Rekindled- Jake Kiszka

Chapter 42

We came in a pair. It was always Jake and MJ, MJ and Jake. So the first night of the gallery, the very first time I'd be presenting my work, I didn't know how to prepare, how to calm the nerves built up inside of me. Jake had a show the same night, of course, but I knew there was a little bit of time before then.

I pick my phone up after getting myself ready, seeing as how the gallery opened up at 2 and it was 12 now. I click Jake's contact and facetime him, holding my phone in front of me with one hand while nervously cracking my knuckles on the other.

When the call finally connects, my nerves are eased by his smiling face looking back at me. "There's my girl," he says, turning in his chair so the other guys could see me and I could see them. They were all sitting on the couches on the bus, watching something on the TV although their attention was quickly drawn to me

They all say their hellos which I return with a smile. "You guys aren't getting into too much trouble without me, right?" I ask with a raised eyebrow.

"Mary Jane, dearest, we simply can't stay away. Trouble is much too fun to deny." Josh says, his usual poetic cadence is evident.

"Save some of the fun, I'm bored out of my mind, I need it."

"You know it's never-ending with them, I'm sure we've got plenty of trouble that has yet to find us," Danny nods, earning a nod back from me.

"Alright alright, you guys are hogging her," Jake says, turning the phone back to himself and walking off to his bunk. "How are you baby? You nervous?"

I shrug and sit down on his bed where I had been sleeping since he left. "A little bit, I think Alex might try to come up at some point this weekend."

"Well that's good, maybe that'll calm you down a little. Let me see the outfit."

My cheeks grow hot as I prop the phone up on his dresser, backing up so he can see the sleek black dress and black heels I had on. My hair was down in curls and I had gold jewelry on, including the earrings that Sammy bought me a few months back.

"You look amazing Jane. God, I wish I was home," he mutters, shamelessly checking me out until I pick my phone back up and lay back on the bed, holding it above me.

"Mhm, the beds lonely without you. But I can't get into thinking about that too much before the gallery."

"And whys that?" He asks with raised eyebrows.

"Because you're not here to help me get my mind off of things, and I can't afford to be so distracted on opening night."

This time his cheeks turned a soft shade of peach, a white-toothed grin gracing my view that I missed so much. "You look so handsome. How long do you have before you have to start soundcheck?"

"Uhhh," he trails off, checking the watch on his wrist. As if on cue, a knock comes from outside of his bunk. "Time to go, we're here!" I hear Josh call out, causing his twin to frown.

"I guess now, I'm sorry, I thought I'd have more time."

I shake my head and flash him a smile. "Don't worry about it babe, go kill this show. I can't wait to see all of the videos and hear all about it later. I love you so much, I miss you, have fun."

"I love you too, take a lot of pictures on your opening night. You're gonna do amazing, I'm so proud of you." He says, sitting up as I can hear the boys getting rowdy in the background.

"I'll talk to you later, bye Jakey."

"Bye Jane," he says, ending the call after a few seconds.

A small tinge of pain lingered after hearing the beeps to signal the ended call, but I had far too much going on with the gallery to let it stay for too long. Their first show was tonight as well, and there was no use in stressing Jake before something so huge.