Chapter 24

Miley.

How was I supposed to prepare for this?

There was no time for a warm up, or to practice some long spieling speech about how I was in love with Nick and that he was meat to marry me. There was no way I could prepare, because I didn't know what I would be facing, I might make it before he left his house, but then again I might have to stand in front of an entire church and proclaim that I objected to the union of my ex boyfriend and his fiancé. Regardless I knew two things for sure...

I was about to ruin a wedding and I was about to destroy a lot of friendships for love.

The flight seemed like the slowest trip of my entire life as I was forced to leave behind the pain of betrayal and look a head to the future where the only true emotions I needed were complete love and courage. It was so hard though, to push away the burden of feeling so deluded and scammed by someone I loved. Was this how Selena would feel when she found out the truth? About our affair? About the tape? Is this the pain she'd feel, or would it be different? Because if I couldn't process this, then how could I expect her too? How could I make her feel so destroyed by someone she had trusted?

It was like a game I was playing with myself, one minute I'd be chasing the idea of how I was going to stop the wedding, only to then stop and get tagged by the nagging feeling of guilt and sadness. But how could I make one win over the other when they were both so linked, to the point where I kept running in circles, would I ever break this cycle?

The simple answer was no, the complicated answer was yes.

If I didn't stop the wedding, I'd still be in love, I'd still chase after the concept of us being together. If I stopped the wedding I'd break the circle I'd been following, but could I do that? Could I honestly walk in and ruin someone's whole life just because I wanted that man she was marrying?

"We are beginning our descent into Los Angeles, please take you seats..."

The captains voice droned on while I chewed on my lip not knowing what to do. Did I want to be happy, or did I want Selena to be? The plane landed and for a moment I felt myself glued to the seat the side of me which didn't want to destroy this, yet the other side won out in the end. I got myself out of the plane, through customs and into a taxi before I could trul process anything around me.

That's when I looked at the clock...an hour until the wedding. I'd take the risk and go to the house..

"56 Riverside Drive," I announced,

The taxi driver looked at me as I leaned forward handing him a stack of cash, "And please, make it as fast as you can, by that I mean no shortcuts and hit the gas on the yellow?" He took the money his eyes widening,

"Yes Miss."

He started the taxi and merged into the airport traffic as I retrieved my phone from my bag. I gazed at it for a moment not sure if turning it on was the right idea. Did I really want to see the messages I knew I'd had? I mean I'd already made my decision in reference to mom during the flight and that wouldn't change. She would never be apart of my life again, it was a simple as that, so why not risk turning the phone on?

It took a few seconds before it started vibrating out of control, I watched the messages pile on most from my mom which I didn't acknowledge, however I noted one person's texts that I couldn't avoid,

Demi: What happened Miley?

Demi: Are you going to stop the wedding?

Demi: Clearly you're on a plane, you better call me when you land.

Demi: I'm serious Miley, call me when you land.

I huffed and pressed dial bringing it to my ear, knowing well enough that Demi would be in the process of getting Selena ready for the wedding. I bit my lip as it rang, and rang until-

"Thank God Miley! You okay? You're here?" She whispered letting out a sigh.

"I am."

"You're-"

"Where is he Demi?"

"Still at the house, Joe's trying to stall them from leaving- he's pretending he lost the ring."

I couldn't help but feel a small scared laugh come from my lips,

"His house?"

"Yep, Selena is with me, here..."

There was silence as I paused, could I really do this to her?

"Miley he was yours first, she took him from you, don't forget that."

"I know but-"

"You just flew half away across the world don't doubt yourself now."

"It wasn't just that Demi-"

"I assumed, what-"

"It was my mom." I murmured resting my head against the window, "My mom is the blackmailer Demi."

There was just silence and honestly I didn't know what to say either, because she didn't seem the type. How could she have cared for me my entire life, loved me and then gone and done something so evil? Demi sighed for a moment like she was processing it only to stop,

"But how did she get it?"

"Who knows," I retorted, "But clearly she sent it to my dad intentionally,"

"Miley I'm sorry."

