Backstage // Josh & Jake Kiszka

Part 8

The whispers of kisses you'd felt across your collar bone remained. The unique pattern of his fingertips still indelible on your cheek. The echo of piano keys always brought you back to the first time he had ever touched you.

And he recalled it, too. A brief, unyielding passage of Jake's gaze passed over you as you stood at the foot of the grand piano. Crystal champagne flute in your hand and a song in your heart.

Although the room was spinning, you managed to delicately traverse a few lines of Dream a little Dream... with Sam accompanying you on the piano and Josh gently wading in with a few dulcet harmonies.

It felt good to be drunk. The height of the penthouse suite had been intimidating at first, but now the city was shrouded in darkness and the panorama had disappeared into tiny, insignificant glimmers of light. Each one of them unfolding the story of somebody who was still awake, too.

Your story was a decadent one. As you stood there in the penthouse lounge, basking in the glory of the evening. A sold out show at Madison Square Garden had paved the course of the night. Beginning like any other day as you'd stepped off the tour bus and into the most prestigious venue of your career. Now you were drinking champagne at what felt like the peak of the world. Utterly spell bound by the way you simply could not find a single shred of joy in any of it.

Jake was sitting in a chair by the window, observing the revelry. Engaging in conversation with his Father absently, who diligently sat in the chair opposite without an inkling that his son was distracted.

Daniel and Magda were standing at the penthouse mini bar. A menagerie of bottled spirits, wines and beers sat on reflective glass shelves behind a marble topped counter. Cocktail shakers and decanters at one side, a champagne bucket at the other. Perhaps the most ostentatious thing you'd ever seen in a hotel room.

Stevie and Kit were busying themselves in conversation with a few of the security and management who had graciously made an appearance to celebrate despite mounting tiredness. The shine of the evening yet to wear off for them, even though their hotel rooms were several floors below.

You felt the warm touch of Josh's Mother as she placed her hand on the small of your back. Where Josh had procured his sunshine from was no mystery. His Mother was a cascading warmth that resonated like a summer's day and it pained you that she'd met you on a day where you had to fight to receive it.

"You two sound sensational together." She said, rubbing your back tenderly as she pulled Josh into the circle of her other arm. "I thought that both your performances were out of this world. Truly. You should consider doing a few songs together on stage. I think the fans would love that."

You thanked her wholeheartedly. And saw that Josh was hanging on to her every word. He would agree with her. And he would make arrangements for it to happen even though you could barely look at him. A conflict unravelling within that had yet to make it's presence known.

"What do you think, babe?" He asked, flashing you that irresistible smile that would usually weaken you to the point of agreeing to anything.

You smiled back, though. Regardless. "Do you think the fans are ready for that?"

The fans were of little concern. You knew they would lap up any and everything Josh did. Even if it was sharing the stage and a microphone with you. His girlfriend. The one he loved. Didn't he?

"Something to consider." His Mother, Karen, interjected. "You do sound magical together, though. I can feel the chemistry."

Josh bashfully giggled. Reaching out to hold your hand. And you let him take it. Outwardly still performing the delicate duties of a woman who wasn't heartbroken.