You Make It Easy || Nikki Sixx

Chapter 24

     "Hey! Can we stop up here?" Nikki shouted in my ear over the loud sound of wind and water. I pulled the waverunner to a stop and took off the key. "Wanna go for a swim?" I ask, removing my life jacket and wrapping it around the handle.

     "Just wanted to talk for a minute. A little peace and quiet, no one around.." he rested his chin on my shoulder.

     I sat up and turned around so that I could face him. "You seem to be feeling better than yesterday.." I run my fingers through his hair. "You barely wanted to do anything today." I look at him with a frown.

     "Ari, It's just..." he sighed "It's a lot sometimes. I- I mean.." he sighed again. "Nevermind" he mumbled.

     "Well, if it makes you feel better, only in a few short weeks will you be sneaking me into a bunch of college bars." I smile, trying to lighten the mood. Nikki continues to stay quiet making me wonder what's going through his mind. "Come on, let's go for a swim," I say standing up, ready to jump in the water.

     "What? No, I don't want to get my hair wet."

     "You are such a baby- come on!" I take his hand, forcing him to fall into the water with me.

     He resurfaced with a playful scowl, shaking his head to clear the water from his hair. "Are you kidding me?" he tilted his head.

     I floated with a guilty look on my face "Someone's gotta force you to have fun!"

     "I can have plenty of fun without getting my hair wet," Nikki retorted, a playful glint in his eyes as he splashed water at me.

     We swam only for a little while before we decided to head back. Pulling back up to the pier we saw what looked like a shirtless Tommy wearing an apron, holding a beer, and attempting to barbeque on the patio. As we approached the patio, the scent of sizzling barbecue wafted over to us, mixing with the fresh breeze. Nikki and I exchanged curious glances. It was quite an unexpected sight to see Tommy, attempting to master the art of grilling.

     Tommy noticed our arrival and gave us a wide grin, his apron stained with sauce. "Hey, you two! Perfect timing. I've taken over dinner duty," he exclaimed, waving the spatula in his hand like a makeshift flag.

     Nikki and I shared a baffled look before Nikki said back, "You're grilling? Are you sure you won't somehow burn the house down?"

     "Nahhh" Tommy slung his wrist in an un-reassuring response.

     "Anyway..." I rolled my eyes. "So whatcha burning?"

     "Beef tenderloin." he smiles

     "Well, call us when you're done. Or when one catches on fire" I smile up at Nikki, seeing him giggle too. I followed Nikki into the house where we set down our things. "Hey mom, hey dad" I greeted, as did they. I trailed into the bedroom to begin untangling my damp hair. Nikki followed behind and began to get undressed into some fresh clothes. "Nikki.." I stopped him. "How about before you get dressed, you join me in the shower" I ask, looking at him through the mirror. His head shoots up and a smirk appears on his face.

     "Lead the way," he smiles. I gave him a towel to wrap around himself and grabbed one for myself. He eagerly followed me out the back door and down the stairs and awkwardly passed the group of boys sitting on the patio, into the basement. From there we took a very long shower to the point the water started to run cold.

     As the refreshing water cascaded over us, Nikki and I shared a couple of intimate moments, laughing and whispering in each other's ears. It was an escape from the outside world, a private oasis where our worries and stresses melted away. The steam from the hot shower filled the room, creating a very steamy atmosphere, and I mean that in two ways ;)

     Nikki's fingers gently traced patterns on my wet skin as I leaned into his chest. The sound of the water provided a soothing backdrop to our conversations.

     "You know what" Nikki began, his voice low and intimate, "I think I'm going to take you with me to Monsters of Rock in August.

     "What? Seriously?... Nikki I-"

     "I'm serious! I wanna take you!" he smiled.

     "I- well.. I'll have to ask my parents to make sure. Where is it?" I asked

     "Short little tour through Europe" he grinned.

     "That's the festival with AC/DC and Van Halen!" I shout.

     "Oh so you do know?" he laughed.

     "Oh my god am I gonna meet David Lee Roth?" I begin lightly bouncing out of excitement.

     "Ehhhh, maybe let's get more excited about us playing and I'll think about it." he replied

     I turned off the shower, and we stepped out, wrapping ourselves in towels. We then got ourselves decent for the hopefully not burnt meal that Tommy prepared. After dinner, we gathered around a bonfire in the backyard, watching the flames dance in the cool evening air, rocking me right to sleep on Nikki's shoulder.

     "Hey" I felt a few taps on my shoulder "Ari, it's time for bed now." Nikki whispers to me. I groaned and shifted, not waiting to get up from my seat. "Are you seriously going to make me carry you?" I groan again, which means yes. Nikki scooped me up from the chair and slowly carried me up the stairs. Going into my bedroom, he gently laid me down, and I reached out to pull him closer, not wanting to let go just yet.

     Nikki chuckled softly and crawled into bed beside me, pulling the covers over us. "What about your parents not letting us sleep in the same bed?"

    "Fuck that" I mumble through the pillow.

     "Alright" he says through a laugh. He kissed my cheek "Goodnight Aria."
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