Disclaimer- I do not own JONAS or anything else in this story...except Nikki and her family and background because guess what??? She's based off me! haha! (Also in this chapter, I do not own When It Rains by The Eli Young Band, Already Gone by Sugarland [I told you! (; ], Babygirl by Sugarland. But the first song Why Don't You IS MINE! So don't take it or I'll be forced to hurt you.)
Chapter Nine: Ex-girlfriends
The next day, Nikki rang the Lucas doorbell dressed in jeans, tennis shoes, and a red t-shirt that had 'Hamilton Bulldogs' across the front in black lettering, with her guitar in hand.
"Nikki! Ten minutes early. I like that," Tom said, as he opened the door for her.
Nikki smiled at him. "Thanks."
"You can go ahead and head on upstairs if you'd like. I got a few last minute tasks to complete then I'll be right up. The boys could probably go ahead and get you set up."
"Thanks again, Mr. Lucas. I can't tell you how appreciative and grateful I am for this."
"Oh stop. You're making me blush," he said, waving a hand at her. "And it's our pleasure. You have an amazing talent, and it should be exposed."
Nikki smiled. "Thanks. I'll go ahead and head upstairs," she said.
Tom nodded. "Good call. See you guys in a bit," he said, rushing off in the opposite direction.
Nikki turned and climbed the stairs, reaching the top to see the boys over by the studio, messing with the controls. "Hey guys," Nikki said as she approached them, setting her guitar on the floor.
They looked up and smiled. "Sup Nikki?" Joe and Nick said, giving her a small wave.
Nikki waved back as Kevin came down the step towards her. "Hi," he said with a smile.
Nikki's face tinged pink. "Hi," she said, softly. He stepped up to her before wrapping his arms around her. She hugged him back with a smile before stepping back and saying, "So. What are you guys doing?"
"We're setting up the sound board for the recording room," Kevin said, taking her hand and leading her over to his brothers.
"Cool. This looks…kinda complicated," she said with a small laugh.
Nick shrugged a shoulder. "It's not so bad once you figure it out."
"Hello everybody!"
They all turned to see Stella and Macy heading towards them.
"Hey," Joe said with a smile as Stella came up to him, kissing him lightly.
"Hey," Nick said, as Macy kissed the top of his head before sitting herself on one of his knees. "What are you guys doing here?"
"Well we wanted to hear Nikki, so we thought we'd swing by for a bit," Stella said.
"Well you guys might be here more than just a bit," Joe said.
Nikki gave him a confused look. "Why? How long does it take to record a song?"
"Not just 'a' song. Dad wants five," Kevin said hesitantly.
Nikki looked taken aback. "Five? Wow."
"We tried to tell him that might be too much for a demo, but he wouldn't listen," Joe said.
"Do you have five songs?" Macy asked.
Nikki nodded. "Yeah I do. I just agree with Joe. Five seems like an awful lot for just a demo. I was thinking one, two tops."
"Oh no! I'm thinking five let's them know how much potential you have. So are we ready boys?" Tom asked, as he came up to them.
"We're set up. You want her to start with the song she sang yesterday?" Kevin asked.
Tom nodded. "Yes. Start with that one."
Nikki went and removed her turquoise guitar with black décor on it and headed to the recording booth. Kevin followed her inside. "Alright. Here's your mic and if you need anything, we can hear you so just stop and say so."
Nikki nodded before giving him a small smile. "Thanks Kevin."
"And don't stress out or worry. Just have fun with it," he said softly as she picked up the head phones.
Nikki nodded again. "I promise."
Kevin left the room, closing the door behind him. He walked over to the others at the soundboard, and Nick hit a button. "Can you hear us?"
Nikki nodded. "Yup."
"Great. Go ahead and start whenever you're ready."
Nikki took a deep breath before she started playing. After she finished the song, Nick hit a few buttons on the soundboard before she heard, "Great job! I'm thinking we don't even have to go in and tweak anything."
