On Your Side

John was getting use to waking up beside her. In fact, he found himself loving it more and more each time it happened. He tightened his grasp on her although she had woke up several minutes ago. He just liked having her close.

"And what are you planning to do today, Miss Nickelsen?" He asked, placing several kisses over her jaw.

"Um, well Eric invited me to band practice. I want to see Nick also so there's that..."

John's eyes met hers and he could just tell how she felt just by that.

"You know, you don't have to feel as guilty as you seem to. We aren't together." He stated and she nodded, "I know..."

"It'll be good for you to go hang out." He added and she sighed, "I know."

"But? There's always a but..."

Jenna chuckled, "No, there isn't."

He grinned, "Ok, so that's taking place. What about after that?"

"I'm a free woman, O'Callaghan. The possibilites are endless."

"Ah, I see. Well, as long as you find your way back to me tonight it doesn't matter to me."

A blush hit her cheeks and he grazed her jaw with his finger tips.

"I like sleeping with you. Is that ok?" He asked, his eyebrows narrowing together as if it was a serious question.

"Yeah..." She whispered and he kissed her cheek gently.

"I should go." He whispered against her ear, "I'll see you tonight."

She nodded as he moved from the bed and she sat up watching him slide on his jeans.

"John?"

"Mhm?" He mumbled, looking over at her as he slid on his boots.

She didn't respond and he stepped over to her, leaning down to be eye level as a grin hit his lips, "What is it Jenna Nickelsen?"

She bit her lip in debate before taking him completely off guard and raising up, pressing her lips to his. She was hoping that would help her figure out these feelings she was having.

She pulled back and he couldn't even move or breathe as he stared at her.

"I'm sorry I-" She spoke and he immediately grabbed her and crashed his lips to hers.

"Stop. Don't apologize anymore." He whispered, tangling his fingers in her hair as they pulled back enough to breathe.

Her eyes met his and he kissed her once more before forcing himself to grab his shirt from the floor and sliding it on. He was shaking now simply from her lips and he knew if he didn't move away from her he wouldn't be able to stop himself.

"Will I see you tonight?" He finlly asked picking up his keys and Jenna bit her bottom lip as she nodded.

"Ok, well, I'll see you then, Jenna." He stated and she watched him leave her room. She knew she should feel wrong about kissing John, but it felt so right. How was this fair?!

Jenna forced herself to get ready for the day and by the time she was done she walked down stairs to find Eric laughing with Garrett. Once her presence was known Eric's eyes immediately went to her.

"Hey you, are you ready?" He asked, pushing up from the sofa.

"Yep."

The pair said goodbye to her brother and headed to Nick's which wasn't too far from her own house.

"The guys are pretty excited to see you." Eric stated with a smile as they walked to the door.

"I've missed them." She replied, as the door open.

"Yeah especially a one Nick Santino." Nick said scooping her up as she laughed, "Especially him."

Nick smiled as he placed her on her feet, "Doing good?"

She nodded, "I assume so."

"Great, this will be just like old times." He stated, slinging his arm over her shoulders and leading her out to the familiar garage.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't our number one fan." Justin joked and she laughed as she sat on the beat up couch they had bought for twenty dollars several years ago. She was still uncertain if it was safe.

Eric chuckled as he picked up his bass, "She only came to watch me, Justin. It's been a while since she's seen how sexy I am while playing an instrument."

Nick rolled his eyes and Jenna couldn't help but laugh as a smile hit Eric's lips.

"Prepare yourself now. I've learned some new tricks."

Jenna laughed, "Oh, I'm sure."

"He is why we never get shit done." Nick stated and Jenna laughed once more. She truly missed being around them. It was always so easy going and fun. She loved it.

"Psh, I'm the Pete Wentz of the band. Everyone does the work, I stand here and get chicks. It happens. Nothing I can do about it. Blame my parents on the fact that I'm attractive!"

"Ok, Pete Wentz, shut up and get to playing then." Jenna said and Nick thanked her.

Eric gave her a wink and she smiled leaning back in her seat.

Nick was right though. Between Eric's spastic ways and his talkative nature, only one song was completely played before everyone gave up and began to do there own thing.

"I think you've gotten better, Halvo." Jenna joked as he fell beside her.

"Yeah, well, some people are gifted, what can I say?"

She giggled and he smiled at her as he relaxed in his seat. No matter what she felt he couldn't help but feel comfortable around her. She did that to him.

"Is my charm working?" He asked with a raised eyebrow and she smiled, "A little I must say."

"Great."

"Next step?"

"I can't tell you all my tricks, Jenna. How would that be fun?"

She chuckled and he slid his hand onto the top of hers that laid between them. Her eyes met his and he spoke softly in order for no one else to hear.

"I'm sorry Jenna, it's just been so long since I've touched you that it's taking everything in me not to grab you up and hold you close. I don't wanna scare you though, you know?" He stated, staring at his own fingers trace over hers.

She instictively grabbed a hold of his hand causing his eyes to move back to hers.

"Eric, you've always kind of scared me so..."

A smile hit Eric's lips and she laughed, "Kidding."

"Such a jerk sometimes."

She smiled and he reached up, brushing her hair back behind her ear.

"I know this will take time. I am prepared for that. I just, it's hard sometimes."

"I know and I'm sorry."

"Don't be. Everything will work out." He whispered and she leaned up kissing his cheek. She hoped he was right about that.

Jenna couldn't help but be drawn in to Eric. His personality and his laughter was hard to deny. She giggled against his shoulder as he tried to explain to Nick the proper way to dress like a hipster which was clearly pissing Nick off by the look on his face.

"Eric." She whispered through her laughter as she tugged on his arm.

"Jenna, this is serious. If he's going to do it, he has to go all in or not at all."

"I'm going to break your boyfriend's face." Nick said as he looked up from his guitar he was messing with.

"Yeah, and you know what happens to bands who fight? They break up. Look at Fall Out Boy. Pete was cooler and everyone got mad and bam. No more band."

"Oh my god. Enough with the Fall Out Boy references!" Jenna said laughing and Nick rolled his eyes, "We need a new bass player!" He yelled out to anyone listening.

"Oh you know life would be boring without, Eric." Jenna said, patting Eric's cheek.

"Yeah, yeah." Nick grumbled before leaving the garage which left just her and him sitting in silence.

"It's getting late. Do you want me to take you home?" He asked glancing at his watch and Jenna shrugged, relaxing her head back on his shoulder.

"I've had fun spending time with you today, Jen." He whispered and she spoke, "Yeah, I've missed you guys."

"So you think you would want to hang out with me again?"

She chuckled, "Of course."

"Well hey, just making sure." He stated as they moved from the couch. He drove her home in silence but this time it wasn't an awkward one. It felt like a silence he shared with her when they were together. He enjoyed it.

Eric walked her to her door and he grinned, shoving his hands into his jean jacket. His nerves now getting the best of him.

"Can I see you tomorrow? If you want to that is. I mean, if not it's ok, I just..." He rambled and she smiled before sliding her arms around his torso and hugging herself to him.

Eric immediately shut up and placed his arms around her tightly, not wanting to let her go.

"Yeah, I want to." She mumbled into his shirt.

"Good to know."

She raised up and kissed his cheek, "Goodnight."

"Goodnight Jenna." He managed to say before she walked inside.

Even though he was already certain on the feelings he had for her, this was starting to feel all new again and he loved it. Maybe he could afterall win her over again.