Malia was up and about the next day early in the morning, no matter how hard she tried she could not go back to sleep. So around 9 a.m., she was fully ready for the day. Now all she had to do was wait for Nick to wake up and call her so she could see what their plans were. She sighed and looked around her spacious place...it was clean. She had cleaned it right after she had gotten up. She had nothing to do...and it felt great.
She sighed and put her hands on her hips, trying to decide what to do. Then a thought crossed her mind, why should she wait for Nick to wake up when she could just go wake him up herself? She grinned as she ran for her bedroom to find her purse and keys. She made sure she took her brush, compact, lip gloss, another pair of sandals, a change of clothing, her bare necessities, and her bathing suit all in a beach bag and went out to her car. As the engine started, she realized how long it had truely been since she had driven. She roared out of the parking lot and onto the street and made her way to Nick's house.
She entered the security code to Nick's house and watched as the gates slid open, she pulled through and the gates shut behind her. She parked her car next to his SUV and went up to the front door. The door was locked, of course, so she fished around in her purse till she found her key chain again and found Nick's house key. He had given her a key to his house a long time ago because when he was on tour, and she wasn't, she'd hang out at his house and take care of the dogs and all that stuff. She unlocked the door and slipped inside the door, locking it behind her. Two of the pugs came running in, wagging their tails. She picked one up and cuddled it, before doing the same thing. They licked and clawed at her gently before she put them back down, luckily they never barked. She made her way up the winding staircase and down the hall to Nick's bedroom. 'I hope to God he is not naked or anything..that'd just be scary!,' She thought as she carefully opened the door.
Luckily, he wasn't naked or anything. Well...lucky for her..for the moment. Oh nevermind. She smiled at the thought that millions of girls would die to just meet him, and here she was in his bedroom. It was completely innocent but Malia sometimes had a dirty mind, and SOME of those thoughts crossed her mind at that moment. Nick was sprawled out on his back, his arms on either side of him, the covers slightly off where he had kicked them off in the middle of the night. Malia walked to the side of the bed where he would be facing her and bent down, "Nicky??"
He didn't move.
She touched his shoulder gently, "Nicky? Come on, wake up."
Once more, he didn't move.
Malia stood up, tucked her hair behind her ears, and rolled her eyes. When he was asleep, he was ASLEEP and wouldn't move. She walked around to the other side of the bed and crawled onto it so she was leaning right above him. She was about to lean down, and nudge him again...when the phone rang.
Malia jumped about three feet in the air.
Nick jumped as well, his arm flying up and hitting Malia.
She rolled off the bed and started to laugh almost uncontrollably.
Nick sat up, bewildered and confused as to why his phone was ringing so early in the morning and why Malia was in his room, now on the floor laughing her ass off.
He grumbled something, reached over, picked up the phone, then hung it back up. If it was that important, they'd call back.
He leaned over, "Malia? What in the hell are you doing here?"
Malia looked up and tried to keep from laughing, but it was hard. She stifled her laughter for a moment so she could talk, "Well..I got up early and was bored so I decided to come wake you up. You sleep like a log, ya know!"
He smiled, "And that is how, my dear, you ended up on the floor."
She stood up, rubbing her lower back where she had fallen, "It is not my fault someone decided to call you this early!"
He laughed and laid back on the bed and yawned, "It's too early Lia!"
She crawled back on the bed and flopped down on the other side of him, "No it's not!"
He rolled over so he could face her, "Were you really that bored?"
She nodded, "Yep..."
"How'd you get in?"
She smiled, "I know your code, and I have a key to the house genius, remember?"
"Oooh yeah.."
"Sooo..go get ready and let's go get some breakfast!"
"Wanna join me?"
She shoved him playfully away, "NO!"
He laughed and then asked, "Did you hurt yourself when you fell?"
"My pride's kinda bruised as is my back but it'll be okay."
He crawled over her and pushed her tank top up that revealed a small purple bruise. He touched it gently, "Does it hurt?"
She jumped a little at his contact with her lower back but shook her head, "No, not really."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes I'm sure."
"Did I hit you?"
She shook her head, "No.."
"Okay, good...I was afraid I'd hit you with my arm."
She smiled before leaning up and kissing his forehead quickly, "Nice of you to worry but I'm fiine Nicky, now go take a shower and let's go eat!"
He smiled and jumped off the bed and headed towards the bathroom, "Ok! Will you take the dogs out in the backyard?"
"Sure will..hurry!"
He nodded, "I will!"
She went downstairs and found the third dog right by the door with the others. She let them out in the backyard and went outside with them. It was turning out to be a really pretty day so far. The sun was up high in the sky and there were a few small, fluffly white clouds floating by but nothing too big.
Nick had just gotten out of the shower and was getting dressed in his room when he walked to the window to look at the backyard. Malia was standing near his dock, one of the dogs running around her playing in the grass. He sighed, she looked so pretty..so relaxed. Her hair was blowing gently, a curl bouncing out here and there. She tucked it behind her ears once more before bending down to play with the puppy. She suddenly turned and looked up, as if she felt his eyes on her. She smiled and waved, then pointed to her watch. He grinned and nodded before holding up his hand as if to sign, five minutes. She nodded and started towards the house. Nick could almost kick himself, he had caught him staring at her! He pulled a shirt over his head and found his New Balance shoes and went downstairs.
