In Real Life: A Jonas Sister Love Story

In Real Life: Chapter 18

DEMI’S POV

“Your brother seems cool,” I said to Nicole as we all settled into her room. “Is it weird going from having three brothers to just one?”

“To be honest, it’s weird not seeing the guys as my brothers anymore. Kevin said they would always be my brothers, but some things have changed,” Nicole said looking at her feet.

“What things?” Selena asked. Nicole knew better than to leave her hanging like that.

“Well, Joe,” Nicole said. I closed my eyes praying that I could suddenly go deaf. I had made my peace with the fact that Joe and I would never be more than friends. I just didn’t think I could handle hearing Nicole talk about her relationship with him. “When I was packing up to move here Joe—“

“Joe what?” Selena asked.

“Joe kissed me,” Nicole said softly. Selena squealed in surprise before peppering Nicole with more questions. I felt nauseous. I knew it would happen, but to hear that he kissed her stung. I stood up and grabbed my purse. “Demi, what are you doing?”

“I don’t feel so good,” I said walking to the door of her room. “I think I’m just going to go home.” Nicole and Selena tried to convince me to stay, but I waved them off and ran from the apartment. I walked in the cold night air surprised when I found myself in front of Jonas’ house. I had intended to go home, but somehow I had ended up here.

“Demi!” Joe said with a smile as he popped out the front door. “I thought you were hanging out with Nicole tonight. What are you doing here?”

“I missed you,” I said softly surprised by my own honesty. Joe smiled and I was lost in his eyes for a moment. Realizing what I had just said I tried to figure out how I could take it back.

“I missed you too,” Joe said snapping me out of my thoughts.

“You did?”

“Yeah. I feel like I haven’t seen you in ages especially now that Nicole has moved out. You haven’t been avoiding me have you?” I knew he was asking it jokingly, but I had been avoiding him. I had been hoping that time apart would help me get over him quicker. “Why don’t you come in?”

“No thanks,” I said softly. “I should head home.” I turned around and had taken a few steps before I turned back. “Nicole told us about the kiss.”

“She did?” Joe asked in surprise. “Oh. Is that weird for you?”

“It has nothing to do with me,” I said. “You should ask her out. Tell her how you feel and ask her out.” I turned to walk away, but Joe whirled me back around.

“That wouldn’t be weird?” Joe asked. “Asking out my adopted sister?”

“If you don’t somebody else will and then what will you do?”

“If it were you in Nicole’s place, would you say yes?” I looked at him for a moment getting lost once again in his eyes.

“Do you mean if you asked me out, would I say yes?” Joe nodded waiting for me to answer. “It doesn’t matter Joe. In this reality you and I are only friends. Ask her out. Take her to her favorite restaurant. Fall in love.”

“Demi, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” I said frustrated. “I’m just having a hard time letting go.” Joe pulled me into a hug.

“Is it that guy you told me about before?”

“Yeah,” I mumbled into Joe’s chest. “I didn’t want to believe it, but he really has moved onto someone else. It’s just hard to admit it.”

“Maybe he hasn’t moved on,” Joe said surprising me. “Maybe he just knows that you can’t be more than his friends. Maybe he doesn’t want to lose what he has with you.” I pulled back from his embrace and watched his eyes trying to figure out what Joe was talking about.

“But what if he’s risking something bigger in his attempt to move on? What if there’s the possibility that he could lose so much more?”

“Maybe losing you would hurt more than losing everything else,” Joe said. I pulled away and began my walk home. All the while my mind was churning. Did Joe know I was talking about him?

JOE’S POV

I watched Demi as she walked away. I decided then that I would ask out Nicole. Nicole was special to me, and we had chemistry for sure. Besides, I had meant what I said to Demi. I couldn’t risk losing Demi in my life. Because losing Demi would hurt more than losing everything else.

[AN: I had to add the little Joe bit for y’all! Lots of action coming up soon! I’m headed to bed, but the next chapter will be the Jonas’ family Sunday dinner!]