Then the lights went down, and a surge of deafening screams erupted from just beyond the curtains. I loved getting to hear just how much people already loved them, but every time I was reminded of the inevitable.

As I turned back to Jake, I could see him glaring at Josh from under the faint red light before reaching over for me, pulling me into a passionate kiss. My heart jumped as I reached up, caressing his face, as if by habit, kissing him back before remembering where I was.

And who was watching.

I shot him a look.

"What was that?" I mouthed. "We said no ki-"

"For good luck." He said softly, leaning in and kissing me again before running out on stage. "I love you!" He called out, flashing me a smile as he stepped into the spotlight.

"I love you." I sighed, leaning back into the wings to stay out of sight of the first few rows. I had never seen them play like this before. I had always wanted to see them from out in the crowd, to get the full experience, but there was something about getting to see them from back here that made me feel that much more connected to them, especially knowing eventually I would just get lost within the sea of their fans.

It would be like I wasn't even there.

But somehow Jake still managed to make me feel so special, occasionally peeking over throughout the set, flashing me excited grins that were so contagious. I spent the rest of the night with a permanent smile on my face.

And I didn't think it was possible, but I had never seen him play like that before. I could tell he was showing off when he'd peek over to check to see if I was still watching, but even still. He never failed to impress me.

As they took their bows, I cheered along from the wings, trying my best for them to hear me, but I knew it was no use over the thunderous crowd. But that was okay. He'd have plenty of time to hear me gushing over him later. Eventually, Jake looked over, shaking his head, playfully rolling his eyes when noticed.

No matter how big they got, I would always be their biggest fan.

I waited eagerly as they finally made their way off the stage and back into the wings.

"That was incred-" I started before Jake cut me off, pulling me into another long, passionate kiss. My lips instantly curled into a smile as I grabbed onto his jacket, pulling him in, once again forgetting where we were until Josh pushed passed him, heading backstage and down the hall without a word. I felt bad, knowing that he was most likely doing this now just to get a rise out of Josh, but despite what we said, I would never have the heart to push him away, no matter who was watching.

I had wanted this for too long.

"What were you saying?" He giggled, leaning in closer, trying his best to hear over the chanting just outside, demanding an encore. I peeked back out to see that no one was moving, all of them waiting for them to come back out.

"Jake, I think they want you to-"

"We would, but curfew is gonna cut us off in a few minutes." He laughed, peeking back out. "But how cool is that? That's never happened before." I wrapped my arms around his neck, pushing the sweaty hair out of his face.

"Well, you better get used to it. Face it, they love you." He stared back at me with a giddy grin.

"Now, what were you saying?" He asked again, leaning in closer. I sighed, rolling my eyes.

"I said.. that was incredible. You were incredible tonight." He reached up, gently caressing my face again as he pulled me into another long kiss.

"Are you guys ever not attached at the hip?" Sam laughed, making his way over. I shyly moved away, smirking back over at him.

"You were great, Sam." I said, playfully shoving him again.

"Thanks for noticing." He joked. "Considering you couldn't take your eyes off him the entire-"

"Okay, okay.." I muttered. He then peeked over at Jake, motioning down the hallway. Jake shook his head. I knew they were talking about Josh.

"So, are you guys coming out to the party tonight?" He asked. I looked back up at Jake, who already didn't seem thrilled.

"Yeah, we'll.. we'll stop by." He said plainly.

"Alright, we should be ready to head out soon." Jake nodded, waiting for Sam to head back to the dressing rooms before turning back to me.

"How come you don't want to go tonight?" I asked, holding onto his arm, pulling him in closer. He shrugged.

"I just.. they're all the same, those parties, and.. I just.." He trailed off.

"What?"

"I just.. wanted to be with you tonight." He muttered. I couldn't help but smile, feeling my cheeks burn.

"Well I'll be there with you, of course."

"I just love.. getting to be alone with you."

"You're so sweet." I sighed, pulling him into another gentle kiss.

"Only for you." He giggled, kissing me again. He held his stare on me.

I knew there was something else.

"What is it?" I asked, now taking his hand, intertwining our fingers. His smile grew.

"Well, I.. I was hoping we could have talked about it back at your house, just the two of us.."

"It's just the two of us now.."

