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

Chapter 8 - February 5th, 2017

"My heart beats for love, my heart beats for love. It's the sound that I hear, tells me not to give up. It breathes in my chest, and it runs through my blood. My heart beats for love, my heart beats for love." - Excerpt from My Heart Beats For Love, Miley Cyrus

"Nick, what have you done?"

Nick stared at Joe, who had just showed up at his house. He frowned, puzzled. "Whatever are you talking about?"

Joe looked close to hyperventilating. Joe waltzed in, slamming the door shut and looking very close to freaking out if he hadn't already freaked out. "This, you freaking idiot," Joe snapped, pulling out his phone. He typed furiously on the thing before shoving it in Nick's face. Then, he quickly took it away. "Never mind," he snapped. "Just turn on TV."

Confused, Nick turned on the TV. It was on a news channel, and Joe shoved Nick in a seat before pacing across the room. Nick frowned as he saw a reporter talking. The reporter said, "I'm sure you've already heard about it, but the latest rumor—or more likely, trumor—on the block is that Miley Cyrus cheated on Liam Hemsworth with Nick Jonas."

Nick's. Jaw. Dropped. "What? But nothing happened."

Joe grimaced. "Wait for it."

"Why, take a look at these photos," the reporter said in a nervous, fast-paced way that reinforced the nervousness. Nick's jaw dropped as he saw pictures of him and Miley show up on the screen. One was of them almost kissing. Another was of him pointing a hose at her, dousing her in water. Another was of him tucking her stray locks behind her ear. Horror pooled in his heart. How had the press gotten those pictures?!

"Oh... my God," Nick gasped.

"And they look very happy," the reporter continued. "Neither celebrity has spoken up on their social media, but reports say Liam Hemsworth his furious—and he has good reason to be. He hasn't been happy from the start, and this has just been shoved upon everything." The reporter stared at the camera seriously. "Is this the end of Miam?"

"Do you see what you've done now?" Joe snapped.

Anguish washed through Nick. What did he just do?

Still In Love Somehow

"How could you do this to me?!"

Miley stared at Liam, her heart racing. "I didn't do anything," she argued though a part of her—okay, all of her—wanted to shy away timidly. "I hung out with Nick yesterday, but you're missing the point—we didn't do anything! All we did was wash his dog Elvis and make some lemonade—and talk a little. I told you all of this yesterday!"

Liam glared at her. "You kind of left out the part where you almost kissed him!"

Miley stared at him, shaking. "We didn't kiss, Liam! Don't you trust me?"

He shot her a burning look. "That Jonas kid has been after you for forever! I trust you—it's him I don't. I don't want you hanging out with him! He's a bad influence, and he's just trying to break us apart!" He stared her down, his eyes furious and lashing. "He wants you all to himself—that's all he ever wanted. He wants to use you for your fame!"

Miley felt anguish ripple through her. "That's not true, Liam!"

"You're arguing for me?" Liam demanded, gaze hot and furious.

"Shut up, Liam," Miley said, still shaking furiously. "You don't even know him!"

"I know he's no saint!" Liam argued. "I know he's not good for you!" He stared at Miley, gaze burning. "I don't want to have to be with someone who's just going to hang out with her ex-boyfriend and act like they're dating or something!" He glared at her, and Miley glared back, matching anger with anger. "You're engaged—to me—or have you forgotten that?"

"How could I forget—with you breathing down my back every five seconds?" Miley hissed.

Liam exploded. "Shut the fuck up, Miley Ray Cyrus! I don't want to be engaged to someone who's going to go behind my back..." Tears spilled down Miley's eyes, streaking down her cheeks. Then, Liam seemed to realize that. Anguish filled his gaze, but Miley barely noticed. She curled up in a corner, sobbing and shaking and hating herself for showing weakness.

"Miley..." came his helpless answer.

"Go away, Liam," she snapped through sobs. She clenched her teeth, his words echoing in her head: I don't want to be engaged to someone who's going to go behind my back... "Just get out," she said, utterly devoid of fight. Inwardly, she was thinking, how come I'm the one who ends up crying whenever we fight? She looked up at him, scowling as she noticed that he was still there.

"Miley," he said, stricken, "please—"

"Shut up, Liam," Miley glared.

"You can't blame me for feeling a little insecure when my fiance starts hanging out with her ex-boyfriend," Liam said, not quite shouting, but his frustration was evident. "Miley, I'm sorry if it's upsetting you—but you need to know." Her gaze snapped up to him, this time staring him down instead of vice versa. He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry, okay?"

Miley sniffed but stopped crying. "Look, Nick's a friend—but that doesn't mean you have to go yelling at me just because I'm catching up with him."