Tom shook his head. "Nope. Sounds perfect the way it is. Now. You ready for another?" Nikki nodded. "Great. Whenever you're ready."
Nikki looked thoughtful for a moment, thinking of what song she wanted to do next, before she smiled and started playing.
Stop thinking' 'bout yesterday
And dwelling on all your past mistakes
Don't even think about tomorrow
Try to do whatever it takes
You say you wanna live like there's no tomorrow
You wanna laugh until you cry
You say you wanna love me and never leave
So tell me baby
Why don't you?
Live life to the extreme
That's what we've always been told
Plant the seed of life
And nurture it 'til it grows
But you can't even see what's right in front of your face
It's me, baby
The one willing to take her place
You say you wanna live like there's no tomorrow
You wanna laugh until you cry
You say you wanna love me and never leave
So tell me, baby
Why don't you?
Don't give me the run around
With your feet firmly on the ground
Make up your mind
Come on and spread your wings and fly
Stop thinkin' 'bout yesterday
Why don't you?
"That was awesome!" Stella squealed.
"I loved that song! I'm so recording it for my phone," Macy said.
Nikki laughed lightly. "It certainly would be one of a kind."
"You ready for another?" Tom asked.
"Could I get some water first?" Nikki asked.
Tom nodded. "Of course! I'll be right back." He hurried downstairs as Nikki removed her headphones and stepped out of the recording room.
"You're doing great," Kevin said as she came up to them.
"Thanks guys. Having my own support team helps a lot too."
"Glad we can be of assistance," Joe said smugly. Stella smacked his arm slightly.
"Conceited much?" she asked teasingly.
"That was so uncalled for," he retorted.
"Here ya go!" Tom said, handing Nikki a bottle of water.
"Thanks," she said before taking a swig of it. "Mmm. Much better. Ok. I'm ready." She headed back to the booth and set up once again.
Nick gave her a nod to let her know they were ready for her.
Give me skies of black and blue
The way you make me feel.
Give me skies of green and red
Cold winds will make it real.
Storms are brewing deep within
Of hurt and loss of pride.
It's good to see the world in pain
When I take a walk outside.
When it rains, I don't mind being lonely.
I cry right along with the sky.
When it rains, I don't pretend to be happy.
I don't even have to try.
When it rains
Some people get down to sportin' a frown.
So I fit right in.
Yeah the sun may brighten your day
But if I had my way I'd take the rain.
I don't care about politics
Or the hypocrites on my T.V.
I'm not mad at the boy who left
Because he couldn't be with me.
So make up the theories
About the scandals and the lies.
Start out depressed
Everything comes as a pleasant surprise.
When it rains, I don't mind being lonely.
I cry right along with the sky.
When it rains, I don't pretend to be happy.
I don't even have to try.
When it rains
Some people get down to sportin' a frown.
So I fit right in.
Yeah the sun may brighten your day
But if I had my way I'd take the rain.
When it rains, I don't mind being lonely.
I cry right along with the sky.
When it rains, I don't pretend to be happy.
I don't even have to try.
When it rains, I don't mind being lonely.
I cry right along with the sky.
When it rains, I don't pretend to be happy.
I don't even have to try.
When it rains, some people get down to sportin' a frown.
So I fit right in.
Yeah the sun may brighten your day
But if I had my way I'd take the rain.
"That song was sweet! You seriously wrote that?" Macy asked.
Nikki nodded. "Yeah. I wrote it during a down time."
Nick nodded. "Those are the times you get some of the best songs."
"Yeah he would know," Kevin said jokingly.
"Alright. Number four. You ready?" Tom asked.
Nikki nodded as she took another swig from her water bottle. "Sure thing."
