No One Knows You Like I Do

Nick and the guys were almost done with the record. They just had to finish up the last song and then it would be ready for the final editing, but they didn’t have to be present for that. It was sent off to be finished while they got to go home. The whole process was scary, but more exciting than anything. It was crazy that they were so close to being finished with that whole thing already. It seemed like that had just started the day before, when in reality, it was actually a few weeks earlier.
With the album finishing up, Madison was getting anxious. She knew she was just one step closer to hearing the mastered songs, which meant she got to hear her songs. She was too excited to hear them, but she knew she still had a while to wait. At least she knew she would be able to hear them sooner than a lot of people and that put her at ease.
Nick walked out of the booth and started toward Madison. “All finished.” He grinned. Madison ran over to him and hugged him tightly. Nick kissed her and held her close. “Thanks for all your inspiration and support.” He whispered in her ear and she nodded. She didn’t what she could say without tearing up. She was so proud of the guys for finishing and making it so far. She went around and hugged the other guys, but quickly returned to Nick’s side and laced their fingers together.

******

Madison had just finished shoving her bag into the overhead compartment when Nick appeared at her side.
“Hey.”
“Hi.” She chuckled.
“Is this seat taken?” He pointed to the seat next to Madison’s.
“Yeah, it is. By that guy over there.” She pointed over at the seat’s owner with a chuckle as she sat down in her own seat.
“Not anymore.” Nick sat down. “I paid him $20 to switch seats with me.”
“You are so dumb. That was a waste of 20 bucks.”
“Nah. If it’s to sit next to you, it’s not a waste in my book.”
“Awh, you’re so retarded.” She laughed as she patted his knee.
“I’ll just go trade back then.” He started to stand, but Madison pulled him back.
“Stop it. Don’t be so dramatic. I’m only joking with you.” She kissed his cheek before resting her head on his shoulder. Nick kissed her forehead before lying back against the headrest and getting comfortable for the flight home.

******

Nick groggily reached for his and Madison’s bags off the conveyor belt. Madison sat crossed legged on the floor at his feet. She yawned as Nick dropped his bag next to her. Nick reached his hand out to her to help her to her feet. She stood and leaned into his chest as she adjusted her bags on her arms.
“Do you need a ride or is your car here?” Nick asked as he wrapped an arm around Madison.
“Mackenzie dropped me off.” She yawned again.
“I’ll drive you home then.”
“Thanks.” She smiled before pecking his cheek.

Nick threw their bags in the backseat of his car as Madison crawled into the passenger seat. When Nick got into the driver’s seat, he looked over at the already sleeping Madison next to him. He smiled at how cute she looked when she slept.
Nick started the car and headed for Madison’s house. Once they arrived, Nick gently shook Madison’s shoulder. She simply rolled over towards the window. Nick chuckled softly and got out of the car. He opened Madison’s door and unbuckled her seatbelt. He picked her up and she sleepily wrapped her arms around his neck. He got up to the front door before he realized he didn’t know how he’d get her inside.
“Madison, do you have a key?”
“There’s one in that potted plant.” She whispered. Nick knelt down and found the key quickly. He unlocked the door and stepped inside.
Nick set Madison down on her bed and kissed her forehead.
“I’ll call you later, okay?” Madison shook her head.
“No, don’t leave.” She grabbed onto his hand and held it tightly. Nick laughed before sitting on the bed. “Are you sure?”
“Mhm.” She nodded and her eyes were open now.
“Okay, let me go lock up first.”
“Fine.” Madison sighed as Nick stood up and went downstairs.
Madison quickly pulled out her phone and typed a message to Mackenzie letting her knew she was home and going to sleep. She put her phone on her bedside table before rolling onto her side and pulling up the covers.
Nick returned, turned off the bedroom light, and slipped off his shoes.
“Madison?” He whispered as he approached the bed.
“Mhm?” Nick sat on the edge of the bed.
“Just checking to see if you were still awake.” He pulled back the covers and climbed under them. Madison chuckled as she rolled over to face Nick, so she could rest her head on his chest. Nick wrapped his arm around her and closed his eyes.
“I love you.” Madison whispered.
“I love you, too.” He kissed her forehead before relaxing his body and falling asleep.

