Chapter Twelve
Miley's POV 5
Miley hung up the phone from her weird conversation with Selena and before she could set her phone down again, the ringtone sounded. She picked up already knowing who it was, considering she had talked to just about everyone else. "Jonas. What's up?"
"I'm bored."
She smiled conspiratorially. "Starbucks?"
"Oh yeah." Nick said his voice sending shivers over the phone line and through Miley. "Meet you there."
"I ordered for both of us." Miley grinned.
Nick furrowed his eyebrows. "You remember what I like?"
"Yeah. Complete with the dollop of whip cream on top."
"So, any news?"
"Well, I got a part in a movie." She said nonchalantly. "I'm thinking of visiting Demi at the end of the month whether they let me it not and my moms bugging me about my image."
"Wow. A movie part?" Nick said as the waitress sat their cups in front if them. "That's amazing, Mi."
Miley shrugged. "I guess so."
"How can you not be excited about this?" He asked, taking a small sip from his cup.
She shrugged again. "My mind is on Demi."
"I'm sure Demi would be happy for you, too. She wouldn't want you worried about her. She knows you have a life."
Miley stared at Nick across the table wondering what it was about him that seemed so…different. "So, I was going to ask Selena this, but she was busy earlier. Do you want to visit Demi with me?"
Nick never took his gaze from Miley. "That would be great." For awhile he pinned her with his chocolate eyes and the moment was awkward as it grew silent. Nick was the one who broke the silence. "Of course I have to check with my dad."
"Of course you do," she muttered.
But Nick heard her. "Or not."
Miley sighed ashamed of herself for making a comment like that. "Nick, I'm not trying to start anything. By all means, check with your dad."
"No. Sooner or later I'm going to have to make my own decisions and mistakes. "Might as well get used to it. I'm an adult." Nick finally took his gaze from the table and looked up at Miley.
Miley silently stirred her coffee as they slid into another awkward moment.
"Do you think I'm different, Miley?" Nick suddenly asked.
"Yeah, sure." You're much more intimidating, she thought. "You've got that older thing going on." Bigger biceps, which are very, very attractive.
"Older thing?"
"Yeah. You're taller and you appear more mature."
Nick tilted his head slightly to the side. "You're very confusing."
"Sorry. Not the answer you were looking for, huh?" She gave him an apologetic look and bit her lip.
Nick suddenly smiled. "No. I know you very well, Miley. You should already know I know what you mean."
She lifted an eyebrow. "And what did I mean?"
"You could've just said that you think I'm sexy."
Having been exactly what she meant Miley gasped as she blushed, shocked by his words. "What?"
Nick laughed at her expression. "I was just kidding." He bent at the waist, still laughing.
She glared at him. "Jonas." She growled between her teeth. Oh God. Nick did it again. Flustered her while still acting innocent as could be. What she had meant was that he was sexier. Well, he had been more…cute (yeah that was the word) than sexy, when he was fourteen. Right now, with him looking at her with those brown eyes, a color Miley never thought to be dangerous before but was seriously rethinking, he was more push-you-down-rip-your-clothes-off-sexy.
Nick sighed as his laughter settled. "Speaking of cute guys, where's your boyfriend? You guys always seemed to be together but now…not so much."
Miley looked down.
"I'm sorry." Nick said immediately. "None of my business."
Miley shrugged. "Are you kidding?" It was her turn to look at him confused now. "You called me with every single detail about Demi but you don't know that Liam and I broke up or that my parents are divorcing?"
A strange expression passed over Nick's face. "Well, you and Liam are always breaking up in the gossip column. I don't know what to believe anymore. And I just figured your parents were a sore subject, I didn't want to make you…sad."
Miley stared at Nick like she couldn't how sincere he was being. "I see."
"Is something wrong, Miles?"
Well, to her, everything was all wrong. Starting from the divorce all the way to the fact she suddenly just touched on the reason Nick was so different. Not only had he filled out his shirts like never before, but he was also not so into himself. "What happened to you?"
"What do you mean?"
Maybe now wasn't the time to broach his many faults so Miley just mumbled, "Never mind." She raised her gaze to see him pinning her again with his stare. "I have to go."
"Oh." A flash of disappointment passed over his expression before he forced a smile. "Alright."
Miley stood. "Thanks for listening, Nick."
He grabbed her hand for a moment then let it go. "Bye, Miles."
She leaned down and kissed his cheek before awkwardly walking away.
