A/N: Ok so it's been wayyyyy too long since I updated this story so first I just wanted to say sorry. I posted a longer explanation on my tumblr but basically I had some personal stuff happen before Christmas and I just didn't have the time to update. When I came back to try and write again sadly I seemed to have lost my way with this story which was so frustrating as I have really enjoyed writing this fic. But as the past couple of episodes have been so amazing (3x13 Birthday seriously absolutely beautiful) I just couldn't leave this unfinished.
Thank you for being patient and sticking with this story, I promise this will be finished! Reviews and feedback would be amazing, hope you're all still enjoying it. To make up for the wait this chapter is extra long and a little M-rated.
Jess awoke with a satisfied moan, contently stretching her body beneath her flowery bedcovers. It had been just over a week since her jealousy-fuelled meltdown and though she had delivered her latest batch of apology cakes to Charlie, apologising profusely for her momentary madness, the pretty bartender still seemed genuinely a little frightened and strangely didn't seem to be working as many shifts with Nick now.
Nick had teased Jess, complaining he never seemed to reap the benefits of her apology baking but she had decided on a much more…satisfying way of making it up to him. Nick forgot all thoughts of baked goods instantly, much preferring Jess's plan which had involved most of the past week in bed with a beautiful naked woman. Way better than a cupcake.
As Jess slowly came to, shuffling closer to who Schmidt had described as her 'partner in furniture defilement' following a session of making-up on the couch. However Nick still appeared peacefully lost in the land of sleep. Jess allowed herself a minute to appreciate him, he was so incredibly handsome, all masculine and rough featured, he'd give any woman a reason to be jealous.
Still smiling she ran a finger down his cheek, across the stubbled-hair which was slowly on edging closer to beard territory, Jess having given Nick no time to shave over the past week. Not that she cared, Jess liked clean shaven Nick, scruff and stubble Nick, full on beard Nick, she just liked Nick. Her finger moved lower, tracing across his bottom lip.
"Quit it Jess." He mumbled not opening his eyes.
"Quit what?" she teased.
Slowly Nick blinked his eyes open, "You're doing the staring thing again."
Jess wriggled closer, "I can't help it Nicholas, you're just so darn cute." She said in a high pitched voice, squeezing his cheeks like a baby.
"Knock it off." Nick growled knocking her hand away and shaking his head. "Cute."
Nick tutted at her but Jess simply giggled back when suddenly an enormous bang vibrated through the entire loft, as though the front door had been violently flung open. Jess sprang up immediately, loud yelling and shouting followed from the living room. She shot a worried look at her door, unable to make out what was happening, it sounded like there was a lot of commotion going on.
"What's that?" she asked anxiously.
"If it's not a fire or Prank Sinatra I don't care." Nick grumbled, closing his eyes again, snuggling back against the pillows. "I care about sleep."
The noise continued to roar outside, though now it sounded more like cheering.
Jess looked down at him, "Why so grumpy grumpy?"
Nick opened one eye, "I'm tired. Someone has been using me as their personal sex toy for the past week."
Jess grinned, "Well you may as well have some uses Miller."
The noise outside didn't seem to be quietening down; the voices only getting louder and more animated. Nick ignored the growing ruckus completely pushing himself up on his elbows.
"I'm nothing more than a piece of meat to you am I, Jessica?" he asked feigning indignation.
Jess grinned, "Welllllllllllll…"
In a lightning flash Nick pushed Jess onto her back, his hands everywhere tickling and poking her. Jess squealed and giggled, trying to fight him off but she knew she held little chance, Nick was way too strong. Nick used one hand to pin hers above her head whilst the other continued to torture Jess as she writhed and squirmed in his hold. And though Jess hated to lose (especially to Nick) she had no choice, she was struggling to even breathe. Tickling was her major weakness, something Nick knew and loved to use to his advantage.
"Ok, ok…I give up, y-you win!" she squealed breathlessly.
Nick's roaming hand stopped, resting on her hip as he grinned down at her triumphantly. Jess scowled at his smug grin, doing her best to calm her ragged breathing but she was so worked up. Nick's eyes quickly fell to her heaving chest, all humour and playfulness gone from his face.
The feel of the room shifted instantly, all light-heartedness and teasing replaced by an intense want. Slowly Nick edged his hand upwards, tracing across the soft plain of her stomach, his mouth lowering, kissing her hard. Jess responded immediately, pouring everything she had into the kiss, her hands clutching at his hair. She whimpered as Nick broke his mouth from hers, trailing across her face and neck, her whole body coming alive as his hot lips sucked and nipped at her skin.
Both were so lost in one another they instantly forgot the continuing loud furore outside the door. Nick's hands were everywhere, caressing her, worshipping her, his body firm against hers as his lips once more trailed hot kisses across her collarbone and chest. He slid lower, brushing the sheet away, taking one rosy-hued nipple into his mouth, his tongue swirling expertly around it whilst his hand attended to the other.
"Uh…" Jess moaned above him, her fingers tightening their grip in his hair.
Nick's eyes shot to her face, a dark determined look within them, his mouth left her breast, moving lower, lips and tongue trailing the line of her stomach, delving teasingly into her belly button causing her to convulse beneath him.
"Nick…" she murmured, already beginning to lose control. Nick knew exactly how to touch her to make her come undone so expertly.
Despite the dwindling clarity of her mind Jess heard another roaring cheer from the living room, it sounded as though it was getting louder and closer.
"Nick." She said again. "I think…s-someone's coming."
Ignoring her words Nick grinned against her hip, his lips brushing over her skin as his hands trailed down her soft sides. He hooked his fingers into the hem of her underwear, ready to tug them off when Jess's bedroom door unexpectedly burst open.
In a flash of flying cushions, tangled covers and an unexpectedly hard kick in the chest Nick found himself flung backwards off the bed and face down on Jess's bedroom floor.
"Well I'll be damned." A surprising but familiar sounding voice said from the doorway.
"Told you." An even more familiar though much less impressed voice chipped in. "They're animals, filthy disgusting animals. I'm going to have to get one of those water sprays."
"Schmidt!" Jess cried covering her near total nakedness with a sheet. "What the hell?"
Nick scrambled to his knees, rubbing the sore spot where Jess's foot had painfully connected with his chest as he took in the scene around him. In the roommate stood his roommates, Winston desperately trying to look anywhere but at Jess and failing miserably whilst Schmidt glared furiously like a guy whose pet had just peed on the carpet. Furious himself Nick opened his mouth to yell at them both when he noticed a third person beside them.
In a state of total shock Nick stared at a face he hadn't seen in two years grinning back at him.
"Coach?" Nick croaked.
"'Sup Miller. Long time no see."
Twenty minutes later Winston, Coach, Nick and a pyjama and robe covered Jess had assembled in the kitchen. Once he'd gotten over the initial shock and embarrassment Nick had been overjoyed to see his old friend again.
Jess had hung back a little and given the guys their moment to excitedly hug and jump around, which she had learnt in her two years of living in the loft was how they celebrated anything and everything. Instead being Jess she had insisted on making Coach a 'welcome back' breakfast, though Coach had seemed a little hesitant at the idea.
"If you don't like my pancakes well, then son, I'll tickle your pickle for a nickel." Jess said ending with her usual chuckle.
Coach hadn't responded to her typical Jess-ism, instead he gave her an uncertain, almost dismissive kind of look. Nick frowned, assuming Coach wasn't used to Jess's quirkiness the way he and the others were, he'd only lived with her for two weeks.
Jess of course was oblivious, dancing around the kitchen, humming to herself as she cooked. Maybe Nick was imaging things, after all Coach had never exactly been comfortable around women anyways and Jess was most definitely a special kind of woman.
"Seriously man I can't believe you're here." Nick said patting his newly returned friend on the back. "This is awesome."
"I'd ask if you've missed me but I think I already know the answer." Coach replied glancing at Jess as twirled on the spot.
Nick shifted on his stool; something in Coach's tone was a little off, colder than usual, almost…jealous?
"Watch it Coach, I'd hate to ruin this reunion by kicking your ass." Nick said sipping his coffee.
Nick meant his words to sound playful and jokey but he heard the definite edge to his tone.
Coach scoffed, "Easy Nick, I wouldn't wanna embarrass you in front of your girlfriend."
Nick opened his mouth to respond but was distracted as Schmidt slid onto the stool beside him. Nick instantly forgot about Coach's strange mood.
