Chapter 16.
Nick.
Five words in total…
That's all it truly took for a person who was feeling deflated and let down by the world to just feel a little bit better about themselves. Problem was those fives words had to be spoken by another, and that meant someone else had to recognise and see the true feelings that often the individual tried to hide. So as I sat eating lunch with Miley in the patrol car a week later her face still pale and insecure I decided to say it to her.
"I am proud of you."
Miley turned holding the sandwich looking at me confused, "For talking to me the other night," I stated as she looked at me her face picking up a little, "I should have said it earlier, but I guess I was still comprehending how much you told me. I'm proud of you for being brave enough to let me in Miles,"
She smirked giving me a look, "Who said I let you in? I have more secrets."
Five words that was all it took, and she was smiling again.
"So when are we going on a date?"
Miley chocked on the sandwich looking towards me wide eyed as I smiled at her. "I mean I know we've completely wrecked the order, I've already gone to first base, I've slept in your bed briefly before being kicked out by your Uncle in the middle of the night if that counts as a base. So I'm thinking we should reverse and got back to the start before we hit a home run without a single date,"
"I'm not that easy!" Miley quickly responded.
"I don't doubt that, but I am quite charming you may fall under my spell."
"I already have," She murmured still smiling. "But I don't really like dates,"
Miley looked at me as I grinned at her amazed, "You don't like dates?"
"No, what's to like? I never know what to talk about, conversation is always so tense and restricted not to mention I always order something small so I don't look like a pig which means I'm hungry the rest of the date. Then at the end it's completely awkward. Plus I think you and me have past the first five dates, maybe even more, we know a lot about each other."
"Fair point"
"So I don't want to go out if you're labeling it a date." She responded seriously.
"What if I asked you to dinner?"
"At a restaurant?" She asked looking at me with raised eyebrows.
"Yes-"
"No, still sounding too much like a date."
I stared her giving a small chuckle, "You're a hard woman to understand and please Miss Stewart, fine what about dinner at my place I'll make sure Joe and his little play toy whoever she may be are out of the house." Miley looked at me biting her lip and nodding,
"You'll cook?"
"No," I responded as her face fell, "We'll cook, together."
"Okay," She whispered, "That sounds like fun."
"Tonight?"
Her face instantly screwed up apologetic, "I already have places with Jason-"
"Cancel." I ordered.
Miley gave a sigh shaking her head, "I can't cancel he's my Uncle-"
"He's not your boss at home! So cancel on him, make up an excuse."
"Like what?"
"Like you want to have sex with me."
Miley rolled her eyes nodding, "Oh yeah I'm sure that would go down fabulous Nick! He already thinks I'm a complete train wreck from Joe's party," She announced pulling out her cell, "I'll just call Amy and tell her I'm going on a date."
"But you said-"
"I hate dates," Miley responded pressing the phone to her ear, "But my aunt will be so thrilled by the concept of me doing something normal for once she'll be over the moon if I even mention the word date. Let alone the fact I'm going out with a boy, to her it means I'm doing something else other than thinking about my parents."
I watched Miley intently as she left a message for her aunt, which was over the top pleasant to her normal attitude. I was definitely seeing it, that she spoke to different people in her life depending on how they saw her. With her colleagues she was grounded, confident and hardcore, with her Aunt and Uncle she was constantly trying to present an image of happiness and with me, well I was pretty sure I was getting the uncensored version of both personalities.
Miley went back to eating lunch until finally we were requested to do a walk through Central Park as a disturbance had been reported. Miley's face instantly lit up the second the word Park was mentioned as I picked up the receiver sending a message back that we'd take it,
"You like Central Park?"
"I love Central Park," Miley corrected me grinning,
"Why it's just a bunch of trees?"
"It's the definition of freedom Nick." She responded grinning staring out the window, "When I was in school I used to go there all the time just to clear my head and study. I could step back from the hustle and bustle of the city life and just relax for a while, without anyone watching. Don't you ever get tired of it?" Miley looked at me as I turned a corner,
"No I love the city life,"
"We couldn't be more opposite you know?" Miley announced.
"Opposites attract,"
Miley gave a small laugh, "That they do, which reminds me what were you saying about your brother and his play toy?" She asked intrigued.
I huffed shaking my head, "Since his birthday Joe's been pretty much ignoring me, then once they'd dropped the engagement bombshell my brother's have basically cut all communication." I explained as Miley leaned on the dashboard nodding, "However Joe hasn't been alone in the apartment, I saw him washing a bra the other day and there have been some very interesting noises coming from his bedroom along with quick exits in the morning…"
"A bra?" Miley murmured, "What color?"