My Mama mapped out the road that she knows
Which hands you shake and which hands you hold
In my hand-me-down Mercury, ready to roll
She knew that I had to go
And hangout, make lots of noise
And layout late with a boy
Make the mistakes that she made 'cause she knew all along
I was already gone
I was already gone
I was already gone
Life is a runaway train you can't wait to jump on
They say the first time won't ever last
But that didn't stop me, the first time he laughed
All my friends tried to warn me the day that we met
"Girl, don't you lose your heart yet"
But his dark eyes dared me with danger
And sparks fly like flames to a paper
Fire in his touch burning me up (she winked at Joe who smiled), but still I held on
'Cause I was already gone
I was already gone
I was already gone
Life is a runaway train you can't wait to jump on
The last time I saw him, we packed up my things
And he smiled like the first time he told me his name
And we cried with each other
We split the blame for the parts that we couldn't change
Pictures, dishes, and socks
It's our whole life down to one box
There he was waving goodbye on the front porch alone
But I was already gone
I was already gone
I was already gone
I was already gone
I was already gone
Hangout, make lots of noise
And layout late with a boy
Make the mistakes that she made, life is a runaway train
His dark eyes dared me with danger
And sparks fly like flame to a paper, Fire in his touch
Life is a runaway train you can't wait to jump on
"I take back what I said. This is my new favorite song and my new ringtone," Macy said.
"I think we have a new musical genius on our hands," Joe said, clapping a hand on Nick's shoulder.
Nick smirked and shook his head. "You ready for your last song, Nikki?" he asked.
Nikki nodded. "Sure am."
They say this town
The starts stay up all night
Well I don't know
Can't see 'em
For the glow of the neon lights
Well it's a long way
From here to the place where the home fires burn
Well it's 2000 miles and one left turn
Dear Mom and Dad please send money
I'm so broke that it ain't funny
Well I don't need much just enough to get me through
Please don't worry 'cause I'm alright
See I'm playing here at the bar tonight, well
This time I'm gonna make our dreams come true
Well I love you more than anything in the world
Love your baby girl
Black top, blue sky, big town full of little white lies
Everybody's your 'friend' you can never be sure
They'll promise fancy cars and diamond rings
And all sorts of shiny things
But girl you'll remember what your knees are for
Dear Mom and Dad please send money
I'm so broke that it ain't funny
Well I don't need much just enough to get me through
Please don't worry 'cause I'm alright
See I'm playing here at the bar tonight, well
This time I'm gonna make our dreams come true
Well I love you more than anything in the world
Love your baby girl
I know that I am on my way,
Well I can tell every time I play
And I know it's worth all those dues I've paid
When I can write to you and say…
Dear Mom and Dad I send money
I'm so rich that it ain't funny
Well it outta be more than enough to get you through
Please don't worry 'cause I'm alright
See I'm staying here at the Ritz tonight, well
What do you know we made our dreams come true
And there are fancy cars and diamond rings
But you know that they don't mean a thing
'Cause they all add up to nothing compared to you
Well remember me in ribbons and curls,
I still love you more that anything in the world,
Love your baby girl
Your baby girl
Your baby girl
Dreams come true
"That's a wrap!" Tom said as everyone applauded. Nikki emerged from the recording room with a smile on her face.
"Well I think it's safe to say that you won't have to be performing in any bars for money," Joe said as she replaced her guitar back in it's case.
Nikki chuckled. "So you guys really liked them? You're not just saying that so you won't hurt my feelings?"
"I think it's safe to say you're our new favorite country artist," Nick said with a rare smile.
Nikki smiled at them. "Thank you so much guys. I honestly don't know how to thank you enough and let you know how grateful I am for this."
"It's our pleasure. Now. Nick? Set everything up, burn it, and then bring it down to my office. I want it in the mail first thing in the morning!"
"You got it," Nick said as he started messing with the computer hooked up to the soundboard.
"Well as much as we'd like to stay, Macy and I gotta get going," Stella said.
"Oh yeah! We've got to get to your cousin's barbeque," Macy said, making a face.
"If it's her cousin, why are you going?" Nick asked.
"Because he requested that she did," Stella said, eyeing Nick carefully.
