Chapter Fourteen

When it gets dark and when it gets cold
We hold each other 'til we see the sun light

After finishing rehearsal that day, I bounce off stage and plop myself down on the chair next to Nick with an exaggerated sigh where he's messing around with his guitar. He looks at me and laughs and flash him a grin. He goes back to randomly strumming the guitar and I watch him.

"New song?"

He looks up at me, "Kind of. I've had this melody stuck in my head for the past few days but I can't quite figure it out properly. Want to help me?"

"I would love to, but I can't. I have an interview in a while. Maybe later?"

He looks up at me, pouting, "We're still having lunch together, right?"

"Uh-huh. Oh and Selena is coming, too. And Demi. And Joe too, probably."

He groans, "Can we at least hang out for a little bit around here?"

"Probably not."

"Make out?"

I laugh, glancing at him. "Rain check for tonight?"

He sighs, putting on a show, "Fine. It's just that my lips are getting a little too parched and I thought you could help me."

I roll my eyes, "I'm sure you can survive a few more hours."

"I mean, it's whatever," he keeps muttering, a mischievous smile growing on his face, "Maybe I'll get Selena to help me instead."

I sit up, narrowing my eyes at him, "I will break your balls off, Nick Jonas."

He's laughing but I hope he knows I'm dead serious.

:] -

Later that night, I walk off stage with the rest of the gang after having taken our bows and saying goodnight to the crowd. I was pretty exhausted but at the same time still had the adrenaline of being on stage pumping through my veins. I felt like I was on a sugar rush. I grab a bottle of water and take long swig out of it before heading to my dressing room to get slightly refreshed before we all had to head out again. Once I reach the room with my name on the door, I walk in, only to find that Nick's already there before me.

"Hey."

He walks over to me, shutting the door before sliding the lock home. I watch him with an amused but at the same time confused smile. He turns back to me with his eyes twinkling mischievously and a big grin on his face.

"What're you going to do to me?" I say with a nervous laugh.

"I was just wondering if it was 'later' yet…" His hands reach for my ass as he says this, making my eyes go wide with surprise. Nick's never like this. It's kind of hot.

All I can say is, "Um…"

His hand slides into my back pocket as he leans closer and before I know it, he's kissing me. Usually, our kisses start out slow and sweet and gradually build up but tonight, Nick was having none of that. His tongue almost immediately prods at my lips impatiently and I'm more than welcome to grant him permission. My hands go up and around his neck, pulling him as close to me as I possibly could. I feel my back bump onto the door and hadn't even realized we'd been moving. That was how entranced I was by that kiss.

When I absolutely cannot take it anymore, I push him off me, breathing heavily and trying to catch my breath. He instantly leans back in and I push on his chest, laughing while still struggling to breath.

"Whoa, buddy. Slow… slow down. W-where's the fi-fire?"

He grins, "No fire. I just want to kiss my beautiful, amazing girlfriend who's been driving me crazy with those tight leather pants that make her killer legs look irresistible all night. Is that a crime?"

I smile, "No, but if you keep doing it like that I might die of a heart attack and that might be a crime."

He laughs, finally letting go of me.

"What's gotten into you today?" I ask as I watch him walk over to the couch and collapse on it.

He shrugs, motioning for me to go lie down next to him, which I do. His hands reach around my waist and he pulls me closer to him, making me rest my head on his chest. It would be the most adorable thing if we weren't both so sweaty and smelly right now.

"You stink," I say, crinkling my nose.

"Oh, yeah? So do you!"

I pretend to me offended, "I cannot believe you just said that."

"Well, you said it first."

"Take it back."

"You take it back. Say 'Nick Jonas is the most amazing smelling guy in the world'."

"Don't make me a liar, Nick Jonas."

He flips over so that now I'm the only one lying down and he's hovering over me. "Say it."

"Make me."

He grins, knowing that this was where it was going to end at eventually. And just like that he's kissing me again. I make a scene of trying to keep him off but eventually give in because both of us know I'm not really going to refuse to let him kiss me.

I mean, you've seen him; would you refuse to kiss him?

Plus I love him, so I guess I'll have to learn to live with the stink.

Although that's the last thing I'm thinking when Nick's lips are on mine and he's kissing me like there's not going to be a tomorrow. Just when we're about to really get into it, there's a knock on the door. Nick's pretending to not have heard it but the third time the person behind the door knocks, I push at his chest to break us apart. He makes a face at me.

