Classic ~ Nick Austin (COMPLETE)

8. The Drive

"What do you mean I smell like strawberries?" He asked defensively, as though he were accusing me of accusing him of something. For whatever reason, I was offended by this allegation.
"I'm just saying you smell different." I groaned, pushing past him as I walked into the bedroom.
"So... When did you start smoking?" He asked as he followed me, standing in the doorway.
"Uh, tonight." I shrugged as I started changing into my pyjamas.
"Tonight? What made you start?" He asked, I knew what he was insinuating, and he would have been correct.
"Um, one of the guys went out to smoke and invited me out so I went." I replied, not technically lying.
"Who? Who's this guy that you're with alone?" He asked, oh boy, here comes the lie.
"Um, one of Ryland's friends. He turned up after I called you. His name was something like Brad or whatever." I kind of lied and he nodded slightly.
"Why didn't you call me? To make sure you could smoke?" He asked and my brow furrowed.
"The fuck you mean? I don't need your permission to smoke." I groaned, "You know, I don't need this. I'm going."
"No you're not." He shook his head, gripping onto my wrist, tight.
"What?" I asked trying to pull my hand away from him, only making his grip tighter.
"You're staying here." He snapped, pulling me by the wrist to the bedroom. He closed the door behind me. My wrist was throbbing and hurt to move around. I guess I'm staying here then.

I woke up to my phone ringing, I picked it up seeing 'unknown number' pop up. 
"Hello?" I answered.
"Hey Ronnie, I got your number from Josh." Cynthia's voice chimed through and I sat up slightly.
"That's okay, what's up?" I asked.
"Some of us are going to the beach today, do you wanna come?" She asked and I smiled.
"Yeah sounds good." I smiled and she laughed.
"Good because we're on our way. See you in 10." She replied, making me groan.
"Give me 20." I groaned as I climbed out of bed. I changed into a blue bikini, with some white-denim shorts over the top and some Air Forces. I tied my hair up into a messy bun before throwing on my sunglasses and grabbing a towel, a change of clothes, my wallet and phone. I walked down to the lobby of the building, where I could see a car parked out front. I walked out, seeing Cynthia sitting in the front seat so I headed over, opening the back door to see Nick and Ryland smiling back at me.

"Hey guys." I smiled as I climbed in, throwing my bag over to the back.
"Hey Ronnie." Nick smiled back, I leaned in closer so only he could hear me.
"Did you make Cynthia call me?" I whispered and he smirked slightly.
"Well I figured it probably wouldn't be good if he heard my voice." He whispered back and I laughed slightly, nodding as I did so.
"Yeah that's a good call." I agreed as the car started moving, "So is it just us?" I asked and Cynthia shook her head.
"Nah, Dixie, Noah, Josh, Nessa, Avani and Anthony are coming as well." She smiled and I nodded.
"Okay, sounds good." I smiled back, "Okay, where are we going?"
"Carmel Beach." Cynthia informed and I nodded, thinking for a moment.
"Isn't that like..." I started but Ryland cut me off.
"6 hour drive." He groaned and I nodded.
"So are we staying the night there?" I asked and the others nodded.
"Thought we would." Quinton smirked and I nodded.
"Well I don't work for another few days and I don't particularly want to go home so we can stay for as long as you guys want." I smirked and Nick gave me a small look.
"Wha..." He started but I shook my head.
"Nothing new." I whispered back as his hand found it's way to mine, holding it softly, but it still hurt, making me wince slightly. I looked down at my wrist, noticing that it had a dark purple shadow around it.
"Ronnie." He whispered, noticing the bruise as well.
"Okay, maybe not nothing new." I replied as Ryland leaned forward.
"What are you guys talking about?" He asked, thankfully making Nick change the subject.
"Do you want something to put over the top, or are you fine driving 6 hours in just your bikini?" He said louder, I paused thinking for a moment, "I have a hoodie, if you want to wear it."
"Okay," I smiled softly as he turned to Ryland.
"Yo, pass me the hoodie behind you." He instructed and Ryland did so, Nick passing it onto me. I had to let go of his hand as I threw it on, allowing the overwhelming smell of Nick surround me. He smelled like coconut, I hadn't noticed 'til now. He retook hold of my hand, this time even softer, as I brought my feet up onto the seat, leaning them towards him.

After a couple of hours in the car, my phone started to ring. I pulled it out of my back pocket to see 'Tommy x' written on the screen. I decided not to answer it.
"Who was that?" Ryland asked and I looked up at him.
"Uh, Tommy. I'll call him later." I explained and he nodded as Nick let go of my hand, turning to Ryland and starting their own conversation. I rested my head back against the door, listening to the music that Cynthia was playing.

I didn't even realize that I had fallen asleep until I felt my shoulder being shaken softly.
"Ronnie, wake up." Nick's voice whispered as I opened my eyes slowly. "We're here." He smiled back at me.
"Oh, okay." I nodded as I sat up, undoing my seat belt and shuffling out of the car. "How long are we staying?" I asked him as we walked into the hotel.
"Cynth and Quin were just going to see how long our rooms are available." Nick answered as the other's walked over to us.
"So we can stay for three days, is that okay with you?" She asked and I nodded.
"Yeah, I'm not needed until Thursday, so that's fine." I answered and they turned to the other group, who had just arrived.
"Are you sure Tommy's going to be fine with this?" Nick whispered to me, me shrugging in response.
"He's going to have to be." I replied as I walked over to the group.
"We got three two-bedroom rooms. So that's me, Quin, Josh and Ness in one, Noh, Dix, Ant and Vani in one, and Nick, Ry and Ronnie in the last one. Nick and Ry should be fine to share a room because they do it normally." Cynthia explained and Nick nodded.
"Yeah, that's fine." He agreed as she handed out our keys.
"Um, I didn't know we were staying so does anyone wanna go shopping?" I asked and the girls nodded.
"Omg yesss! Girls shopping trip!" Vani agreed and I laughed slightly.
"Okay, meet back down here in an hour?" Ness offered and I nodded.
"Yeah, sounds good." Dix agreed as we headed towards the elevators and up to our rooms. I followed Nick and Ryland in, waiting for them to decide on their bedroom so that I could take the other. I walked into my bedroom changing into the blue denim skirt and white tee-shirt that I had brought, as well as the normal bra and underwear. I grabbed my phone, deciding to call Tommy.

"Ronnie, where are you?" He asked, obviously mad.
"Um, at the beach." I replied.
"With who?" He asked again.
"Some of Josh's friends." I replied sharply.
"For how long, when will you be back?"
"I don't know, in a few days." I replied, rolling my eyes as I walked into the bathroom to apply some makeup.
"No."
"What the fuck do you mean 'no'. I can do whatever the fuck I want." I groaned.
"I mean, no I don't trust you." He snapped and I laughed.
"You wanna talk about 'trust'. Call strawberries." I groaned again, hanging up the phone.

Once I had finished my makeup, I walked back into my bedroom, where Nick was waiting on my bed.
"I heard you on the phone." He whispered and I nodded, "Do you need a hug?" He offered, standing up and stretching out his arms for me to walk into. I wrapped my arms around his waist and dug my head into his chest. "What happened to your wrist?" He asked and I pulled away from the hug.
"Fuck, I have to cover it up." I answered, grabbing a piece of cloth that was for some reason in the bottom of my bag, wrapping it around my wrist like a bracelet.
"Ronnie, what happened?" He asked, I looked up at him and into his soulful eyes. He only wants to do you and dump you, Tommy's voice rang through my ears.
"I, uh, tell you later." I whispered and he nodded, "I have to go shopping."