After a messy divorce, Joe Jonas finds himself lost within the inability to move on with his life. That is, until he unexpectedly starts to feel a love he never thought he'd experience again, let alone with a stranger.
First Installment of Trilogy
I impatiently waited for Liv's arrival. There was serious damage control that needed to be done.
"What time is she supposed to land?" I asked Joe, picking apart my salad. I was too anxious to eat, something that I struggled with since I was a kid.
"Half past four. The same time you asked me twenty minutes ago," he replied as he finished off his lunch.
"Do you think I should meet her at the airport? Do I make her an apology basket? What if we go shopping before the show? I can buy her a new outfit for tonight," I rambled on a mile a minute.
"Bub," he cupped my face with his hands, grounding my thoughts by unknowingly distracting me with his sparkling brown eyes, "I think you should give her the space and time she probably needs. You'll see her tonight. She'll be in the same area as you, Dani, and Pri. Just have fun, okay?"
"I won't see her before the show?" I questioned, my voice higher and quieter than usual.
"Give her that choice," he advised, "It's the best thing you can do."
It was hard to hear. I fucked up. A lot. I let my own selfishness and unhealed trauma get in the way of an absolute treasure. I couldn't help but think our friendship would never be the same again. Forever tainted.
I glanced around the lobby, seeing everyone split into their own little bubbles. Nick, Priyanka, and Malti stuck in the honeymoon phase as if that's their normal, which I wouldn't doubt it was. Danielle, Kevin, Alena, and Valentina painting a perfect picture of what a family should look like, and they were. My younger self would have been jealous of what I wished I could have experienced, what I begged of experiencing.
But then I looked at Joe, all jealousy disappearing. He was everything I dreamed of. Someone that didn't call me childish for having a panic attack. Someone that didn't judge my irrational and spiraling thoughts, but instead wanted and tried to understand them. Someone that comforted me no matter the time. Someone that supported and encouraged my artwork. Someone that believed in me. Someone that made me feel safe and secure. Someone that made me feel like home.
"Can you do me one last favor?" I stated, "Can you tell her I love her?"
He nodded, "Of course."
I continued to check my phone for the time. It always went by so slow when you're anticipating for something at a specific time, hoping to get a call or text that'll never come.
4:30. Flight officially landed.
4:50. Liv had been picked up at the airport by a team member.
5:15. Liv arrived at the hotel.
5:45. We left to the arena. No Liv in sight.
6:00. I stayed in Joe's dressing room, him not leaving my side unless necessary, as I listened to all the commotion on the other side. Socializing wasn't on my agenda.
"So," Joe grabbed at my waist, pulling me closer to him with a goofy grin on his face, "Question. What are you doing for Thanksgiving?"
"Probably ordering a family size pizza and eating it all by myself while having a movie marathon for one," I answered. Thanksgiving was always Friendsgiving with Liv. There was no denying that this year would be different.
"Wrong answer," his eyes twinkled. Happy looked good on him, "You're spending it with me and my family."
"What?" he left me stunned, "I don't want to intrude. Don't you have your girls then too?"
"I do," he played with a front piece of my hair, tucking it behind my ear, "I want you to meet them. And my parents and Franklin. Unless that's not something you want."
"I'd love to," my mood suddenly lifted. I knew him introducing me to his daughters meant he was all in. I only had been able to see slivers of the dad side of him when I overheard bits of their FaceTimes and phone calls.
Knock, knock, knock.
Three knocks. Our signature three knocks. Liv.
I ran to the door and opened it. There she stood. Skinny jeans, a white crop top, a leather jacket, and some chic high-rise combat boots.
"Someone told me Joe was here?" she pointed slightly behind me with a straight face.
I was speechless. I had so much to say and nothing at all at the same time.
"I didn't know we were going for the matching vibe," Joe walked up, opening the door more to show off his outfit for the show before giving her a tight hug.
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"Damnit!" she exclaimed, completely avoiding any eye contact with me, "Now the only thing I can make fun of you for is the fact yours isn't a crop top!"
"I'll leave the crop tops for you," he replied with his ever-so-charming smile, "Follow me. I'll give you a bit of a tour around and introduce you to some of my people."
Liv and Joe went to walk down the hallway until he ran back towards me, giving me a peck on the lips, "I'll see you in the crowd, yeah?"
I nodded, mustering a smile, as I watched them walk down the hall laughing and making conversation.
You know when I said I wasn't jealous looking at Joe? I was wrong.
"Hey, Love," I felt an arm link with mine, guiding me down the same path that Liv and Joe took just minutes ago, "Were you able to get some sleep last night?"
I turned my head, relieved to see Dani save me from my building envy, "I was. Thank you, by the way. I didn't mean to trauma dump on you."
"There are some things we can't control," she soothed, pausing us at the exit before making our way to our section in the crowd, "Could you have communicated it in a different way? Of course. But you can't control the way you feel. And you certainly can't control the circumstances."
"She's here," I told her, "Joe managed to fly her out, and...I don't know what to do or say. I can't control the way she feels either."
"I'll be right next to you," she assured me, "Give her time to process, and hopefully she'll hear you out and start to forgive you."
I agreed, walking out with Dani as the fans screamed within our vicinity at the mere sight of our presence. That was something I don't think I'll ever get used to.
Liv was already in our section chatting with Priyanka. Dani introduced herself, putting a face to a name.
The lights went dark, indicating that it was showtime. Mikey was first to come on stage, hyping the crowd with his DJ set.
"Damn," I heard Liv say out loud, "Who's that?"
"That's my brother!" Dani pronounced before cheering him on, dancing with her two daughters, Alena and Valentina.
Liv, Priyanka, and I joined in the dance group. It was easy to get lost in the music, but catching a glimpse of Liv, I could tell her eye got lost in a certain someone too.