"Jessica will you please be careful, I just had my pans anodised! Your scrambling skills get far too aggressive…" Schmidt stopped mid-sentence feeling a sharp pain at the back of his head. "Ow! What the hell!" he turned scowling at the three suspects beside him. "Which one of you hoodlums assaulted me?"
"That would be me." Nick growled.
"Why?" Schmidt demanded.
"Because you're you Schmidt. I don't need any more reason than that."
Schmidt rolled his eyes, "Hilarious Nick."
Coach and Winston sniggered into their coffee whilst Jess turned and gave Nick a disapproving frown.
"Oh I see, this is about our interruption of the daily Nick and Jess sex show." Schmidt said noting their exchange.
Nick clenched his teeth, "Can it Schmidt."
Schmidt shook his head, "That wasn't my fault."
"You could have at least knocked jackass!" Nick growled flabbergasted.
"I did! Numerous times I might add." Schmidt snapped. "It's not my fault you were too busy navigating your way through Jess's scatter cushions and lady garden to hear me."
Nick didn't answer, instead hitting Schmidt on the head again though a lot harder as the other guys both yelled 'jar' in unison. Nick shot Schmidt another irate glare before turning back to Coach.
"Please tell me you're moving back and we can send that…" he pointed to Schmidt. "Back to New Jersey."
"Don't be ridiculous Nick; you couldn't function without me." Schmidt sniped. "I'm the glue that holds this place together!"
Nick shook his head, "Nope I'd be good with it. Winston?"
"I think I'd learn to love again." Winston teased sipping his coffee.
Schmidt slumped back in his seat looking genuinely wounded by their swipes, mumbling "I'm the glue" to himself whilst the other three chuckled snidely.
Jess looked at them all sat around the counter, noticing how Schmidt sat a little bit apart from the others and realised this was the first time she'd actually seen the four of them together. The extra addition of Coach seemed to have pushed Schmidt even further down the pecking order. Jess knew they weren't really trying to hurt Schmidt's feelings, it was just a part of their usual friendly banter but her teacher brain couldn't stop her wanting to stick up for the underdog.
"Don't listen to them Schmidt." She said setting his breakfast down before the others. "You're totally the glue."
Schmidt looked down at the plate in front of him; Jess had made smiley faced pancakes, with a bacon mouth, strawberries for eyes, a blueberry nose and scrambled eggs for hair.
"I'm not a child Jess." he snapped though his tone revealed his true delight. He looked down at his plate again. "No syrup? What is this North Korea?"
Jess giggled and handed him the bottle, knowing in his own Schmidt way he was saying thank-you. Schmidt poured his syrup looking rather pleased with himself. Nick leant over, looking at the impressive and thoughtful breakfast, a covetous turtle faced expression appearing as Winston and Coach both received normal faceless plates.
"Why does Schmidt get special treatment?" he asked, unable to stop the whining tone of his voice.
"The answers in the question Nick." Schmidt said taking a bite of his bacon. "I'm special."
Nick rolled his eyes, "Not gonna argue with that."
Jess set Nick's plate in front of him; his wasn't fancy like Schmidt's though he did have a few extra rashers of bacon and he was pretty sure his strawberries were cut into little heart shapes.
"Be nice." She said placing a quick kiss on his lips.
Nick half-grinned as Jess's hands trailed through his messy bed-hair before returning to the stove. As always his eyes followed her, appreciating the subtle sway of her delicate hips. From the corner of his eye he saw Coach watching him and quickly cast his eyes back to his food.
The guys were all uncharacteristically quiet as they attacked their food. Jess stood, tea clasped in her hands, smiling as she watched her dysfunctional little family reunited.
"So Coach, how long do we have you for?" she asked.
"Umm…" Coach mumbled chewing on a large mouthful, not looking at her. "I'm not sure, maybe a week or so."
Jess smiled, genuinely pleased, "Great, so you're here for the Fourth of July?"
"Seems that way." Coach nodded cramming another chunk of pancake into his already full mouth.
With a mouth full of bacon Nick shot a scowl across the counter, there was definitely something going on with Coach whilst Schmidt sprang out of his seat, looking genuinely excited.
"That settles it, we have to throw a party!" he practically squealed.
"No Schmidt we don't." Nick groaned, having already vetoed the idea when Schmidt suggested last week.
"C'mon Nick, it's our solemn duty not only as Patriots celebrating the bravery and independent spirit of our Forefathers…" Schmidt said in a self-righteous tone. "…butttttt also the return of our prodigal bro to the fold!"
Nick groaned again, "I hate throwing parties, having a bunch of strangers in your place, eating your food, drinking your beer, making mind-numbing small talk…"
"Oh stop being so cranky." Schmidt said. "And you've never hosted a party in your life."
Nick stared at him astonished, "Excuse me? What about all the humiliating shindigs you've made me throw over the years?"
"You mean your anniversary parties?" Winston teased grinning.
Coach cheered, "Ahhhh man, I've missed those bad boys!"
Nick glared at them, "Don't call them that."
"Do not be so dismissive of our cohabitation celebrations Nicholas!" Schmidt snapped. "But let's be honest your input has always been…minimal. You're more of a silent, drunk partner."
Nick looked genuinely offended, "I helped last year!"
"You brought a porta potty Nick, one porta potty." Schmidt sneered. "One used porta potty."
"What?" Coach barked unable to choke back a laugh.
"I'm a small business owner." Nick mumbled to himself. Though a startling thought crossed his mind, where the hell was that porta potty?
Schmidt waved his hand dismissively, "Yes well maybe you can charge people to use it on the Fourth and get a free dose of cholera."
"Wait Schmidt I haven't actually agreed to this." Nick said.
Schmidt ignored him completely looking instead to Winston, "Winston?"
Winston eyed his roommate dubiously, "You're going to do all the work Schmidt? All the planning and shopping and decorating?"
Schmidt nodded.
Still Winston looked unconvinced, "How much is it gunna cost?"
"To you and porta potty Jack here…" he replied nodding to Nick. "…nothing. All you have to do is show up, get drunk and talk inappropriately to the female guests."
Winston shrugged, "I'm in."
"Eurgh seriously Winston?" Nick asked.
"C'mon Nick we haven't thrown a party in ages." Winston said. "And summers pretty much sucked for me so far."
Nick rolled his eyes, Jess stepped forward setting her mug down on the counter beside his plate.
"I dunno Nick, a party could be fun..." She said softly looking at him with her big blue eyes all wide and hopeful. A look she knew Nick could never say no to.
"Fine." He relented.
Schmidt clapped his hands together, rubbing the eagerly. "Excellent I'll call Marco and start brainstorming."
"Who's Marco, your new boyfriend?" Coach teased.
Winston and Nick sniggered.
"No you heathens, my party planner." Schmidt snapped back.
"Same difference." Winston chipped in.
Schmidt mimed as though he was laughing hysterically before shooting them all dark scowls. "I don't have time for this I have a fabulous party to plan. Schmidt out!"
Four days later and Schmidt had done it again. The loft had been completely transformed into a vision of red, white and blue, flags, banners and bunting hung all around them, a vision of dazzling stars and stripes. It looked incredibly grand, patriotic and completely over the top, all very Schmidt.
"Wow Schmidt, you've really outdone yourself this time." Jess said staring slightly astounded around her.
"Haven't I?" Schmidt replied proudly as he adjusted the final decoration, a gigantic red star-spangled hanging draped in front of the iron curtain with FREEDOM emblazoned across the middle.
"And as subtle as always I see." Jess said wryly.
Schmidt shot her a typically incensed look from his step-ladder.
"Freedom isn't something to be hidden away Jessica! It should be celebrated by the sounding of a thousand trumpets!" he roared in a booming voice.
"I'm sorry Schmidt you're right." She replied trying to suppress a giggle. "I'm sure this was Washington's vision of liberty, statue of liberty cookies and red, white and blue jello shots."
Schmidt's continued to glare at her as he stepped down, opening his mouth to admonish Jess for her unpatriotic mockery when a gruff unfamiliar voice drew his attention from the open doorway.
"Hey man, where do you want the pig?"
Jess frowned and shook her head, what a ridiculous question, surely she must have misheard. But as she spun to face the mysterious voice she discovered it was not such a ridiculous question after all as standing before them in the hallway were two burly delivery men each holding one end of an entire pig carcass wrapped in plastic sheeting.
