When I Look At You;

Chapter Ten; Friends & Family

Nick slowly placed a kiss on his sleep daughter's forehead and started making his way out of the room. As he reached the door, he glanced back at Ashley and a smile spread over his face as small snores escaped through her nose. He quietly shut the door and walked down the hall to his bedroom.

As he reached him bedroom, he closed the door behind him and started stripping of his clothes from his toned body to change into a pair of plaid pajamas. Nick then grabbed his laptop from his desk and walked over, lying down on his bed.

As he laid on his bed, reading through some emails his blackberry started ringing right next to him. He quickly grabbed it and pressed it against his ear. "Hello?" he answered.

"Son, we have a problem.." Mrs. Gray stated softly in the back. Nick noticed the way the tone in his mothers voice was soft and vulnerable.

"Mom, what's going on? Nick said as he quickly shut the laptop and sat up on the bed.

"Joe is back." She said as a small sob escaped her lips.

Nick's furrowed his eyebrows. "Then what's wrong, Mom?" he asked, clearly confused. Joe's brother lived in Miami with his girlfriend of two years. Joe rarely visits because of his busy career as an inspiring artist, so it was great for the whole family- except Mr. Gray.

"The record company he wanted rejected him and Kelsey has been cheating on him.." she whispered. "He got a call and just left to some bar. I am scared he will go back to his ways like he did when what he and your father got into that fight.."

"Oh Mom, I would go and get Joe but I gave Kathy the week off so I can spend time with Ashley." Nick stated as he ran his fingers through his hair.

"I know you told me that. I am actually on my way to your house." Denise said.

"Okay mom. I will see you in a bit." Nick said as he let out a long sigh and changed out of his Pajama's and into some clothes.

--- :)

Nick walked into the most popular bar in LA. He wasn't sure if his brother was there, but it seemed like a great place to start. As he walked into the packed bar, he saw people mingling with drinks in their hands and at the bar he spotted the back of a familiar.

He started walking towards the bar and as he got closer the figure looked more and more like his brother. "Joe." He stated as he took a seat next to him.

The figure turned his head and looked at Nick. He let out a long sigh. "Hey Nick." He said, emotion less as he took a gulp of his beer.

"Erm. Hey Joe." Nick replied as he took a seat next to Joe at the bar. Nick was shocked. His brother was sober and it seemed that he didn't have a single drop of beer into his body.

"Let me guess," Joe said coolly as he stared at his brother. "mom sent you to come take my drunk ass home, right?" he asked.

"She was just worried." Nick answered. "Now what's going on?"

Joe casually shrugged his shoulders. "Nothing really. The record company I had faith I would make didn't think I had potential." He said. "Oh and Kelsey has been cheating on me for the past year."

Joe lifted his empty beer bottle in the air to the bartender and the man nodded. "Do you want one" Joe asked his brother.

Nick nodded and Joe nodded his head towards Nick, before the bartender walked away.

"Dude, you will get other offers." Nick said, truthfully. If it was one thing he knew was his brothers ability and passion for music.

Joe ran his fingers through his hair. "Maybe dad was right, maybe music is not for me. I should've just stuck to working for the Company." He said coldly.

Joe had never wanted to work for the family company. It was something he never wanted to. Since a little kid he has always wanted to pursue music but their father never approved. After finishing college Joe made the decision to start in music career. Everyone was supportive except their father, who completely disowned him, causing the two to fight and haven't spoken to each other in years.

"Joe, you're talented and music is your life. Dad's just pissed off and you don't want him to see you fail." He explained.

Joe scoffed. "Easy for you to say. You did everything dad wanted you to do. You're the golden child, never makes mistakes."

Nick's face fell at the sound of his brother's words. "Dad loves you, me and Kevin the same. There are no favorites, Joe." Nick explained.

The bartender walked over and placed two cold beers in front of the two brothers; "Sorry Nick. It's just all this bad news sprung on me at once." Joe said with a sigh escaping his lips.

Nick nodded his head in understand meant. "What happened with Kelsey?" he asked in a low voice, taking a sip of the cold Corona in front of him.

"She has been cheating on me with her high school sweetheart." He said with a bitter chuckle escaping his lips. "They bumped into each other at the reunion and the sparks flew. She couldn't find the right way to end it with me."

Nick tapped his brother on the back. "It's okay man. Just means she wasn't the one."

"Funny, I had the feeling she was and I was planning on popping up the question." He said while reaching into his pockets pulling out a small, velvet box containing a diamond ring.

Nick's eyes widen at the sight of the ring and in a way he felt the same pain as Joe. Nick might have not been cheated on but he was ready to pop up the question to the love of his life, but the time never came due to the accident.

"You will find the one."

"Nah, love is not for me. I am done with it." he said as he brought the bottle up to his lips and chugged down the yellow liquid.

Nick and Joe were close. They had a strong bound along with their older brother. They may have a lot of different ideas and point of views but for once they agree.

"I am to, dude." Nick answered looking at his brother. "I am to." Joe turned to look at his brother as he took a sip of his drink.

--- (:

Two days later…

It was finally Friday. The day that Lilly arrived and Miley sat at airport arriving area, waiting for her best friend to show up. Miley get up extra early to shower and do all the things for Taylor, dropped her off at school and then decided to head straight to the airport that was an hour away from Brandi's house.

Miley lightly tapped her fingers against her knee as she waited for her best friends flight, which should have landed fifteen minutes ago.

Miley leaned back and closed her eyes and the first thing she saw was the curly haired man, she couldn't stop thinking about. The way his curls hang loosely from his head and his fun personality from field day. At the same time she imagined the strict, tough curly haired man from dinner. The way he growled at his daughter for her playful attitude.

With all these thoughts roaming around in her head, it took her awhile to feel someone poking her shoulder. As she opened her blue eyes, she saw another pair of blue eyes staring back at her.

"Lilly!" she exclaimed as she grabbed the petite blonde and pulled her into a bone crushing hug.

Giggles erupted out of Lilly's lips. "Miles!" she yelled back as she hugged Miley tighter hug. "I've missed you!"

"Yeah, these few days without you have been boring!" she exclaimed as she pulled away from the hug.

"Psht, you've been busy with a guy." Lilly said as she nudged Miley in the ribs.

'Lilly!" Miley exclaimed smacking Lilly across the arm playfully, while the heat in her cheeks rose. "I've been spending time with my NIECE." She said as she exaggerated her sentence.

"Ha-Ha." Lilly laughed sarcastically yet playfully. "Course you were. Now will I be meeting the guy that has caught my best friends eye?" she asked.

The heat in Miley's cheeks rose once again but this time she said nothing but shake her head and walk towards the luggage area, with Lilly running behind her laughing.

Chapter ten AND I have 118 reviews !? :) you have no idea how much this means to me, like seriously. What would make me SO MUCH HAPPIER would be more followers on twitter so you know what to do. .. okay, the story. This chapter had basically no Niley because it focused on more important people in Nick & Miley's life. So Nick's dad does sound kind of like a douche for being like that to Joe, but later on you learn more and the story unfolds . I promise to give you guys a LONG chapter next time. it's just i have so much stuff going on. SORRY FOR MISTAKES, I am on my way to a tryout . :) don't forget to REVIEW. for next chapter & FOLLOW on twitter. /rawritsmileyx thankyou