"He?" Nick asked, his face hardening and his body instantly stiffening.
"Yes he," Macy said, as she sat in his lap, his arms instantly wrapping protectively around her. "But I promise you don't have to worry."
"I don't huh?" he asked.
Macy smirked. "Nope. Cause he's ten."
Stella grinned as she saw Nick's body relax. "Oh right."
"You know? I like this protective side of you. It's kinda hot," Macy said softly.
Nick smirked as he kissed her before Joe said, "Ok! Awkward!"
Macy pulled away with a slight blush on her face before she hopped up. "Alright. Let's get going."
"Bye Joe," Stella said, quickly pecking his lips before she and Macy turned to Nikki to hug her. They said their good-byes to everyone else before they exited the room.
"You do know I'm now going to be making fun of you for being jealous of a ten year old, right?" Joe said, sitting in the chair next to Nick.
Nick frowned. "Shut up. I didn't know."
"So? It's still gonna be fun."
"Seriously Joe."
"I mean, think about it. Their first date, they'd go to McDonald's for happy meals then to the arcade for four hours."
"Joe-"
"And he wouldn't kiss her or hold her hand because he's probably still in that 'eww cooties!' stage."
"Joe-"
"And after their date, she'd take him upstairs, tuck him in and read him a bed time story!"
"JOE!"
Joe stopped his rant to look over at Nick who looked thoroughly annoyed. "I get it. Thank you." Kevin and Nikki snickered lightly before Nick popped a CD out of the computer. "Alright. I'm going to go give this to dad and grab something to eat."
"I'm coming with. Not because I want to bug you some more but because I am hungry," Joe said.
Nick rolled his eyes as he reached the fire pole. "You guys coming?"
"We'll be there in a minute," Kevin said.
Nick nodded once before sliding down, but Joe gave them a knowing look. "No funny business," he said lightly with a smile before he disappeared down the pole as well.
Kevin shook his head before he turned to Nikki. She smiled up at him as he wrapped his arms around her waist. "I'm very proud of you," he said.
Nikki hooked her hands behind his neck before she said, "Thank you. For supporting me and giving me this opportunity. I don't know how to thank you enough."
"I can think of a way," he said lowly.
"I don't know how to teach an otter to play the trumpet," she said with a small laugh.
"Well than I can think of another way," he said laughing lightly.
"Then lay it on me," she said.
"Ok then," he said before leaning down and lightly pressing his lips to hers. Nikki instantly kissed him back and both could almost instantly tell this kiss was different from the one they shared on the roof. It quickly progressed as Kevin deepened the kiss, making Nikki moan and press herself closer to him. His arms tightened around her as her nails lightly ran across the back of his neck, making chills run down his spine. The kiss ended slowly as their need for air surfaced.
"I'll have to thank you more often," Nikki said softly as she grinned at him.
"Anytime you feel it's necessary," he said, grinning back at her.
They leaned again, but before their lips could touch, they heard. "KEVIN!"
Kevin sighed as he leaned back. "What?"
"You…uh-have a visitor!" he heard Joe call back.
Kevin looked down at Nikki with furrowed eyebrows. "I do?" he asked her.
Nikki shrugged a shoulder. "I suppose so."
Kevin released her but took her hand and led her to the stairs. "Then let's go see."
They went downstairs and after they both hit the landing, when Kevin saw who was standing there, he froze.
"Staci?" he asked in a soft, confused tone.
The long haired brunette smiled at him. "Kevin! How are you?" she asked before launching herself into his arms to hug him.
Kevin stumbled back a step before he awkwardly hugged her back. "I'm great. What are you doing here?" he asked as she stepped back from him.
"Well…I actually just moved back into town so I thought I'd swing by to surprise you."
"Well you definitely surprised us," Nick muttered.
Staci turned to glare at the younger boy before she turned back to smile sweetly at Kevin. "Who's this?" she asked, gesturing to Nikki.