"What does it matter?"
Miley's lips sealed as I looked at her, "Miley what do you know?"
"I don't know anything." She responded absently,
"Yes you do, it's written all across your face- tell me."
Miley groaned, "Well…I don't know if I should tell you this." She announced looking out the window, "I mean it probably breaks every girl code there is, but I don't exactly know the codes so-"
"Just tell me!"
"When I left you on the morning after Joe's party I saw Demi and Joe in the kitchen."
I instantly laughed at her mockingly, "Demi? She just stayed over the night."
"I'm not done Nick, hear me out."
Miley looked at me with raised eyebrows as my laughter faltered, completely ending. "Demi made some complaint about her body aching, to which Joe responded by saying it was because he rocked her world." My eyes widened as Miley looked away shaking her head, "Plus Demi is all giddy at work, like she's on a high, a sex high if you get my drift. I think your best friend and brother have some kind of friend's with benefits thing going on?"
"Friends with benefits?"
"Yes Friends with benefits."
My eyes widened, "What the-"
"Nick red light!" Miley yelled.
I slammed on the brake furious, "How could they do this?" I felt myself yell looking at Miley, "How could they go behind my back and screw each other! I can't believe it, I mean Joe yes but Demi? She acts so classy and now I find out she is slutting it up with my brother! Why the hell didn't they tell me?"
"Most likely because they knew you'd react like this."
"Like what?"
"I can't decide if you're in a jealous rage, or just a rage." Miley murmured.
"Jealous? Why the hell would I be jealous of-"
"Because he's getting some and your not."
"How would you know if I was getting some or not?" I spat back at her,
Miley instantly looked embarrassed as I closed my eyes shaking my head, "Miley I'm not…I worded that badly, I'm not okay." I responded seriously, calming down as she stared at the window,
"It's fine, I mean I don't mind, it's not like we're together or anything?"
Miley fell silent as I reached out putting my hand on her leg, her eyes drifted back to mine as I smiled at her. "Well we're…" I stopped realizing she didn't like the term date did that mean she didn't like dating? Miley stared at me confused as I tried to think of something. "Well like you said we…" I trailed off again feeling uncertainty because I wanted to say it, I did, but I didn't exactly know how she'd react,
"Green light," Miley announced,
"I haven't even asked yet and you're saying yes?" I asked confused.
Miley blinked and pointed out the window, "Actual green light Nick?"
"OH, oh right…" I hit the accelerator quickly, moving across the busy intersection as Miley frowned.
"What did you mean about asking? What were you gonna say?"
"I was just…" I stopped trying to word it right as Miley waited patiently, "You know…"
"I don't actually," Miley responded,
"Well, I think we're practically together?"
Miley nodded in agreement, "Yeah I mean we're partners, and we've kissed-"
"Twice, but still- it wasn't just a average kiss."
"No, no it wasn't," Miley, responded quietly,
"So if we're not going to date," I stated carefully, "We might as well…be a couple."
Miley turned staring at me blankly as I shrugged feeling hell nervous and sick by her expression, "I mean if you want too, I guess it's up to you really, it's fine if you don't, I mean-"
"I feel like you haven't done this before Nick." Miley interrupted.
Her eyes scanned mine, "But you always have girlfriends?" She asked confused,
"No I always have dates and you're not a date so-"
"I'm your girlfriend?" She asked,
I nodded as she smirked looking at me, "So you're my boyfriend?"
"This sounds very high school," I murmured.
"I need you to confirm exactly what-"
"I'm in love with you god damn it." I yelled at Miley as her mouth dropped.
Miley.
"He said WHAT?"
Selena and Demi both stood staring directly at me, wide eyed, open mouthed and completely shocked as I remained pushed up against the wall completely trapped. "Well…" I started stopping playing with my sleeve, "I think he said it, no he definitely did, I just…" I shook my head feeling confused and dazed,
"I can't believe he said that, what did you do?" Selena asked her voice rising,
"I…" My throat let out a groan as I shrugged, "I gawked at him."
"You didn't say it back?"
"A part of me thought he might have been joking, I just, I didn't know what to do! It was so out of the blue! I didn't have time to think about it! Thankfully we got a radio message telling us to come back to the department," I responded closing my eyes shaking my head, "I didn't mean not to say it back I just…" I covered my face with my hands, "I didn't expect it,"
"Did he seem upset?" Demi murmured,
"No, he seemed about as shocked as I did." I stated honestly.
"I can't believe he said it."
"Nick announcing he loves someone. This has never happened before."
