"But.. how? I thought.. I thought you couldn't-"

"Sam and I figured something out." I laughed, now clinging onto his jacket, unable to look away. It had only been a little over a week but it felt like years since that morning in their driveway, every moment away from him feeling like a lifetime.

"Sam.." He smirked, shaking his head, peeking back over across the stage to see Sam giving him a thumbs up.

"I can't believe you're here." He sighed, pulling me back into another long kiss.

"You didn't really think I was going to miss your first tour, did you?" His smile grew, pulling me back into another series of kisses.

"I really hoped not, but.. how? What about your mom?"

"My aunt said she'd come and stay for a little bit."

"Well, remind me to thank her. I'll send them both flowers."

By now the lights had gone down, the gentle murmur of the audience quieting into anxious silence.

"It was my first time on a plane too." I laughed. "And.. I don't think I'm a fan." He giggled to himself, gently caressing my face as he pulling me back into another kiss.

"You got on a plane for me?" He asked. I nodded.

"Of course I did, I'd.. I'd do anything for you." He stayed quiet, holding his stare on me for a moment as his face dropped a bit.

"But.. I think you have to go on now." I said, motioning out towards the stage as I heard Danny's drums. He peeked out, still refusing to let go as he pulled me into another long kiss.

"Jake, go!" I laughed, not wanting to let go either. The last thing I ever wanted to do now was let go of him.

"Okay, just.." He stopped, kissing me again. I couldn't help but smile, not able to push him away.

"Jake!" I laughed. He smirked back at me before going over, quickly lifting his guitar over his head, adjusting it into place. He then made his way back over to me, pulling me into one more quick kiss.

"Just.. stay here." He said.

"Of course I'll stay here." I insisted. "Now.. go be great." He flashed me a toothy grin before finally running out onto the stage, playing just in time.

And just like every time I had seen him play, he was incredible. I don't know what he was so worried about. I don't know what either of them were worried about. It seemed like the crowd loved them. I'm sure they were just overthinking it like they always did. They put so much pressure of themselves. I knew they just wanted to be the best they could be but.. to me they already were the best.

I hung back in the wings, unable to take my eyes off of him as he jumped around the stage. I could never understand how he managed to play like that. Getting to witness him in his element was pure magic, and I was so happy that the rest of the world was going to get to see just how amazing he was too.

But then, looking down at the front row, I started to see girls here and there, staring up at him with giddy grins and flirtatious eyes, doing their best to try and get his attention. They were all.. so beautiful, completely done up, not a hair out of place, their makeup flawless..

I'd occasionally peek over to see if any of them caught his attention, but quickly shook the thought. This is what came with the territory, I've known this since their first show when all of the neighborhood girls started hanging around him more and more. I guess there was just something about a man with a guitar that was just.. irresistible.

And I couldn't say that I didn't understand. I was once one of those girls too, despite never showing it back then. All I wanted was a second of his attention to.

Every time I watched him play, I fell in love with him all over again. So I could only imagine how they felt about him. And I knew as the tour went on, it was only going to get worse. But he never gave me a reason to worry. I'm sure it would be fine.

After their last song, they took their bows, waving out to the crowd with the biggest smiles I had ever seen. They deserved this so much, and I was so happy I was getting to witness it.

Jake quickly made his way back into the wings, instantly pulling me back into another tight hug, hiding his face in my neck. My heart jumped at the feeling of his lips, gently kissing their way down.

"How was that?" He asked, his breath on my neck making my heart beat faster. I tangled my fingers into his sweaty hair, pulling him into a passionate kiss. He didn't hesitate to quickly lift his guitar over his head, placing it down onto the rack before lifting me up into his arms, kissing me again. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I pulled him in closer, kissing him back harder until his lips curled into a smile.

"You're incredible." I sighed, leaning my forehead against his. He stared back up at me with dazed eyes, those beautiful eyes that I had longed to get lost in again.

"Jake, can we.. go somewhere?" I asked, feeling my face get hot, my heart now beating faster. "Somewhere.. alone?" He nodded, instantly placing me back down, taking my hand and leading me through backstage. I followed him close, grabbing onto his arm as he quickly guided us through the crowds of people that were now making their way out to the stage to set up for the next band.

"Jaime?" I heard from behind me. Not recognizing the voice, I almost didn't even turn around until I felt Jake stop, his face dropping. "There you are. I've been looking for you."

"Jaime, do you know him?" Jake muttered down to me. I shook my head.

"No, I.. well, I mean.. I just met him in the wings before-"

"Long time no see!" He said with a grin, now looking over at Jake. "Wait, you're here with him?" I felt Jake's grip on me get tighter, his jaw clenching.

"You don't have to slum it with the opener, Jaime. Why don't you come watch us?" He asked, motioning back towards the stage. I peeked back up at Jake who had now moved in front of me.

"She's fine, thanks. Have a good show, Liam." He snapped before dragging me back down the hallway into one of the dressing rooms, shutting and locking the door behind us.

I reached up for him again, but I could tell the mood had suddenly changed.

"What's wrong?" I asked, now hesitant to touch him. He sighed, his face dropping as he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me back up against him. I stayed quiet as he held me, gently rocking back and forth.

"It's been really hard." He sighed, holding me tight.

"What has?"

"Just all of it." I gently rubbed his back, now hiding my face in his neck.

When he finally moved away, he gently took my hand, bringing me over to the couch where he plopped down. I sat down next to him, cuddling close.

"Tonight was probably the best show we ever had out here." He said softly, reaching over for my hand again. I took it, intertwining our fingers.

"You really were incredible, Jake." I said, feeling my face get hot. "The girls in front couldn't stop looking at you." He smirked back over at me, now reaching up, gently caressing my face.

"Jaime, you know I don't care about that." He said, leaning his forehead against mine again. "I just.. I didn't think.. I don't know. I thought it was gonna be fun, but.. the other bands, they don't really seem to like us very much. They don't.. take us seriously. And they make it known."

"Is that who that was out there?" I asked. He nodded, avoiding my eyes.

"Well.. I hardly noticed." He smirked back at me.

"Thanks." He sighed.

I pulled him into a long, tender kiss, running my fingers through his hair.

"Jake, I don't see anyone but you.." I whispered, holding my stare on him. His face dropped again as he reached up, gently running his fingers down my cheek. I could tell there was more he wanted to say, but he stayed quiet, pulling me into another long kiss.

I slowly climbed into his lap, kissing him back harder, wrapping my arms around his neck again. I felt his hands, slowly moving up my body, his fingers gently gliding over my ever curve, holding me closer. How badly I missed the feeling of his hands on me, showing me how much he loved me with so much more than words alone could convey.

I spent every night alone missing him, wanting him, in the ways I never knew I could want someone, so badly ever since that first night, and now all I wanted was to be loved like that again.

I clung to him, feeling like my heart was going to beat out of my chest as his lips moved to my neck, his kisses getting harder as his grip on me got tighter.

"Never leave me again." I sighed. He stared back up at me, staying quiet before pulling me back into a passionate kiss.