"Alright, well, I was just wondering.. if you've given any more thought into coming with us." My stomach dropped. He really wasn't going to let this go, was he? Not like I wanted him to, the last thing I wanted to do was be away from him. I hated going a day without seeing him, so I knew having to go months would kill me, but even still..

Was I someone who would just up and leave to follow someone else? And what about what I wanted? I still hadn't figured out what that was yet, and I knew I wasn't going to be able to do that while living out of a van. As much as I loved him, these were the years for me to figure out my life too.

I finally shook my head, biting down on my lip.

"Okay.." He whispered. "But.. it's still not a.. no, right?" I shook my head again, giving him a subtle smile. He nodded.

"Okay."

"I do think we need to talk about the 'no kissing' rule again." I added, trying my best not to laugh. He smirked back at me, his cheeks burning red.

"I know, I'm sorry, I just-"

"I know.. what he did probably bothered you, so I understand. But I just think-"

"It won't happen again, I promise." He assured me, gently touching my cheek, leaning in for one more quick kiss. I shot him a look, but I couldn't say anything, not to that face, to those beautiful eyes..

And who was I kidding?

I loved it.

The ride there was quiet, as I suspected. Sam and Danny in the front seat leaving Josh, Jake and me in the back. Jake was quick to hop in, making sure I wasn't in the middle to avoid any more of whatever that was backstage. I don't know what had come over Josh, but I hated how much I didn't exactly mind it. I always wanted him to see himself the way I saw him, and it seemed like now he finally was.

If only I had been able to see this side of him when we were together. Maybe things could have been different.

As we pulled up to the bar, Jake instantly took my hand, reaching over for the door.

"I got it." Josh said softly.

"No, I got it." Jake snapped. My stomach dropped. I really hoped this wasn't how the rest of the night was going to go.

I followed Jake inside as he pulled me in closer, carefully guiding me through the crowds of people, all of which were at the show, I assumed, by how excited they got seeing him walk in. I could tell he was loving the attention, smiling, high-fiving, shaking hands with practically everyone we passed.

He finally brought me to a more secluded corner of the bar, pulling out one of the stools for me.

"What are you having?" He asked, leaning in close.

"Whatever you're having." I said, moving closer, gently kissing his cheek. His eyes instantly lit up as he flashed me a giddy grin before heading back over to the bar. I watched him as he made his way back through the crowd, exchanging greetings and gratitudes with everyone around him.

It all came to him so.. effortlessly.

He was made to do this.

And I loved getting to experience it with him.

Then I turned, hearing the other stool drag across the ground as Josh hopped up.

"Hey." He said simply. "You enjoy the show?" I nodded, biting down on my lip as I felt my cheeks burn the longer he stared at me. I couldn't believe how different he looked. He even sat taller, making it impossible to look away as he gazed down at me with that same stare I remembered all too well.

"You were great." I finally managed. "Did you hear, they wanted an encore." He nodded, avoiding my eyes.

"Weird right? I remember the days they all wished we would just shut up." I couldn't help but laugh, shaking my head.

"No one ever wanted you to shut up." I said softly, looking back out for Jake again who was now caught in another crowd of enthusiastic fans.

"Hey, um.. since I have you here.." He said, leaning in closer. "Did you.. get an invite to Sam and Emily's wedding?" I felt my face get hot, knowing exactly where this was going.

"Mhm.." His smile grew.

"Did you.. get a plus one?"

"Mhm.." He giggled to himself.

"Do you know where I'm going with this?" I nodded, trying to contain my grin.

"I think I do." I said softly, avoiding his eyes. "But.." I stopped, realizing now that him and I had never actually talked about this.

"But you're already going with someone." He said softly. I nodded, still not able to look at him.

"Well, I mean.." I added. He perked back up. "W-we're all invited, right? I.. I don't see why we can't just.. go as a group." I instantly regretted it as the words left my mouth.

"We could do that." He said. "But.. then who would you dance with?"

"Who said I have to dance? It's not my wedding."

"You can't not dance, Jaime."

"Well, if we all went together then I'd have plenty of options, wouldn't I?" He nodded, his smile growing.

"Here you go." Jake said, a little too loud to prove his point as he placed our glasses down. He propped his arm up on the table, glaring back at Josh again. "Do you mind?" Josh shook his head, giggling to himself as he got up from the stool.

"Not at all." He sighed, turning back to me. "I'll see you at the wedding, Jaime."

My stomach dropped as I felt Jake's eyes now burning a hole right through me.