A pounding on the front door woke Madison and Nick.
“Who hates me so much to wake me like this?” Madison grumbled.
“No idea, but make them stop!” Nick rolled over and covered his ears with his hands.
“I don’t want to get up.” Madison pulled the covers over her face as she prayed whoever it was would go away. Just as the knocking stopped, Madison’s phone started ringing. “Please, just kill me.”
“Stop being so dramatic and answer it. Even I know that’s Mackenzie’s ringtone.” Nick sighed as Madison reached over him to grab the phone.
“Yes?”
“You know damn well that’s me at your front door! Now, stop fucking Nick and get down here!”
“Oh my god, MC, we’re not! And with an attitude like that, why should I come down there?”
“Because I know where you keep your spare key and if you keep me waiting, I’m coming in there. And you know what I’ll do if I have to come in there.”
“Nick, did you put the key back in the pot?” Madison whispered.
“Uh, yeah.”
“Alright!” Madison returned her attention to Mackenzie. “We’ll be down in a second!” She hung up and put the phone back on the table.
“We?” Who’s ‘we’? I am staying right here.” Nick said as he attempted to fall back asleep.
“Nope.” Madison sat on Nick. “If I have to get up, so do you!” Nick groaned under Madison’s weight, even though she wasn’t a heavy girl.
“Fine.” He sat up with Madison still on him. He picked her up in his arms, so he could stand up. He set her on the floor as she laced their fingers together. She pulled him down the stairs and over to the front door. Madison pulled open the front door as Nick sat on the bottom step.
“Took you long enough!” Mackenzie sighed with her arms crossed over her chest.
“Hello to you, too. Thanks for waking us up.”
“My pleasure, love.” Mackenzie stepped inside. “Hi, Nick.”
“Hey, MC.” Nick yawned.
“What do you want, Mackenzie?” Madison finally asked.
“I wanted to see my best friend after she finally returned from California. Is that a crime?”
“No, but we were sleeping.”
“Do I look like I care? I’m glad you guys are back together, ya know. I just wanted to see you two happy again. Nick, she was miserable without you.”
“MACKENZIE!” Madison shouted.
“What? It’s true!”
“Don’t you have things to do? Like, call Garrett or something?”
“Fine.” Mackenzie groaned. “Can I at least hug my best friend?”
“Of course.” Madison sighed and hugged Mackenzie tightly. “Now, get out of her and find someone else to torture.”
“Oh, honey, you know you’re my only friends other than the guys.”
“This is true. Whatever, just go!”
“Alright, I’m gone!” She waved as she stepped back outside. “Bye, Nick!”
“Bye, Mackenzie.” Madison closed the door quickly as Nick stood up and walked over to her. He wrapped his arms around her and started kissing her neck delicately.
“Miserable, huh?” He smirked into her neck and she pushed him away quickly.
“Shut up.” She walked towards the kitchen and Nick followed.
“Stop.” He laughed. “I think it’s cute. I like to hear that I’m not the only that’s miserable when we’re not together.” He shrugged as he caught up her and pulled her into his chest. He kissed her forehead. “I love you.”
“Mhm.” Madison pulled away again walked over to the fridge, pulling it open.
“Madison.” Nick said as he walked over to her. He placed his hands on her torso from behind and pulled her into his chest. He started kissing her neck again as she desperately tried to focus on the contents of the fridge. It obviously wasn’t working because her eyes closed and her legs began to feel like jello under Nick’s touch. She closed the fridge and lost herself for a moment.”
“Stop it!” She laughed. “You’re making it so hard to want to stick to this ‘take it slow’ rule.”
“We don’t have to follow it, ya know.” He turned her around so she was facing him. He kissed her lips quickly and passionately before Madison pulled away, just like he knew she would. She left their foreheads touching.
“But we should.” Nick nodded and pecked her lips once more before back away from her and leaning against the counter.