Her eyes widened immeasurably asking Schmidt in a state of total bewilderment. "Schmidt…why is there a dead pig in the hall?"
Schmidt ignored her question brushing Jess to the side as he pushed passed her.
"Ah yes excellent." He said eyes gleaming as he inspected the animal, apparently thrilled by its arrival unlike Jess who was still staring at it extremely unnerved. "Now gentlemen if you would just run that glorious looking beast upstairs to the roof Marco will show you where to set up."
The delivery men nodded in thanks and headed off towards the roof stairwell where Schmidt had pointed. With a pleased look on his face Schmidt turned back to Jess.
"What?" he asked at the flabbergasted expression on her face.
"Why the hell do you have a dead pig Schmidt?" she squeaked.
Schmidt looked at her as though she'd asked a completely foolish question. "It's for the party you fool! And you call yourself an educator!"
Jess's face wrinkled in confusion, even more perplexed. "I don't remember the story of Porky Pig and the Revolution. Which of the thirteen colonies did he come from?"
Schmidt rolled his eyes at her. "Don't be so ridiculous Jess, the pigs for the other party."
"What other party?"
"On the roof." He replied nodding above them. "Marco and I had some initial and rather intense clashes with regards to thematic styling. I wanted to with a traditional patriotic salute to our great nation, fabulous and extraordinary albeit with a tasteful edge…"
"Clearly." Jess muttered glancing at the grand and theatrical scene around her wondering if Schmidt even understood the concept of low-key.
"Whereas Marco wanted to go with a luau theme, maximise the natural backdrop of the summer so he claimed. Personally I think he just wanted to get rid of the tiki-torches he over-ordered last month." Schmidt continued shaking his head. "So being the benevolent and easy-going guy that I am, I agreed to compromise. Inside will be a patriotic ode to our Forefathers fight against tyrannical oppression and outside we hula!"
Jess stared at him for a moment, processing what he had said. "Wait…is this why you asked me if I knew how to make coconuts into a bra?"
Schmidt nodded, "Why else would I ask?"
"You're you." Jess replied with a shrug. "But the pig, really Schmidt? You're Jewish."
Schmidt rolled his eyes again. "Thank you for that mind-blowing revelation Jessica. Just because our new houseguest isn't kosher doesn't mean he won't make a fantastic visual spectacle! Really Jess who has a luau party without a pig?"
"Where did you even get it?"
"Ebay." He replied simply. "Now if we're done with this exasperating q and a I have a lot of…"
Schmidt's words trailed off mid-scold as he cast his eyes towards the loft door once more and suddenly took a sharp intake of breath. Jess too looked to what had silenced her usually verbose roommate so instantaneously and there before them stood a figure which would render most men silent.
"Hey CeCe." Jess said with a warm smile.
CeCe appeared as a tropical island goddess, a vision of sun-kissed limbs and sensational curves, clad in a grass skirt mismatched with a stars and stripes barely-there bikini. Apparently everyone but Jess got the dual-themed party memo.
"Whatcha doing here so early, the party's not for a couple hours." Jess asked though she already knew the answer.
Cece smiled, "I know but I called Schmidt and asked if you guys needed any help, he said yes."
"I bet he did." Jess mumbled shooting Schmidt a stern look who's eyes seemed to be looking anywhere else.
"Yeah well uh…you know…more…hands…" he squirmed.
"Uh huh." Jess said shaking her head.
CeCe ignored Jess's obvious irritation. ""So…where you want me Schmidt?"
Schmidt couldn't help but stare as CeCe lent her body against the doorframe crossing her arms in front of her causing her already ample assets to become even more prominent. Jess shook her head disapprovingly at the coy smile on her friends face as Schmidt continued to stare unashamedly at her exposed skin.
"Schmidt!" Jess barked hitting him none to gently in the chest.
Schmidt shook his head, trying desperately to push all current thoughts from his mind.
"Right yes, party, help, you…" he mumbled looking to CeCe who was now biting her bottom lip. "Where do I want you…" his voice trailed off again.
"For the love of…" Jess muttered before grabbing CeCe's elbow and yanking her into the loft.
"Jess!" CeCe yelled as she stumbled forwards.
"CeCe can help me finish up in here and you can go and deal with your pig on the roof." Jess ordered.
"Jess you can't…" then CeCe stopped and looked at her confused, "Wait, what pig?"
"Schmidt got a pig." Jess replied her words doing little to erase the confused look on CeC's face. "Don't worry its dead."
"What kind of party needs a dead pig?" CeCe asked.
"A Schmidt party." Jess said before turning back to the man in question motioning him out into the hall. "Now go deal with your pork."
Jess stopped moving as the words left her mouth, her face twisting up in disgust as she heard them.
"I didn't mean it like that." She said shaking her head. "I'll put a dollar in the jar."
Schmidt ignored her words, his eyes still on CeCe. "But I…"
"Roof Schmidt!" Jess yelled.
With an annoyed grunt she slammed the door in his face and turned to face her friend. Jess didn't speak, she stood, hand on hip, head dipped to the side, foot tapping lightly on the floor as she gave CeCe her very best disappointed teacher stare.
"Don't look at me like that Jess." CeCe whined. "I haven't done anything."
Still Jess said nothing she simply raised her eyebrows in response.
"I came to help with the party…" CeCe said feebly.
Jess scoffed. "CeCe I've known you for twenty years and you have never offered to help with anything. You even got me to set up my own surprise party in ninth grade!"
"That's because you and I were the only guests!" CeCe replied. Jess nodded, it was true she and CeCe hadn't exactly been the most popular in school. "Hey do you remember when…"
CeCe began clearly hoping to keep the conversation from turning back to her but Jess cut her off.
"CeCe no, this has to stop."
"What?" CeCe asked.
Jess frowned, "This whole crazy fatal attraction thing you've got going on. The flirting, the looks, the parading of hot fake model boyfriends…"
"I'm not…" CeCe protested.
"Sure, so you turned up two hours early to your ex-boyfriends party, a party you knew his girlfriend was out of town for, dressed like…that…" pointing to CeCe's barely there outfit. "…just to help fold napkins and hang streamers?"
CeCe opened her mouth to argue back but knew it was pointless.
"I guess subtleties not my strong suit huh." She said with a sigh.
"Not really." Jess snorted. "Ceece I know this hasn't been easy for you but it's gotta stop. You're just end up hurt again and you guys won't even be able to be friends anymore."
CeCe put her hands over her eyes and let out a pained cry, "Argh you're right! I know Jess, you're right, it's just…hard."
Jess reached out for her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "I know."
CeCe took a deep breath and shook her head, "Whatever I'm here now I might as well actually help. What can I do?"
Jess glanced down at her watch, "Crap is that the time? I need to finish the decorations and start getting ready…and wake Nick up."
"He's still asleep?" CeCe asked shocked, what grown man slept all afternoon?
Jess nodded, "He was out late with Coach and the guys."
"Again?" CeCe. "What's that like the third night in a row?"
"Fourth. You know, guy's night...again." Jess replied bitterly.
Though Jess had been as pleased as anyone to see Coach again, slowly over the past few nights this had started to fade, now replaced with a sense of jealousy and resentment. Jess knew it had been so long since the guys had been all together and totally understood that they all wanted to have a 'guys night' out, not at all bothered to be left behind. However 'guys night' seemed to have run over into the past four nights, Jess hadn't seen Nick for more than a quick hello as he headed out the door to some new bar or party and the beer-stenched kiss he placed on her cheek when he rolled into bed early each morning. Jess knew it wasn't fair to blame it all on Coach but Jess couldn't help but now separate him from the others in her mind as the source of Nick's recent time away from her. Before Coach came back she had had him all to herself after all.
"You ok?" CeCe asked sensing her friend's downcast mood.
Jess shrugged, "I'm fine…I kinda just miss him I guess."
CeCe gave her a supportive smile, feeling for her friend.
"Ok here's the plan; I'm going to finish up here and you're going to go wake Nick Miller up…" CeCe said pushing Jess towards the closed bedroom doors. "…and show him a little of what he's been missing." She added with a wink.
Silently Jess nudged opened her bedroom door, creeping inside before closing it as quietly and carefully as she could manage. Despite being a bright July afternoon the room was almost in complete darkness as the current occupant of her bed tried to sleep of his most recent hangover as it had for the past four days.