"Who is it?" I call over my shoulder.

"It's Joe, open up. Is Nick in there with you, I can't find him anywhere?"

I debate for just a moment if to tell him the truth or lie. If I lie and tell him Nick's not here, he might go away and leave us alone again. Or he might still demand I open the door. Before I can make up my mind, though, Nick's trying to kiss me again. I hold him off once again.

"Miley?" comes Joe's voice again.

He groans quietly, "Just ignore him."

He tries to kiss me again, this time the target being my neck but I force his head to stay up.

"I can't, he already knows I'm in here. And he's probably figured out you're in here with me, too by now."

"Great. You couldn't have just kept your big mouth shut when he knocked?"

I give him a look. Is he serious?

I push him off completely before standing up and straightening my shirt before going over to the door and opening it to find Joe standing there, bouncing from one leg to another impatiently.

"Finally! Is Nick here?"

"Yeah, he's inside."

Joe brushes past me into my dressing room and I sneak a glance at Nick who looks very displeased. Oh, awesome. Now I'm going to have to deal with cranky Nick. Although I'm sure if Joe leaves soon enough, I might be able to divert the crisis.

"What'd you want, Joe?"

"I was just coming to ask you guys if you wanted to come out with Demi, Selena and I, we're going to a club."

"Oooh, that sounds-"

"I'll pass," cuts in Nick's uninterested voice, "So does Miley, right?"

I frown in his direction. Who made him the boss of me? "Actually, I was about to say that sounds fun. Why don't you want to go, Nick?"

"Yeah, why don't you want to go, Nick?" Joe repeats.

"You know why," he counters, trying to send me what he thinks is a subtle look. I hold his gaze, challenging him. I know what he means; he just doesn't want to say it out loud because it might sound sleazy.

"No, why?" Joe asks, completely oblivious.

Nick sighs, giving up and looking away. "I'm tired."

"Ok, grandpa. I'll see you in a while, Miley."

I nod as Joe leaves and follow him to the door to shut it. Once it's closed, I turn back to Nick.

"What was that?"

"What?" he says, as if innocent.

I narrow my eyes, "That. I don't like the way you were acting, Nick."

"I wasn't acting like anything. Let's go. Shouldn't we get ready; I thought you wanted to go out with the others?"

I stare at him in surprise. "I thought you weren't coming?"

"Yeah, well I changed my mind."

:| –

"I thought you weren't coming?"

"I already told you, Joe, I changed my mind."

"But then why say no in the first place?"

"I don't know."

"That's not an answer to my question."

"Why the fuck does it matter?"

"I just wanted to know, geez, Nicholas, calm down."

I can tell Nick's at the point of blowing up and Joe is just making it worse. I can't tell if he's doing it on purpose or not, so I intervene, just so I can get the both of them to shut up. I mean, I'm the one stuck between them. Demi's driving and Selena's in the passenger seat up front and I'm stuck in the back seat with Nick on one side and Joe on the other.

"Joe, just let it go, Ok?"

"Fine, I was just curious, you know. Your hot-headed boyfriend doesn't have to get his panties all up in a knot," he was muttering.

"Joe."

Why are boys so infuriating?

The car falls silent and it's not even one of those comfortable silence type things. Oh no, it's really awkward. I can tell Nick's not happy about being here and I don't understand why he insisted on coming after saying he didn't want to go. I mean, it's just bringing everyone else's mood down. Thankfully, Demi puts on some very loud music and the rest of the ride goes by without much event.

When we finally arrive at the club, Demi parks the car and we're all getting out when I feel Nick's hand slide into mine. I look up at him in surprise because he's barely acknowledged me the entire ride while he looked out of the window and now he was clutching my hand like a lifeline. He's not looking at me, though because he's stepping outside and dragging me along as well since he has such a tight grip on my hand.

I tug on his hand once we're walking towards the entrance. He looks at me.

"Is everything alright?" I ask him.

"Yeah, why?"

"You're kind of hurting my hand," I say, trying to give him a small smile.

"Oh," he says and looks down at our hands and a second later his death grip loosens, "Sorry, I didn't realize I was doing that."

I smile, for real this time, although I still am a little confused, I decide to let it go. "It's Ok."

