Nick

My brother & I absolutely love Vegas, so when he was doing a DJ set on a Saturday night, I took the opportunity to join him. It was an amazing night with friends & meeting celebrities, like Cuba Gooding Jr. I had a great time & the next day I hung out with Joe a little more before we headed out. Gigi & her friend, Kendall Jenner were there & since I was also in the city, so the rumors started flying & I heard from Demi on Sunday morning via text. "Tell me you didn't hang out with Kendall."

I laughed when I read her text, while I was on the plane & responded with "No."

"What's funny?" my friend, Gregg asked as he buckled up across from me. I explained to him about how Demi was adamant about me not dating Kendall & Gregg laughed. "I got to agree with her, man. She's too high profile. And way too young."

"I have no intentions of going out with her." I said, looking out the window as the plane got ready to take off.

About an hour later, as the plane was landing, I called Phil to ask him about a meeting we were supposed to have sometime that week. "Hey, Phil. What day are we meeting this week?" I asked him when he answered. "I know you're going to New York with Demi later, so we probably need to meet up in the next few days, huh?"

"I don't think Demi will be going to New York." Phil said in a quiet voice.

"Really? Why not?"

I heard Phil sigh, then clear his throat. "Her mom just called me to let me know since I'm her manager & she figured I should know so I can figure stuff out right away... Nick... Buddy was killed today."

I felt my heart sink & tears burned the back of my eyes thinking of how devastated Demi must be right now, hearing that sentence. Buddy was her baby. He was like her child. I covered my mouth, for a moment, trying to find my voice. "What happened?" I asked in a whisper. It must have just happened after she had texted me & now I felt horrible. Was I distracting her?

"Dianna said it was a coyote that got into Demi's yard... and.... I guess Demi found him. Wilmer took Demi to her mom's immediately before he had to catch a flight back to Canada. Dianna said Demi hasn't left the bedroom."

My heart was breaking for Demi & I knew I needed to go to her. "Wilmer left?"

"He had to get back to Canada for shooting the show. They're on a tight schedule so he couldn't just not go back. He knew Demi was going to be okay with her parents. I'm worried about her, Nick." Phil's voice was shaking & I knew he was thinking this could make her relapse, since that thought was in my head for a fleeting moment as well.

"Demi will be fine, Phil. Don't you worry. She isn't the same girl she was four or five years ago. She's so much stronger & I know she's got her family & friends around to help her. I'm heading over there as soon as I land."

"Oh, good. I'm in San Francisco so I can't go see how she is. Please call me after, to let me know how she is & if there's anything I can do, okay?" Phil sounded relieved.

"Of course." I replied, then we disconnected. My leg shook as I waited for the plane to stop, so I could get the hell off of it. Gregg expressed his concern & I just told him, "Demi needs me." He didn't ask any questions, probably since he could see on my face that I was in agony. I was feeling so bad because I was upset when Demi got Buddy. He was a dog her & Wilmer could share & parent together, preparing themselves for human children one day. I didn't even want to interact with the cute little guy at first, but when Demi wasn't looking I played with Buddy while John had him. He really was a sweet dog & he really did look like he was smiling. I also saw all the photos Demi posted online & each one made my heart skip a beat. They were so cute & anyone could see how much she loved him & how much he meant to her.

The moment the plane door opened I made a b line to the airport exit & had the driver of the car, waiting for me, take me straight to Dianna's. I had to make sure Demi was okay. I needed to be there since Wilmer couldn't. I didn't want her to be in pain, even though I knew she was. My heart was breaking along with hers, knowing how bad she felt.

I got to Dianna's house & made my way to the front door, then rang the doorbell. A moment later, Dianna opened the door & looked surprised to see me. "Nick. What are you... oh gosh, did you hear?" Her voice cracked as her hand came up to cover her mouth. I nodded, then put my arms out so she could let me hug her. After a few minutes of crying in my arms, she invited me in. "I'm glad you're here. She got here & went into her bedroom, got into bed & hasn't come out since. I don't think she's eating either, even though I've taken her stuff."

