As he pulled into the hospital parking lot, I couldn't bring myself to move. He sat with me in silence, leaning back in his seat. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see he had turned to face me, but I kept my eyes out the window, staring at the building I had been brought back to once again.

How many times was I expected to keep doing this?

"Whenever you're ready." He said softly, reaching over, his hand slowly finding its way into mine. I intertwined our fingers, finally looking over at him, giving him a gentle smile.

"Thank you for bringing me." I said. He nodded, smiling back.

"Of course."

I then looked down at the sound of his phone vibrating in the cup holder. Jake. I saw him peek down quick, and then bring his eyes back up to me.

"What's he want?" I asked. He shrugged.

"Apparently we're having a barbecue tonight. If.. if you want to come.. with me." I felt my cheeks burn. With him. This was the first time he had ever worded it.. like that.

I wanted to.

"With you?" I asked. He bit down on his lip, his cheeks burning and a smile escaping his lips.

"Well, I.. I could.. I could bring us.. after this. After we get back." I sighed, nodding.

"Right." I exhaled, looking back out the window. "Um.. y-yeah. I'll.. I'll see how I'm feeling once we leave. You ready?" He nodded, hesitating before letting go of my hand and getting out of the car. I did the same, guiding us through the parking lot and into the hospital.

I reached out for his hand again as I lead us down the hall, not having to think twice about which way to go anymore considering how many times I'd been here. He instantly slid his hand into mine, holding onto me tightly. I felt a little better.

As we got to her room, I gently let go, not wanting to have to answer any questions I knew my mom would have, not like I'd have any answers for her anyway. I had no idea what was happening with us, I just knew that I enjoyed having him as much as he allowed.

"Hey.." I said, sitting down in the chair next to her bed. She propped herself up, flashing me a wide grin. I sighed, feeling a weight lift from my shoulders, knowing that she at least appeared like she was feeling better.

"Hey honey!" She said cheerfully. "Oh! Josh! Hi!" He gave her a toothy grin and a gentle wave.

"Hi Mrs. Adams." He said, going over to the chair next to me, but she reached her hand out, pulling him into a hug.

"Oh, you know you don't have to call me that." She laughed. "It's so good to see you, I feel like it's been forever." He nodded, finally sitting down next to me, pulling his chair in closer.

"I know, we miss you at our house. We were just saying how long it's been since you both were over." He said. She nodded.

"Well, I hope that hasn't kept Jaime from coming over." He shrugged, smirking over at me.

"How are you feeling, mom?" I asked, trying to change the subject.

"I've been better but.. I've also been worse." She said simply. She turned back to Josh.

"Thank you for being there last night." She said. He nodded.

"Of course."

"Why didn't you tell me you weren't feeling good?" I asked.

"Because, Jaime. Then you wouldn't have gone out, you need to see your friends, you need to do things. I didn't want you to miss another night out because of me. And look, see? I'm okay. So, how was the carnival?"

"It was fun. Just like old times." Josh chimed in. My mom's smile grew, peeking over at me.

"Good. I'm glad."

"And, well.. tonight my family is having a barbecue and-"

"Are you gonna go?" She asked, turning back to me. "You should go. I'm gonna be in here for a few nights and.. I'd rather you not be sitting home alone." I felt my cheeks burn, trying my best to hold in my smile.

"You're.. you're sure? Cause I can stay-"

"You're not missing anything here, Jaime. Go. Have fun. I swear, I'm okay. They're taking good care of me here." I nodded, holding my stare on her, remembering this is exactly what she said to me before I left for the carnival.

Josh and I stayed for a while, talking and reminiscing about the old days until they finally brought in her tray for dinner.

"You two should go." She said, smirking at me, motioning towards the door. "I'm gonna eat and I'm sure you're hungry, and I know how delicious your barbecues are. I don't want you guys to miss anything." Josh nodded, getting up.

"I'll give you guys a minute." He said, giving me a gentle smile.

"Tell your mom I said hello!" She called out.

"I will." He said softly, turning back to me. "I'll.. I'll be out here when you're ready."

She waited for a moment before she knew he was out of earshot.

"So.. what's going on with him?" She asked, her lips curling into an eager grin. My face felt like it was on fire.

"Nothing." I mumbled, rolling my eyes. She sighed, opening her juice first.

"He's a good boy, Jaime." I nodded, avoiding her eyes, peeking back over at the door.

"I.. I thought.. something was gonna happen last night but.." I shrugged. "I don't know."

"Well, I think he likes you."

"You think everyone likes me." I laughed, shaking my head.

"Everyone does like you. Why wouldn't they?" I couldn't help but smile.

"You have to say that."

"No I don't. If you were a jerk I would let you know." She smirked, taking a sip.

"You're.. you're sure you're okay if I go?"

"Please go. I want to see grandkids in my lifetime and I think he may be the only way." She giggled to herself. I felt my face get hot, shooting her a look.

"Oh my god, alright, on that note." I muttered, leaning over and kissing the top of her head.

"Have fun, honey." She sighed, winking at me before motioning towards the door. I hesitated for a moment, taking one last look before making my way out.

I saw Josh at the end of the hallway at the vending machine. I was thankful he wasn't close-by to hear any of that. My mom was never exactly subtle, but that would have been impossible to explain.

As I made my way over, he knelt down, pulling out two drinks from the bottom.

"Here you go." He said cheerfully, handing me the vanilla Coke. "That's still your favorite, right?" I nodded, smiling back at him.

"I was surprised to see it so.. I figured you'd want it." He shrugged.

"Thank you."

"Mhm.."

He followed me closely as I lead us back down the hall, conveniently holding his drink in the opposite hand so he could casually let his other dangle freely, gently brushing up against mine. I reached over for it again, intertwining our fingers.

We walked in silence together until we reached the car when he went around to the passenger side, opening my door for me. My heart jumped.

"Oh.. t-thanks." I said, feeling my cheeks burn. He shrugged, smirking back at me, motioning into the car. I watched him make his way around, still wondering what was going on with us, now feeling somewhat trapped in this awkward place between friends and.. whatever we were.

Best friends, I guess.. according to him.

As we pulled up to their house, I could already smell the food. Their driveway filled with cars, so much so that they begun piling down into the street. How big was this party?

"I guess Mom really invited everyone tonight." He laughed, turning to me. I nodded, feeling my heart start to beat faster. Typically I had my mom to fall back on during their bigger parties when Josh was busy playing host for all of their guests. Now I knew at some point in the night I was going to wind up alone.

He could tell I was panicking.

"It's okay." He said, gently rubbing his thumb across the top of my hand. "You'll be with me all night." I turned back to him, unable to contain my smile.

"Will I?" He nodded.

"Yeah, after all.. I said you were coming with me."