"We did kind of see it coming though," Selena stated looking to Demi who nodded in agreement, "I mean he cares a hell of a lot about her, and we already know you're completely entranced by him I mean look at yourself you're completely dazed out of your mind." Selena continued motioning to me as I frowned at her,
"So what do I do? Go over and say it back?"
"NO!" Both of them yelled at me,
I stepped back hitting the wall shrugging, "Why not?"
"I'm sorry but you missed the time to say it back," Demi responded,
"Then what do I do? Wait for another chance?"
They both nodded looking at me, "When are you seeing him next?"
"Tonight,"
"Tonight?" Demi asked looking at me, "You two going out-"
"We're cooking dinner at his place together."
"Together?"
"Yeah I just-"
"It's like they're married!" Selena hissed turning to Demi scared,
"No this is the honeymoon period, for sure, he's trying to do anything to please her!" Demi proclaimed turning back to me, "Look it's going to be fine, just wait for the right time to say it back to him tonight."
"When will the right time be?" I whispered.
They both exchanged a look as Sel looked at me, "Hun you'll just know."
"Are you sure?"
"We're sure."
I didn't see Nick the rest of my shift but received a very excited call from my Aunt who tried to convince me that bringing my date over to have dinner with her and my uncle would be a fantastic idea. I politely declined. By the time I got home I was getting nervous, he hadn't texted me about tonight and I was starting to think he was regretting not only saying that he loved me but our whole relationship. That was until I got a text confirming tonight, relief washed over me as I threw myself into my wardrobe trying to decide on what was the best suited for the occasion. I decided to keep it simple, plain dress and flats.
I arrived at Nick's my body jittery while my stomach was filled with butterflies. This was exactly why I hated dates, I didn't like feeling so completely on edge. I raised my hand and knocked chewing the inside of my mouth, rocking on my feet as the door opened.
Nick's smile instantly filled my eyes as I felt everything in me dissolve,
"Hey," I whispered,
"Hey yourself, come in…"
Nick moved aside allowing me access to the apartment. I gazed around letting me sober eyes take in what could only be described as a bachelor pad. Nick moved up beside me giving a look,
"Seems different when you're not drunk or high?"
"Yeah," I murmured,
"Well it's not your up market apartment, but it's home."
"It's nice." I responded looking up at him.
"Good, you look beautiful Miley."
"You too." I responded stupidly as I instantly shook my head, "I mean you look nice, handsome even-"
"You haven't even looked at what I'm wearing." Nick murmured.
I gave an awkward laugh, because he was right I couldn't stop staring at his face. I gazed down at his shirt and shorts, they looked good on him, but I definitely would rather have taken the shirt off. I felt warm at the idea as I looked up at him embarrassed and Nick laughed leaning across kissing my cheek,
"Come on, remember you're helping cook dinner."
"I know," I responded smiling,
Nick reached out taking my hand pulling me into the kitchen as my eyes instantly fell on the fridge. Nick turned and stared at it as well, his lips slowly edging into a smirk. "You and the fridge had quite a good time at Joe's party, I was almost concerned you were going to sexually abuse it at one point with all that grinding you were doing." Nick joked as I groaned
"I was so drunk," I murmured shaking my head
"And high off your head."
"At least I kept everyone entertained right?"
"Entertained, that's an understatement,"
I laughed as I turned to the counter to find ingredients spread out across it.
"So what are we making?"
"My mom's famous pasta, let's hope I get it right."
"Wouldn't want to insult your mom, okay let's do this!"
I'd never been a good cook, and as Nick moved around the kitchen explaining things and giving me instructions I felt overloaded. When it actually came down to doing what he said I began failing miserably, Nick didn't even laugh though and carefully explained things in more detail showing me what to do. He intently watched me the whole time as I carefully sliced up the herbs,
"Come here, it's easier if you do this…"
Nick moved up behind me, pressing his body up against mine as his arms wrapped around covering his fingers over mine. "You need to slide the knife down, don't just chop it, be more gentle okay?" He whispered in my ear as I tried to concentrate on the task at hand,
"Uhuh,"
"You got it?" He asked me,
"Uhuh,"
"You sure Miley?"
"Uhuh,"
He chuckled and leaned his head down. I turned our noses almost brushing as I closed my eyes wanting nothing more than to kiss him,
"It feels like I might be distracting you?"
"You are," I whispered smiling, "A lot,"
"And what if I do this…" Nick pressed his lips against mine pulling away almost instantly "Is that distracting Miley?"
"Yes," I whispered smiling,
"Good distraction?"