It had been only logical that Nick move into Jess room whilst Coach was staying, temporarily of course. All the same Jess had been practically giddy. Sure they had slept together almost every night of the summer switching between their rooms but there was something different about them sharing more than just a bed. Jess couldn't help the exhilarating hammering of her heart when she saw their things lined up side by side on her shelf, a few of his flannels hanging with her flowery dresses, a pile of his mismatched and hole-ridden socks taking up space in the dresser he built her. Jess liked sharing her space with Nick, it felt…right, their stuff seemed to look better together.
Though Jess's giddiness had evaporated given the fact they hadn't actually spent much time together with Nick's new and time consuming guys club. Jess had meant what she'd told CeCe, she really had missed Nick, the short cut conversations and fleeting kisses were definitely not enough.
Jess moved towards the bed, smiling at how relaxed and peaceful Nick looked strewn across her floral sheets, one of her numerous scatter cushions clutched between his arms. He'd certainly gotten over his aversion to her 'fancy' room. Nick let out a low groan rolling onto his back, stretching his arms above his head Jess watched intently the soft rise and fall of his bare chest as she sat on her empty side of the bed.
She felt that familiar stirring inside, the same she felt whenever she was around Nick but now it felt more desperate, more urgent. Coach's return not only seemed to have occupied all of Nick's time but he had an uncanny ability to interrupt any potential time alone or romantic moment Jess tried to steal with Nick. It had only been a few days but to Jess it felt like torture. And finally now it seemed her patience desire would be rewarded, Coach and Winston both having been sent out by Schmidt to get food for the party, there was no danger of an ex-roommate interruption.
Feeling determined Jess swung her body over Nick's, gently setting one leg either side of his waist straddling him. Nick made a soft whimper shifting beneath her reacting to the weight of her body but he didn't stir. Grinning Jess trailed her small hands lightly up his abdomen where the sheet fell against his hips, her nails scratching at the dark hair that covered his chest. Nick let out another moan, his face twisting slightly Jess knew he was close to waking, she could feel his body reacting to hers beneath the sheet.
Quickly Jess whipped the flimsy sundress she was wearing over her head, leaving her in her underwear as she lowered her body atop his. The delicate lace of her lilac bra scratched Nick's chest as Jess brushed her lips lightly against his mouth, jaw, collarbone and neck, softly kissing his hot skin. Though his eyes were still closed Nick was definitely no longer asleep, his hands gently stroking up the sides of Jess's exposed body, groaning pleasantly as she continued her movements.
Kissing his neck one last time Jess moved her lips to his ear.
"Guess who?" she asked her voice soft and low, nipping lightly at his ear lobe.
"Hmm…" Nick's body shifted under hers. "Winston?"
Jess pulled back frowning at him, despite knowing he was teasing her like always.
"Seriously?"
Nick grunted, "Who knows with that guy lately."
Jess giggled as Nick's eyes slowly blinked open, his sleepy manner fading the instant he took in Jess nearly naked state atop him.
"Well…this is quite the wake-up call Jessica." His hands roaming across all of her.
Jess grinned, her skin growing hot at even his lightest touch, god how she had missed it. She sat back, tugging Nick with her whilst she batted the sheet aside planting herself in his lap, rubbing herself against his groin.
"Better than Winston?" she murmured seductively as she circled her hips and shuffled her body closer as she wrapped her legs around him.
"Most…definitely." He grunted.
Her smile grew as she pressed her lips to his linking her arms around his neck her hands as always falling to play with the ends of his messy bed hair. Nick wrapped one arm firmly around her waist in response as the other stroked up her back loving the soft silk feel of her skin under his rough palm. Jess moaned as Nick kissed her back fiercely, his tongue sliding over her lips into her mouth as she desperately tried to bring herself even closer to him, pressing roughly against his chest.
Jess wasn't sure how long they stayed like that, wrapped up one another, lips on lips, skin on skin, neither wanting to break away. Nick tightened what seem like his already impossibly tight, almost painful in a good way, grip on Jess, causing her to wonder if maybe she wasn't the only one so affected by their recent lack of…time together.
The need for breath finally winning out over her desperate need for Nick Jess pulled back, placing light kisses across his face.
"Not that I'm complaining…" He murmured. "…why are you trying to have your wicked way with me in my sleep?" he asked teasingly.
"Well…"Jess replied kissing along his jawline, her lips searching out his neck. "I thought I should take advantage of having you to myself for five minutes… before your new sidekick comes back."
Jess had meant the words to come out fun and teasing but she heard the harsh tone as they left her lips. Nick went suddenly rigid in her arms, pulling her back roughly a serious look on his face.
She sighed and flashed what she hoped was an apologetic smile, "Sorry."
Nick shook his head, moving a hand to the back of her head. "Don't be. I know I haven't been around much with Coach being her but I…it's just…I've missed ya Jess."
"Really?" she asked her voice higher than usual.
Nick's face fell into a frown again as though she had asked the most ridiculous question in the world.
"'Course." He said firmly, his eyes leaving hers. "It's just when Coach is around…"
"Hey." Jess said softly drawing his gaze back to her. "Right now I don't wanna talk about Coach…" she whispered pressing her body forward, one hand trailing from his neck down his muscular back. "…Right now I don't wanna talk about anything. Deal?"
Nick grinned, nestling his face against hers, lips brushing over her skin until he reached her ear. "Deal."
Jess half-squealed half-giggled as Nick hurled her in the air, pushing her back down on the bed before covering her body with his. Desperately Jess waited for his lips to return to hers, she was beyond ready for this.
"Yo Miller! You up yet?"
Jess closed her eyes, her heart instantly sinking as her bedroom door unceremoniously flung open, Coach's booming voice ringing in her ears.
"Dude!" Nick yelled, looking up from where he thankfully still covered Jess's body.
"Wh…oh…" Coach replied his eyes widening at their tangled half-naked bodies. "Sorry man I…"
"Get the hell out!" Nick roared.
But Coach didn't leave instead he simply turned around.
"Sorry I didn't know you were…doing…that." He said with his back to them. "Don't worry Nick I didn't see any of her…stuff."
Nick practically growled on top of her, Jess feeling the rage vibrating in his chest.
"Coach I swear to God if you don't…"
"Hey don't get mad at me!" Coach snapped. "Schmidt sent me to tell you to get your flabby ass out of bed and set the bar up."
"I don't care!" Nick yelled back. "Get out!"
"Fine, jeez. For someone about to get laid you sure are in a bad mood Miller." Coach mumbled walking towards the door, turning quickly back to face them. "So I'll tell Schmidt you'll be what three…four minutes tops?"
"OUT!" Nick bellowed violently throwing one of Jess's numerous throw pillows at him but Coach had escaped, closing the door behind him before it could make contact.
"Idiot." Nick muttered shaking his head furiously. "As if we're gunna… the moments kinda gone…" he mumbled looking down at Jess, his face still keen and willing. "…I mean unless you still want to…"
"Get off me." Jess snapped placing at hand firmly against his chest.
"Yep…sure…" Nick nodded as she sat back up.
Jess didn't speak, she sprung out of the bed snatching her lilac bathrobe off the back of her door, angrily tying it around her body.
"I'm going to shower." She barked not even bothering to look back to Nick as she yanked her bedroom door open and stepped into the hall, brusquely barging past Coach.
"Wow that has to be some kind of record." Coach hollered after her before she violently slammed the bathroom door.
Despite yet another perfectly time Coach interruption (followed by the first cold shower of her life) Jess was determined to enjoy the party. How could she not, when Schmidt had done such an incredible job? The roof was even more amazing than inside the loft, its usual sparse downtown LA appearance transformed utterly into a tropical paradise with only a few fake palm trees, coconut cups and of course the roasted pig.
Jess had decided on a more casual and less Miss. Bahamas option than CeCe with her outfit, opting for one of her typical (and numerous) summer dresses; an aqua halter neck decorated in pink, yellow and white tropical flowers. She'd put her bathing suit on underneath, Schmidt having boasted about the inflatable swimming pool he'd hired.
Though Jess discovered this had been pointless as the amazing twenty foot pool Schmidt insisted would be a hot bubbling vessel of beautiful bodies and sexual energy turned out to be an eighty by sixty inch children's paddling pool, shaped like a whale, equipped with a 'blowhole' spray. Everyone had found this completely hilarious except Schmidt of course, who'd immediately screamed a number of obscenities at Marco. It hadn't been a total loss though; Winnie the Whale (as Winston had christened the inflatable animal) was working well as an epic beer cooler, set beside the newly built tiki-bar, a variety of different bottles and cans bobbing up and down in the increasingly fast melted ice.
