What If I Can't Forget You?

{26}

Ian's POV

This was too easy. She was too easy.

Sure, it was weird kissing someone who I didn't actually like AT ALL, but it was a small price to pay to get closer to who I really wanted: Claire.

I was starting to sound like a psychopath, but I didn't care. I wanted her. If I couldn't have her, I'd find my way in, and I'd take her. Even if it meant dating her best friend and evading my idol.

After I said goodnight to my new "girlfriend", I headed back to my room to get some sleep. I hadn't actually spent the day doing much other than hanging out with Bob, my new boss. Now that Jaime was injured and couldn't play with a broken shoulder, it was a perfect time to "come to the band's rescue."

Bob and I planned the whole stunt today; I would become the bassist sub for poor injured Jaime for a long while. The fans would just so happen to like me better than him, and I'd be in. Jaime would be done for, and I'd have my dream job. Vic, Ian, Mike, and Tony. Pierce The Veil.

I climbed into bed and fell asleep instantly, dreaming about my career that lay ahead.

•••

Jaime's POV

When I woke up, yellow light streamed through the tiny window and Vic was gone. I sat up, running my good hand through my hair. God, I needed a shower. I looked at my arm and shoulder, completely enveloped in a cast. How the hell am I supposed to take a shower?

Vic burst in, holding two bags of Taco Bell breakfast.

"Buenos Dias, fucker! You're awake!"

"Yeah." I mumbled. "Did you bring me food?"

"Hell yeah! To celebrate your liberation. Did you know this hospital had a Taco Bell? It's fucking rad, man. The people who built this place definitely had our Mexican squad in mind." I laughed and he tossed me a bag.

"So have you made up your mind about what you're going to say to Alex?" He asked, sitting in the armchair near my bed. I sighed.

"I dunno, man. I think I'm just going to go for it and hope she understands."

"I think she will." He leaned back in his chair. "God, I'm so glad I have Claire. I think I love her, dude." He looked at me, and I smiled to see my best friend so happy.

"In fact," he pulled out his phone. "I need you to help me decide on something."

I stared, confused. He entered the photos app, and handed me his phone. The album was titled "Claire" and below, screenshots of engagement rings.

"You're going to..."

"I don't know. I'm still trying to decide. It's been a few months now, and I want to get her something special. Something that she can keep forever. I mean, it doesn't necessarily have to mean that I'm engaging to her. It could just be a promise ring or..." He trailed off, staring at me. "That's why I wanted to talk to you about it. I want to spend forever with her, Jaime."

"Woah, woah. Have you really thought about it?"

"I have. I know we'd have to wait till the end of tour, but I think it could work. It will have to be secret."

"I think if you really, really love this girl, Vic, then you should go for it."

"Really?" He smiled, looking ecstatic.

"Absolutely." I handed him back his phone.

"Okay." He said, dropping it into his pocket. "Oh, I forgot to tell you- Ian's subbing for you tonight."

"Ian's WHAT?" Vic cringed at my outburst.

"Jaime, we can't cancel half the U.S. leg of our tour because of your shoulder."

"So what, you're going to replace me?! I haven't even tried to play my bass. Maybe I can! There's no need for a sub!" Vic shook his head sadly.

"I'm sorry, Hime. Ian's subbing. But it's only temporarily, okay? Just until you get better." I sighed, calming down a bit.

"Okay. But when I do get better, we kick him off the tour. Deal?" Vic smiled.

"I don't like him either. Yes, deal."

The door swung open and the plump nurse waddled in with her clipboard. She shuffled through a few papers of what looked like a list, then looked up at me.

"Mr. Preciado?" I nodded, and she smiled at me. "Ready to get out of here?"