If I Mean Anything To You (Fuenciado)

Yeah, I Heard What You Said

Vic POV

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We'd been on the road for three days with Evie and River, and things were going pretty smoothly, but I couldn't help bit notice that Jaime didn't stay long in the room if Evie was there, and she didn't let him hold River anymore. Maybe he just didn't like holding River anymore, I didn't ask. If he wanted me to know, he'd tell me.

Mike was in the back lounge smoking out the window, so the fumes wouldn't stain the air for the rest of the bus. Tony was on the phone with his girlfriend and Jaime was by himself. He'd told me earlier he wanted to be alone and I shouldn't bother him. Evie was across the lounge, playing with River.

He was laughing, his mouth open and his eyes full of joy. He was a pretty scrawny baby when I thought about it. And his arm didn't have that line on it when he'd first arrived. Had he scraped it by accident? Then on the back of his left leg was another line, that one was dark red and scabbed over. Okay...?

Evie saw me watching her play with him and gave me a warm smile. It was genuine and I returned the favor. She patted the seat next to her, beckoning me over. I stood and went and sat beside her. She handed me our shared bundle of joy and put on a serious face.

"Vic, I need to talk to you about something." Evie started slowly. I looked at her, my brow furrowed.

"What about?" I asked her. She sighed.

"I think Jaime hates me."

"And why would you think that?"

"I-I dunno. I just really want him to like me, for your sake." Evie blinked rapidly, trying to hold back her tears.

"Aw, Evie, don't cry. He's just been a bit emotional lately it probably has nothing to do with you." I assured her. She sniffled.

"Okay, I believe you. Could you talk to him for me?" She asked me quietly. I nodded and gave her a soft pat on the back.

"Yeah, I'll talk to him after the show tonight." I promised her. She gave me a sad smile before embracing me.

"Thank you, Vic. Really." She gave me a kiss in the cheek and walked away. I couldn't help but wonder what was really eating at Jaime, he didn't hang out with the rest of us if Evie was there. He didn't show up side-stage until we were all walking onstage. Not to mention he'd been unbearably distant with me. I understand he needed his space, but dammit, it was as if we'd broken up or something.

The thought of that made it hard to swallow as a lump formed in my throat. What if Jaime was being distant because he was trying to break up with me, but didn't want to break my heart?
No, that's not true, because Jaime loves you. You know this, he knows this. Everyone fucking knows this.

But sometimes you can't stop thoughts like those from swirling around in your head. I glanced down at my lap where River lay. He giggled, exposing his bright pink gums. I laughed to myself a little. He reached up to me and I let him grab my index finger. When I shook my hand and he didn't let go, I decided to tickle him until he did. His cries of joy and laughter soon filled the bus.

"Hey, uh, can you keep it down?" Jaime asked from the curtain that separated the lounge from the bunks. I hadn't even noticed him until he'd spoken. I looked at him. His hair was disheveled and messy. His eyes were dark and downcasted. 

"Is something wrong?" I asked him quietly. He gazed up at me, our eyes meeting for the first time in days.

"Yes. But I won't go into detail right now." Jaime walked over to me, but stopped when River looked at him. "Nevermind."