Unsurprisingly Jess hadn't seen much of Nick since their latest disrupted liaison, apart from a quick kiss hello and appreciative review of her outfit Schmidt had kept him occupied setting up the bar. Though Nick had vehemently protested he would not spend the entire party stuck behind a bar on his night off, one hour into the festivities and he was still inside the quite impressive straw and grass covered creation.
As he mixed up another batch of his famous and increasingly in demand cocktails Nick looked grumpier than usual. Jess guessed it had something to do with the bright red tropical hula shirt Schmidt had insisted he wore. They're called tropical islands Nicholas, not flannel islands! Schmidt had shrieked when Nick tried to argue. Jess tried to feel bad for her stressed and irritable looking boyfriend, knowing a good girlfriend would probably go and help him out but she was still a little disgruntled about that afternoon and decided to leave him to it.
Instead Jess opted for a few cocktails and a good catch up with her friends; something if she was honest with herself was long overdue.
"Oh my god you guys, she is so adorable." Jess squeaked as she cooed over the most recent pictures of Sadie and Melissa's baby daughter Ella. "I can't believe how big she's gotten."
"I know." Melissa said casting a beaming glance at the phone before handing it to CeCe. "I can't believe she's three months already. It's gone so fast."
"I can't believe you had a baby three months ago, Sadie you look incredible." CeCe said to her friend taking the phone from her wife.
"Thanks sweetie." Sadie said with a small laugh. "I'll pass that on to my traumatised vagina."
"Whoah, I definitely picked the wrong time to come say hi." Nick said appearing at Jess's side with a slightly horrified look on his face.
"Not at all Nick." Sadie said with an unsettling smile. "I was just about to tell the girls all about my cracked nipples."
Nick looked like he might actually throw up, casting a quick panicked look over his shoulder.
"Actually I think I hear Schmidt calling, I really should get back to the bar…" he said turning to make his escape but Jess caught him by the elbow and pulled him back.
"Relax Miller." She said keeping her arm linked with his.
"Just less of the lady parts talk okay?" he murmured wrapping his arm around her waist, still looking painfully uncomfortable.
"Oh man up Nick." CeCe said looking up, "Ha. Nice shirt."
Nick shot her a dark scowl and muttered something about kicking Schmidt's ass. Jess wriggled herself closer to him, placing a calming hand on his chest.
"Easy grumpy." She mumbled kissing his lips quickly.
"Aw, look at you two, all loved up and happy." Melissa said sipping one of Nick's cocktails.
Sadie chuckled, leaning into her wife. "They've got that new couple glow, probably still having crazy sex like teenagers."
Both Nick and Jess made awkward sniggering noises, shifting uncomfortably where they stood, deliberately avoiding the others eyes. Jess decided it was best to change the subject all together.
"Seriously I'm so glad you guys made it." she said with a forced smile.
Sadie nodded, "Are you crazy? A social even where no one is going to spit up on me or poop their pants, I was not going to miss this."
"We can't make any promises; a lot of these people are friends with Schmidt." Nick muttered swigging his beer as the others all giggled.
"I'll risk it. It's just nice to be out." Sadie said. "Don't get me wrong being a mom is amazing, I love my daughter more than anything but after spending almost eight hours a day alone with her I was starting to worry about my ability to converse with adult humans. Last week I went to the grocery store and asked where the tooth soap was."
"It's true." Melissa added.
Jess giggled, "Oh Sadie."
Sadie sighed, "It's ok for you." She said nodding to Melissa. "At least you get to go to work and talk to actual grown-ups for a couple hours."
"Hey if you ever need a break or help I can watch Ella for you." Jess said brightly.
"Seriously?" Sadie asked the glee evident in her voice.
"Totally." Jess smiled. "I've still got a few weeks before school starts."
"Well I would like to go back to the practice and clear up some papers, just for a couple of hours maybe." Sadie said.
Jess nodded, "Sure anytime, I'd love to help out." She said taking Melissa's phone from CeCe showing the picture to Nick. "Nick, look at this little thing."
Nick cast a quick glance at the screen, nodding his head lightly. "Cute kid."
Jess rolled her eyes at him, he was wearing that same glassy-eyed vacant expression he always had on his face when she made him watch one of her old movies or cooking shows.
"Hey Nick, we would love to babysit Ella for Sadie and Mel right?" She asked knowing he wasn't paying attention.
"Yeah, sure…" he said.
Jess shook her head handing the phone to Sadie who took it with a giggle.
"Thanks you guys, it would really mean a lot." She said handing Melissa her phone. "Hey and it'll good practice for the future right?"
Jess didn't say anything; she just stared back at her friend looking panicked, stammering at what to say whilst Nick just nodded again.
"Ye…wait, huh?" he asked his brow furrowed as the words finally registered in his brain.
Again Jess thought it was best to quickly change the subject. Keeping her eyes from looking anywhere but at the absolutely rattled expression on Nick's face she asked.
"Did you know that Twinkies originally had banana flavoured filling but it was changed to vanilla when World War Two brought the banana trade to a halt." She jabbered hastily. "True story."
"I did not know that." Sadie replied looking confused.
"Wait, wait…" Nick began. "Can we just go back to the thing before…" he stammered stopping when he felt a firm grip on his shoulder.
"Let's go Miller." Coach said in his authoritarian voice.
Jess shook her head, shrugging free of his arms as Nick turned to Coach, an exasperated look on his face.
"What the hell now?" he asked waving his arms frantically.
"C'mon man, we need you." Coach replied nodding behind him.
"For what?" Nick spat.
"It's an emergency." Coach said tugging on his arm. "Come on! Now!"
Nick let out a grunt of annoyance, turning back to Jess with an apprehensive look.
"I better go. Who knows what those idiots have gotten themselves into." He said with a timid smile. "I won't be long."
Jess shrugged, "Sure, whatever."
Sadie gave Nick a slightly uncomfortable smile as Jess coolly turned back to the girls, her messy pony-tail hitting him in the face as she did so. Nick swore gruffly under his breath, this party sucks so far, he thought angrily as he marched after Coach.
"This is what you call an emergency?" Nick asked flabbergasted.
He stared at the table in front of him, a series of red cups set up either end filled with beer. Coach had dragged him away from Jess for god damn beer pong!
"Yes Nick this is the first party together in years, we need to get as drunk as hell!" Coach said excitedly.
"That's literally all we've done for the past four days." Nick muttered angrily.
Now Schmidt had finally released him from bar duty Nick was hoping he'd been able to sneak off with Jess and finish what they'd started earlier. He hadn't been lying when he said he'd missed her over the past few days, he'd missed her like hell. Being out with the guys had been really fun, it had been awesome for the four of them to all be together after so long but he'd hated not being able to spend time alone with Jess and he didn't want to waste any more playing stupid drinking games.
Coach nodded, "Yes but we haven't played beer pong yet and that my man is a travesty!"
Nick shook his head, "I'm not playing beer pong Coach.
Coach looked up clearly unimpressed, "Any why not?"
"Because it's stupid!" Nick yelled.
"Nick Miller I did not just hear those words come out of your mouth!" Winston gasped from his garden lounger. "You were loft champion three years running. I made you a hat."
Nick ignored him, "Whatever…I'm going to find Jess." he said turning to leave.
"Nick…" Winston said but Coach cut him off.
"Let him go Winston, beer pong is a man's game and it seems Nick would rather go drool over baby pictures and talk about shopping with the rest of the chicks." Coach said snidely.
Nick stopped and turned back to them.
"First of all beer pong is not a man's game, it's a game designed to get college girls drunk as quickly as possible." He ranted moving closer towards Coach. "And second of all just because I want to spend five minutes with my girlfriend instead of throwing a ping pong ball into a cup of flat beet doesn't make me a chick."
Coach's face twisted into a mocking smile, "No Jess having your balls in her little polka-dot purse does."
"Ohhhhhhhhh damn." Winston said banging hand on table.
Neither Nick nor Coach said anything for a moment, both stood glaring intently at the other.
"You know maybe we should play something else…" Winston said shifting uncomfortably in his chair. "Something less intense and hostile, like monopoly…or Russian roulette?"
Coach sneered, "Not sure Nicola could handle it."
Nick's eyes narrowed as he glowered at his friend, trying desperately to think of a girl version of Coach and coming up with nothing as he was distracted by a loud bang on the table beside them.