"Amazing distraction,"
He pressed his lips against mine again as I dropped the knife refusing to let Nick tease me anymore. The second he tried to pull away from the kiss I refused and turned wrapping my arms around his neck drawing him closer. Nick smiled against my lips his body moving up against mine, fitting perfectly as we continued to kiss against the counter. The happiness Nick made me experience was like a drug, it was fiery passionate and I wanted nothing more than to feel like this for the rest of my life.
Nick eventually pulled away resting his forehead against mine,
"Now you're distracting me," He murmured trailing kisses down my jawbone,
"In a good way?" I repeated this time as he smiled,
"In an amazing way, but…"
Nick trailed off detaching his lips from my skin as I felt my body almost drop with his lips gone from mine. Nick smiled at me and motioned around the kitchen, "I think we should continue that after dinner. Get back to cutting Miss Stewart." He stated with authority his hand squeezing my ass as I gave a short laugh turning around.
Half an hour later I was sitting at Nick's table, a huge bowl of spaghetti Bolognese before me. "So is this better than a date? It wasn't too awkward, we kept up conversation I even taught you how to correctly cut basil. Not to mention, look how much food you've gotten and if you eat it all I will not judge at all I swear." Nick proclaimed as I smiled at him,
"This is the best non date I've ever been on."
"Good, I'm happy you've enjoyed it."
"I have, thank you." I whispered seriously,
"It's my pleasure, now let's see if our cooking is up to scratch."
The spaghetti was amazing to say the least, and sure like most spaghetti Bolognese it tasted relatively the same but the thing was we had made it, and that just made it a million times better. The conversation was light at dinner and Nick continually made me laugh something I'd never expected when I first met him, yet here we were. Nick was right it wasn't awkward I'd almost call it natural and although I was still nervous about finding the right time Nick didn't seem to be acting any different. After we finished Nick went and cleaned up, refusing to let me help as I went and collapsed onto his sofa staring around again.
"What are you looking at?" Nick asked me minutes later sitting down,
"I like your apartment, it's very homely,"
"Homely?" I nodded leaning on him kicking off my shoes as Nick wrapped his arm around me. "Is that a nice way of saying messy, disgusting and completely too small for two people to live in?"
"No," I responded shaking my head, "I feel normal here."
"Good, you can come over anytime okay?"
I turned and looked at Nick nervously as he stared at me. I opened my mouth wanting to say it, to tell him the truth as Nick sighed completely stealing the moment from me, "I know what you're about to say, and honestly I don't want you to say it to me Miley." He stated as I looked at him confused,
"Why not?"
"Look I shouldn't have just yelled it at you in the patrol car, and now I feel like I've pressured you into saying it back-"
"Nick I said it first when I was drunk." I murmured seriously, "I dropped it on you."
"You did, but you were drunk Miley meanwhile I was completely sober today."
"Just because I was drunk doesn't mean I wasn't telling the truth."
I looked towards him as Nick reached up gently touching my chin, "Today I caught you off guard I know that, hell I think I even caught myself off guard but I want you to know it was the truth Miley. As scary as it is for me to admit it, I do love you and I'm still trying to come to terms with that because I don't know how to deal with this, I haven't done-"
I leaned forward pressing my lips against his, staying there for a few seconds before pulling away. I looked at Nick sternly as he just stared at me,
"Shut up, I love you too okay?"
Nick grinned and leaned forward kissing me again as I smiled bringing him closer. A few minutes later Nick had deepened the kiss and my entire body was out of control, my mind gone while my heart had taken priority obscuring any logical thought I had left. I reclined onto the sofa pulling Nick with me, not breaking our passionate kiss, as his hands ran down the side of my body finding the base of my dress slowly tugging it up. I felt nervous yet I let him pull it up, breaking our kiss to discard it on the floor. Nick's hands instantly touched my naked skin, caressing it gently, his soft fingers making me almost moan in pleasure. I gained control of my shaky fingers undoing the buttons on his shirt helping him take it off as I dropped one of my hands to his chest,
"Miley," He murmured as I continued kissing him, "Miley, stop…Miley."
I frowned looking up at him confused as Nick pressed his index finger to his ear and then pointed at the door. The next thing I knew the door was unlocking and opening as Nick and me both scrambled up turning towards the wide open door,
"Oh good, you're still here. Mom this is Nick's latest fling Miley-"
I felt instant mortification as I looked at Joe smirking vengefully, alongside him a middle aged well dressed woman. She stared at me her eyes filled with disgust, as she turned to Nick her lips pursed disapprovingly,
"Looks like you haven't changed a bit Nicholas,"
A/N: Hey guys! Thanks for the reviews :) I know I'm being slow but I'm not giving up on any of my stories yet, you'll just have to be patient sorry! Hope you enjoyed the chapter :)