He got mad again—definitely a mistake mentioning the catching up part. "He's an ass—"

"—that doesn't mean you have to act like one, Liam," Miley said, standing up. He was taller than her, but she held her ground. Her fury, which was stemming, grew once more. Liam's mouth twisted into a scowl, and Miley continued, "It's like you're a stranger sometimes now." That wasn't true, but in her anger, she would going to say pretty much anything.

He gaped. "Me? I'm the stranger? Miley—you're not listening to me—"

"—and you're not listening to me—"

Liam glared. "Then why don't you go running to Jonas?"

Miley glared back. "Liam, don't act like this."

"Then don't hang out with him," Liam growled angrily. "Why am I so insecure? Well, I'll tell you why. Jonas literally told you he was in love with you—when is that going to get through your thick skull?" Miley stared. "He wants you—he's made that lucid, Mi. He wants you to choose him—but how would you understand? You've never been in a situation like that."

Miley closed her eyes. "Liam, Nick's not a bad guy."

Liam grimaced. "And whenever you say things like that, I want to scream and yell." Miley sighed. "I don't want to lose you... Mi?"

Miley looked up at him. She knew Liam's intentions were good—but Liam would overall a pretty level-headed guy. It would take a lot to piss him off. Miley sighed, her anger draining away. "You have every right to be mad," Miley finally said. Liam's gaze softened as they locked eyes. "And I don't want to lose you, either—but that's not going to happen, Liam, don't you get it?"

Liam frowned. "I get it now, Mi, I really do. It's just... you really did love him once."

"Are you doubting me?" Miley's voice was stern but had a gentle feel to it.

"No," Liam said, gaze clear and full of emotion.

"Then you have to trust me," Miley said softly. "You have to trust me when I say nothing happened. Liam?"

He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. Miley felt her heart flutter a little as they kissed. When they pulled back for air, a soft smile was splayed out on Miley's face. She could see happiness in Liam's gaze. He cared, he really did, and that's why he was so upset. It was not unreasonable, not at all. "I trust you," he murmured, stroking her cheek.

She felt herself warm up at his touch. "Don't worry, Liam. Things'll work out."

Relief pooled in his eyes. "It's great to hear you talk about things working out. For a moment there I thought—I feared—we were over."

She leaned up and kissed his cheek lightly. He caressed her cheek, and she smiled softly as she felt the warmth of his hand. "Hey, we'll get through this alright, you and me."

He smiled. "You and me. Us."

"Yes, us. It's hard to find a guy like you, Liam. Don't think I'm about to just let go."

Still In Love Somehow

"But hey, if they break up, you can go comfort Miley, and the magic will happen."

Nick glared at Joe. "Not helping." He stared desperately at his phone. "What if she hates me now? What if she hates me for ruining everything..? I didn't think the reporters would even see us—we were in my yard... Except for the..." He trailed off awkwardly but knew that Joe understood. Nick let out a hefty sigh. "I hope she's okay..."

Joe rolled his eyes. "Lovesick oblivious bastard."

"At least I've got a love life. Where's yours? Oh right. Nonexistent."

Joe grimaced. "I just haven't found the right girl yet." He scrunched up his nose. "Or maybe I did—maybe I just lost her..." There was a distant, almost sad, look in Joe's eyes, and Nick sighed. He thought he knew who Joe was talking about. Joe shook his head, as if he could shake off a distant memory as easily as that. But if everyone could do that, Nick wouldn't be in the situation he was in now. "Enough about me."

Nick quirked an eyebrow. "Words I'd never have thought I'd hear."

Joe smirked. "I'm just full of surprises today, aren't I?"

Nick rolled his dark eyes. "Yeah. Sure. Okay."

Joe blew a raspberry. "Thanks for the vote of confidence, compadre. Anyway, this thing with Miley... well, you said she had a good time with you yesterday, yes?" Nick nodded, wondering where Joe was going with this. "Well, that's usually how people fall in love—but Miley's got an Aussie hunk so she's obviously distracted and all. I don't think you'll be able to hang with her any time soon."

Nick gaped. "What kind of helpful advice leading to hug kind of pep talk was that?"

Joe laughed. "Dude, you've got to stop quoting—or almost quoting—from her show?"

"The show's done," Nick reminded him. "It was a good show. I loved every episode."

Joe rolled his eyes. "Yeah, that totally makes sense because you totally didn't skip every episode where she had to kiss or a hug a guy."

"That wasn't my fault," Nick fumed. "The guys were idiots."

"Oh, alright," Joe laughed.

Nick ignored Joe's comment. "You know, you should go out sometime—start dating again."

Joe's steely mask came on again, his expression firm. "I don't think so, Nick."