I licked my lips & looked around the house, wondering who was here. "Eddie just left to run to the store for some stuff to eat. Maddie left with Roxi because she needed to get out of the house & take her mind off of what happened. I'm here alone right now. Go see her. She could probably use her best friend." Dianna rubbed my bicep, softly, then I sighed before heading toward the bedroom that was Demi's while she stayed here.

I didn't even knock on the door. I opened it & saw Demi with her back to me as she laid on the bed, curled up a little, a blanket covering the bottom half her of her legs. I sat on the edge of her bed, slowly, trying not to move the bed too much. "Demi?" I croaked out.

Demi turned to look at me, then she sat up, a little & her face collapsed as she broke down crying. I wrapped my arms around her, shushing her as I rocked her, kissing her head & smoothing her hair. She sobbed for several minutes, then I leaned back, laying us both down on the bed, so I could continue to hold her while maybe she fell asleep. Her sobbing subsided a little, but I could still hear her whimpering & feel her trying to catch her breath. "Why did this happen? I don't understand it." She finally choked out.

"I wish I had an answer for you, Demi. It's just one of those things, but please don't blame yourself. Please don't think about the what if's. I know you & you're doing just that. I really am sorry this happened. I wish I could take the pain away."

Demi lifted her head to take some breaths. "I just can't get the image out of my head." She let out a sob with her words, then buried her face in my chest again.

I sighed as I held her tighter. "Every time you start to picture it, you need to remember a memory of him, smiling, instead. You have so many, Demi. He made you so happy. Happier than any guy ever could, that's for sure. I loved seeing all your photos of him on Instagram. And maybe..." I was about to say something that I couldn't even believe I was thinking let alone, about to verbalize. "You should go to Canada to be with Wilmer & to get away from it all."

"You think so?" Demi asked, sounding surprised as she lifted her head again.

"I do. Wilmer is the only one who truly knows what you're going through & how you feel." I said, feeling an ache in my chest. I ignored it, since Demi's happiness was my priority right now.

"Maybe you're right. I should go be with him." She sat up a little, wiping her tears. "Thank you for coming. I can't believe you did."

"You needed me." I replied, with a shoulder shrug.

Demi looked like she might start crying again, but she managed to smile through her tears. "I can't even tell you how much it means to me that you're here." Demi laid down against me & shivered. "I'll fly to Canada in the morning. But... can you just hold me until I fall asleep, please?"

I nodded as I put my arms around her again & leaned my cheek on the top of her head. She dozed off minutes later & I laid there, thinking about our future. It would consist of friendship only & even though it did sadden me, I was grateful that at least I would have her in my life that way. Just as I was about to doze off, Demi jumped as she called out Buddy's name in her sleep. I held her tighter & shushed, in her ear, quietly, willing her to go back to sleep. She quieted down & seemed to relax then I fell asleep minutes later.

Demi woke me in the morning with a few nudges. "You stayed all night?" She asked, a sweet smile on her lips as I rubbed the sleep from my eyes.

I got off her bed & stretched as Demi started making the bed. I helped her, watching her face, closely. "How'd you sleep?" I asked.

She shrugged. "Okay, I guess. It's gonna be tough for a while." Her chin started to tremble. "Maybe I should stay here & not bother Wilmer. He's working and..."

I stood up straight & put my hands on my hips. "Demi. He was his father just as you were his mother. This was your practice child, wasn't it?"

Demi's eyes darted up to look at my face. "Practice child?"

"Yea, you & Wilmer got a dog to practice being parents before a real kid. This was your family & that's big. It's huge. " I lifted my shoulders, trying not to sound jealous. I was so jealous, I could feel it eating away at my insides. "It means you guys are ready for that next step. Anyway, Wilmer would want to be here if he could be so I bet he will be relieved if you go to Canada."

"I guess, you're right. That makes sense." She smiled at me, but not one that reached her eyes. I could still see the sadness in them.

