3rd person POV

  Nickie’s phone buzzed. It was her mom.

  “Hey, Mom,” she answered.

  “Are you coming home soon? It’s late,” her mom said, concerned.

  “Yeah, Adam’s coming with me,” Nickie replied, glancing at him.

  Her mom paused. “Will he be okay getting back?”

  Nickie turned to Adam. “You okay crashing at my place?”

  Adam shrugged. “Sure.”

  “Ok if he stays over?”

  “Alright. Be safe, both of you.”

  “Thanks, Mom. Love you.”

  “Love you too, bunny.”

  Nickie hung up and grinned at Adam.

  “All set. You’re crashing at mine tonight.”

  Adam smirked. “Bodyguard and guest? Not bad.”

  “Don’t let it go to your head, Bass Boy,” Nickie shot back.

  “Too late,” he said, grinning.

  As they packed up the last of the gear, Adam turned to David, his voice casual but deliberate.

  “I’m gonna take Nickie home. I’m staying over at her place tonight.”

  David paused mid-motion, his hand resting on the strap of his guitar case.

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  “You’re staying over?” he asked, trying to keep his tone neutral but failing to mask the surprise in his voice.

  Adam avoided his brother’s gaze.

  “Yeah. Her mom’s okay with it.”

  “You sure about that? What if you… you know, have a nightmare or…”

  “It’s fine, Dave. I’ll deal.”

  “Alright. Just… take it easy, yeah? And call me if you need anything. Even if it’s the middle of the night.”

  Adam finally looked at him, a flicker of gratitude in his eyes.

  “I’ll be okay, Dave. Really.”

  David clapped him on the shoulder, a hint of pride in his expression.

  “Okay. Go be her bodyguard or whatever you’re calling it now.”

  “You’re hilarious.”

  “Hey, that’s why you keep me around. Wait a minute.”

  He put some cash in Adam's hand. “For the taxi.”

  Adam nodded, and David watched as he joined Nickie.

  Heartbeat time

  In their taxi, Nickie let out another yawn, covering her mouth with the back of her hand.

  Adam noticed and smirked.

  “If you’re that tired, just take a nap.”

  She shook her head, slumping slightly against the seat.

  “It’s uncomfortable. My neck’ll be sore tomorrow. It’s gonna be sore anyway after all that headbanging…”

  Adam shifted in his seat.

  Without asking, he pulled her gently closer to him.

  “Here,” he said, his voice softer.

  He guided her head to rest against his chest, then draped his arm around her shoulders.

  “Now sleep.”

  Nickie blinked up at him, momentarily surprised, but the warmth of his arm and the rise and fall of his chest soothed her.

  “This is… better,” she mumbled, her voice already heavy with sleep.

  She snuggled deeper into his arm, letting her eyes close.

  ‘I can smell Adam’s sweat… His deodorant…’ She thought hazily. ‘His arms feel strong. Warm.’

  The rhythmic sound of his heartbeat filled her ears.

  Buh-tum, buh-tum, buh-tum.

  ‘Such a nice rhythm…’

  Before she realized it, she’d drifted off, lulled to sleep by the steady beats of his heart and the safe cocoon of his embrace.

  Her breath slowed, warm against his chest.

  Adam stared out the window, unmoving, his arm still wrapped around her like it belonged there.

  I really enjoyed the warm moment... Hope you did too <3