After going to get some breakfast, Malia and Nick were back at his house waiting for their friends to show up. Malia was dribbling the basketball around Nick; okay, trying to get around Nick actually. She bounced the ball and turned to her left, dodging Nick and shooting the ball, it swished through the hoop. "WOOHOO! In your face Carter!"
Nick put his hands on his hips, "You have SO been practicing!"
She grinned, "Yep, you know it!"
"Very good Lia."
A car pulled up and two tall guys got out. It was their friends Matt and Trace. Trace ran over to Malia, pulled her up into a hug and swung her around. "Lia-baby! I have SO missed you!"
She laughed, "I missed you too Trace!"
He put her down, "How are you? It seems I can't get past the magazine rack in the grocery store without seeing your pretty face all over it!"
"I'm good Trace..how are you?"
"I'm good as well..dude, it is so good to see you two!"
Him and Nick hugged as Matt did the same with Malia. "How are you? You look good, girl!"
Malia blushed slightly but smiled anyways, I'm good..it's so good to be home."
"I bet..are you excited?"
"Very! I still can't believe I am where I am."
Matt slung his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close with a smile on his face, "You gots talent, kid. Real, raw talent."
"Kid?! Whatever!"
He laughed, "You know I'm joking!"
"I know but still!"
"So, who we waitin' for?," Trace asked bouncing the basketball.
Nick was guarding Trace, "We have to wait for Kristy and Mike."
"Cool..then we goin' to Kev's?"
"Yep. Come on Trace, play damnit!"
Trace just laughed and shot over Nick easily. He had been one of Florida's top basketball players in high school. He was sitting out a year in college though, but would be eligible the next fall. Matt nudged Malia, "So..how are you really?"
"I'm okay Matt. Really."
"Are you sure?"
"Positive."
"I mean, I heard what happened and all the crap happening with your manager has got to have you stressed out."
She nodded, "I know..I know...but I'm okay now. Everything will work out in the end."
"You know if you ever need anyone out there to help ya, call me and I'll be on the next flight out and beat some ass for you."
Malia grinned, "I know you would. If I didn't have Jeff, I'd of hired you as my security."
"Woulda been a smart move."
"Yes, I know this."
Soon, another car pulled up and a medium height, red haired girl and a tall, skinny, brunette guy got out. It was Mike and Kristy. Both Malia and Kristy squealed in delight and ran to hug one another. All the guys just exchanged a look.
"How are you?! Geez, you look so good Lia!"
"I'm fine, how are you? And I do not look good Kristy! Geez! But, look at you, you look wonderful!"
"I'm good too..and I am not nearly as pretty as you..if I see your face on one more magazine, I may have to call you and tell you to stop!"
Malia rolled her eyes, "Uh huh, sure. Whatever"
"I'm serious!"
Mike came around and hugged Malia as well, "You doin' good girl?"
She nodded, "Yep..I like to think so."
"So, we ready?!," Matt asked loudly.
"Yeah dumbass!," Trace shot back.
Matt retaliated by flicking him off, but everyone knew he was joking because he was smiling. "Well let's go! Miss Malia has said she is driving."
"Uh oh!"
"Shut up Mike!"
"Yeah, she drives a hell of a lot better than you!," Kristy said jokingly.
"Hey!"
Everyone laughed at Mike's expense and loaded into Malia's car. Soon, it was apparent that not everyone would fit in Malia's car, however. Nick decided he'd drive, and Mike and Matt would ride with him. Trace and Kristy got into Malia's car and she followed Nick out of the driveway. "So you're staying over with us tonight, right Lia?," Kristy asked.
"Yep."
"Cool. This'll be so much fun!"
"I know, it's been forever since we did this."
"Isn't that the truth. So you excited about the tour starting?"
Malia nodded, "Yep..it's going to be so much fun."
"I can imagine."
"You all are coming, right?"
Trace and Kristy both nodded. "Of course! And I am going to be wearing my Malia Jackson t-shirt, as well.," Trace said with a straight face.
Malia laughed, "I knew you had one!"
"I was going to make a sign that said, 'Please have my baby!' but Matt said I shouldn't"
"Well I'm glad you listened to him.."
"Sooo..anything going on with you and the Nickster?," Kristy asked.
"No.."
"Do you want something to be going on with you two?," Trace asked.
"Ummm..no."
"BEEP! WRONG ANSWER!"
Malia laughed, "Shut up Trace. I don't really know what I want.."
"Maybe this tour will help you all figure out some things."
"I hope so..I just wish Bryan would BUTT out."
"He still being a bitch?," Trace asked.
"Of course. I can't wait till May."
"I bet."
"Sooo..Malia looks good man..," Mike said.
Matt nodded in agreement, "Yeah she does."
Nick nodded as he concentrated on the road, "Yeah.."
Matt and Mike shared a Look. "Do you like her?"
"Of course I do man, she's like one of my best friends."
"I'm not talking like friends, I'm talking like more than friends.," Matt said.
Nick sighed, "Kinda..in a way."
"Why don't you go for it??"
"Yeah..she's absolutely gorgeous Nick. And I'm not gay or anything, but you two would be cute together."
Mike nodded, "Yeah...I'm sure she wouldn't say no Nick."
"I just...don't know..," Nick said as he stopped a red light, "I know I'd be insanely happy if we could date. But this is the key word: COULD."
"What do you mean?"
"We're in a business and industry that would eat both of us alive if we started to date and went public with it."
"But that shouldn't matter if you two like each other..," Matt said.
Nick started to pull into Kevin's driveway and sighed, "I know it shouldn't. But I know it would Matt."
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