I hung back in the wings, unable to stop myself from smiling as I watched them play. It was just so incredible to finally get to see them shine the way they were always destined to, and one day I knew that all of those people were going to start showing up to see them.

And they deserved every second of it.

After their last song, they took their bows and made their way into the wings where Jake instantly came over, putting his guitar back down onto the rack before wrapping his arm around me, pulling me in, kissing my forehead.

"How was that?" He asked. I shrugged, smirking back up at him.

"You're pretty good, I guess." I laughed. He smiled back at me, tilting up my chin and pulling me into a gentle kiss.

"As long as you like me.." He sighed, guiding me back stage towards the dressings rooms.

I plopped down onto one of the couches, watching him as he got changed into a plain pair of jeans and a white t-shirt, and then came back over to me, lying his head on my lap, staring up at me with tired, dazed eyes and a permanent smile.

"I'm so happy you're back." He sighed. "I missed you." I stared back down at him, gently running my fingers through his hair.

"I missed you too."

"How's your mom?" I shrugged.

"My aunt said she's doing okay." He nodded, holding his stare on me, as if unsure of what to say now in order to prevent another argument about him not coming with me.

"We don't have to talk about it." I finally said.

"We can if you want to." I shook my head, now reaching over for his hand.

"Jaime, I'm really sorry. I should've been there."

"It's okay."

"It's not. I promised you I would always be there for you and I wasn't, and I'm sorry, but I will be from now on. I swear." I nodded, knowing that if something like this ever came up again, there was no way he could promise he'd be able to drop everything again.

But I appreciated the thought of it at least.

"You look tired." I said, wanting to change the subject.

"I didn't really sleep last night." He muttered, now looking away. I knew that tone.

"Well.. I'm sure tonight will be better, right?" I asked. "At least you'll have a real bed." He nodded, smirking back up at me.

"Yeah, but.. I was kinda hoping that.. well.. maybe we wouldn't have much time for sleep tonight either." My heart jumped, my whole body now feeling like it was on fire.

I had a feeling that was what he would be expecting.

"O-oh yeah?" I asked. His smile grew as he gently glided his finger tips up and down my arm, making my heart beat faster.

"I mean, only if.. you wanted to." He giggled. "I just figured, we haven't really been alone since you got here, and.. you deserve something much nicer than.. something quick in a dressing room." I couldn't help but smile, remembering that night so vividly. Every time with him was always.. memorable. And sometimes I wondered if anyone else could ever give me that same feeling.

But I liked to think.. with a little time..

maybe someone else could too.

"You don't think you should get some rest while you can?" I asked.

"This is more important." He laughed, reaching up and gently pulling me into another kiss.

"I think you need to sleep." I said, smirking back at him. "There's plenty of time for-"

"How long are you staying?" He asked.

That was a good question. Technically, we hadn't really figured that out before I left, though I assumed eventually my aunt would call me to tell me that she couldn't stay anymore and that's when I knew my time was up. But until then, I guess every day could be my last and I'd have no idea. It only made it that much easier to appreciate every minute.

"Um.. I'm not sure yet but.. I'll know soon." He nodded, his face dropping.

"I was.. kinda hoping that maybe tonight we could talk." I finally forced out, feeling my heart start to beat faster. He stayed quiet for a moment, and I could already see the gears frantically turning behind his eyes.

"A-about what?" He asked. I shrugged.

"I don't know, just.. everything."

"Everything like.. bad everything?"

"It doesn't have to be bad, I just-"

"I was just really hoping that.. tonight would be a good night." He muttered. My stomach dropped.

"I mean, if us talking isn't considered a good night then.. I think that's a bigger problem." He sat back up, his face now getting more stern. I hated when things got like this between us. I wish we could just go one day without having some sort of fight like this, especially when it didn't have to be.

"What do you mean bigger problem?" He asked, almost snapping at me. I shook my head, looking away.

"Forget it. I.. I don't want to talk about it anymore, can we just.. go to the hotel?" He sighed, pushing himself up from the couch, going over and grabbing his bags.

"Sure." He said plainly, tossing one over his shoulder before making his way over to the door, finally stopping when he realized I wasn't following him yet.

He shot me a look, eventually taking a deep breath before holding his hand out for me. I reluctantly got up, making my way over and carefully slid my hand into his where he lead us down the hallway, walking a little too quickly for comfort.

As we passed one of the other dressing rooms, I caught a quick glimpse of Josh through the doorway who's eyes instantly met mine. I heard him get up, sticking his head out into the hallway.

"Where are you going?" He called out, but Jake didn't stop.

"We'll meet you at the van." He snapped, pulling me around the corner.

After the past few hours with Josh, it was now so easy for me to realize how much I didn't want something like this. Someone who could switch up on me in an instant, just because I said something he didn't like?

What would happen further down the road when something that was actually serious came up? How would we handle that together? I had gotten so used to how sweet and gentle Josh was with me, handling everything so calmly, us being able to solve anything together without so much as either of us raising our voices. Him and I.. we never fought. Everything just felt.. effortless.

Finally, I yanked my hand away, glaring back up at him. He stopped, turning around to face me, almost in disbelief.

"No.." I snapped, trying my best to calm down as I felt tears start coming to my eyes.

"What do you mean 'No?'"

"I mean.. No. After everything you said last night, and.. and now this is how you're gonna act?" He held his stare on me, his face finally dropping.

"Look, I don't know how you handled things with your other girlfriends, but.. I'm not doing this. Not when I know someone else can love me the way-"

"What do you mean someone else?" He said sternly. I felt my body go cold.

"I just mean.."

"You mean Josh." I shook my head, looking away.

This isn't how I wanted to do things.

"Can we just go to the hotel?" I finally asked. He shook his head.

"No, we can talk here."

"Jake, I don't want to-"

"What did you mean?"

"I mean.. you say all these things to me.. but then when it's time to show me.. you can't. And you shut down, and then you get upset with me when I can't handle it. And that's not fair." He sighed, slowly making his way back over to me, cautiously reaching out for me, eventually taking my hands in his.

"You're right." He whispered. "I'm sorry. We can go talk at the hotel." I peeked back down the hall for any sign of Josh, but he had gone back into his dressing room, shutting the door behind him.

"We can leave them the van and I can get us a car." He added. "I just.. I just want to figure this out. All I wanted was a good night with you, and.. I know that's not gonna happen until we talk, so.. let's talk. Please."

I peeked back down the hall one more time before finally nodding, intertwining our fingers as I followed him down the hallway and out the front doors of the venue.