I bit my lip holding back tears I'd already let fall on the plane, "I'm okay, I will be...once I find Nick and tell him that this is over that we can be together now. I just want him to hold me to tell me everything is okay, because right now it's not but it will be right?"

"It will be if you stop him Miley, you are going to right?"

I hesitated but nodded, "I'm going to stop him Demi."

"Good, should I tell Selena or-"

"No." I stated quickly, "No I think Nick and me should be the ones to tell her the truth."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I don't want to hide behind her back anymore. It's time we faced the truth before anyone else gets hurt."

"Okay," Demi murmured uneasily, "So this is actually happening?"

"This is actually happening." I responded.

Demi and me were both quiet for a moment realising the words we were staying.

"Good luck Miley." She stated after a moment,

"Thanks," I whispered closing my eyes, "I'm gonna need it."

"I know, but be brave okay?"

"I will, I have to be. I can't lose someone else I love in the span of twenty four hours right?"

"Miley-"

"It'll be fine, love you Dem."

"Love you too."

I hung up sucking in a breath as my eyes blurred with tears. The rest of the trip to the house was hell, my emotions going up and down, round and round and I didn't know what to think by the time the taxi pulled up at Nick's. The only thing I truly felt was sick,

"Thanks miss,"

"Thank you," I smiled at the driver and climbed out,

The second I closed the door the taxi sped away taking my last escape with it. I picked up my bag sucked in another breath and walked not hesitating in case I changed my mind. This was my future happiness I was playing with and as selfish as it was I wanted Nick even if meant Selena was destroyed in the process. I pressed the code in and stepped in feeling my body relax a little seeing the limo, only to then note a familiar confused face,

"Miley?" Denise asked looking at me confused, only for a smile to spread

I walked up to her as she quickly rushed down the steps staring at me, "You're here!" She announced confused, "You actually made it!" I could hear the tone she didn't exactly sound that enthusiastic but regardless I didn't really care.

"Is Nick inside?"

"No," A new voice announced also confused.

I looked up to see Mr. Jonas staring at me bewildered, "No he isn't the boys just left, what are you doing here?"

Instantly the bile started rising as I realized what this meant, they were at the church meaning...

"I'm going to the wedding, surprise!" I murmured meekly,

Both of them just stared at me for a moment as Denise frowned, "Miley, honey," She stated putting her hand on my arm, "Are you sure that's a good idea, I mean...I know this must be hard and after the whole issue at the rehearsal dinner maybe you shouldn't hun?"

I looked at her staring at me concerned as I shook my head,

"No I need to go to the wedding."

"Well you can't," Mr. Jonas announced looking at me as I frowned, "You're not dressed Miley."

"Oh..."

I looked at my attire and nodded in agreement, they had a point there but did it really matter? Then again I didn't want them to think I was about to ruin their son's wedding because then there would be tears that I couldn't deal with. Denise suddenly pulled me forward staring at me,

"I'm sure Selena has a dress suitable,"

I looked at her and nodded, as Denise turned to Paul nodding. "We'll be down in a minute," She pulled me into the house as I quickly followed, "I must say you're a good friend going today Miley." I just nodded, 'I could never watch my ex marry someone else..."

"I know they love each other." I stated playing along

Denise smiled at me and nodded, "Good, and they'll be a great husband and wife."

I felt my smile strain but I nodded, "Yeah they will."

"I can't wait for there to be grandkids,"

I almost threw up at that point only to stumble up some steps instead. Denise kept rambling while my mind moved into full fledged freak out mode, but I kept walking thinking about this hallway. To think I'd made out with Nick against that wall, felt his hands on my body, his lips on mine, god he meant everything to me and it had taken me too long to realize that. I loved him, I loved him so fucking much.

"I think Selena has a gold dress to wear to an awards ceremony,"

Denise motioned into Selena's wardrobe as I dropped my bag, "It's up the back somewhere, is gold okay? I'll look for some jewelry for you to wear then we'll deal with your hair." She murmured looking up.

I turned smiling at her, "Denise thank you, you have no idea how much this means to me."

She looked at me and nodded, "Oh I do, this wedding is very important to me too."

I frowned as Denise just gazed at me confused, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," I whispered, "It'll be better soon."

"Okay you better get dressed,"

"Thanks."

