"What's going on?" Josh asked, making his way into the wings. I didn't know what to say. There was no denying it now. I looked up at Jake, wondering how he was going to try and talk himself out of this. He stayed quiet, staring back at Josh, all the while still tightly holding onto me.

I was just happy he hadn't let go.

"I couldn't do it." Jake whispered, now avoiding Josh's eyes. He stood back, holding his glare on him, as if unable to even look at me now, especially after what had happened, or rather, almost happened in the dressing room.

"You are so selfish." Josh said, pushing his way past us.

"How could you tell him to do that?" I snapped, now feeling my heart beat faster. "You know how I feel. You.. you were there for me that night at the party.. how could you ever think this would be better for me?" He instantly turned back to face me, his face still in a furious scowl.

"Exactly. I do know how you feel, and you're gonna ruin your life because of it." My heart sunk.

"W-what do you-"

"Why is it that I'm the only one who thinks about you, Jaime? I am the only one who has consistently put you first, including you. I just.. you are so smart and so talented and.. there is so much that you could do, there are so many things that would get you out of our town, you don't need him or any of us to do that, you could do it all by yourself, and yet.. you'd much rather play 'rockstar's girlfriend.' You are so much better than that Jaime, and I just wish you could see yourself the way I see you. And you're right, I was there for you that night, and I will always be there for you, no matter what happens. This has nothing to do with me, as much as he doesn't want to believe it. You've already made up your mind, so I know it isn't me. This is about you!"

I hated that what he was saying wasn't wrong. My whole life, he truly was the only person who actually paid attention, and despite how mad I wanted to be, despite how badly I wanted to fight him on it.. I couldn't.

"I'm gonna go to school.." I muttered. "We both are, I just-"

"You say that now, but what if this gets bigger? And we're gone even longer than we expected? I just.. I don't see you leaving us. Or rather.. him."

"She can make her own decisions, Josh." Jake finally chimed in, his grip on me getting tighter as he moved me away. Josh rolled his eyes, now peeking out at the crowd from behind the curtain.

"Of course she can, but she won't. And you know that. You're being selfish, Jake. And the sooner you can at least admit that, the better. I'm not gonna act like I don't understand, because I do." He sighed, turning back to me. "I would do.. anything for you. And you know that. But.. it would be selfish of me to try and keep you for myself, when you are meant for so much more than us. But.. whatever. You've made up your mind, clearly, so.. I'll just mind my business."

Then the lights went down, the quiet murmur of cheers just outside the curtain slowly but surely filling the venue as Danny's drums began.

"Have a good show." I whispered, leaning in, gently kissing Jake on the cheek. He nodded, giving me a gentle smile before following Josh out onto the stage.

Jake took my hand as he helped me out of the van, leading us towards the bar down the street. Apparently every night after their show, all of the bands scouted out the closest bar to top off the night. We hung back, taking our time as everyone else piled in.

"Hey.. you alright?" He asked, now leaning back against the side of the building. I zipped up my jacket, tightly crossing my arms against my chest. He reached into his pocket, pulling out a pack of cigarettes, carefully removing one from the pack and placing it between his lips.

"Since when do you smoke?" I asked, watching as he lit it, taking a big drag and flicking off the ashes to the side like he did this all the time. How had I never known he smoked? Was this new?

What else didn't I know about him?

He shrugged, looking up at the street light.

"I'm okay." I finally answered, but deep down, I really wasn't sure. I couldn't stop thinking about everything Josh had said. All of it.. right.

I couldn't help but stay focused on the cigarette as it sat effortlessly between his fingers, laying upon his lips like it had tasted his kiss more than I had. It had to have been new. There's no way we could've gone our whole life without me knowing this about him. I would've seen him, I would've smelt it.. right?

"You don't seem okay." He muttered, taking another long drag, blowing the smoke away. I hated how it smelt on him. That wasn't the smell I was used to, the smell I loved, his smell.

"I'm fine." I said, snapping out of it, awkwardly picking at my nails, spinning my ring around my finger.

"Jake.."

"Mhm?"

"W-what were you gonna say before.. about our rings?" He bit down on his lip, smirking back at me before taking another drag.

"Um.." He started, blowing more smoke away. "I.. I just.. n-never mind. I.. it was dumb."

"Dumb?" I asked, feeling my heart beat faster. Was he regretting what he said?

"No, n-not.. not dumb, I just.." He sighed, looking away again. "I'm sorry. I just.. I got ahead of myself."

"You didn't mean it?" He smirked again, peeking back at me.

"No, I meant it, I just.. I know we're not ready for that. Not yet."

If it was anyone else, I couldn't agree more. Every day I saw women jumping into things with their boyfriends way too soon, everyone assuming that they were different, but.. we really were. We had known each other.. our whole lives. It wasn't the same as moving too fast with someone I had just met..

I knew everything about him.

Or so I thought..

"Is this new?" I asked, motioning towards him. He stayed quiet for a moment, taking another drag before flicking it onto the ground, stomping it out.

"Come on, let's go in." He said, holding his arm out for me, inviting me under. I hesitated for a moment before cuddling underneath, wrapping one arm around his waist, following him inside.

Looking around, I could see Sam and Leah at the bar with Danny and Ayla, Josh tagging along on the end, obviously left out of the obvious couples conversation.

I hated seeing him look so lonely.

"What are you having?" Jake asked, leaning in closer. I couldn't help but notice the sudden cigarette smell on his breath. I moved away.

"I'm.. I'm okay."

"Come on, one drink." He giggled, reaching down for my hand, leading us over to the bar. My stomach dropped as Josh peeked up at me, his eyes sad.

"Okay." I sighed, finally caving. Maybe after a drink things would feel a little better.

"What do you want?" He asked again, flashing me a wide grin. I bit down on my lip, holding my stare on him, wondering why.. he didn't already know.

I peeked back over at Josh who had brought his attention back to the group. He wouldn't of had to ask.

"Whatever you're having." I finally said, forcing a smile. He nodded, leaning in and kissing my forehead before waving down the bartender. As he waited, I maneuvered my way out of his arms, going over and pulling out the chair next to Josh. I could tell he heard, waiting a moment before turning to face me.

"I thought I was doing the right thing." He whispered, looking over and watching Jake. I turned around, leaning back against the bar as I watched him too, avoiding his eyes.

"I know." I sighed. He finally turned to look at me, his eyes in a mournful gaze.

"Jaime, our whole life, all I have ever wanted.. was for you to be happy. And.. I know you love him. I know that, and.. it hurts but.. I've accepted it, I just.. I needed to be the one to take care of you. You take care of everyone and.. you deserve for someone to look out for you."

He looked back down at my hand, his eyes stopping on my ring again. I pulled it away, hiding it in my lap.

"You've always been there for me." I whispered. "And.. I'm sorry-"

"Here you go!" Jake said cheerfully, placing my drink down next to me as he swooped into the chair next to me. Josh's eyes instantly shot over to my drink, his face dropping.

I never drank whisky.