Chapter Fifteen

I yawned as I sat in the chair, listening to the corporates of Disney drone on at our progress meeting.

"The sales have been going good," the Disney exec smiled, looking around at all of us. Nick squeezed my hand.

I turned to him. "Well I am Miley Cyrus. The sales better be going good."

He rose his eyebrows at me. "Don't get cocky, Angel."

I rolled my eyes turning back around. "What? It's just the truth."

"You won't be on top forever-"

"So might as well realize it while I am," I smiled cheekily at him, finishing the sentence for him. It probably didn't have the same ending as he was going to give me, but close enough, I'm sure.

"Miley."

"Nicky," I giggled softly.

"Miley," A voice repeated. But it wasn't Nick's. We both snapped our attention up and towards the exec. "We call for both of your attention please."

"My bad," I shrugged it off, turning around.

"Sorry," Nick stuttered. I rolled my eyes, sighing. Here come the stutters. "Sorry, won't happen again."

"Good to know," he gave Nick a fake smile before turning back.

"Anyways, back to the meeting. Any problems yet on tour?"

I felt Nick's hand on my thigh and tensed as it trailed upward, shoving his hand away. I thought he was nervous about getting in trouble.

He hid a smile as his hand went back and I shoved it away again.

"I don't think so," Joe looked around the table at everyone.

"Miley?"

I snapped my head up to look at him, smiling. "Yeah?"

"Any problems?"

"Oh, no," I smiled. "None. We're like one perfect happy dandy family."

"Good to hear," he sighed, obviously not energetic enough to mess around with me today. "Any suggestions?"

I trailed my finger up Nick's arm and saw him tense in reply.

"Yeah, I think Miley and Nick should stop flirting as much," Joe rolled his eyes. "Either that or get together. Thanks."

Nick blushed for real this time, turning away from me. "Sorry."

"Better than fighting," the Disney exec muttered. "Anything is better than their fighting."

"You guys know that couple in restaurants that sit on one side of the booth and make everyone sick?" Demi asked both of us. "You two are them."

I think even Selena cracked a smile at that one.

"Ms. Lovato, everyone focus," he brought us all back. "Is everything good?"

"Yeah," we all nodded, agreeing.

"Alright. Last call for complaints," we all looked around at each other before he nodded. "None? Okay, then I guess that's all we had to talk about."

We each got up, heading for the door. "Can we go out for breakfast?"

Everyone shrugged, nodding in agreement. Good. Because I was hungry.

"Miley, wait," one of the execs called out. "We want to speak to you privately."

"Why?" Nick asked before I could stop him. I turned around, smiling softly at him.

"It's fine, Nick. I'll be right out, okay?"

He didn't really have an option other than to nod. I watched him leave before walking back over, making sure that smile on my face was exaggerated.

"Yeah?"

"Do they know yet?"

"Weeelllll," I sang. "It's kind of like a half and half deal right now.

"So, which half knows?"

"My family, a few dancers, Demi, Dani, Selena – Taylor Swift apparently knows, but that wasn't my choice at all-"

"So basically anyone who isn't a biological Jonas?"

"Uh, well, yeah. Yeah, I guess you could put it like that."

"Miley," he sighed. "The boys have to know. They're going to find out one way or another-"

"I'm gonna tell them, alright?"

And I would. Eventually, I'd come clean with it all. I was just putting that moment off.

"Well, you see, that's what we called you here for," he interjected. "Do you even feel like you can handle a tour-"

"I'm not dropping out," I told them defiantly. "I will personally ruin this company if anyone even tries to make me drop out."

"We won't," he promised. "So you can handle this, then?"

"I run this tour."

"Okay. And you and Gomez really aren't having any problems?"

"Nope," I smiled. "We're solid."

"And her and Demi?"

"Nope," I lied. "They're solid."

"And you and the Jonas'-never mind. We all saw you and Nick," he smiled at me a little. "You'e doing good, kiddo."

"Thanks," I grinned. "Can I go now?"

"Go ahead," he laughed. "Remember, we're always a phone call away!"

"I won't be calling," I told him over my shoulder, laughing as I walked away.

I went over to where everyone was waiting and smiled, waving.

"What'd they want?" Nick asked.

"Oh, just confirming there's no issues."

"So they picked you?" Joe laughed.

I spun to look at him, raising my eyebrows. "You wanna go?"

"Bring it."

"Oh, it's already brought."

"Stop it, you two," Nick came over, putting his hands on my shoulders and spinning me around to face him. "You're picking where we eat-"

"McDonald's," I instantly stated, not even needing to think about it.

Nick held out his hand as they placed money in his palm. He smirked, nodding at me. "Way to go, Mi."

"What-" I looked at Demi who simply glared at me. "Huh?"

