothes? Your style? Your—"

"—I get it, no need to go on," Joe said, crossing his arms tightly. "Anyway..." Joe rubbed his hands anxiously, and Nick quit joking at once. Joe never wasted time huffing and breathing deeply and sharply when trying to explain something unless he was really stressed out. After a few more hearty breaths and about five more minutes, Joe finally opened his mouth.

Unfortunately for him, Nick beat him to it: "It's Demi, isn't it?"

Joe stared at Nick like he had grown another head. "Dude, do you have some sort of mind-reading ability that you never told me about?"

Nick chuckled. "You know, Joe, I would appreciate it in the future if you didn't give me the abbreviated version of things." Joe stared at him quizzically, and Nick sighed, slightly exasperated. "I meant at the premiere. Demi said you asked her out..." Nick saw Joe's face color. "And that she rebuffed you... By, erm, accident." Nick wondered if he would regret saying that part.

Joe perked up. "By accident? Are you saying—wait, hold up: when did you talk to Demi?"

It was Nick's turn to redden now. "I might've, um, accidentallytextedherafteryouleft?"

Joe caught every stinking word, and his eyes bulged. "You texted her?!"

Nick gaped. "You understood that garbage?"

"How come you always seem to underestimate me?" Joe said, shaking his head in mock-disapproval. "But I'll forgive you since you talked to her... Now..." Joe hugged his legs, reminding Nick very much of an eager puppy begging for a walk. "Tell me all the juicy deets." Nick stared for a moment before quirking an eyebrow. Joe face palmed. "Do I need to say it slowly? Well: tell—me—all—the—juicy—"

"She just said she didn't mean to call you a bitch—though that might not have been her wording—and that she didn't know whether or not she would've accepted."

There was a long pause. Nick waited. Joe didn't say anything. "What?" Nick said, slightly irritated.

Joe frowned. "Aren't you skipping over the important bits? Like, say, just about everything that'll help me win her back?"

Nick sighed impatiently. "I'm not here to solve your love life problems. God knows I have enough of my own."

"I think you should talk to her," Joe said after a long moment. Nick looked up, wondering if Joe had really said that or if his subconsciousness had dreamt that up. But he brushed that off—because even in a dream, Joe wasn't that nice or thoughtful. Well, Joe was, but he was so sarcastic and joking it was hard to tell if he had a serious bone in him.

"You mean, call her?" Nick said, a pang running through his chest. He swallowed, pushing down his feelings.

"No, talk," Joe elaborated. "Face to face. Emotions running wild. Just like you did at thirteen."

Nick thought for a minute before letting his hopes fall. "She'd never go for it."

Joe shrugged and got up, striding to the door. "You never know if you don't try." Joe paused by the door. "And Nick?" Nick looked up at his brother. "Don't regret like I did. You'll always regret more for the things you didn't do than the things you did do." He slipped through the door and was about to close it when Nick called his name. Joe poked his head back inside. "Yes?"

"You should take your own advice," Nick added with a rueful smile. Joe smiled softly and left, leaving Nick alone with his thoughts.

Joe's words echoed in his head: Face to face. Emotions running wild. Just like you did at thirteen. A rueful, sad smile crossed Nick's lips. You never know if you don't try. Don't regret like I did. You'll always regret more for the things you didn't do than the things you did do. It seemed a bit strange that despite Joe's happy-go-lucky attitude, he was truly deep—but Nick always knew his brother had it in him.

It just needed a bit coaxing.

Nick pulled out his phone and sent Joe a simple text: You know what, Joe? You're pretty smart.

Joe's reply made him smile:

I know right.

Still In Love Somehow

"TV sucks nowadays."

Miley grinned at Liam and poked at his ribs. "Oh, it's not like you're on TV at all."

He grinned at her sarcasm. Whatever tension they had earlier had now dispersed, and most of the Nick drama was forgotten... Well, by Liam. Everything was still ringing through Miley's head. She didn't try to contact Nick. What would she say? What would he say? But Miley was happy right now—with Liam, surrounded by their dogs. It felt safe and familiar. "I think I love you more each day," Liam murmured, lifting her hand to his lips and brushing his lips against her flesh.

She pouted. "Think?"

A smile graced Liam's handsome features. "Know," he corrected, and Miley smiled at that. Then, he leaned forward to kiss her. Miley playfully twisted her face so his lips met her smooth cheek. He grinned at that before raising his fingers to her cheek, allowing her no escape to use the same trick. Miley kissed him eagerly, enjoying the feel of him against her lips, which were so like the way Nick's had felt on hers all those years ago and—

Oh crap.

Why was she even thinking these thoughts? She was freaking engaged to Liam, and anything between Nick and herself was history... Well, she was pretty sure, and that was good enough for her. Miley pulled back and flashed him a teasing smile as he feigned pouting. But in truth, Miley didn't deepen the kiss because she was almost sure that it felt like she was kissing Nick.

And that was wrong on anyone's level.

Was it bad to admit that she liked it? Yes. The answer was so obvious.

But Liam would find excuses to touch her more—playing with her hair, holding her hand, stroking her face, kissing her—as if he was making sure she was still in one piece... like he was afraid that Nick had broken her. She didn't mind it—she loved the attention and affectionate gestures—but sometimes, it could be a bit much. But overall it was good, and she was content. Nothing could possibly ruin her day.

The door bell rang, and a deathly scowl appeared instantly on Miley's lips. Honestly! It was as if the universe listened to her thoughts to make sure it could do the exact opposite of what she wanted.

Well, screw the universe!