We make our way inside and the music is so loud and people are dancing. We all head towards the bar and order our drinks. Nick reminds us that none of us except Joe are allowed to drink but all Joe had to do was make that 'grandpa' comment once again for him to shut up. Selena turns down alcohol and offers to be the designated driver, and the rest of us agree because one of us driving with alcohol in us would be a very bad idea.

I tug my hand loose from Nick's and after resisting a little at first, he let's go. I give him a look and he ignores me. Our drinks arrive and rolling my eyes, I reach for mine and finish half of it in a couple seconds.

"You want to dance, Nick?"

"No thanks."

"Why don't you want to dance?"

"Because I didn't even want to come in the first place."

I frown, "Then why did you? No one was forcing you."

Nick doesn't reply. Fine, if he wants to be all cold and stupid tonight, I'll just pretend he's not even here. He's really pissing me off, though. I don't understand why he's acting like this. I push Nick out of my mind and focus on having fun tonight. After I finish my drink, I order another one and then grab Demi and Selena out to the dance floor. If Nick won't dance with me, I'll just dance with my girl friends, I don't even care.

Except I probably couldn't wrap my arms around Demi or Selena. Or kiss them. That would be weird. But whatever, it doesn't even make a difference.

We stay out there a long time, song after song dancing and giggling and singing out of tune on purpose. I've almost forgotten about Nick when my gaze drifts over to where we left him and Joe last and sure enough, I find him in the exact same spot, a beer in hand, looking as miserable as ever. Joe is nowhere to be seen, though so I guess he must have found someone to dance with. That or he didn't want to be around Nick and his grouchiness which I don't blame him for.

But I can't help but feel a little tug at my heart watching him. He looks so miserable. He looks up and catches my gaze but looks away swiftly. Somehow I can't help but feel that something's bothering him.

I sigh, excusing myself from the girls and make my way over to where Nick is. He looks up when he feels me slip into the chair next to his.

"Hi," I say.

"Hi," he replies.

"You alright?"

He looks at me, "Yeah, perfect. Can't you see how happy I am?"

Is he slurring? Is he drunk?

"Are you drunk?" I ask him incredulously.

Oh, who am I kidding, he's been sitting all by himself at a club for the past hour or so. Of course he's drunk.

"No."

I raise an eyebrow.

"Ok, maybe just a little," he agrees. "What did you expect; I had nothing else to do!"

I smile despite myself. I decide to approach the subject gently because he's drunk and if cranky Nick is not fun to be around, cranky drunk Nick would probably be unbearable.

"Well, why did you come if you didn't want to so bad?"

"Cause I wanted to be with you, Miley. We've been so busy these past few days and haven't really been with each other much."

I frown, "What are you talking about, we're practically together twenty-four seven."

"Yes, but there are also others around. In the nights, we're driving around in a tour bus and in the mornings we have sound checks and interviews and photo shoots and a hundred other things. I missed you. I just thought that tonight we'd get to spend together and when my plans were interrupted tonight, it just pissed me off."

I stare at him. He's right. We hadn't spent any quality time alone together since New Jersey. We hadn't even kissed properly before tonight.

"Why didn't you tell me that?"

"Because Joe was there, and then you were mad at me and I just… I don't know…"

I reach forward and grab his hand. "I'm sorry I didn't notice."

He shakes his head, "It's not your fault. I should've just told you."

"Well, we're here now. Let's make the most of it?"

Nick's forehead crinkles in confusion. I motion towards the dance floor and giggle when I hear him groan but I'm already out of my chair and dragging him along with me. Once we're amidst all the other dancing bodies, I wrap my arms around his neck, despite the fact that there's a fast song playing. I just want to be close to him. He smiles as his hands jump to my waist as we sway to the music.

"Let's go out tomorrow, just you and me."

I lean back slightly to look at him, surprised, "Like a date? A real one?"

He smiles and nods.

"Where would we go?"

"It doesn't matter," he says, "Just as long as you're with me, we could go anywhere, we could go to Pizza Hut for all I care."

I grin, nudging his head closer to mine so I can kiss him. How does he say all the perfectly right things?

:] –

Hello. :) See? I told you I wouldn't take two months. :p I kind of know what I want to happen in the next chapter and that's a good thing because that means all I have to do is write it down.

But I just wanted to ask if you guys have any ideas or thoughts on what should happen next. If you do, leave it in a review. Even if you don't, leave me a review just to know that you reading and that you like what you're reading? It's always nice to hear from readers. :)