"Another tour in the books!" Sam called out as he made his way off stage. I snapped a few photos as he got closer, waving at the camera. I couldn't help but smile, watching him as he handed off his bass, hopping up, and sitting on top of the counter.

"So how does it feel?" I asked, standing close, looking up at him. He shrugged.

"It feels.. great, I'm exhausted." He laughed. "I need a break, and I'm excited to get back home for longer than a day." I nodded, biting down on my lip.

"I'm.. I'm glad you're coming with us." He said softly, playfully kicking me. I smirked back at him, feeling my cheeks burn.

"Me too." I said softly. "I'm excited to see everyone again."

"Yeah, Ronnie has been bothering us nonstop about you coming back home again." He laughed. I felt my heart start to beat faster, doing my best to contain my smile.

I wondered how it was going to go this time.. now that I was technically going back with Josh.

"I'm excited to see her too." I said, looking down.

"Hey, um.. remind me later, I.. I got you something." Sam said quietly. I looked back up at him, wide-eyed.

"You.. you got me something?" I asked, feeling my cheeks burn. "Sam, you didn't have to do that." I felt horrible. I barely had time to think about gifts, how did he manage to get anything? He shook his head, flashing me a smile.

"I know I didn't have to." He giggled to himself. "I wanted to." I sighed, staring back at him.

"But I didn't get to-"

"I don't need anything, Jess. Don't worry. I just.. I wanted to do something for you." I bit down on my lip, staring back up at him. He gave me a subtle smile, holding his stare on me.

"Okay.." I sighed. "But.. I'm gonna get you something once we get back." I laughed. He flashed me a wide grin, his cheeks getting red.

"If you want.. but you don't have to." He said quietly, looking back down at his feet.

"And we're done!" Josh yelled out, now making his way backstage. I quickly snapped out of it as he wrapped his arm around me. My cheeks burned as I avoided Sam's eyes, despite feeling him glaring.

"You guys were great tonight." I said. Josh flashed me a toothy smile, pushing the sweaty hair out of his face.

"Yeah.." He sighed, still catching is breathe. "The perfect way to end it. Now I can't wait to get home." He laughed, pulling me in closer. "Come on, I gotta go get cleaned up."

As Josh lead me towards the dressing rooms, I turned around to see Sam already staring back at me, forcing a subtle smile but his eyes sad. My heart dropped.

"So, I called Mom and she was telling me all about the Christmas party tomorrow night. Everyone is so excited to see you again."

I felt my heart start to beat faster. As much as I was looking forward to seeing everyone again, I wasn't looking forward to all the questions we were bound to get.

"Josh, w-what did you tell them?" I asked, looking up at him. He bit down on his lip, keeping his eyes forward.

"I just said that you didn't really have anywhere to go, so I asked if you wanted to come with us. That's all." He said simply.

"Okay.." I sighed. He lead us into his dressing room, shutting the door behind him. I went over, sitting down on the couch.

"Jess, I.. I know this situation is a little.. weird but.. I'm glad you're coming with me, but I don't want to make you uncomfortable." He said quietly, sitting down next to me. "And.. Mom kinda knows what's going on.. with us, so.. it'll be okay. She'll make sure no one says anything." I nodded, looking up at him. He smiled back at me, his eyes moving from mine down to my lips. I felt my heart start to beat faster as I looked away.

"You.. should probably get cleaned up." I said softly. I heard him sigh as he got up, making his way into the bathroom.

"Alright, I'll be right out."

I couldn't help but wonder if this was actually a good idea. I did want to go back with them, but after last night, I was starting to feel guilty about the idea of going with Josh. In a way I almost felt like.. I was leading him on at this point, by not being sure. Maybe it was too soon, or maybe my dad was right. Maybe some people just aren't meant for us, no matter how perfect they are.

But I didn't want to give up on him already, only to regret it later.

Then I couldn't help but think about Sam. I wish he hadn't told me he'd gotten me something. I was going to feel awful about it until I was able to get him a gift too. Knowing Sam, it probably wasn't going to be anything too crazy, but still. He was there for me when no one else was. So if anyone deserved anything for Christmas.. it was him.