"Come on," Nick said with a roll of his eyes. "We all know you're head over heels for Demi." Joe shook his head in a very serious way, and Nick sighed. "I could put in a good word for you if you want." Joe's gaze glittered, as if he was possibly considering the prospect. "Look," Nick said, "even if it's not Demi, you really should get out more."

"Like you have?" Joe shot back.

Nick frowned. "Where's this all coming from?"

Joe seethed his teeth. "Demi's made it clear of her attitude. She's fine on her own, I'm fine on my own."

"Whatever you say."

Joe's gaze sparkled. "But if you could put in a good word..."

"I knew it!" Nick exclaimed triumphantly, and a smile tugged at Joe's lips, rueful as it was. Nick smirked at his brother. "Then why not ask her out?" Joe shook his head in a very subtle way, and Nick sighed. "Why are you so afraid of being rejected? She's a girl. You're a boy. You're both well-known celebrities. I don't see the problem."

Joe shook his head. "That isn't the problem."

"Then what is?" Nick demanded.

Joe sighed. "Things are just complicated, Nick." Joe looked so dejected—a rare look for him. "You should've been at that premiere. She was there, and I was there—and the air was just plain awkward. We didn't even say anything. We just exchanged a glance—god, it was so horrible—and the rest of the premiere was awkward. I left early."

Nick sighed. "You have to fix things."

Joe snorted angrily. "No, I don't have to do anything. We're done with this conversation."

"So you get to badger me on my love life, but I can't badger you?" Nick huffed. "Doesn't seem fair."

Joe shook his head. "You don't understand. We are impossible. Put us in a room together, and you'll figure it out." Then, Joe stood up. "Well, I've taken enough of your time, lil bro. I'll catch you around." He saluted Nick with such flair that Nick cracked a smile. Joe bounced back fast. Joe strode out the door, his hands shoved deep in his pockets.

Nick pulled out his phone and sent Demi a text (it was much easier to text her because she could read him just like that). Hey, Demz.

Her reply came heartbeats later, and he wondered if she had been right next to her phone: NJ, wassup?

You know that premiere?

There was a pause now, and Nick knew that something was up because he knew how fast Demi typed. Umm... came her reply.

With my bro.

Maybe.

He said the air was awkward.

It was. It was just so weird. And Nick, don't sugar-coat this. What do you want?

What makes you think I want anything?

1. We're texting. 2. You obviously want something.

Nick frowned. That isn't an answer, but... do you want to get back with Joe?

You obviously weren't at the premiere.

Man, you two are impossible.

Then, his phone rang. A rueful smile crossed his lips as he saw it was from Demi. He accepted the call and laughed. "Hey, Demi," he said. "I'm not sure if Joe gave me the abbreviated version of the premiere because he said you two didn't talk at all." He took a deep breath as he heard Demi scoff. "So, what's the real version? Joe's a good liar when he wants to be, but he's not that good a liar."

Demi blew out all her air. "Well, we did talk. A bit."

"About what?"

She sighed. "He asked me out on a date."

Nick's eyes widened. "Umm... did I just hear you correctly?"

"You heard me, Nick. He asked me out, and I, um—"

"Turned him down?" Nick said incredulously.

"No, of course not," came her indignant answer. There was an awkward pause as Demi took a moment to compose her answer. "But... I didn't really say yes either. I kind of just said... um... I might've implied that I thought that he was a wacko for doing that—hear me out, Nick. I might've subconsciously called him a bitch... for lack of better word."

Nick exploded, "That doesn't count as not turning him down at all!"

"Umm..."

"And subconsciously?"

"Well, accidentally."

Nick stared at his phone incredulously. "How do you accidentally call someone a bitch?"

"Well, it kind of, um, just slipped out..." came Demi's uncharacteristically quiet reply.

"What would you have said?" Nick said.

"I don't know," Demi said awkwardly, like she was biting her lip. "Listen, I gotta run. See ya." She hung up.

Nick sighed. How come Joe had lied to him? Nick knew that it was going to be a long shot for Demi and Joe to get back together, but... they had been so in love it seemed impossible for them not to end up together... Of course, people also said the same thing about Nick with Miley. The thought of Miley brought a pang to Nick's chest.

Why did something tell him that things were not about to get easier?

And was it possible for all of them to have a happy ending?

QotD: Who wants Jemi to happen?

#ME

A/N: Hey, it's Darky! This chapter came out lamer than I wanted it to come out. I wanted Miley and Liam to fight more, and please don't hate me for not making them split up. This book has barely started—of course I can't just make Niley a couple right now. I am still debating on Jemi, so if they happen, they're going to be a side ship—unless anyone wants some Jemi.

Then, I'll personally add at least one Jemi moment. (This is supposed to be Niley, but it's okay to have other ships.)

Sorry for the lame chappie. The result of your sister droning in your ear.

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