"Oh. Uh, Staci, this is my girlfriend, Nikki. Nikki, this is-uh Staci."
Nikki smiled at her. "Nice to meet you."
Staci gave her a fake grin before she said, "Um, Kevin? Can I talk to you a minute? Alone?"
Nikki and Kevin frowned. He looked back and forth between Nikki and Staci a minute before he nodded. "Uh-sure. Kitchen?"
Staci simply turned and headed towards the kitchen with Kevin behind her. He turned to his brothers to mouth 'help me!' before he disappeared.
"Oh boy," Joe mumbled.
"What's going on?" Nikki asked, stepping up to Joe and Nick.
"That's his ex-girlfriend," Nick said.
Nikki stiffened. "His ex-girlfriend?"
Joe and Nick nodded. "Yeah. We were just as surprised as everybody else when she showed up. We haven't seen her since they broke up about three years ago."
Nikki had an uneasy feeling written on her face. "What's wrong?" Nick asked, taking a step towards her.
Nikki sighed. "Well Stella told me that she broke up with him because she couldn't handle dating a rock star, and it broke his heart. What if he still has feelings for her?"
Joe and Nick shook their heads. "He doesn't. Trust me. That and I know for a fact that he really cares for you. You have nothing to worry about."
"What?!"
Joe, Nick, and Nikki turned their attention to the kitchen where they just heard a screech.
"Uh oh," Joe mumbled.
"Anyone up for a peek?" Nick suggested.
Joe and Nikki nodded as they made their way to the kitchen doorway.
"I don't understand why you're overreacting, Staci," Kevin said.
"Because you'd rather be with her than me!"
"If I remember correctly, you broke up with me."
"But I've seen the error of my ways! I've realized how stupid I was and want nothing more than to prove that to you," she said, inching closer to him.
"It took you three years?" Kevin asked, thoroughly confused.
"All that matters is that I'm here now, right?" she cooed, reached up and running the back of her fingers across his cheek. Nikki tensed up and looked ready to pounce, but Nick put a hand on her shoulder.
Kevin flinched away from her hand before he said, "I'm serious, Staci. You're too late."
"You can't stand there and say you didn't miss me," she said in a low tone stepping closer, making Kevin take a step back so that he was pressed against the counter.
"I'm not going to lie and say I didn't after we first broke up, but now, Nikki's the best thing that's ever happened to me. She understands, she doesn't judge, she's fun to be around, she's talented, she's-"
Staci held up a hand. "I don't want to hear it. This wasn't supposed to happen this way," she said, stomping a foot.
"What did you expect? That I'd still be drowning in sorrow over losing you and fall back into your arms?"
"Well yes."
"You did always get your way," he said simply.
Staci smirked as she took another step towards him to press herself against him. "Exactly," she whispered, drawing her face closer to his.
Nikki took a threatening step towards the door, but Nick wrapped his arms around her shoulders to draw her back. "I'll blacken those eyes so good she won't need that smoky look," Nikki growled.
"Nikki. Calm down," Nick whispered in her ear.
They watched as Kevin brought his hands up to tightly grip Staci's arms and push her back. "Look. I understand in the past you were used to always getting your way, but not anymore. I really like Nikki, and I see us going somewhere. Ironically, I could never see past tomorrow with us. I'm sorry, Staci, but what we had is over, and it's never going to rekindle itself."
Staci's mouth dropped open before her eyes flashed, and she slapped Kevin across the face. Kevin's face turned to the right from the blow, and Joe and Nick's eyes and mouths dropped with shock. Nikki took this opportunity to rip herself from Nick's grip and march into the kitchen.
Staci turned towards her when she heard footsteps across the floor. Staci sneered at her. "Don't think you've won yet, sweetheart," she sneered.
Kevin turned to look at Nikki and was taken aback by the calm expression on her face. Nikki smirked at her before she whispered, "I don't think, honey. I know."
