You're the One - Part 1 || Greta Van Fleet

Chapter 49: Something Nice

I lead everyone up to the balcony as the venue started to fill up.

"You guys should all be good up here, but you have to stay up here." I said, looking at my mom specifically. "If security doesn't know you're with one of us, they will kick you out. So you have to stay here until the show ends." 

"Don't worry, most of us can follow directions." My dad said softly, smirking at me. I smiled. "On second thought, maybe you should let her wander around." I laughed, playfully shoving him.
"Knowing her she'd still manage to find her way backstage." I said quietly. He rolled his eyes.

"What are you doing after this?" Travis asked, now walking over to me. My cheeks burned.
"Oh, well.. everyone is staying at the hotel down the street tonight, so I think we were all just going to go down to the bar."

He held his stare on me, giving me a subtle smile. I knew he was waiting for an invitation.

"Did you guys.. want to come too?" I asked.
"I'd sure love to get to know your little boyfriend better." He said. "So, sure." My cheeks burned.
"If you are gonna come, you can't be rude to him." I snapped. He rolled his eyes, smirking at me.
"When am I ever rude, Jess?" He asked. I sighed, looking away, going back over to my dad.

"I.. really just wanted you to get to know Jake a little better tonight." I said quietly. His smile grew.
"I'm sure we can make that work." He said. "Don't worry. Now, I'll be okay up here. You go do what you gotta do." He said, gently shoving me towards the door. I nodded and left, quickly making my way backstage. I grabbed my camera from the dressing room and went to find Jake on his side of the stage.

"There you are!" He said cheerily. "Is everyone okay?" I nodded, motioning towards the balcony.
"They're all up there." I said. He peeked up, giving them a small wave. My mom eagerly waved back. I sighed, rolling my eyes.
"I told her if she tried to come back here, they'd kick her out." Jake laughed, looking back at me.
"Is she really that bad?" He asked. I nodded.

"Well.." He said, gently taking my hand and pulling me further out of sight into the wings. "We'll have fun after the show. Apparently... this hotel is really nice. It'll be a good excuse to get dressed up."
"Dressed up?" I asked, feeling my cheeks burn. "Jake, I'm wearing your clothes because all of mine are dirty, you really think I have something nice to throw on?" He giggled to himself.
"Don't worry, I sent someone out to pick something up for you. We always have some stuff lying around on the bus for us, just in case. But.. I wanted something special.. for you." 
"You.. you did? But how'd you-"
"Don't worry about it." He smirked. "I just wanted to do something nice."

I felt my heart start beating faster. Sometimes I felt like.. I just didn't deserve him. After everything I've put him through, and he still thought of me like this.

"You always want to do something nice." I said softly. "Even when I don't deserve it." He smiled, his cheeks getting red.
"Of course I do." He said. "I.. would do anything for you, Jess." My heart jumped. He held his stare on me, biting down on his lip.

Then the lights went down and the screams began. He sighed, going over and grabbing his guitar.
"So I'll see you over here on my side tonight, right?" He asked, smiling back at me. He reached up, gently pushing the hair out of my face, tucking it behind my ear. My cheeks burned. 

Then I leaned in, gently taking his face in my hands, and quickly kissed him on the lips.

"I'll be on your side every night from now on." I sighed, trying to contain my smile. He stared back at me with wide-eyes, his jaw dropping a little. "Have a good show, Jake." I said, moving away, heading backstage. 
"Jess, wait!" He yelled, reaching out for me.
"I'll see you after!" I laughed. He shook his head, smirking back at me.
"I love you." He mouthed. My heart jumped and I flashed him a smile before running down into the photo pit.

He had one of the best shows I had ever seen that night. 

I felt his eyes locked on me, no matter where I went, while occasionally peeking up at the balcony. When I looked up, I saw my dad leaning against the railing, beer in one hand, nonchalantly watching, nodding his head along, never once appearing too enthusiastic, but always seeming to be enjoying himself. I could tell Jake was nervous, but he always thrived under pressure. I was excited to hear what Dad thought of the show later. He wasn't easily impressed, but I know he would be extra nice tonight.. knowing how I felt about Jake.

Travis on the other hand stood next to him, leaning his hands against the railing, glaring down at Jake, refusing to take his eyes off him. I would no doubt be receiving an earful of criticism from him later, all of which I had no interest in. Deep down I really didn't care what anyone thought about Jake.. he was perfect to me. 

And that's all that mattered.

I snapped a few photos from the pit as they took their final bows, the crowd roaring behind me. I couldn't help but stare up at him, my heart beating faster. He was.. beautiful. And I couldn't wait for him to get off stage just so I could be with him again.

Before they ran off, I quickly made my way back into the wings of Jake's side of the stage. He looked over, flashing me a smile. I bit down on my lip, giving him a small wave. They took another bow before he tossed his guitar over to one of the crew members, and quickly ran towards me. My smile grew.

"Jake, you were amaz-" He quickly cut me off by grabbing my face, pulling me into a passionate kiss. It felt like my heart was going to beat out of my chest. I reached up, wrapping my arms around his neck, pulling him closer. I felt his lips curl into a smile. He moved his hands down, lifting me up and spinning me around. I couldn't help but laugh, tangling my fingers in his hair.

"I love you." I sighed. He was beaming, staring back at me wide-eyed, as he pulled me into another kiss. I loved how he always managed to make me feel like the only girl in the world. When he backed away, he stared back at me with his eyes in a daze.

"We should go meet up with everyone." He sighed. I giggled, running my fingers down his cheek.
"What's the rush?" I asked. He smirked.

"You said.. we have to see how tonight goes.. and.. I need it to go well."