You're My Exception

Chapter 20

"I know! I can't believe it!" Demi squealed.

Joe put on his best acting and smiled. "Wow, Dems! I'm so happy for you!" He pulled her into a hug, but he was crushed.

"Thanks Joey! I knew you'd be happy!" she smiled. Joe and Selena made eye contact. She mouthed 'I'm sorry' to him.

"Wow, Demi's getting married," Nick said. "Congrats, sis."

"Thanks," she said, raising an eyebrow at Nick and Selena once again.

Selena looked at him and Nick realized what he was doing and pulled his hand away. "Oh, sorry." He hugged Demi. "I'm so happy for you."

"When did he propose?!" Selena asked as soon as they pulled away.

"Tonight!" Demi exlaimed. Her face was glowing. Joe had never seen her look so bright.

After the talk of the engagement and wedding plans faded Joe said, "Hey Dems, guess what I found when I got home?"

Selena's eyes widened, then narrowed.

"What?" Demi asked, noticing Selena.

"Um, a mess on the hardwood floor in Nick's room," Joe replied, backing down because Selena's stare intimidated him.

"You still need to clean that up!" Nick groaned.

"I should get going," Demi said.

"Hey can you give me a ride home?" Selena asked.

"Sure, bye guys." They all exchanged hugs.

"Bye Nick," Selena hugged him. Their hug lasted a little too long and Demi raised an eyebrow at Joe, who chuckled softly.

"Your house tomorrow," Nick whispered in her ear.

"Come on, Sel. Let's go." Demi smirked, dragging her out.

"You two are crazy for each other," Joe laughed.

"So what's going on with you and Nick?" Demi asked as they started driving home.

"Nothing," Selena said, looking away.

"Mhmm, okay," Demi said, smirking. "What's going on, Sel? You know I can tell when you're lying."

She sighed. "Okay fine. I'm hooking up with Nick."

"You're what?!" Demi asked.

"What? It doesn't hurt. He's single, I'm single."

"Why don't you two just go out? You're perfect for each other."

"We decided it's best if we don't."

"You're afraid of getting hurt by him?" she asked, and silence followed.

"And hurting him," Selena answered after a long silence.  "We've had too much hurt in our past. I don't want it to happen again. He probably doesn't feel the same way back anyway. We mostly just make out when we're alone and sometimes..."

"You've slept with him?!" Demi asked in shock.

"Um....maybe..." Selena blushed.

"Damn girl," she laughed. "Get it!"

"Shut up," Selena said. "What about you, huh? You said yes to Sterling, and I'm happy for you, really, but what about Joe?"

"What about him?" A shot of pain went through her heart.

"What do you think he thinks of this engagement?"

"He's happy about it, I can tell."

Selena laughed without humor. "Joe must be some damn great actor, because as soon as he turned away from you, his face fell."

"We're best friends, Sel. It's not like that."

"Why'd you get jealous of the kiss the other night?" Selena asked. When Demi didn't answer, she continued. "Joe's been an amazing friend to you. He could've told you straight up that he doesn't like your boyfriend, but he didn't. He wants your happiness, that's all. He let it slip by without saying anything, and just like the amazing friend he is to you, he'll do the same about your engagement, your wedding and anything else that breaks his heart. He's too good of a friend, Dems. You have feelings for him, don't deny it."

"He should've spoken up," Demi said, feeling tears start to form. She stopped the car at Selena's house.

"If the roles were switched, would you?"

Demi looked down, closing her eyes to stop the tears. "No."

"Exactly."

"Joe wasn't there for me. I fell in love with him, then he broke my heart. He brought his girlfriend on tour. He wasn't there when I needed him most; He wasn't there during treatment, but Sterling was."

"Wow, Demi. I see what this really is about. You're afraid of him breaking your heart and leaving you again. Look, I know it hurt so much. I can only imagine the pain you were going through when this all happened, but it was more than three years ago and he's here now. He'd do anything for you."

"Selena, not now. I just got engaged."

"And Joe just got crushed."

"Who's side are you on, Selena?"

"I'm just reasoning with you, Dems. I love you and Joe. You're both my best friends, but you've got to overcome your past."

"And you should listen to your own advice," Demi gave her best friend a pointed look.

Selena sighed. "I'll see you tomorrow," She got out of the car.

One question crossed both their minds that night, making them unable to sleep: What am I going to do?