Episode 185...

Nick drives me home after the Littrells’ party. We sit in his car outside my door.
“I guess I should go in,” I mutter.
When we got back from Brooklyn I had come straight back here and quite enjoyed living on my own for a week. But now it’s getting lonely. I miss having Jade around to talk to and argue with. The place seems so empty without her and all her stuff. Plus I’ve started hearing weird noises at night that I’m sure were never there before.
“Come back to my place,” Nick offers, reaching to hold my hand in his. “Just go pack a bag and we’ll go.”
“I can’t keep staying at your place. This is my HOME. I’ll get used to it.”
“You don’t have to get used to it. I asked you before about living with me and the offer’s still there.”
“I know, I smile at him. “It’s just a big step.”
“I know that!” he says with a laugh. “But I think we’re ready for it.”
“Maybe,” I shrug.
“Ali, take your time ok? I’m not gonna get mad if you decide to stay here for a while.”
“Thanks,” I lean over and kiss him before opening the door. “See you tomorrow?”
“Yup,” he nods and I climb out.
He waits until I get inside the apartment before driving away. I lean against the door and listen to the silence. This place was never silent before. There would always be at least one stereo blaring music at all hours. I giggle and walk through into the lounge. I sit down on the couch and rest my head on the back before closing my eyes.

Something wakes me up and I sit up, listening intently. The room is pitch black and I’m still sat on the pink couch. I must’ve fallen asleep after Nick dropped me off. I check the blinking VCR clock and see that it’s just gone 3am. The noise comes again. It’s a weird creaking sound and I immediately think of footsteps and imagine someone creeping down the hallway to me. My heart starts pounding and I grab the nearest thing, which turns out to be a cushion.
“Great plan Ali,” I tell myself. “Smother them to death.”
I clutch the cushion to my chest and creep towards the doorway as quietly as I can. The noise seems to get louder with every step I take and my muscles tense up. I reach the doorway and fumble about for the light switch. I find it and flood the place with light, holding the cushion above my head as though it is a lot more effective weapon than it is. I look around me and see nothing. The place is completely silent and empty. I groan and lean against the doorway, my heart still doing a great impression of a drum. I head to my room and throw a few things in a bag before leaving the place and climbing into my car.

Half an hour later I’m standing on Nick’s doorstep ringing the bell non-stop and hoping he wakes up before his neighbours do. Eventually he opens the door and stares at me, rubbing his head sleepily.
“Did I wake you?” I ask sheepishly, already knowing the answer.
“Uh, no I always try to stay awake at night,” he says sarcastically.
“Sorry baby,” I say as he stands back to let me in. “I couldn’t sleep so…”
“You heard things?” he says and I nod, embarrassed. “So you’re staying with me?”
“Uh huh. But only until you go back on tour,” I tell him.
“Fine,” he rolls his eyes and heads back to bed.

Brian packs the barbecue from last night away and heads back into the house. The party went on until 3am and then Jade and Brian had just gone to bed. He finds Jade in the kitchen putting away the plates. He walks up behind her and wraps his arms around her waist, kissing her neck.
“All done honey?” she asks.
“Uh huh, you?”
“Almost,” she puts a plate in the cupboard and shuts the door.
“Want help?” he manoeuvres her round in his arms so that she’s facing him.
“I’m good, thanks,” she smiles and wraps her arms around his neck. “It was great, last night.”
“Oh yeah,” he grins. “I loved hosting our own party.”
“Me too,” she giggles. “I was like “God, look at me?! Hosting a party in my house with my husband?! When’d I grow up?!” It felt good.”
“Sure did,” he tells her and kisses her. Their tongues entwine and he pulls her closer to his body. When they separate, he kisses her nose and rests his head against hers. “Y’know something Jade Willow Littrell?”
“I know more than something,” she tells him and he laughs.
“Well do you know just how much I love you?”
“Hmm, a lot?”
“More than that,” he says and she starts giggling. “What? I’m bein’ romantic here.”
“Well you might wanna avoid song titles,” she tells him. “I will love you more than that?”
“Oh yeah,” he laughs. “Ok, I love you big time.”
“That sounds weird,” she laughs.
“Ok, you try!” he says, a little disgruntled.
“Ok…” she reaches up and starts to play with his curls. “I love you deeper than any ocean, higher than any mountain, wider than any valley and further than any star.”
“Ok, that was better,” he admits after a silence. “That was good,” he says and kisses her deeply.
“Hey, I’m a writer,” she shrugs. “But I mean it. I love you.”
“I love you too Jady. Always. And y’know what I’m gonna do now to prove it?”
“What?”
“I’m gonna wash your car baby!” he says excitedly and she laughs.
“Ok, that was scary.”
“I’ve never washed your car,” he says. “And that’s what husbands do.”
“Wash cars?”
“Yup,” he nods and kisses her before letting go of her to go out to the garage.
Jade watches him go with a grin. It’s kinda cute to see him so excited over such a little thing. Brian backs the car out of the garage and then grabs two buckets to fill in the kitchen. He walks them back in and Jade watches him fill the buckets with a touch of amusement. He flashes her a grin and carries the buckets back outside.