Miley got up and headed towards the door, mentally double checking her outfit. She was wearing a black-and-white, off-the-shoulder striped t-shirt and donned black shorts. She was barefoot and wore no make up. She was wearing her engagement ring—though sometimes she felt she only wore it just to prove a point—so that should seem alright. Her hair was in loose curls and down. Casual enough.

And apparently, it would have to do considering the person outside was leaning on the buzzer.

Miley opened the door abruptly, ready to yell (or probably chastise) whoever was—

Oh.

"Joe!" Miley exclaimed. "What're you doing here?" she said a bit awkwardly.

A smile framed out Joe's face, and he stepped forward to hug her. Miley could hear Liam getting up from the couch and knew he had turned off the TV (there was no sound from the electrical apparatus anymore) to come see who had come. Miley hugged Joe briefly, enjoying the embrace. "Do I need a reason to visit a friend?" he said teasingly, and Miley smiled back awkwardly.

"Who's—oh," Liam said, stepping forward. "Joe Jonas." He extended his hand politely. "I'm Liam."

Joe shook Liam's hand seriously. "Nice to meet you."

"I have no quarrel with you," Liam said unnecessarily, "despite what actions your, um, brother had recently partaken in." Joe nodded, and Miley smiled at the easy air between the two. "I'm a big fan of your music," Liam added with a smile—polite, showing all teeth, and everything; the whole she-bang. Joe nodded, and Liam closed the door behind him. Miley smiled. Liam was always the perfect gentleman.

If Nick walked into the room, Liam would probably still be the perfect gentleman... and then probably rip him apart behind Miley's back.

Joe grinned. "And I'm a big fan of your acting. Especially the accent thing for 'The Last Song.'" Joe shook his head ruefully. "That must've been hard."

Liam grinned. "Oh, it was."

"So," Miley said, turning to Joe, "is there any particular reason you wanted to come?"

"Well, I was contemplating getting autographs, maybe a few pictures, and—"

"Joe," Miley said, unable to stop from grinning.

"I actually wanted to talk to you," Joe said. His gaze flashed to Liam's. "It's, um, personal... It's actually about my, um, love life." That got Miley's attention—and Liam's, too, because Liam's expression had started to harden at Joe's first sentence. "It's about Demi," Joe blurted out, and Miley shot him a soft knowing smile. Joe blushed. "You're her best friend, so..."

Miley turned to Liam, and Liam nodded. "I'll leave you two to talk." He glanced ruefully at Miley. "Leaving me and the football game for Jonas?"

Miley smirked and led Joe to the kitchen. She got him a glass of water, and he took a sip from it. He sighed deeply. "I talked to Demi at a premiere, but... that was pretty much it. I asked her out, and I asked Nick about it, but..." Joe and Miley shifted uncomfortably—but for different reasons. Joe's was obviously about the encounter, but Miley's was at the mention of Nick. "I don't know..."

"You want me to find out if Demi has feelings for you?" Miley inquired softly.

"Maybe," Joe said bashfully, a rare look for him. "If you could put in a good word..."

Miley smiled. "I'll ask her about it, but I'm not guaranteeing anything." Miley's smile faded into a slight frown as she watched Joe's dark eyes—so like Nick's—dart around the room almost nervously, as if he was anticipating something. He was also biting his lip, a trait that all the Jonas brothers seemed to have when they were nervous. "Joe... was there something else?"

Joe blew out all his air. He shot her a pained look. "Yes."

Miley leaned against the counter. "What is it, then?" She locked eyes with him. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to—if you don't think you can trust me."

He sighed, clearly frustrated. "You haven't been keeping contact with Nick, have you?"

Ah, this. "I should've known this would come up," Miley said wearily.

Joe sighed. "He's so depressed, and he feels so guilty about what he did." Miley frowned at this. "I mean, he's an actor and all—so he can hide it and stuff, but I can tell. Brother's instinct, you know?" Miley smiled wryly—she knew the feeling. She had experience with her siblings. "But I would like you two to be friends and all, if nothing more. He needs you in his life—especially now more than ever, when everything's all flooding back."

Miley sighed. "I have been thinking about that—a lot, probably more than I should—but Joe..." Miley shifted uneasily. "Things are awkward..."

Joe sighed. "I'm not going to force you to do something you don't want to, but as a favor to an old friend... could you?"

Miley met his gaze. "I'll... see what I can do."

"Yo, Joe!" came Liam's voice from the living room. "You gotta see this game!" Joe shot Miley an apologetic smile before going into the living room. Miley frowned as she watched him go. She wasn't sure what to do now. Why did all her troubles seem to revolve around her love life recently? Or, to be clearer, Nick. It was very overwhelming... and confusing.

But Miley couldn't help but wonder what might've been if she and Nick had stuck together...


QotD: Who just loves some Joe?

#ME


A/N: Hey, it's Darky! Not much to say for this A/N. I put this one (well, half of it, anyway) through Miley's eyes because... well, I wanted you to see how she thought of things. I tried to portray her as a very confused person, but I'm pretty sure I failed at that, hence the fact that I added 'and confusing' to that sentence up there. I kind of want to show how Miley thinks about this. I don't want anyone to force her to make a decision, but... I kind of adding Joe to add more to her thinking process.

I see Joe and Miley kind of like how I see Nick and Demi: brother and sister. Without the blood connections and all.

Threw this chapter together in a few hours because I kept rewriting it... Ehhh... Maybe the next chapter will be better.

Review your answer to the QotD! Tell me your thoughts? I appreciate it though you don't need to. But who doesn't love reviews? ;)

- Darky