✺ 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 ✺- Josh Kiszka

Part 35 - Epilogue

I woke up with a start as the wheel knocked over a hefty rock in the road. I lazily brought my hand over my eyes and stretched out with a tired groan. The drive had been nearing seven hours at this point, and the car sickness and boredom were beginning to toll on me.

I sat up from my spot on the long black-leather couch and craned my head around the couch and into the hall, only to see the privacy divider pushed closed.

Violet was passed out on the other couch across from me. I tossed the pillow I had under my head at her, and she flew up with a yelp.

"What the fuck," she groaned.

"Wake up, I think we're almost there."

"Clearly I'm awake," she laughed.

"Now you are." I laughed back.

Violet craned her head down the thin connecting hallway of the bus, but as I had, was met only with the vision of the sliding door. The bus bumped gently as it rolled over the small backroad of Illinois.

"Where are the boys?" Violet asked.

"Probably the bar," I replied with a smile.

"Figures," She laughed.

I glanced down at her hand to see the glinting of a gold band across her left hand.

"Can I see it again?" I asked. Violet glanced down at her hand and rolled her eyes in pretend annoyance, yet a smile crept across her face nonetheless.

She leaned across the space between us and placed her hand out for me to see. A small, raw aquamarine stone sat in the branching grasp of a twig-like metal holder on a gold band.

"I can't get over it," I replied with a smile spread across my face.

"What? The ring, or the fact that I'm getting married before you?" She joked.

"Both," I admitted as she took her hand back.

"April 11th, 2022, save the date," She chided in a singsong voice as she had done for the past three weeks.

I rolled my eyes and leaned back onto the couch. The sound of the sliding door filled the room, and Violet and I looked down the thin hall.

Josh strode into the lounge area and leaned against the hall entrance.

"Good nap?" He asked with a smile before sipping on whatever amber liquid was in his glass.

"Great, actually," I replied, rubbing my eyes again.

"Have you seen Sam?" Violet asked Josh.

"He's just down at the bar with the other two," He replied, motioning down the hall.

"Thanks," She replied before standing up and making her way toward the hall entrance, "And Josh, I mean this as a dear friend, and future sister-in-law, please for the love of God, shave the goatee off." She patted his shoulder and slid past him down the hall.

I stifled a laugh as Josh smiled and shook his head. He made his way toward me and sat down beside me on the couch.

"It's not that bad, is it?" He asked, running his hand over his mouth.

I shook my head and smiled, "no, I like it."

He returned my smile and leaned into the chair next to me. I glanced down at the drink in his hand and it triggered a random memory that caused me to laugh to myself.

"Do you remember that one time, toward the end of senior year, when you came by to take me over to your place and-"

"And I hit a ditch and we went off the side of the road?" He finished for me, "Yes, and it was seven years ago, drop it," he laughed.

"No no, that's not the end of it," I teased, "and the police had to come and get us, but you had a six-pack of beer in the backseat you forgot about."

"Yes, I remember," he said, leaning his head back into the cushion and smiling.

"Good times," I joked.

"Fuck no," He replied, sipping at his drink again.

"Senior year was fun," I said quietly, leaning my head back as well.

"Apart from that night, I have to agree." He replied.

I hummed and took the glass from him, and took a long sip before handing it back.

"What's the setlist for tonight?" I asked leaning my head over to look at him.

"I honestly don't remember," he laughed, "but I do know heat above is the first of the encore."

I nodded in approval, "gotta save one of the bests for last."

"Oh of course," He replied, his smile never wavering.

"Also if you don't mind me asking," I started, "Why the hell did we drive seven hours to Chicago from Nashville instead of flying?"

Josh let out a hearty laugh, "You can thank Jake for that one," He replied, "He wanted the new bus to get a 'good drive' to see if it's substantial."

"I see," I replied, "This tour bus is a big step up from the last."

"I love it," Josh replied, looking around the dimly lit lounge area, "The earnings from the album were far beyond what we expected, so, we splurged a bit."

"Worth it," I replied.

Josh nodded in agreement.

"So will you and Violet be in the crowd, or would you prefer side-stage?"

"I think you already know what I'll say," I laughed.

"Side-stage it is," Josh stated for me.

I Laughed and leaned into his side.

"This is wild, isn't it?" Josh started, "Nine years ago it was just garages and bar gigs, and now we're playing in sold-out arenas in some of the largest cities in the country."

I smiled and looked up at him, "I told you, didn't I?"

Josh pulled me into his side and smiled back, "That you did."

I smiled wider and closed my eyes.

"You've made it."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author's note - Well, this is the official end of the story. This has been so much fun to write for the past six months. I love every single one of you who has stuck through this and read through the end.  I am going to be honest, I re-read the first few chapters of this and HATE it. LMAO. But, I only hate my terrible writing, not the story itself, which is good! It means I'm growing as a writer and that is one reason I published this in the first place! I cannot believe how many reads this story has gained, and I am so grateful to every single person who has read it.  Thank you to my best friend Violet, who inspired the character in this story, and who has proofread and let me read each chapter of this to her since the beginning. (Fun story for those who care, I actually met Violet through GVF, and I am currently 1500 miles away from home because I finally met her for the first time!) Ok side story over. But truly, and from the bottom of my heart, I love all of you so much!

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-Bex