Thankfully I was able to keep from crying until after I hung up. It was bad enough I missed them this much, but they weren't even having a good time, or at least, Josh wasn't. For the most part, Jake had told me nothing but good things, and all I wanted was for this time apart to actually mean something.

Which meant if I was going to have anything to submit to schools, I was going to have to start working on my portfolio sooner than later. But it was hard enough thinking about Jake, let alone writing about him. I'd be lucky if I was able to get anything down.

After finally calming myself down, I scrolled through my phone, pressing call again.

No answer.

Where could he be? I had just talked to Josh..

I tried again.

Nothing but ringing.

I could feel the tears coming to my eyes again. I ended every night with him, which is why I always saved his call for last. Falling asleep to the sound of his voice was my favorite thing, and I loved how he'd always stay on the phone until I did, no matter where they were.

I tried again, and finally I heard him pick up.

"There you are.." I sighed. "I was getting worried."

"Before you say anything I don't want to hear, it's me." Sam said. I felt my cheeks burn.

"Sam? W-where's Jake?"

"He's.. passed out in the backseat."

"Oh.." I muttered. I guess I wouldn't be hearing from him tonight.

"Josh is too. They're both knocked out." He laughed. "But.. I'm okay, thanks for asking. And Danny says 'Hi.'" I heard a muffled 'Hi!" in the background. I assumed he was driving. I couldn't help but smile.

"I'm glad you're doing good, Sam." I laughed. "How is everything going out there?" I heard him sigh, staying quiet for a little bit.

"It's okay." He finally said, not sounding too convincing.

"It seems like everyone's giving me a different story."

"It ain't easy, I'll tell you that.."

"But you're okay?"

"I'm okay, Jaime. Thank you." He said softly. I could hear the smile in his voice. "Your boyfriend is struggling a little bit though." My stomach dropped.

"W-what do you mean? Is he okay?" I asked. He had never mentioned being anything less than great to me. Leave it to him to make sure I didn't worry. But to be honest, the more he reassured me that everything was going well, the more I suspected that something might be up. He had gotten better about opening up but.. there were still times when I knew he kept things from me.

"He's.. he's just.." I heard him sigh. "Jaime, is there any way you can come out here? Even just for a few shows? He's.. a mess. And.. honestly, I'm getting worried." My heart sunk.

"A.. a mess.. how?" I asked.

"He's never not drinking, he.. practically blacks out every night, I'm shocked he's even able to play the show. It's just.. he's taking this hard, but.. I think if you were here for him.. maybe he'd feel better. He misses you and.. it's really starting to effect the rest of us." He stopped for a moment, I'm assuming checking to make sure they were both still asleep.

"And I'm sure Josh would love to see you too." He finally said.

"Sam.."

"Look, whatever happened between all of you.. that's your business. I'm not gonna pry, but.. I was with Josh during it all and.. he's hurting too. I can tell. And.. who knows, I'm sure you miss him too. Both of them, so.. I think it would just.. benefit everyone.. if you could get away for a few days."

I bit down on my lip, looking back out my window at their house again. By now their back lights had gone off, nothing but the gentle yellow glow of the lights behind one of the bedroom windows. I'm sure their parents were still up, probably missing them just as much. I wonder if they knew just how much them leaving really affected everyone.

"Sam, I-"

"I know your mom is sick, Jaime, trust me I understand but.. if there was any way.." He was right. I did miss them. More than any of them could imagine. And.. maybe.. just a few days couldn't hurt, right? She did seem like she was getting better too. And she said.. if I really wanted to, she would call Aunt Dianne.

"I'll ask her." I finally said. "But.. even if she's okay with it, how would I even-"

"Jaime, I will handle everything." I couldn't help but smile, feeling my heart beat faster. I didn't want to get myself too excited, especially over something I didn't even know was going to happen, but just the idea of seeing them all again..

"Can I call you back in a little bit?" I asked.

"Absolutely." He laughed. "Danny and I are gonna be up for most of the night, so.. I'll be waiting."

"Okay, I'll call you soon."