I walked into the closet and moved to the back gazing at a large black bag. I carefully unzipped it as I gazed at the beautiful gold dress that was very Selena, I pulled it down and turned around...

"Denise is this the-"

I stopped confused staring at the closed door. I walked over grasping the doorknob and turning it only to find it wouldn't budge.

"Denise?" I asked confused.

There was silence for a minute as I heard her huff on the other side of the door. "You're mother was supposed to stop you!" I heard her proclaim as I stood completely confused, "But after you tried to kill yourself she wimped out, just like your father did after the first message! But hell I'm not...I won't take this shit from your little selfish ass anymore! You will never marry my son Miley, you hear me? Over my dead body will I see you walk down that aisle."

For a second I just stood there not understanding, trying to comprehend but then I realized what she meant...

That Nick and me had both been betrayed by ones we loved and trusted.

That I wouldn't get out of this room, because his mother had locked me in.

That I wouldn't get to the wedding in time.

That I wouldn't stop Nick from saying I do.

That Nick would marry Selena.

And finally that I would never be happy again.

"We're doing you a favor Miley, he deserves better than you." Paul announced. "He always has."

"Goodbye Miley."

It wasn't until I heard the front door slam that I screamed my heart shattering into a million pieces as everything in me exploded because for the first time, there was nothing I could do. I'd had a choice with the tape, with Nick, with everything at some point and now it had been taken from my grasp so cruelly.

I'd lost the game. I'd lost everything...

Nick.

"Everything is ready,"

I turned to Kevin who stood beside me giving me a huge grin, "You ready?"

"Of course."

We both turned to Joe who was fidgeting and looking towards the large crowed of wedding guests seated behind us. The expression on his face was one of confusion and panic, as he bit on his lip like he used to do when he was five when he was nervous.

"Joe are you okay?"

He spun his head back looking at us, "Yeah," He announced quickly, "Of course I'm just..."

Joe gave me a look which I understood, he was worried and so was I. Miley liked leaving things until the last minute, but considering she hadn't given me a response the answer was obvious. She hadn't decided to come home, she had decided that I was meant to marry Selena. So that's what I was doing, standing at the alter dressed up in my tux with a white rose pinned to my pocket, I was about to get married and honestly a month ago I thought it would be a different girl.

"Is something up?"

"No." Joe and me both responded looking at Kevin.

"This doesn't have to do with the ring does it?"

I glared at Joe who had 'lost' the ring only for dad to find it in his pocket. He wanted Miley to come and stop us, he was still waiting for miley to come stop me, and maybe a part of me was too. I knew her though, I knew that she wasn't going too.

"Okay boys we ready?" Dad asked looking at us,

I nodded as he moved standing at the front of the church ready to begin. I waited patiently for a moment, feeling completely nervous as my body tensed up. I was about to get married, like actually married. My chest felt constrained as I moved my hand up trying to release the tension around my neck, god it was hot in here.

"Nick you okay?" Kevin asked.

I nodded turning around staring at the door at the end of the aisle, "Of course..."

I gazed to see Joe was now chewing his nails staring in the same direction.

Where was she? Where was Miley? She was supposed to say yes...she was supposed to...Oh god.

I blocked her out of my head, she would have come if she loved me enough, she would have but clearly Miley didn't. The music started as I jumped a little hearing the old wooden church doors unlock meaning that Selena along with her father were right behind me. I stiffened sucking in a breath feeling ill, did I want this? I loved her but god this was a commitment for life yet right now all I could think about was Miley? I mean why wasn't she here, I was so sure she wouldn't turn me down yet here I was about to marry Selena.

I felt their presence right behind me as I turned and let out the breath I'd been holding in,

Selena looked like a princess, there was no other word to describe her.

Her dad kissed her cheek and moved away as she took my outstretched hand. I looked at her completely speechless as I saw the blush spreading across her face through the veil,

"You look beautiful," I whispered.

"You look scared."

My eyes darted to hers as I shook my head, "No I'm just-"

"We are gathered here today in the sight of God, family and friends to join together Nicholas Jerry Jonas and Selena Marie Gomez in holy matrimony." Dad announced loudly looking between both of us smiling,

Selena squeezed my hand as I realized, I loved her, I did, I just...why did this hurt so bad?