"We bet on where you'd pick."

"You said your favorite fast food is Arby's."

I shrugged, not remembering that, but held my hand out to Nick. He looked down taking it and I shook his away. I didn't want to hold his hand. "I want the money you just got."

"No," he looked at me seriously. "Miley, c'mon. Don't."

"Give me it," I repeated sternly.

He rolled his eyes pulling the four twenty's out of his pocket and shoving it into my hands. I walked around, giving it to the rightful owners before walking back.

"Now, twenty from you," I held out my hand.

"For what?"

"For betting on me!"

He growled pulling out his wallet and shoving a ten into my hands.

"Thank you," I leaned up kissing his cheek and softly patting it. "Now, let's go to get lunch."

He nodded, still pouting as he followed Joe out the door and I stayed back with Demi and Selena.

"Thanks for my money-"

"Shut up," I laughed, shaking my head. "You two all made up, then?"

"We're working things out," Demi confirmed, chancing a glance at her best-friend. Not me, but the other one. "We know it can't be the same, but we're trying."

"Good for you guys," I grinned.

"And you and Nick?" Selena laughed. "You two seem to be all made up."

"We're trying," I sighed. "It's hard, but… I don't know. I'm trying to be optimistic."

"Is it like 2007?"

I shook my head. "Even better. 2006. It was just – right now it feels too good to be true."

"I think you want to go out with him again," Demi smirked.

"Haven't you ever heard that mixing business with pleasure is a huge no-no?"

"Puh-lease. You and Nick are the definition of mixing business with pleasure," Selena laughed.

"We are not!"

"Really? Because I'm pretty sure you got him on your tour the first time because he was your boyfriend."

"We're just friends," I protested.

Demi shook her head, but Selena contradicted me. "I know from experience how hard it is to be just friends with someone who you were never really over in the first place. It's nothing to be ashamed of, really."

"I was over him!" I fought. "Just… you know how things change."

"Really? 'Cause I think we can all agree you just used Liam. And Justin. And Lucas. And-"

"Alright, Demi," I shoved her a little. "Shut up."

"Mi," Nick waved me over to go by him, and not wasting a second I ran over, grabbing his hand. He squeezed it a little, laughing at me. "You seem rather happy."

"I'm gonna be with you all day," I grinned.

He nodded enthusiastically. "Because it's not like that every day."

"Usually I'm still sleeping," I laughed with him.

"You wanna go out tonight, or no?"

I shrugged. I wanted it more than anything but I wouldn't tell him that. He could decide.

"Yeah, that's a yes," he laughed. "What time's the concert over tonight?"

"I dunno. Elevenish?"

"Be at my bus as soon as you finish. Dress casual."

"But I'm in the mood to dress up." I wasn't really, but it was always worth challenging him.

"Sucks for you."

"Where we going?"

"You'll see," he smiled. I could tell that he had something exciting planned.

He walked away again, catching up to Joe and doing some sly handshake while I went back to Demi, glaring a little bit. What was he up to?

:::

"Close your eyes," he repeated again. He was covering them so tightly that I wasn't sure how exactly he expected me to be able to open them or even if I could I'd never be able to see anything.

"This is childish," I whined.

"It's worth it," he rubbed my back and I instantly had goosebumps. "Tonight is gonna be special, I promise."

"Does my mother know where I am?" I quizzed. She'd kill me if she didn't.

"Of course," he laughed. "But trust me, this took a lot of convincing."

"Are we almost there?"

"Yeah, a few more steps," he laughed. I heard him open a door and ran out of his hands before freezing, looking at it all.

The windows were large and clear and we had to be on a top floor. I gazed out, looking at the wonderful view of the city we had, the lights illuminating the place. I opened the door, stepping out on the balcony and looking back at Nick.

"This is amazing."

"Welcome to Atlanta," he wrapped his hands around my waist.

I placed my hands on top of his. "Can we just move here? This is – Nick, you've outdone yourself."

"I know," he smirked.

I turned around, kissing him before sitting on one of the chairs that were conveniently placed on the balcony. I sat in one, crouching myself before he sat on the other, the humid July air surrounding us both.

"My hair's gonna get frizzy."

"You'll look perfect," he assured.

I smiled, going over to him and grabbing his hand, leading him back inside.

"You really are wonderful, you know that?" I asked as I sat on the bed, waiting for him to come next to me.

"You are too, Miley."

"Yeah? You still think so?"

He shook his head. "I'll always think so. No matter what stupid things you do, I will always adore you."

I blushed, looking down. He really was my number one fan. It was no competition. Not a competition at all.

"You know when we went on that walk and you told me you still believed in me and knew I hadn't changed?"

"Yeah," he dragged out, stroking my hair while we just laid there.