"Ta-da!" Schmidt roared as he set a tray of drinks down.
Nick stared at the collection of horrifically coloured green shots before him, so bright it looked as though they might be radioactive.
"What the hell are those?" he asked his face scrunching up in disgust.
"Nicholas surely as a semi-functioning alcoholic you recognise shots." Schmidt said.
Nick shot him an unimpressed glare as he picked up one of the luminous glasses, surveying the dubious looking liquid within, it smelt awful, both sweet and foul at the same time. Despite his many years as a professional bartender and amateur drunk Nick had no idea what was in this drink.
"What is it?" Winston asked the same hesitant look on his face.
"I invented them." Schmidt said proudly. "I call it; Schmidt Juice."
Nick hastily set his shot back on the tray as the others made violent gagging sounds.
"I'm refuse to drink anything called…that." Nick said unable to say the actual words.
"They're delectable." Schmidt picked a shot and downed it in one. "Ummmm I taste good."
"Jar." Nick said looking like he was about to be sick.
"Please tell me there's no special ingredient." Winston asked.
"Taste me and see." Schmidt said wiggling his eyebrows.
"Jar Schmidt! Jar, jar, jar!" Nick yelled.
Schmidt rolled his eyes, "Will you stop being such a fraidy cat and just do it."
"No." Nick replied with a grumpy frown. "And I'm not a fraidy cat."
"Prove it." Coach said sliding a shot towards Nick.
The challenge in his old friend's voice was clear, Coach was always competitive but now given their recent exchange Nick couldn't to give him another reason to mock him. Despite being in his thirties Nick Miller couldn't walk away from a dare.
Keeping his eyes locked with Coach in a weirdly intense way Nick downed a shot, then another and another. The alcohol burned his throat but Nick was used to that, it was the taste he was struggling with. It was without a doubt the worst thing he had ever tasted and that was saying something, a combination of cough syrup, melon, vodka and something else, like…lighter fluid? Though Nick wanted to throw up he was determined not to let it show.
He looked up at the others, slamming his fourth glass on the table, the challenge clear to Coach; beat that.
Never one to be outdone Coach followed suit, downing five shots of the disgusting liquid, looking very satisfied with himself, if a little queasy. So Nick downed another and so did Coach, and another and another. Their little tit-for-tat carrying on until every shot was gone.
They were drunk, so very drunk. Now this was a state, as Schmidt continually reminded him, Nick Miller was quite used to but this was different. After what was maybe his ninth shot he'd had to sit down, his whole body felt like it was moving at different times, his throat felt as though it was burning and he was pretty sure he could pass out at any moment. Vision blurred he looked to Coach to find him swaying back and forth where he stood, his face twisted into the most pained expression.
Looking to the perpetrator of these horrific apparently body ruining drinks Nick slurred, "Wh-what the hell was in those Schmidt?"
"A little this, a little that." Schmidt replied coolly.
"I'm not sure I l-like the…the this." Coach stammered his hand covering his mouth.
"Pa!" Nick said hiccupping. "Amateur. K-knew you couldn't…handle it…"
Coach shook his head furiously, "You…you're the handle couldn't one…you" pointing in Nick's general direction.
Nick made angry turtle face in response, "I can handle it…more Schmidt j-juice!"
Schmidt rolled his eyes, "Yes because that seems like an excellent idea."
"More! More!" Nick yelled. "Morrrrrrrrrrrrrre."
"Morrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrre!" Coach yelled stomping his feet.
"Alright, alright, jeez." Schmidt said grabbing the empty tray and heading back to the bar.
"Great." Winston said seeing how he was left alone with the two drunken idiots. With a resigned sigh he grabbed one of the beers and turned to Coach who appeared currently fascinated by his elbows. "So c'mon man it's been four days and you still haven't told us why you broke up with Malia?"
Coach shrugged, still swaying. "She did the usual c-chick thing, started getting all clingy and needy and where is this going? Blah blah blaaaaah." He stopped as he let out small burp. "Plus she got f-fat."
Winston looked unconvinced, "You're crazy, she was as fine as hell."
"N-Not as crazy as trailing Craiglists for dates…" Coach teased hiccupping again. "Schmidty told me you're into the online thing now. That's so saddddd."
Winston scowled, "I am not into the online thing!"
"HA!" Nick squawked.
"I don't get why you're laughing Nick, that's how you got Jess!" Winston snapped at him.
Nick made a drunk-confused turtle face. "She's not a car or p-pack of o-old cds Winston." Said supressing the need to vomit.
Coach let out snort, "How the hell did this happen anyways? Haven't you heard don't crap where you e-eat."
Nick sat back, puffing his chest out, proudly rubbing his hands against it. "C'mon...a woman can only r-resist all…this for so long."
Winston grunted, "Please. Jess had a boyfriend, Nick kissed her, it was mega-awkward. They went on the worst date ever, something weird about cards I can't remember…a fireman showed up, they slept together, forgot my birthday, a badger fell through a ceiling and now they're a couple."
Nick scowled at Winston's brief yet technically accurate summary of Nick and Jess's love story so far as Coach let out another mocking laugh.
"Sounds like the usual smooth Miller style." He said shaking his head, eyes blinking rapidly. "Wonder how long it'll last?"
Despite his drunken state Nick caught the taunting tone in Coach's words.
"Ask these guys. There's a pool going to see when we break up." Nick said bitterly grabbing himself a beer as Winston looked away sheepishly.
"I can give you good odds." Schmidt chimed in reappearing with another tray of shots, though instead of a violently bright green these were a dull murky purple-grey.
"Err Schmidt these look a little…different." Winston said eyeing the shots dubiously.
"I couldn't quite remember what went into the first batch so I made this." Schmidt said proudly raising one glass. "I present Schmidt Juice II." He downed the dark liquid in one, immediately grimacing and making the most awful gagging noise. "Eurgh…this is why I hate sequels."
Nick nodded, "Me too. Taken 2 still u-upsets me."
"That's funny." Coach said.
Nick scowled, "What are ya talking about? It's a complete slap in the f-face of the first movie!"
Winston nodded, "Liam Neeson is such a badass. I wish I was his daughter."
"Not that." Coach said still swaying slightly. "It's funny that you hate sequels considering your living one."
Nick narrowed his eyes, vision still blurred, "What the hell are you talking about?"
"You and Jess…" Coach said Jess name like it was a bad word. "It's Caroline Part II. You're totally whipped."
Nick stared at him open mouthed. "I am not!"
Winston sniggered, "C'mon Nick you're a little whipped. It's not a bad thing, just part of being in a relationship. Man it's been so long since I was whipped."
Nick gave Winston a questioning look but Coach was not done.
"You mean prison Winston." Coach slurred before pointing at Nick. "Cause that's what relationships are man, prisons! Big lady prisons."
"You're insane!" Nick yelled spilling beer everywhere.
Coach shook his head and grabbed himself a shot, downing it. "Bleurgh!" said with a shudder. "Hey I've only been here a c-couple days and I can see she wears the pants man. You're always looking at her with those puppy dog eyes and talking about h-her, you didn't even want a lap-dance at the Velvet Rabbit!"
"That doesn't mean…I'm n-not…" Nick stammered almost too angry and drunk to speak. "I'm not whipped."
"Nick you're so whipped you should have a cherry on your head." Schmidt scoffed looking to Coach. "I told him from the start to hold onto his power but did he listen? Noooooooooooooo and now he's in the State Penitentiary of Relationship and Commitment."
Coach rolled his eyes, "Told you, it's Caroline the sequel."
Schmidt and Winston both laughed mockingly.
Nick felt his blood boiling inside, his mind flashing back over years of jokes and teasing and continual mockery of Nick's relationship with Caroline and his inability to stand up to her. Nick knew with absolute certainty his relationship with Jess was nothing like the dysfunctional disaster he'd had with Caroline, this was different, better…incredible. Theses idiots had no idea what they were talking about, they were just jealous because they didn't have an amazing girl like Jess Day.
"Shut the hell up all of ya!" He yelled jumping to his feet, admittedly with a slightly wobble. "Me and Jess, what we…it's not…Jess is nothing like Caroline."
Schmidt's cell beeped loudly cutting Nick off mid-rant, Schmidt quickly scanned the message before rising to his feet.
"So I'm going to go before Nick bursts into a full drunken monologue about the polka-dot perfection that is Jessica Day. But you guys enjoy, I'm sure it'll be a real treat." He said with a false smile before fleeing into the bustling party crowd.