"Okay, you ready?" I heard as Josh came out of the bathroom, grabbing his bag, and tossing it over his shoulder. I nodded, getting up from the couch, going over to him. He reached out, taking my hand, and intertwining our fingers as he lead us down the hallway and out of the venue.

Once again, we were met with a wave of screams and cheers. Josh peeked back at me, flashing me a smile. I smirked, rolling my eyes, motioning over to them.

"Go ahead, I'll see you on the bus." I said, letting go of his hand.

"Ugh, get me off this bus." Sam whined, plopping down on the couch, staring out the window.

"We're gonna be there soon." Josh laughed. "We're like, two exits away."

"And that's still too long."

I felt the nerves grow the closer we got. Despite what Josh had said about his mom, I was still worried about everyone else. No matter what they said, I still knew what they'd all be thinking, but it was too late to turn back now.

"How you doing?" Josh asked, coming over and climbing up into his bunk next to me. I peeked over at him, forcing a smile.

"I'm okay." I sighed. "Just nervous." He wrapped his arm around me, pulling me closer to him.

"What's there to be nervous about? You already met everyone." He giggled to himself. I shrugged.

"You know why." I said softly. I felt him nod, now gently rubbing my arm.

"It'll be okay, I promise."

I wish it was that easy.

"Hey, how about.. I give you your Christmas present early." He said, flashing me a smile. I felt my cheeks burn. Him too? I honestly don't know why I expected any less.

"Josh, you didn't have to-"

"Oh, shush. It's just a little something I've been working on for you. I think you'll appreciate it. Or you'll think it's weird. I don't know. Either way.." He laughed, moving in front of me. I felt my heart start to beat faster. Something he's been working on? So.. he had been thinking about this for a while?

He reached behind him, pulling out a small wrapped box with a perfectly tied bow. I stared back at him wide-eyed as he handed it over, his smile growing into a wide grin.

"I did it myself." He giggled. "I had to watch a few videos to get it just right but.. I think it turned out good."

"Josh, I.. I feel bad, I didn't-"

"It's okay. You've given me enough. All I wanted was a chance and.. you've given me that. So.. it's a good Christmas for me." He said softly, his cheeks burning. My heart sunk.

"Josh.. this is-"

"Will you please open it?" He said, gently pushing it closer to me. "You're making me nervous now." He laughed. I sighed, doing my best to contain my smile. I then slowly pulled open the ribbon, gently lifting up one of the tabs of the wrapping paper. I heard him laugh, rolling his eyes.

"Oh my god, you must be a nightmare on Christmas morning." I smirked back at him, my cheeks burning.

"I.. I like to savor the moment." I said softly. He crawled back over next to me, sitting close.

"It's.. a photo album." I said, peeking up at him. He smiled back, wide-eyed, motioning back towards the book.

"Open it." I bit down on my lip, feeling my heart start to race.

They were pictures of.. me.

"Okay, so I figured.. as a photographer, you're always the one behind the camera. You're always the one capturing everyone else's moments, and you've given me so many great memories throughout this tour where.. I wanted to do the same for you. You never think to take any of yourself so.. I just wanted you to see you.. how I got to see you. And so now you have this to remember the tour.. from my perspective." He said softly, staring back down at me. I looked back up at him, not sure what to say.

"Josh.." I sighed. He flashed me a shy smile, shrugging his shoulders.

"I.. I don't know, I thought it.. it was something different, I thought you'd might like it."

"I love it. This is.. this is amazing. I.. I can't believe you did this. T-this.. this whole time?" He nodded, biting down on his lip. I leaned in, gently kissing him on the lips. I felt him smile, kissing me back harder.

"See.." He sighed, backing away, leaning his forehead against mine. "That's all I want." I couldn't help but smile, gently touching his cheek.

"Well.. maybe a little more." He giggled to himself, leaning in, kissing me again.

"We're here!" Sam called out.

Josh sighed, backing away, flashing me another smile.

"You ready?" He said, motioning towards the door.

"No." I laughed, his smile grew as he took my hand, helping me down from the bunk.

"Everything is going to be fine. Trust me."