A/N: New Chapter is next chapter. Enjoy

xo

Chapter Six – The Driveway

The hardest part for Nick who had been nursing a broken nose and wearing a very expensive blood-stained designer shirt had to be when he had to explain to his parents that it was his own brother that had caused him this grief. They stared at him in shock as he told them about his lies to Joe and how Joe hadn't taken the truth quite as gracefully as he could have. He admitted that he deserved it and asked if they would not mention any of this to Joe because it would only make him angry again.

The next day, he hid out in his bedroom all day playing guitar and waiting for Joe to return home from wherever it was that he had gone off to before Nick had even woke up. He was lucky that they had no work and they could quite simply do nothing for the day. It was a treat that they were not often given and for today it had been a complete curse. Kevin was with his girlfriend. Frankie was on a play date with a friend. His parents were spending the day alone together, going shopping for early Christmas presents and things like they usually did in September. Selena hadn't spoken to him since they had "broken up" and it pretty much left him on his own with nothing to do but wallow in his own self-pity. It was just him and his guitar and his Toluca Lake home…

Joe stormed in the house and up the stairs mid afternoon looking angrier and more determined than ever. Nick stood at his doorway and stared at him. He was rummaging through his room trying to find clothes and was shoving them into his bag. He was picking up everything he needed and putting it into his backpack with a grin.

"Where are you going?"

Joe looked up at him, seeing his face before returning to his search. His bag was almost fall and Nick wondered what on earth he was doing. He had better not been running away because that would have just taken it a little too dramatically. There was no need to ruin their career just because of a girl. They could get over it. They could piece things back together. They were brothers.

"Joe…" he asked stepping into the room carefully, making sure to stay double punching distance away from him at all times, "Are you running away?"

Joe looked up at him and laughed sarcastically, "Would that get you scared little bro?" Joe zipped up the bag and put it on his back, "You'd hate for the one thing that makes you happy to go wrong, wouldn't you…?"

Nick stared carefully. He could usually tell if Joe was lying or joking. Today he wasn't sure what he heck Joe was doing. He was just watching and observing, but not figuring anything out at all. It made him nervous that they were so disconnected from each other lately. They used to be so close and they used to tell each other everything. Now they just exchanged punches and apologies. They argued over girls and how they treated them, one of them worse than the other in that aspect. It was a far cry from the late night conversations on hotel balconies about how much they cared for certain females.

"Are you?" Nick stuttered his hands fisted into his pockets.

Joe shrugged his shoulders, "I dunno… I might think about it…" he walked past him and looked back, "Tell mom I said thanks… I can't believe she's letting me do something without you and Kevin for once…"

Nick looked at him confused and shook his head, "What are you talking about Joe?"

Joe smiled, "I'm going to Connecticut… a little trip to stop me from wanting to kick your ass every time I see you…"

"You're getting ridiculous, Joe… do you realise that?" Nick laughed, "You're trying to scare me… and it isn't working… you're all talk," he paused and dropped his shoulders, "Now where are you going? Really I mean…"

Joe laughed and nodded, "Connecticut… I told you…" he narrowed his eyes, "Why would I be all talk… you're the one that's all talk, Nick…" he smiled, "you're the one who says all the stuff that's lies or simply in his head… I wear my heart on my goddamn sleeve…"

Nick put out a hand angrily to stop him and looked at him. The same look from the diner returned and he let go, inviting Joe to listen to him. Joe fumed at him, standing in the doorway waiting for what would be the last words spoken. He couldn't be bothered to listen to his bullshit… he couldn't even be bothered to reply to it if it was offensive. He could have whatever he wanted, because one day it was all going to rain down on him harder. Joe was bored with Nick's lies and complete bullshit. It was beginning to make his ears bleed.

"Why are you going?"

Joe laughed, "To get away from you…"

Nick groaned and shoved Joe lightly, "I'm sorry…!"

Joe laughed harder and shook his head, "Are you old enough to say that word? Because you sure as hell don't seem to know what it means… maybe once you learn how to use that word properly I'll pay attention to you…"

Nick paused hurt as much as he was able to be and forced a smile, "Are you seriously not going to tell me where you're going Joe? Are you going to sink down to my level at act like a complete ass to everyone…?"

"No…" Joe shook his head, "Just you…"

"Do you really hate me that much?"

"Right now… yes."

"Grow up, Joe…" he gave him another annoyed shove.

Joe pushed him back warningly, "Get a true character, Nick…"

Joe walked down the hallway heading for the stairs and walking halfway down them. He stopped looking back at Nick. He looked a little lost and it made Joe happy. He was an ass. He deserved to be treated this way until he got his comeuppance and retribution for his sins. He'd failed so many people. He had no right to expect anything from them.

"Just for fun… I'll tell you where I'm going…" Joe paused and Nick waited impatiently, "I'm going to Miley's concert with her at the MGM Grand…" he whispered, "She's in the car… we've got a plane to catch…"

Joe ran down the stairs and out of sight. Nick watched for a second where his form had disappeared to.

He turned around, his urge to look worse than his pride in not. He walked across his bedroom and peeled back his blind, watching over their driveway. It was derelict apart from Joe's black SUV sitting in the middle, a familiar figure sitting in the front seat looking annoyed and weary. He was surprised she was anywhere near him, even in the same postal area.

He got that familiar warm feeling in his gut and he tried to push it away as she looked up at him, giving him a dirty look and staring him down until he turned away. He cursed himself in embarrassment. He should have been in that car with her… but her and Joe were friends… they always had been. He looked back and saw Joe putting his bag into the backseat as he jumped in the car. Nick's cheeks went red as he looked up at him and gave a sarcastic little laugh.

They were all turning against him… and he had never felt so alone.

TBC

xo