"And you promise you'll call me if they say anything, right?" Josh asked, leaning in the doorway, stalling going home for as long as he could. I nodded, gently holding his face in my hands, pulling him into a gentle kiss.

"I promise, as soon as I know what's going on with her, I'll call you."

"Cause I don't want you going alone, I want to he-"

"I know. Thank you." He stopped, smirking back at me before pulling me into another long kiss.

"You know.. I really don't have to go." He sighed, gently holding me by the waist. I shook my head, giggling to myself.

"Yes you do. They're gonna wonder where you are."

"I'm sure they know where I am." He laughed, gently kissing my forehead. "But okay.. I'll see you later."

"Okay.." I said, still refusing to let go of him. His smile grew.

"You make it impossible to leave." He said softly, now caressing my cheek. I still couldn't believe this was real. After all these years of dreaming about it..

"Sorry." I muttered, finally moving away. He bit down on his lip, holding his stare on me as I motioned back to his house.

"So, you're gonna think about what it is you want to do with your life while I'm gone, right?" He laughed, now shoving his hands into his pockets.

"You're stalling." I laughed. He flashed me a toothy grin, his cheeks burning red.

"A little.. but I also want to help you too. So.. the sooner you figure it out, the better."

"Okay, I'll think about it."

"Okay." He sighed, still not leaving.

I rolled my eyes, making my way back over to him, wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling him into one more long kiss.

"Now go." I sighed, playfully pushing him along.

"I'll miss you." He said softly, backing away towards his house. I tried my best to contain my smile, feeling my face get hot, giving him a gentle wave.

"I'll see you later." I laughed, knowing that I would miss him too, the second he disappeared into his house.

"Okay." He groaned, flashing me one more smile before finally turning around and heading inside.

When I got inside, I could hear loud talking coming from the kitchen. It sounded like everyone was up now. My heart started beating faster as I made my way down the hall, wondering what was going to be waiting for me.

"W-what's going on?" I asked, now seeing everyone gathered around, visibly excited about something.

"Jake got us a gig tonight." Sam said, beaming over at me. My heart jumped. A gig? As much as I wanted to be excited, nothing had really happened with the band in a long time and I had just started wrapping my head around the idea of finally committing to.. my dream.

"Oh.. t-that's.. that's great!" I said, trying to sound enthused for Jake. I know how much of a hard time he's been having and.. this is exactly what he needed, so I could be there for him. "Where is it?"

"Fischer Hall, right in town." He said cheerfully. "So we should start getting everything packed up. We haven't played in a while so, it'll probably take a bit." I nodded, now starting to worry. I had promised I would be there for Jaime if anything happened with her mom today. The last thing I wanted to do was show her she couldn't trust me when I said I'd be there.

"Okay, um.. I'll be right out." I said, as they all made their way out into the garage. Mom hung back, noticing my hesitance.

"You okay, honey? You don't seem.. as excited." I nodded, sitting down at the counter, pulling out my phone.

hey

"I'm okay." I sighed, turning to face her. "So.. Jaime and I are dating now." Her eyes went wide, her face completely lighting up.

"Oh my goodness, honey. I'm so happy for you!" She came over, wrapping me in a tight hug. "She's such a good girl. I always knew something would happen, ever since that day you pulled me over there.." I rolled my eyes, trying to hide my smile.

"Yeah, yeah.." I laughed.

"But.. then what's the problem?"

"Well, her mom was rushed into surgery, and she's still waiting for them to call her with an update. I told her I'd be here for her when they do, and I'd take her back down there."

She sighed, giving me a gentle smile, kissing the top of my head.

"You're already such a good boyfriend."

"Well, I want to be, but.. I don't want to just blow her off now because of this.." She nodded.

"I know, but.. I'm sure she'll understand. She's been around for it all. She knows how important it is to you and your brothers." I nodded, knowing she would absolutely understand, and would tell me to go without hesitation. And that's why I worried.

She's always had to take care of everyone else.

I finally wanted to be the one to take care of her.

"If everything's okay, why don't you invite her? I'm sure she'd love to see you play." I nodded, feeling my cheeks burn. The idea of singing those songs that were all written for Jaime, to her, and now she finally knew it. It really was a dream come true.

"Yeah, I.. I texted her to call me and we could talk about it."

"Okay, well in the meantime, go help your brothers. Jake is so excited. I don't know what it is but.. he's been down lately so, I'm glad he has this." I bit down on my lip, unsure if I should tell her about Cait. He confided in me, and I wasn't sure if he had told anyone else yet. But it was Mom.

"Well, him and Cait broke up." I said softly. Her face dropped.

"Oh no.. well, okay, then he needs this more than ever. I'm sure he appreciates you doing this with him. We all know you have other plans for yourself but.. don't think it goes unnoticed. He hates that you're spending all your time on his dream and nothings happening yet. He doesn't want to let you down either."

"I know. But.. maybe don't bring up Cait. It's bad enough Jaime will be there.. for me."

"I don't know a thing." She said, smirking back at me.

I got up, pulling her into a quick hug, and then made my way out to the garage. But before any of them noticed, I felt my phone ring.

"There you are." I said cheerfully, just happy to hear Jaime's voice again. She giggled, no doubt rolling her eyes at me through the phone.

"So what's this exciting news?" She asked. "You got my life figured out for me already?" I couldn't help but smile.

"I wish." I sighed, wandering off into the yard, not wanting Jake or the guys to hear.

"Alright, then what is it?" I peeked back over to see them starting to load some of the amps into the truck.

"So.. Jake got us a gig tonight." I finally said.

"That's great!" She yelled without hesitation. "Where?"

"Fischer Hall."

"Oh that's really nice! How'd he manage that?" I shrugged, now realizing I hadn't really asked many questions. But it was always easier that way with Jake anyway.