"Nick…" Coach mumbled stepping forward.
"No shut up!" Nick snapped despite his drunken state his mind felt suddenly incredibly lucid as to what he wanted to say. "Relationships are not prisons! And Jess is amazing, she's sexy and sweet and she makes everything better. I'm crazy about her ok…"
Nick braced himself for another round of Coach's mockery and was completely dumbfounded when instead his friend burst into tears.
"Coach, what the…look I'm sorry I yelled..." Nick began.
Coach shook his head, "I didn't break up with Malia alright…" he choked out through his tears. "She broke up with me."
Winston looked equally as surprised, "Why didn't you say anything man?"
"Cause I was embarrassed Winston." Coach said wiping his eyes. "And she didn't get fat. She's still beautiful." He added with a sob.
"I knew it!" Winston said clenching his fist. "Hey man I know this is probably not the best time but would you mind if I asked her…"
"Winston!" Nick snapped.
"I lost her, I've been trying to fill a void with drinking and partying but I don't wanna do this man…" Coach said pointing around him then looking to Nick. "That's why I've been such a dick about you and Jess, I see you guys and I…" he let out another sob. "I just wanna be in love. And now she's dating some dude called Dereek…or Derek."
Nick sighed as his friend collapsed to the fall in a fit of sobs. "This is the worst party ever."
Well this totally blows, Jess thought as she sat alone at the pop-up tiki-bar currently being manned by Big Bob (who Jess was 99% sure Schmidt only invited to get him to work). After Nick had disappeared for Coach's faux-emergency the girls instantly noticed Jess's despondent mood and took it upon themselves to cheer her up.
And it worked, for about half an hour. First CeCe mysteriously disappeared after spending a lot of time glued to her cell phone and then ten minutes later Sadie and Melissa had to bail after the babysitter called. So now Jess sat alone, sipping on her pina colada from her coconut cup; no friends, no boyfriend to be found. Could this party get any worse? Apparently the answer was yes.
"Hello monkey." Said a thick Russian accent as Nadia appeared at her side looking incredible in a pink bikini.
"Hey Nadia. So glad you could make it." Jess said with a false smile.
Nadia shrugged, "This party sucks."
Jess tipped her invisible hat to Nadia, "For once you and I are on the same page." She said playing with her straw.
"You come. CeCe want you." Nadia said shortly.
"What…is she ok?" Jess asked anxiously.
"She cry in your room." she replied completely emotionless. "Something about Jew and kiss and then ugly cry."
Jess didn't need to hear anymore, without another word she slid off her stool and headed to her room. "God dammit Schmidt."
The party going on inside the actual loft was just as busy if not more rowdy than the one outside. People really seemed to be embracing Schmidt's freedom equals crazy parting message, especially the red, white and blue jello shots.
Jess slipped into her room, brushing past a couple aggressively making out in front of her door, quietly closing it behind her. The roar of the party instantly fell to a low din; Jess heard the soft sniffs coming from her wardrobe. Jess walked inside and found CeCe sat on the floor, grass skirt fanned out around her legs, her eyes red and blotchy, make-up smudged. She looked up at Jess, twirling tissue between her fingers.
"Sorry Jess." she said softly.
Jess gave her a reassuring smile and sat beside her. "What happened?"
So CeCe told her how she'd text Schmidt to talk and apologise for how she'd been acting lately. Everything was fine at first, they talked and laughed, both saying how glad they were to still be able to be friends. Schmidt said he couldn't imagine his life without her. And then it went wrong.
"I kissed him."
"CeCe…" Jess said.
"Don't Jess…please." CeCe said he voice shaking. "It doesn't matter, he pushed me away."
Jess reached out for her hand, "I'm so sorry Ceece I hate seeing you like this." Jess said squeezing her hand. "But this isn't right. You more than anyone hate cheating."
CeCe let out a pained sob. "I know but it didn't feel…wrong…" she said looking to Jess with a serious look. "Nick kissed you when you were with Sam, was that wrong?"
"It's not the same CeCe." Jess said.
"Isn't it? Nick knew he was the one for you Jess, he knew you two were meant to be together. If he hadn't you'd still be the wrong guy." CeCe said certainly. "I've never seen you as happy as you are with Nick."
Jess was startled by CeCe's words, technically she was right. She had kissed Nick when she was still dating Sam and technically that was cheating but she had never once thought of it that way. Maybe it was because it hadn't been planned or maybe it was because Nick had been the kisser, she had merely been the innocent (although amazingly lucky) kissee. Or maybe it was because, like CeCe said, it just hadn't felt wrong.
Jess sighed, "I don't know maybe you're right, maybe Schmidt is lying to himself about he feels but you can't keep doing this to yourself CeCe. You deserve more than this. You need to move on."
CeCe nodded, silent tears still streamed down her face tightening her grip on Jess's hand.
Jess lent her head against CeCe's, "It'll be ok."
They sat like that for a while, both sitting in silent disheartened contemplation, listening to the roars and cheers of all the happy revellers outside. Eventually CeCe's tears slowly stopped and Jess broke the gloomy quiet.
"Well this is the worst party ever." She said with a despondent sigh.
CeCe giggled with a sniff, "Still not gotten any alone time with Nick huh?"
Jess shook her head, "Nuh-huh."
"I'm sorry. " CeCe said sitting up straight. "I meant what I said Jess, I've never seen you this happy. You guys…you have something special."
Jess smiled at her words, excluding the past few days of feeling slightly neglected she had never felt like this in a relationship before. She'd been in love before, once maybe twice but this, with Nick; it was unlike anything she had ever felt. It was both amazing and terrifying but she knew she wanted it more than anything.
"Thanks Ceece. I hope so."
CeCe nodded, "No I mean it Jess, you guys are the real deal. I see it, you know, a future, house, kids, all that stuff. That's why I dropped out of the pool."
Jess shot her an appalled look. "The WHAT?"
Following Coach's emotional revelation about his break-up things had taken a turn for the weird. Coach had proceeded to drink the rest of the Schmidt juice and beer before jumping on to a table and gracing the party with an ear-shattering version of Adele's Someone Like You until he fell off, crashing into the remains of Schmidt's roasted pig. As they checked him over for injuries Coach cried (again) telling Nick to learn from his mistakes and find Jess, that a love like theirs was worth fighting for. Nick knew it was the immense amount of alcohol talking but he took it as his out, leaving Coach sobbing in Winston's arms, Schmidt having disappeared entirely to god knows where.
Nick weaved through the party towards Jess's room, having been told by a typically enthusiastic Nadia that's where she was. He felt determined and still a little buzzed though grateful the worst effects of those horrid shots seemed to have faded. He was desperate to find Jess and make it up to her, four days of not being with her was definitely four days too long.
Brushing past a couple practically dry humping next to her room Nick opened the door the noise of the party suddenly replaced by the sound of hurried and angry words within. Nick dashed towards Jess's wardrobe where Jess and CeCe both sat on their knees facing one another, having what appeared to be an intense conversation. Both immediately looked to him as he appeared, Jess's eyes filled with a dark fury whilst CeCe looked both apologetic and afraid. Nick knew this was bad but he didn't know why.
"Hey…what's going on?" he asked cautiously.
"You." Jess said springing to her feet.
CeCe followed, "Well I'm going to go…away." She said quickly before she darted from the room, closing the door behind her.
The ruckus of the party was replaced by a tense and unnerving silence though Nick was still clueless.
"Jess what…"
"Don't. Sit." Jess said firmly pointing to the bed.
Dumbfounded Nick staggered backwards and sat, sensing it would be better for him to do as he was told. Jess followed him with every step he took until she stood in front of him, arms folded across her chest glaring at him looking more enraged than he'd even seen.
Confusion morphed into fear. "Ok Jess what the hell's happened? Cause you're really starting to freak me out with the scary mad face."
Jess lunged forward striking him hard on the arm. "How the hell could you not tell me?"
"Ow Jess!" Nick said rubbing his arm. "Tell you what? I literally have no idea what you are talking about!"
Jess put one finger to her lip, "Hmm, let me see maybe about a little bet everyone but me seems to be in on!"
And just like that suddenly everything made horrible sense.
"Oh, that." Nick replied dropping his arm.
"Yes that! How could you not tell me Nick?" She asked desperately.
