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

Chapter 22: The Night Before

Before the show started that night, I waited in the wings until the lights went down. Ever since word got out about me and Jake, it was harder to be out in plain sight without drawing too much attention to myself. But I told myself the sacrifice was worth it.

For him.

"Hey!" I heard from behind me.
"Well, look at you." I said, reaching out to grab Jake's new jacket. "You always look so good." His cheeks blushed as he scrunched up his face.
"Sorry you have to hide away now." He said, leaning down and kissing me on the cheek. He peeked out at the crowd. "I know how much you like being out there."

"It's okay." I said smiling up at him. "Once you guys go out it's fine, they don't see me anymore." I laughed.
"Well, you're the only one I see." He said smiling, aware of how cheesy he was being. My cheeks burned as he gently kissed my forehead, now wrapping his arm around me.
"Stop being gross." Sam said, coming up from behind us. "You ready for tonight?" He propped his arm on top of Jake's head. Jake quickly shook him off.

"Are you ready?" He laughed.
"Always ready." Sam said with a smirk. Jake rolled his eyes, laughing to himself. Sam turned to me.

"So, you excited to meet everyone tomorrow?" My stomach dropped. Excited wasn't exactly the word. More like terrified. I nodded.
"The whole family is gonna be there. It's been so long since we've seen everyone. I can't wait to get back home for a bit."

I did wonder what home was like for them. I couldn't wait to see where they came from and where they grew up before.. all of this.

"And you get to meet Mom." Sam teased, winking at Jake.
"Yeah, that's gonna be fun." Jake sighed, pulling me closer. I wondered what that meant. It killed me not knowing what he's told her about us, or more specifically, me. I could only imagine how different it would be from what Josh had apparently told her too. I knew it sounded bad, so I could only imagine what their mom thought about everything.

"Alright, the shows gonna start soon, Sam. Get to your side." Jake laughed, playfully shoving him. Sam smiled.
"I know that's code for 'leave us alone,' I'm not dumb." He said, making his way to the other side of the stage. Jake turned to me.

"I'm really glad you're here." He sighed, taking one of my hands.
"So am I." I said, staring back up at him. His smile grew as he leaned in, gently kissing me on the lips. I always loved how I could feel him smile when he kissed me. My heart beat faster as he moved his hand up, gently holding my face. I sighed.

"I should head down now." I said. He grabbed my shirt pulling me into another kiss before I could get away.
"I'll see you soon." I laughed. He flashed me a big smile, finally letting go.
"Okay." He mouthed to me, his eyes in a daze.

I slowly made my way down to the front of the stage, hoping to plan it just right that the lights would go down before anyone had a chance to realize it was me. I wasn't so lucky.

"Oh my god, Jess!" Someone yelled. I turned to face the barricade to see a group of girls smiling and waving. I waved back with a smile, and quickly turned back to the stage, adjusting my camera. I really didn't understand why they cared about me all of a sudden, just because I was with Jake. Thankfully, the lights finally went down and the venue exploded with screams and applause.

They were just as good as ever. I'm glad I never got used to seeing them play. It felt like every night they got better. Ever few minutes I'd catch Jake peek down and give a small smile, where it felt like Josh on the other hand completely avoided looking in my direction all together. I hoped after the other night, things would finally be okay between the two of us. Things were going great with Jake, and I didn't want anything to ruin that. But I would hate to be the thing that got between them.

They took their bows and ran off stage as the lights went down. The cheering and the screams were overwhelming, but I couldn't help but smile. They deserved them all. Sam ran off first, flashing me a big smile, messing up my hair as he made his way past. After handing off his guitar, Jake ran over, picking me up in his arms and twirled me around. I couldn't help but yell, gripping him tightly. It was my favorite part of the night.

"You were amazing." I said when he finally put me down. He laughed, pushing the hair out of his face.
"You say that every night." He beamed. My cheeks burned. He reached up, tucking my hair behind my ears, staring back at me.
"Well, I mean it every night." I laughed. He sighed, leaning in and kissing me hard on the mouth. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Josh walk by, avoiding looking in our direction. My stomach dropped but I didn't pull away.

"So, what's the plan for tonight?" I asked. He shrugged.
"Whatever you want. I thought we could take it easy tonight since tomorrow is gonna be the real party." He smiled. I could tell how excited he was to get back home.

"How about a date night?" He asked, taking my hand and leading me backstage. I smiled. We really hadn't ever had a date night before.
"Oh, our first date?" I asked. He laughed.
"You don't consider all those little moments dates?" He asked, turning back and winking at me. I shook my head.
"Hardly." I giggled. He smirked.

"Well, they were awfully romantic. I don't know how I can top those."
"It doesn't matter what we do, I just wanna be with you." I said softly. He looked back and smiled at me wide-eyed, his cheeks blushing.
"That's cute." He said. My cheeks burned. I rolled my eyes and followed him closely as we walked out the back door of the venue. I could see the usual crowd of fans waiting out by the bus. He gave me a questioning look before we got too close. I sighed and nodded. I felt him give my hand a little squeeze.

I hung back while Jake made his way down the line, talking to each and every one, giving them hugs and signing whatever they shoved in his face. Every so often, some of them would wave in my direction. I'd smile and wave back and they'd giggle amongst themselves until they eventually all scattered away.

After he talked to the last group, he came back over to me, wrapping his arm around me and lead us towards the bus.
"You're really sweet." I said. "..to them. They get so excited. You make them so happy." He smiled back down at me.
"It's the least I can do." He said quietly.

When we walked onto the bus it was dark aside from a few candles lit on the small kitchen table. I looked up at him wide-eyed.
"What's this?" I asked. He giggled, taking me by the hand and leading me over.
"It's date night."
"But how did you-.." I stopped, looking back at him. He smirked, rolling his eyes.
"Sam?" I said. He nodded.

I'd have to thank him later.

"Anddddd.." He said, reaching into his bunk, pulling out a box of pizza. I laughed, now sitting down at the table.
"Pizza, how romantic." I sighed. He laughed to himself, putting two slices on plates and bringing them over to the table.
"It's the best I could do on such short notice." He said, placing the plate in front of me.
"You're so funny." I said, taking a bite. He wasted no time diving in.

"So.. before tomorrow.." I started. He peeked up at me from over his food. "Can you tell me what you told your mom about me?" He smiled, wiping his face.
"Are you nervous about meeting everyone?" He asked. I nodded, feeling my cheeks burn.
"There's nothing to be nervous about." He said calmly. "She's gonna love you. They're all gonna love you." His smile grew. I couldn't help but smile back, despite still feeling uneasy.

"It's just.." I said, now wondering if I should even bring it up at all. "I know Josh talked to her about me. He told me.. he had wanted to be the one to introduce me to her. And.. I don't know. I don't want her to think..." Jake nodded, his face dropping a little.

"You didn't do anything wrong." He said. "The situation is.. less than ideal but.." He shrugged, taking another bite. "You're mine." He stared back at me with that same dazed look in his eyes. I felt my heart start to beat faster.

"I am." I sighed, smiling back.
"And I've told her nothing but great things. I promise. She said that she's excited to meet you. She's happy that I'm happy." My cheeks burned. I nodded and continued to eat.

"So.. how is our romantic dinner? Did I do well?" He asked, scrunching up his face. I smiled, now getting up and moving to his side of the booth.
"Very well." I sighed, leaning my head on his shoulder as I continued to eat. He leaned over, gently kissing the top of my head. I looked up at him, moving in closer, kissing him on the lips. I felt him smile as he moved in closer, pulling me in towards him.

And like clockwork, the bus door opened.