"I don't know.." She was quiet for a moment.

"Why do I get the feeling you're not as excited about this as I am?" She laughed.

"I.. I don't know, I am excited, it's exciting. I mean, it's what we want, right?"

"Well.. is it?"

That was the question.

"I just want to know what you think I should do." I sighed, leaning back against the fence, kicking at the dirt. She was quiet again.

"You know.." I added. "With your mom and everything, I told you I'd be here and-"

"Oh, don't worry about that, it's okay. I can go if they call me."

"And that's the next thing." I said, feeling a smile escape my lips. "I was wondering.. if you wanted to come and watch tonight."

"If you want me there then I wouldn't miss it for the world." My heart jumped.

"So you think I should do it. Despite what we talked about today?"

"What's one show? You can still pursue both right now. And.. it means a lot to Jake." She was right. This was all he had, and he couldn't exactly do it alone.

"Okay, so then I'll see you tonight?" I asked.

"Yes, you'll see me tonight."

"Okay.." I mumbled, still unsure of how we should say goodbye.

"Okay, Josh." She laughed, finally hanging up.

As I pulled up to the venue, I could already see people waiting outside. This was so exciting, and so much nicer than their first show. Despite feeling like they hadn't gotten anywhere yet, I wish they could see themselves from my perspective; they've already come so far.

I didn't have to wait long for Josh to meet me out front, welcoming me with a toothy grin, pulling me into a kiss.

"Well, you look nice. What's the occasion?" He joked, looking me up and down. I rolled my eyes, taking his hand as he lead us pass the line and through the side doors.

"You must feel so official now." I said, looking around. He shrugged.

"Hardly. But it is much nicer than most of the parking lot shows we've played."

I remembered coming here with their family all the time to watch shows, whatever band was playing, just so they could see another live band. Seeing others play was just as important as practicing yourself. Deep down I always knew I'd see them up there one day.

Josh lead me backstage, stopping before their dressing room, pulling me aside.

"Okay so.. Jake and Cait broke up-"

"What?!" He quickly shushed me, placing his finger over my lips.

"Yeah, so.. if he's a little.. you know.. how he is today, don't take it personally. He's.. he's still a little upset about it so.." I nodded, peeking inside.

"Okay."

"And.. that means he probably isn't going to want to see us being.. like us." I smirked back at him feeling my cheeks burn.

"Got it." I whispered, pulling my hand away. He winked at me before leading me in.

The rest of the guys and their families were all inside, most filling the couch, the others over by the bar. Jake's head instantly perked up, flashing me a smile.

"Oh, good! You could make it." He said cheerfully. He didn't seem all that torn up about anything. Then again, in the closet he had told me he was thinking about breaking up with her anyway. Maybe.. he finally just pulled the trigger.

"Of course, I wouldn't miss it." I said. His smile grew, his cheeks burning red. Josh leaned down close to me, whispering into my ear.

"I just have to finish up some things before the show, you're okay here, right?" I nodded.

"Sure, go ahead." He quickly kissed my cheek, gently touching my hand before heading back out into the hallway. Once Josh was gone, Jake didn't hesitate to make his way over, now two beers in hand.

"So, this is exciting. How'd you manage this?" I asked. He shrugged timidly, twisting off the top before handing me one of the beers.

"This has.. kinda been in the works for a little." He said quietly, peeking back at everyone. "Hey, um.. can I talk to you? Privately?" My heart started beating faster. What would he want to talk about?

"Oh, y-yeah sure." I said, following him out into the hallway. He lead me further down in the opposite direction from where Josh had gone until we were outside, alone in the back alley.

"What's going on?" I asked, taking a big sip. He hesitated for a moment, staring back at me with those big brown eyes that I had once spent so many days dreaming about. They looked just the same.

"So.. Josh told me.. about what you guys had talked about." He said, now taking a big sip. I stayed quiet, still unsure of what he was talking about. Josh and I had talked about.. lots of things, and I didn't want to slip up on anything I wasn't supposed to know.

"He was telling me about.. how he wants to maybe.. put the band aside and pursue film school." He continued, his face dropping. "He said he'd play tonight, for me, but after that.. he thinks he might be done."

"Oh.." I managed. I didn't know he had decided anything like that yet.

"And.. I understand but.. can I tell you something?" I held my stare on him, feeling my heart beat even faster.

"Of course."

"I finally got an A&R rep to come out to a show, and.. he's here tonight. And.. well, if he likes what he sees, he could sign us. We could get an actual record deal and.. and this could finally.. happen." He said, now much more excited. I couldn't help but smile as his eyes lit up, never having seen him more excited about anything than when he talked about music.

"Do.. do any of them know?" I asked, peeking back down the hall. He shook his head.

"I didn't want to make them nervous or put any pressure on them. I can take it myself, but.. I just wanted them to play their best tonight. I didn't want to risk anything." I nodded, still trying to figure out why he was telling me.

"So then, why are you telling-"

"I need you to convince Josh.. not to quit the band."

My heart sunk.

He wanted me to tell Josh put his dreams on hold.

For Jake.

"Jake, I-" My heart jumped as he reached out for my hand.

"Jaime, this is.. everything to me. I just want a fair shot. And.. I need him. And he'll listen to you. Please."

I felt my body get hot, my heart now pounding in my chest as he flashed me those eyes that always managed to get him whatever he wanted.

"This means the world to me, Jaime." He said softly, holding my hand tighter. I peeked down at our hands, remembering how much I thought about this when I was younger, and how excited young Jaime would be right now. Looking back up at him, he still held that same stare on me, making me start to wonder how much of younger Jaime was still within me.

"Okay. I'll.. I'll talk to him."