I Won't Let You Close Enough to Hurt Me

Chapter 23

     Everyone finished dinner around 9:45 and began to head back up to their rooms. On the way out of the restaurant, Nick pulled Brooke to the side and whispered, "See you later tonight."

     Brooke smiled to herself. She was really excited to be spending more time with Nick.

     When Brooke, Paige, and Kelly all got back to their hotel room, they started to get ready for bed. Brooke rushed into the bathroom to wash her face and brush her teeth. When she was done, she put on a cheetah-print strapless bikini, and then put pajamas on over it. The hotel that they were staying at was right on the beach, and Nick had suggested they hang out there tonight.

     When she was all ready for bed, Brooke slipped under the covers while her mom and Paige got ready to go to sleep. Once the lights were off, Brooke slowly fell asleep.

     Around 12 A.M., Brooke felt her phone vibrate lightly against her cheek. She unlocked it and saw a message from Nick that read, "I'm outside your room."

     Brooke quietly snuck out of bed and grabbed her black rubber flip-flops. She opened the door, slipped outside, and shut it as softly as possible. The second Brooke turned around, she was greeted by a kiss from Nick.

     They walked down the hall hand in hand in silence, because everyone on the studio was staying on this floor, and they didn't want to risk getting caught. Brooke stopped in front of the elevator, but Nick motioned to the stairs because they would make less noise. Brooke immediately pointed to her injured knee, which was extremely bruised and swollen, so Nick scooped her up cradle-style and began to carry her down the stairs.

     When they got to the beach, they went straight to the water. They didn't go in too far, because Brooke was deathly afraid of sharks, but they went in far enough to splash each other. On one big splash, Brooke got saltwater right in Nick's eye.

     "I'm gonna get you Hyland!" Nick screamed before splashing water all over her stomach. It was so cold that she shrieked, hobbled out of the water, and lied down on the warm sand. Seconds later, Nick plopped down next to her. He slipped his hand into hers as they looked up at the stars together.

     After Brooke had been thoroughly warmed by the sand, she sat straight up, and Nick did the same. He put his arm around her and pulled her close. Brooke looked up at Nick and told him, "I'm glad we did this."

     "Me too," Nick responded. "It's already 12:30, we should probably head back soon."

     "You're right," Brooke sighed. She didn't want this night to end.

     "But first...," Nick's voice trailed off as he leaned in for a kiss.

     At first, Brooke was worried that someone would see them, but after a minute or two, she forgot they were even in public. Brooke leaned back so that she was laying on the sand, and Nick followed her. He slid his hands down to her waist as she ran her fingers through his hair. After about ten minutes, Brooke pulled away.

     "I think we'd better go upstairs," Brooke muttered.

     Nick nodded in response and picked her up again. He walked her into the hotel, up the stairs, and back to her room without even complaining. When Brooke was in front of her door, Nick pulled her into a tight hug and told her goodnight.

     When Brooke was back in the room, she changed into her pajamas again (this time without the bathing suit), and slipped under the covers. She looked at the clock to see that it was almost one in the morning, and then drifted off into a deep sleep. She had a big day ahead of her tomorrow.

*** Short chapter, sorry!!!