"Because it didn't matter Jess, it still doesn't matter!" he insisted. "It's just a stupid bet by a bunch of idiots who don't know what they're talking about!"
Jess was a little taken aback by his answer, she'd expected him to play dumb, act as though he hadn't really known all this time. She hadn't expected him to be so honest so easily. Still she was so angry with him.
"You should have told me." She said sadly. "Do you have any idea how hard it is to find out that not only are all your friends betting against your relationship but that you're boyfriend has been lying to you about it?"
"I wasn't lying." Nick said frantically. "I was…I didn't…" he hung his head and looked down at his hands, not able to look at her. "I was afraid Jess."
"What?" she croaked in response, utterly floored by his words.
Slowly Nick looked up, "I was afraid they were right, that I couldn't make this…us, work and I thought if you knew about the bet then you'd see it too."
Jess's heart ached at her words; slowly she stepped closer to him. She could see it in him, how this had plagued him. "Nick…"
"No Jess listen ok, I was so worried about what everyone else thought but then I figured it out. It doesn't matter, the bet, what our stupid friends think, what your dad thinks…"
"My dad?" Jess asked shocked, CeCe had left that detail out.
Nick nodded, "He's in the pool too." Jess rolled her eyes as Nick continued. "None of that matters; it's just us Jess, what we feel…that's all I care about."
Jess stared at him completely astounded, was this really Nick Miller talking so openly and honestly about how he felt? Nick reached out for her hand, tugging her even closer, her body standing between his legs.
"I've never been that good at being a boyfriend and I was always ok with that before but I wanna be better with you." He said looking at her, desperate for her to understand. "That's why I didn't tell you Jess, I didn't wanna hurt you."
Jess smiled at him, willing herself not to burst into tears knowing despite how open he was being, tears would still be too much for Nick. Instead she threw herself at him, climbing onto his lap.
She kissed him softly before pulling back to look at him. "Hey, let's prove them all wrong and take all their money?"
Nick grinned, his hands falling to her waist shifting her body closer, brushing her hair from her face. "Why not…I'd bet on us."
Jess thought her heart was about to burst at his words, she knew he hadn't said that but in way it felt even more powerful. Before she actually did burst into tears or herself say too much Jess threw herself forward, her arms wrapping around his neck as she crashed her lips to his. Nick responded instantly, his hands firm on the small of her back pushing her closer towards him, Jess shifted her body so she straddled him rocking her body against his.
Nick let out a pained groan at her movements, so desperate and hungry for her after the past few days. He wanted to feel her, to be a part of her; he needed to show her he meant all he had said. Their kisses quickly went from gentle to frantic, Nick revelling from the sigh that left her lips as his tongue delved into her mouth.
Hands seemed to be everywhere at once tugging and tearing at their clothes, Jess actually ripped buttons of his shirt making a mental note to sew them back on later as she pushed it off his shoulders. One handed Nick roughly untied her dress at her neck before pulling it down her body along with her bikini top, bunching at her waist. Nick pulled back, taking a moment to appreciate the perfection he held in his grasp.
"God Jess you're so…" he growled, his voice low and husky.
"No time." Jess breathed as she pushed herself hard against his chest, her tongue forcing its way into his mouth as she bit on his lower lip.
Nick grinned against her mouth, revelling in the fact she was as impatient as he. His tongue met hers hard, she tasted incredible, he'd never get enough of kissing her. One hand trailed down her silky-smooth bare back, trailing over the material of her dress falling between their bodies. Jess gasped against his lips as his hands brushed against the hot skin of her thighs, she pressed herself forward, moving her body against his hands, so hungry for his touch.
Both were so lost in one another neither noticed that her bedroom door was suddenly open once more, as a sobbing extremely drunken figured staggered in.
"H-hey guys…I just wanted to s-say I'm really s-sorry…" Coach stammered as he spilled beer all over Jess carpet.
Jess broke away; her breathing ragged, a wild and fierce look in her eyes, "GO AWAY!"
Coach blinked, clearly taken back by her hostile bellowing words, turning away with a shrug he stumbled back out, mumbling to himself about love as he closed the door behind him.
Nick opened his mouth to apologise for what felt like the hundredth time, praying Coach had not ruined the moment again when he got his answer as Jess was kissing him, nipping and sucking at his lips, her hands running all over his skin. There was so much between them, so much they both wanted to show, desire, lust, craving, yearning, that never ending need to be a part of the other.
Roughly Jess pushed her body forwards, shoving Nick's backwards against the bed. Her body fell to his side, moving one leg from his body so she could tug his pants down quickly before she too whipped her tousled up dress and bikini bottoms off. She couldn't help but smirk at the slightly stunned but delighted look on Nick's face at her actions. Usually Jess wasn't so bold and forthright but she was too far gone to care, she wanted Nick and she wanted him now, she wasn't waiting any longer.
Her body was practically vibrating with desire, her skin burned, her heart thundered in her chest. She placed a hot kiss on his lips as she raised herself back up, swinging her body over his as she straddled him once more. Nicks hands rested on her hips as he stared at the vision above him traced her hands across his sweat-sheened torso down until she took him in her hands. Her delicate and gentle hands wrapped around his length, moving up and down at what seemed like the slowest, most torturous pace. Nick hissed, he was already painfully hard; having been ready from the moment Jess's lips first met his.
Jess lent forward, her mouth on his as she lifted her body down onto his, guiding him inside her. They both moaned at the sensation, Nick practically growled as Jess whimpered slightly before fully lowering herself onto him. She didn't move for a moment, revelling in just the feel of him inside her, the completeness and fullness she felt. Dipping her tongue into his mouth slowly she began to move, leisurely moving her body back and forth.
"Uh…Jess…" Nick growled, his voice hoarse as he gripped her hips tightly, his fingers digging into her flesh.
Jess pulled back, her messy pony-tail flicking wildly as she lifted herself off him completely before slamming back down, causing Nick to let out a snarl of pleasure. Bracing her hands on his chest Jess began to move, rolling her hips in circles as she rode him hard and fast revelling in the wild sounds she was drawing from the man beneath her.
Keeping one hand forcefully gripped on her hips Nick struggled not to lose control, his other slid across her body, touching her exactly where she needed. Jess dug her nails into his flesh, closing her eyes tight, moaning as he began to stroke her, his name falling in soft, desperate breaths.
She was already so close, they both were and it was it was building faster, wilder, more and more; frantically they clung onto one another harder. Jess was struggling to keep her body upright, her thighs trembling around him so Nick sat up, shifting his hips upwards, moving quick and hard, his eyes dark and stormy, ravenously wanting to push her over the edge.
"Nick…" She rasped instantly thrusting her arms around his neck her mouth smashing against his.
Nick moved fast, pumping up into her, the expert circles of his thumb turning rougher as she cried louder and louder against his mouth. Jess was grateful he'd taken over, she wasn't sure she'd be able to last much longer, the all-consuming pleasure building inside her felt strong enough to stop her heart.
Struggling to breath let alone think Jess broke her lips away, resting her forehead against his as Nick continued his unrelenting frenzied pace, their sweat slicked bodies writhing uncontrollably, his hand released its hold on her hip, slipping to her ass, squeezing the soft flesh firmly. Jess let out a low animalistic growl, her own nails digging into the damp flesh of his shoulders as Nick tightened his grip, almost painfully so on her as he thrust upwards once, twice more until she inhaled a harsh breath, her entire body clenching around him
"Uh…G-god…Nick" She sobbed out, shuddering and falling apart in his hold forcing her nails into his shoulders so hard she could have drawn blood.
Nick's mouth latched onto her flesh, kissing and biting every inch of her searing skin as she rode out the most violent and all-consuming orgasm. Her whole body convulsed she felt him thrust up into her once more, her name a rough growl from his lips, his own release following.
Roughly Jess pulled his head up, mouths crashing together as she continued to rock against him, following his pleasure. Nick groaned at her movements, his thumb working against her most sensitive spot again, instantly the same wild hunger swelled inside and then she was crying and shuddering around him once more.
With one final strangled cry Jess collapsed against his chest, her mind a blissful daze, breathing beyond all control. Nick kissed her forehead, brushing away her sweat soaked bangs. Jess pulled back as Nick kept his hand on her face, cupping her cheek, grinning at the look on awe and adoration of his face, knowing it was mirrored on her.
"That…was…" he stammered, chest still heaving.
"Best. Party. Ever." Jess replied.
A/N: So...thoughts?