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

Chapter 86: Just as Scared

After he made his way down the line, Josh came over to me, gently placing his hand on the small of my back.
"You ready to head back in?" He whispered, leaning in close. I peeked up at him, nodding. He reached over, taking my hand and lead me back to the front door.
"See you guys later!" He called out, waving back to them before we went inside.

"They're really sweet." I said, gently swinging our hands.
"Yeah." He said, smiling back at me. "Have.. they not been before?" I bit down on my lip, shrugging.
"I mean.. in the beginning.." I said, trailing off. "It's nothing. But.. ever since the video.." He nodded, giggling to himself.
"I mean, it is good." He smirked. My cheeks burned as a smile escaped my lips.
"Yeah.." I sighed, holding my stare on him. He stared back, his cheeks turning red.

"So.." He said, leading us over to the stage. I followed him up and sat down close as he went behind the microphone. "I couldn't help but overhear that.. I'm the best boyfriend, huh?"

My face felt like it was on fire. I bit down on my lip, holding in my smile.
"Shut up.." I laughed, rolling my eyes. "You're the one who told me to play it up." He flashed me a toothy grin.
"Well.. it was nice to hear, at least." He said softly, looking away. "So, what brought that up?"
"They were asking about the video, and if you're really that great of a boyfriend in real life."
"And.. you said yes?" He said, smirking back at me. I sighed, holding my stare on him.
"I.. I feel like you would be." I said quietly. He nodded, peeking over at me.
"Well.. if you ever want to find out.." He said, his voice trailing off. "Just let me know."

My heart started beating faster. What if Jake was right? How could I ever really know until.. I really knew? I didn't want to mention our conversation to Josh though, or anyone really. If something came out of this, fine. But.. I wasn't going to force anything. I really wasn't in a rush to be with anyone again anyway.

"Josh.." I sighed, smirking back at him.
"Sorry." He giggled to himself. "Alright.. so what do you wanna hear?" He asked, quickly changing the subject.
"How about.. one of the songs you wrote for me?" I said softly, feeling my cheeks burn. He peeked back at me, wide-eyed.
"Really?" I nodded, smiling back up at him.
"Okay.. which one?"
"The first one you played for me.. that night in your bunk." His smile grew as he nodded.
"Alright.. anything for you." He sighed, and started to sing.

Jake's P.O.V

I snuck out the back door of the venue, doing my best to avoid everyone outside. The last thing I wanted to do was talk to anyone, especially about the music video, which I knew was the only thing people seemed to care about. Part of me wondered what could have been if Josh had never brought it up to Jess. Would she and I still be together? I shook the thought. It wasn't like I could change anything now. What was the point of dwelling?

But I couldn't help but feel like I had just messed everything up again. Deep down, I knew it was the right thing to do. I couldn't be with her with the lingering feeling that she secretly wanted to be with Josh.. but the selfish part of me just wanted her all to myself.. despite everything.

"There you are!" Sam called out as I made my way up the stairs of the bus. I sighed. He was already drunk. When did they start drinking? I looked around to see it was only him and Danny on the bus. My cheeks burned. 

Was she off with him already?

"Hey.." I sighed, plopping down on the couch. Sam smirked at me, propping his feet up onto the booth.
"They're inside." He said, motioning towards the venue.
"Who?" I asked, trying to play it off. 

I knew exactly who.

"Josh and Jess. They're inside." I nodded, biting down on my lip.
"Why didn't you just take her back, Jake?" He blurted out, taking another sip of his drink. I sighed, looking away.
"Because.. I need time." He rolled his eyes.
"Time for what? She loves you and she wants to be with you. That's exactly what you wanted. Why are you being stupid?" My cheeks burned. Was I being stupid?

"I told her I needed her to be sure. And if that means her being with Josh.. then fine." I said, looking away. He shook his head, taking another sip of his drink.
"Man, you really are stupid, Jake." He laughed. I glared back over at him to see he had turned, now facing out the window.

"She is so hung up over you, it's insane, and you basically forced her into the arms of another man. Who does that? I just.. you know how many guys would kill to have someone love them the way she loves you?" He sighed, looking back down. "I'm just saying.. must be nice."

Must be nice? What was he talking about? Hundreds of girls threw themselves at Sam every night, but he was the one who never wanted anything serious. He was the first one to give me a hard time when I wanted something serious with Jess in the first place.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I snapped. He bit down on his lip, his cheeks burning.
"It means.. I don't think you realize what you have, okay? You weren't the one who sat up with her all night, you didn't hear her. Any guy would be lucky to have her, and you basically just.. hand her off? How do you think that makes her feel? Sometimes I think.. you're just as scared of the real thing as she is. You yelled at her about running off because things were too real but.. how are you any different?"

My stomach dropped. Where was all of this coming from? A week ago Sam would've been the one cheering me on, happy that I was single again and could finally "enjoy" being on tour. Now he was starting to sound like someone who.. 

"W-what's going on, Sam?" I asked, glaring back at him. "Am I missing something?" He laughed, rolling his eyes, taking another big sip, slamming his empty bottle down on the table.
"Nothing, Jake." He sighed. I could hear the pain in his voice. "Absolutely nothing. So don't worry. You only have to worry about one brother."
"Sure doesn't sound like nothing." I muttered.
"Well, it is nothing. Because unlike some of you.. I know how to keep my mouth shut." I shook my head, looking away. 

For all I knew, this was just drunk Sam ranting like he always did.

"And.. what do you expect to happen when the tour is over?" He said. "You're just.. okay with not seeing her again? Is this really how you want to leave things?" I felt my heart start to beat faster. I hated the idea of her leaving. But deep down, I knew it was the best thing for us right now. We both needed time, and whatever she chose to do with hers.. that was her decision.

I just wanted her to be happy. Whether she was with me or not.

"Cause she was excited to come home with you for Christmas, you know.." He said, getting up and going over to the fridge.
"You really think you need another one?" Danny chimed in, giggling to himself.
"I'm fine.. I'm fine.. I've got time." Sam sighed, popping open the cap and letting it fall to the floor.
"She.. she was actually gonna come?" I asked. She had never really given me an answer, but I had hoped.
"Yeah.. she wanted to spend it with our family, instead of her own. So.. I said she could still come if she really wanted to. But because of you.. she probably won't." 

My heart sunk. The idea of her there with us like this. I don't think I could handle seeing her with Josh now. Out here was one thing but.. I had already made so many plans for us back home. The thought of her doing those things with him...

I felt like I was gonna be sick.

"What did she say?" I asked, feeling my heart beat faster.
"She said she had to think about it because she doesn't know if she could handle seeing you. But something tells me it won't take Josh very long to convince her, so.. I'd get used to the idea of her being there."