Staci raised her hand to slap Nikki, but Nikki's hand shot up and caught it with swift ease. Staci looked shocked for a moment before she tried with the other hand which Nikki caught as well, twisting her to where her hands were now pinned behind her back. "Didn't see that coming did you?" Nikki asked her.
"Let me go, you bitch!" Staci said between her teeth.
Joe and Nick came into the room, eyebrows raised.
"Now now! Language missy! Where's that going to get you in life?" Nikki asked calmly, holding on to the struggling girl in her arms.
"Let. Me. Go!" she said again in a threatening voice.
"Not until you apologize," Nikki said.
"I'm not apologizing to you!" she screeched.
"Oh honey I could careless if you apologized to me. I meant Kevin."
Staci looked up at Kevin who was staring at her with a piercing gaze, a red mark starting to appear on is cheek. She glared at him momentarily before she said through her teeth, "I'm sorry."
"For?" Nikki urged, and Joe and Nick had to fight back the urge to laugh.
"For slapping you," Staci said lowly.
"And for intruding on his perfectly good life?" Nikki urged again.
Staci growled before she said, "And for intruding on your perfectly good life."
Nikki smiled. "Now. That wasn't so hard was it?" She turned Staci to the kitchen door, and Joe eagerly opened it for her as Nikki led her to the front door. She released her when they reached it, and Staci spun around so fast, Nikki had to tuck back to avoid being hit by her hair.
"You're going to regret this. All of you!" she said menacingly.
"Do we really need to repeat what we just went through?" Nikki asked, arms crossed across her chest.
"I think you've over stayed your welcome," Nick said, opening the front door.
"This isn't over!" she said as she stepped through and turned back to them.
"Yes. Yes it is," Nikki said as Nick slammed the door in front of her face.
They heard a yell from the other side of the door before they heard the sound of retreating footsteps.
"That. Was. Awesome Nikki!" Joe said, him and Nick giving her a high five.
"I have to go call Macy and tell her," Nick said, turning towards the stairs.
"I gotta tell Stella too. She's gonna be so upset she missed it!" Joe said, following him.
Nikki turned to Kevin with a sheepish look. "I'm sorry I had to do that. She was ju-"
Nikki was cut off when a pair of warm lips covered hers in a fervent kiss. She made a small noise in the back of her throat before she kissed him back. After a few seconds, Kevin pulled back before he said, "Don't be sorry. That was…kinda hot." His ears turned red at his own choice of words.
"Well I always knew that self defense class would come in handy," she said with a grin.
Kevin tried to smile back before he winced. "Ow," he muttered, bringing his hand up to his swelling cheek.
"Oooo. She gotcha kinda good didn't she?" she asked, raising her hand slightly.
"I'd say so," he muttered.
"Come on. Let's get some ice on it," she said, taking his hand and leading him back to the kitchen. Kevin winced slightly at the cold contact of frozen peas to the side of his face. "Sorry, but it's gonna help," she whispered as she held the pack up to his face.
Kevin stared back at her. "You're amazing," he whispered back.
Nikki grinned. "So I've heard," she said.
It was silent for a moment before he said, "What are you doing tonight?"
Nikki shook her head. "Nothing. Why?"
"Well I was wondering if you'd like to go to dinner. Just you and me. We could try and catch a movie afterwards if you'd like?"
Nikki smiled at him. "I'd love to."
Kevin grinned as much as he could. "Great," he said softly.
A/N- Alright! Here is it! The last chapter I have written! Now I need your help to go from here. I have the title (Happliy Ever After...cliche right?). I just need some help as to what to put into the chapter. Remember guys, this story's T. I'm not going higher for this one. Sorry. Maybe next time ;). But I'm serious guys! Help me! I really want to finish this and make it what you guys want. I'll be watching my inbox!
P.S.- For those of you have read my story already, you'll see that Kevin's ex-girlfriend changed. I felt really awkward leaving it as Danielle because I personally have nothing against her and and am SUPER happy for them both. So I changed it, and I feel much better now. =)
-NikNak5