Demi came around the bed to stand before me & I reached out to hug her. I held her for several minutes, feeling a little guilty that I was glad this happened so I had an excuse to hold her like this. "I'm only a phone call away, Demi. You know that, right?" I asked, my chin resting on the top of her head. I felt her nod, then she pulled away from me. I ended up driving her home & helped her avoid the backyard so she could pack. I drove her to the airport & said goodbye to her, then headed to the set of Kingdom. Thankfully, I didn't need to be on set until the afternoon.

Working helped to take my mind off Demi, but I was texting her to check on her. She responded to my texts & seemed to be okay, but I knew it was an act. At least Wilmer was helping her now.

The next day, I woke up to the internet buzzing about Olivia's nude photo shoot. Demi even sent me a text, "Did I call it or did I call it? LMAO." She ended her text with a laughing emoji & then the frog & coffee emoji. I had to laugh at that & I was hoping she was laughing with me. I stayed off social media, for the day, so I didn't have to see all the people saying I was missing out by dumping Olivia. I rolled my eyes at that, since I dumped her because I wasn't in love with her. Not because of her body. I didn't give a shit that she was posing totally nude with some guy in a shoot, because the photos I saw were scary. They weren't even sensual or sexy. They were creepy, in my opinion.

Demi even made an announcement that same day about Buddy & again I was thankful, since it took a little of the attention away from me. I kept in contact with her as much as I could while I was on set, wanting to make sure she was truly okay.

That following weekend, Ronda Rousey was fighting & Demi & I were texting that day, wondering how long the fight would even last. We even put a little bet on how long. I guessed 42 seconds & Demi guessed 33 seconds & I laughed at how excited she was getting about this fight. I was so happy she was feeling this way after the super sad week she had.

Demi texted me the moment Ronda's fight was done. "34 seconds baby! I believe I won."

I laughed as I texted back. "Yea, you won. What did you win? Did we even have a wager?"

"LMAO. Uh. You owe me Starbucks next time you see me." She replied.

She didn't text me anymore, but I saw her tweets so I knew she was in a good place, at least for the night. I had a show that night & my brother was there to celebrate with me. I hung out with him before & after my show, along with my friend, Paul. An old friend, Katya was also there, since she was now 21 & legal. Her dad used to work security for the band years before, so I'd known her a long time. Joe left in the morning because he had a birthday party to go to with Gigi. That next afternoon, I was hosting a pool party & Paul & Katya came to that as well.

That evening, Demi called me, shortly after I got home. "So I saw Katya was in Vegas. She's a little hottie isn't she?" Demi commented & I felt like she was jealous. I didn't want to get my hopes up, though.

"Yea, she's not a little girl anymore." I chuckled.

"Did you two hook up?"

"What?" I laughed hard.

"You heard me. You know what they say... what happens in Vegas.... stays in Vegas."

"Demi. She's like a little sister & to be honest, I'm afraid of her dad. He'd kill me if she got hurt because we broke up or something. Jesus. I can't even imagine." I was still laughing.

"Okay. Just wondering. Because I see her Instagram pics & she's worse than Olivia with the pics of herself & she's very proud of her ass." Demi was laughing & I liked hearing her laugh.

"I'll have to check that out." I chuckled.

Demi groaned & sighed. "You're annoying. Anyway, have a great day, Nick. I'll talk to ya later."

"Okay. Oh... Demi?"

"Yea?"

"Are you going to Australia this weekend?" I asked.

"Oh yea. I am. Why?"

"Just wondered. Say hi to Delta for me." I let out a giddy laugh & Demi sighed, sounding annoyed.

"And Jessie, too?"

"Yes. Tell Jessie hi for me, too." I laughed.

"Bye, Nick." She said & I could almost see her rolling her eyes as she disconnected our conversation.

I sat at the kitchen counter, staring at my phone, wanting so bad to ask Demi if she was jealous. She probably wouldn't tell me if she was. I was, however, relieved that she was smiling & laughing again. I had been worried about her & now I didn't have to worry as much. I guess Wilmer was what she needed & I was very grateful for him. Her happiness was the most important thing to me, even if I wasn't the one making her happy.