"You said I'd never be a druggie or badass to you. That it would always just be Miley," I reminded him. "Do you still believe that?"

"What?"

"That I'm still worth that entire speech. Would you give it to me again if you could?"

"Absolutely," he kissed my forehead.

I looked away. "Even after the past few weeks?"

He sighed, but pulled me closer. "You made some huge mistakes, Mi… But that's not who you are. I know who you are, and I think you do too."

"I don't," I disagreed. "Not anymore. Everything's falling apart for me."

"You can always stop," Nick told me. I nodded. I knew that… didn't I? "But you don't want to do that either, do you?"

"I just need a break," I sighed, pushing hair back behind my ear. "But a long one. I need time to figure out who I am without the cameras, you know?"

"I get it."

"I haven't had that since I was twelve," I pouted.

"I know. And you deserve another one."

"Exactly," I nodded in agreement. "I don't mean to complain. I know I'm lucky, it's just… hard."

"I understand, Mi. I do."

"I know you do," I played with his curls, kissing his forehead. "You're probably the only one who really does."

"I'll always get it." He pulled me onto his lap and wrapped his arms around me before pausing, pushing me back off. "Have you been eating?"

"Yeah, you just saw me eat at dinner," I laughed.

He shook his head. "You were not that skinny before. You've lost weight and there's no way to deny it."

"It's just from tour," I rolled my eyes. The truth was I had cut down eating because I'd been too afraid I'd puke it up later. That and then the treatment didn't help anything…

"Demi and Selena haven't lost that much weight."

"Well Demi and Selena are singers. I'm a performer."

He sighed, closing his eyes. "You're doing that thing."

"What thing?"

"Where you get defensive and insult other people when you realize someone is close to figuring out one of your many secrets."

"I-"

"And now you're gonna argue that it's not what I think."

I pursed my lips, annoyed. Yes, that is exactly what I was gonna say, the exact words but he didn't need to be such a know it all.

"Because it's not what you think."

He shook his head, getting up. "Don't move. I'll be right back."

So I sat there alone for thirty seconds flat before he came back with a plateful of oreos.

"Here, eat this."

"This is ridiculous," I hissed, taking them and putting one into my mouth. I saw him let out a breath of fresh air and rolled my eyes. Did he seriously think I wasn't eating? "Do you see how stupid you are now?"

He smiled, leaning against the bed. "I'd rather be safe than sorry, wouldn't you?"

"You don't need to worry so much," I leaned forward smiling. "I'd never be anorexic. Especially not after seeing Demi."

"It's hard to judge. You just have a tendency to get on the wrong path," he whispered softly.

I looked down. "I know how many fights I cause," I sighed. "I know how frustrating I am."

"And do you know how much I love you?"

"I think I do," I grinned. "I don't understand why, but, yeah, I know."

"I love you so much," he promised.

"And you aren't scared we'll get in another fight again? What if we ruin it?"

"We've had our fights, we'll have more fights, we'll probably be in one in the next five minutes because that's just what we do. We put each other through hell, and then we move on," Nick told me calmly. "We move on and love each other again. And I think no matter what, we're gonna make it to the altar."

"We aren't even going out yet," I mumbled.

"It doesn't matter. I don't need a title to know that I love you."

I shook my head an amused smile coming to my face. "You're right."

"Your mom said she needed you by seven thirty tomorrow morning," he changed the subject. "Oh, and she said not to have sex but either way she's giving you the day after pill tomorrow just to be safe."

My eyes widened and jaw dropped. "No she didn't!"

"Swear to God," he smirked. "So if you want to get busy-"

"You're done," I rushed to cover his mouth. That sentence would not be finished in my presence.

"But it's been such a long time-"

"Nicholas," I warned, daring him to continue. He gave me a mischievous smirk before coming closer.

"Fine. So, why do you have to leave so early?"

"Who knows?" I rolled my eyes, but I knew. I knew exactly why. My mom wanted to make sure I'd actually go to this appointment that was supposedly one of the most important ones yet. It wasn't like I wouldn't… Unless I was with Nick.

"Nothing to worry about then? You aren't really Hannah Montana and living a double life are you?"

I glared, jumping on top of him and laughing, playfully hitting his arm. "You are going to regret that comment."

He leaned back, some goofy grin on his lips as he stared at me, feelings in his eyes that were so strong even I didn't know what to make of them. He laughed a at me a little, closing his eyes in relaxation.

"Make me regret it, Miley Cyrus."

sorry, this was a filler! but i promise ill update really really soon. oh, and the next chapter is huuuge. just saying. like shit goes down. ok. hope you liked it! and sorry it took so long to update. i've been really busy then my aunt just died, soo yeaah...

have a gooood dayy(: