Always There - Part 2 || Greta Van Fleet

Chapter 222: Prove Me Wrong

I practically floated down the stairs, wanting nothing more than to get back to the party, and for whatever, or specially, who was waiting for me just outside. Sam's song was beautiful, but deep down he knew, everyone knew, apparently, that in the end, it was always meant to be Jake.

But then as I made my way down the back steps, finally from across the yard I could see that familiar head of hair, the very same that I had once woken up to every morning.

The idea of him, so close and yet still somehow so many miles away, it left me with a sinking feeling. My feet now feeling weighed down, unable to move. Just seconds ago I was weightless, gliding across the floor, electrified from the buzz of the one too many glasses of wine, but how sobering it was to see him.

Even still, I wanted nothing more than to just talk to him again. Not even two days ago we were planning a life together, a family together, and now suddenly it was like we were strangers. I couldn't remember the last time I was at their house and he wasn't the first one to greet me with a warm smile and a tight embrace.

I felt the sadness slowly turn to anger.

And after everything, he could just throw us away, just like that. Like our entire lives hadn't lead us to that moment, that moment I had spent so many days and nights dreaming about, and in an instant he just took it all away from me.

I finally forced myself down the rest of the steps, trying my best to avoid his eyes as I made my way back across the lawn towards the drink table. He stood close by, continuing his conversation, trying his best to act like he wasn't watching me, like we hadn't played this game for years.

I grabbed another wine bottle, popping it open and filling my glass a little too high, taking a big sip before turning back around and looking out at the party. It felt like ages since we had everyone together like this. I hated thinking that the next time we would've had a gathering like this would have been our engagement party.

"Woah, you celebrating or something?" I heard from beside me, a smile instantly escaping my lips at the familiar laughter that followed. Josh made his way over, avoiding my eyes has he filled his own cup, subtly sliding in next to me. My heart jumped as his arm brushed against mine, wondering if he had done it on purpose, or if the drinks had just gotten to him too.

"Nice of you to finally say something." I muttered, taking another sip, keeping my eyes forward. He did the same, nodding to himself.
"You seemed a little preoccupied." He said, his tone a little more blunt than I was used to. I knew who he was referring to.
"Yeah, well.. that's what you wanted, right?" I snapped. "So.. that's what I'm doing." I could see him turn to face me out of the corner of my eye. I kept my focus on the party, knowing that I couldn't look at him.

Not like this.
Not now.

"Jaime, you know that's not what I said." Finally, I forced myself to face him, my once admiring gaze fading into a resentful glare.
"You told me to be with him. So what did you expect? You broke off our engagement so I-"
"So you could be happy." He yelled. My heart dropped. I could already feel the tears forming behind my eyes.

This wasn't how I wanted us to be.

"I was happy. With you." I managed, trying my best to contain my now rapid breaths. His face dropped, but he stayed quiet, holding his stare on me.
"Jaime.."
"This isn't fair. Why do you just get to decide this?"
"Because my feelings matter too. I'm not stupid, Jaime. I could see it, and it killed me. And.. letting you stay with me when your heart was elsewhere, it wasn't fair to you either."
"But it wasn't, I-"
"It is, Jaime." He said, finishing the rest of his drink, and making his way towards the front gate. I did the same, following him closely.

"Where are you going?" I yelled after him, picking up my pace in order to keep up.
"We need more ice. I'm running to up the store."
"Well, then.. I'll go with you. I don't want you-"
"No, stay here. This is your party." He sighed.
"This is your party too."
"But you're the one we're celebrating." My stomach dropped.

"Are.. are you mad at me?" I asked. I heard him sigh, finally stopping, turning around to face me.
"Of course I'm not mad at you." He said softly. "You earned it. I just.. I wish something could finally happen for me. Jake booked us the record deal, you're making your movie, I just.. I feel like I help everyone else reach their dream. I just wanted something.. for me."

I guess I really hadn't thought about it like that.

"Josh, I'm so sor-"
"You have nothing to be sorry for. I'll.. I'll be right back, okay?"
"Can you just let me come with you?" He shook his head, making his way down the driveway. I kept following, but he stopped me as I reached out for the passenger side door.

"Jaime, just go." He snapped. My body went cold. He had never snapped at me like that before.
"Don't talk to me like that." I muttered, feeling more tears come to my eyes. He stopped, his face dropping as I quickly wiped my face, hoping he hadn't seen.

"You know, your boyfriend is probably looking for you." He finally said. I couldn't believe this was happening. This wasn't us.
"He's not my boyfriend."
"Why not?"
"Because I was just engaged!"
"Well, now you're not, so.. don't hold back on my account."
"What is your problem!" I yelled, now making my way around the car, standing in front of the driver's side door. He stared back at me, his eyes wide, trying his best to maintain his glare.

"My problem is we were engaged. Not fooling around, not even dating, we were engaged and thinking about a family, and when I told you to go be with him, I guess a small part of me hoped that.. maybe you wouldn't. Maybe you'd prove me wrong, especially after everything you said that night. But the second we stepped foot back here, you run right back to him. So.. I guess shame on me, because that's what I told you to do, so how can I be mad, right? But.. I guess after everything we've been through, I thought that maybe things really could be different this time, and you'd surprise me. But you didn't. So.. since that's where you want to be so bad, go."

I wanted to be upset. I wanted to be able to form a coherent thought without my head spinning, my legs barely keeping me up. But I couldn't. My brain was a whirlwind that swirled around until I was left feeling nothing but broken hearted rage.

"No!" I yelled, shoving him away. His eyes went wide as he stumbled back, quickly catching himself on their fence. "You don't get to break us up and then get mad at me when I do what you told me to do! I wanted to be with you, I was ready for that, for everything with you, but you were the one to ruin that. And for what? To prove something to yourself? You already had me! I wasn't going anywhere!" He reached out for me, but I quickly pulled away.
"No, don't." I snapped, finally moving out of the way. "If you want to go so bad, then go. See if I care."

I wasn't thinking straight. I knew that. And I didn't mean it. Of course I cared. But this wasn't fair to me either, to just pull the rug out from underneath me when I thought our life had finally begun. And I guess a part of me wanted him to fight for me too.

But he didn't.

As I made my way up the driveway, I listened closely, my heart sinking as I heard the slam of the car door, followed by the screeching of the tires as he flew down the street.