Dad continued speaking while we stood there and I stared blankly a head feeling like this wasn't reality. I felt like this was just an act really, all pretend, none of it real yet I knew it was. I was marrying Selena, I was standing with the full intention of making her my wife yet surely I shouldn't be worried about another woman? I caught Selena looking confused again and realized that I'd been totally oblivious to Demi and Taylor's presence beside her.

Demi was glaring at Joe, who was shrugging while Demi was mouthing words which Selena was also confused by. I tried to catch the gist of their mouths unsuccessfully and entwined my fingers with Selena's hoping to distract her which it did as she smiled looking at me. My stomach swirled though, something just felt wrong, I couldn't put my finger on it but Miley was in trouble she had to be. I looked at Demi who was gazing around completely confused Joe who just looked like he was at a funeral and I knew I must look like I was a freaking out, because I was.

"Nick Jerry Jonas do you take Selena Marie Gomez for your lawful wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance, in the Holy estate of matrimony? Will you love, comfort and cherish her, from this day forward, forsaking all others, keeping only unto her, for as long as you both shall live?"

I stared at my dad hearing only one part of it...

forsaking all others

Miley. Staying away from Miley forever.

I opened my mouth stopping as Selena's eyes widened and I nodded scared to say the truth

"I do."

She instantly relaxed but I closed my eyes realizing that this was it. Selena repeated the words as we continued through the vows even though I wanted to run, to sprint down the aisle and never look back. Yet it was too late for that now, I was going to marry her.

We were married.

"I pronounce that they are husband and wife, you may kiss the bride."

My fingers moved up, as I caught sight of the ring Selena had put on my finger while I was in a daze of thinking about Miley. My eyes stared at it as I pulled the veil up, the guilt, the grief, the heartbreak speeding through me like a freight train unable to stop. I kissed Selena because I had too, but it was that moment I realized why that I shouldn't have put this on Miley when I could have stopped it myself?

We walked down the aisle, Selena giddy while I tried so hard to be as excited, yet I couldn't. The doors opened and we stepped out only walking a few short feet before I heard the scream,

"Where is my daughter?"

Our eyes fell on Tish who threw herself up the steps heading towards us, Selena instantly releasing my hand. I thought Tish was going to kill me until I noticed her eyes were locked not on me, but the person, or people behind me. We all turned as Tish grabbed the woman and through her against the wall,the entire church seeing.

"WHERE IS MILEY?"

I stared at my mother, while Miley's mom held her against the wall.

"Locked away, where she should be that child is going to hell!"

My eyes widened as Demi turned to furiously, "YOU STOPPED HER? YOU'RE THE ONE WAIT-"

"What?" Selena asked as suddenly everything pieced together yet fell apart at the same time.

"It was you?" I murmured everything in me chocking up,

Tish stepped back as I looked at my mom who brushed down her clothes glaring at me,

"No Nick, it was the four of us, my idea but your father, her parents we all-"

"YOU MONSTER!"

Demi lunged at my mom while I just stood there watching as Demi took her down. "MILEY WAS GOING TO STOP THE WEDDING YOU EVIL BITCH! She loves Nick she almost committed suicide because of the blackmail, she almost died all because you wanted to stop them being together? Who gives a fuck about the tape, about their affair, they were your children, you're supposed to love them and..."

It was only then Demi realized the whole church was watching her attacking my mom, and she quickly got back to her fee staring at my mother, "You're the one who is going to hell, you're a coward." Demi turned and looked at me shaking her head, "And you're no better, you had the option, you had the fucking choice Nick. You made the wrong decision, I hope you realize that."

"But where is Miley?" Tish yelled again, "Where is my daughter, what have you-"

"She locked in the wardrobe at your house." Dad announced. "We had to stop her, don't you see she would have ruined your life Nick she would have-"

"Shut up." I murmured quickly.

I turned to Selena who was staring at me a look of horror on her face,

"Nick what is-"

I turned stepping away from her with only one thing on my mind,

Miley, the girl I should have had faith in, the girl I should have married.