Fragile // Sequel to Torn

56. |

// Ethan's point of view //

By the time Friday comes around, I'm physically aching to see Jakob. It's been five days since we both found out that George has cancer and I've barely been able to hold him, to comfort him at all. He really is a softie no matter how much he tries to hide that. Over the months, I've grown a liking to look after Jake when he's not at his best, and it's like I'm missing something. Maybe that's why I snapped at his Dad? Because I want to be the one to look after him?

"Am I being selfish?" I ask. Chris looks at me quickly from the drivers seat but looks back to the road. We're on the way to the studio, but I still can't shake this thought now. 

"What do you mean?"

"Am I being selfish by wanting to be here for Jake when his family should be the one there for him in this circumstance?" I try to explain as best I can.

"Um, I think you should both play a role in that. I mean, yeah, they're his family but they kept this from him. You on the other hand, didn't. They're family but you're his boyfriend, Ethan," Chris tells me. I nod and sigh, resting back against the seat. "Just relax, we're almost there."

When we pull into a carpark, I'm out of the car within seconds. I start to feel self conscious, thinking I don't look good enough for Jakob. I push all negative thoughts out of my mind as we walk up to the door. I'm not sure what I was actually expecting, but when he isn't on the other side of the door, my heart sinks a little. My hopes are lifted again as we walk up the stairs. Maybe he's already in the studio? He's not.

"He'll be here soon." Chris assures me as we take a seat.

I can see Tim shuffling some papers through the slightly open door that leads to the next conference room. He walks into the room and sets a pile of paper in front of Chris and I.

"I just have to sort some stuff so read through these if you want. We'll either start in fifteen minutes or when Jakob gets here- whatever comes first." He tells us.

I nod as he leaves the room again, this time shutting the door completely. I reach forward and pick up a sheet of paper from the pile. The title reads, In Stereo National Tour. We're going on tour? I keep reading as more information is given away. The 1st-11th of August. Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Hobart. Eight shows in 10 days? That's hard.

"We can't do eight shows in ten days around the entire county." I announce, almost slightly annoyed. Management knows we already have enough going on at the moment.

I stand up and move to where Chris has moved the pile of papers and place mine back on top. He takes it from the top of the pile quickly but looks up at something. I don't bother to look, knowing it's probably just someone walking past.

"Well you can worry about that later. Look." He says.

I reluctantly turn my gaze to the door to see it opening, a tired looking Jakob walking into view. His hair is still perfect; he's wearing black skinny jeans and a flannel of mine that I didn't know he had. He just looks so tired- tired and... Sad. Although it's a lot to notice, I do it all within a second. I immediately rush over and throw my arms around him in a tight hug. He buries his face into my shoulder and grips onto me just as tight. When we finally pull away, Chris is standing near us and pulls Jakob him in for a hug of his own. Theirs lasts a considerably shorter time and Jakob is standing by my side within seconds.

"Just excuse us for a few seconds." I mumble, taking Jakob's wrist and pulling him into the hallway.

"What?" He asks quietly once the door is shut.