"See you soon, Jaime!" He sang, hanging up.

I hesitated for a moment before climbing out of bed. I hadn't heard her come upstairs yet, so she was probably still down at the kitchen table. Part of me felt guilty for even considering asking her, but.. she did offer, and.. I'm sure out of anyone.. she would understand.

I quickly hopped up, making my way downstairs, peeking around the corner where I saw her still sitting at table, nursing her last cup of tea. Her head instantly perked up as she heard the creaking of our floor as I made my way back into the kitchen, flashing me a tired smile.

"Couldn't sleep?" She asked. "I could make you-"

"No, that's okay, I.. I just.." I went over, sitting down across from her, now nervously picking at my nails.

"What is it?"

"So.. Sam just called me."

"How are they doing? Are they loving it so far?" I bit down on my lip, now wondering how to word it without making it sound bad.

"Well, Sam said.. that Jake wasn't doing too well." I muttered, feeling my face get hot. "And he said that.. maybe.. he would feel better if-"

"If you were there?" She asked, her lips curling into a playful grin. My face felt like it was on fire, but I couldn't contain my smile. I nodded.

"But.. I know that I can't-"

"Jaime, what did I tell you?" She sighed. "I could always call Dianne." I nodded, avoiding her eyes now.

"I know, but.. just.. the idea of leaving you here.. for a boy, I just didn't-"

"He's not just a boy, Jaime." She said softly. I shook my head.

"He's not."

"Do you want to go?" She asked. I nodded reluctantly, peeking back up at her.

"I miss him." I admitted, trying my best to keep from crying again.

"Then you should go."

I don't know how I got so lucky. How many mother's would just insist their daughter follow their boyfriend around on tour?

"Aunt Dianne would be okay with coming?" I asked. She nodded, forcing a smile. I hesitated for a moment.

"Mom, w-what.. happened with Aunt Dianne?" I finally asked. There was never really a good time, but I knew something must've with how little we had seen her. She held her stare on me, her face dropping a bit.

"I guess you're old enough now.." She sighed, reaching her hand out for me. "But.. I just.. I don't want you to think any different of me."

What could that possibly mean? How could I ever think any differently of her? What could she have possibly done to make me not see her as the greatest woman in the world?

I was starting to regret asking, but finally nodded.

"When.. we were younger.." She started, I could tell, picking her words very carefully. "Your aunt.. well, she.. actually dated your father first." My stomach dropped.

"Oh.."

"It.. wasn't very serious, and it wasn't very long and.. she really kept him away from the family for most of their relationship, I didn't even meet him until they had been dating a few months and then.. something just.. happened." She admitted.

I knew the feeling all too well.

"I just feel like.. it doesn't matter what happens, some people.. are just meant to be together, and no matter where life brings them.. those people will always find their way to each other." I nodded, looking back down at my hands.

"So.. she was mad at you." I said. She nodded.

"She.. loved him very much, but.. so did I.. and.. he loved me, so.. he broke it off and.. him and I.. started sneaking around.. cause we didn't want to hurt her feelings."

"So.. she would still take care of you?" I asked. She shrugged, giving me a gentle smile.

"After your father passed, we.. we talked.. for a long time, and.. things got better, but they've never been the same. But.. she's my sister." I nodded, unsure of what to say.

"I don't want you to worry, okay, Jaime? I want you to go. Now, I don't know how to go about setting all of that up, but-"

"Sam said he'd figure it out for me." I said. She smiled.

"Then.. I think you have a call to make." I nodded, feeling tears come to my eyes as I went over, pulling her into a tight hug.

"Thank you." I whispered. I felt her hand move to my back, gently rubbing it.

"I love you, honey."

"I love you too." I said, holding my stare on her for a moment before she playfully motioned me away.

I quickly made my way up the stairs and back into my room where I plopped back down on my bed, grabbing my phone, and hitting call. It didn't take long for him to answer.

"Jaimeeeee.." He sang. "So when am I seeing you?" I couldn't help but smile.

"As soon as possible."