Family Friend JoshxReader

Chapter 6 The Aftermath

I watched backstage, my eyes never leaving Josh. I was super proud for Tyler making it this far. Not that I ever doubted him. I knew he go great places. I tried to watch him, but Josh. He probably hated me right? Could I hate him if the roles were reversed? No, I couldn't. Just breathe Y/N.

There was a break in the song where Tyler talked to the crowd. I stared at Josh willing him to look back at me. And he did.

"I'm so sorry," I mouthed.

He shook his head and openned his mouth to speak but the music picked back up and he focused back on the show.

"Dang it," I muttered.

"What?" Jackie said through a mouthful of water.

"Josh saw Alec hugging me," I explained.

"Ah, of course what're you going to do about it?"

"Apologize. Explain."

She nodded, "Yeah, Alec likes someone else. I know it. It's just a matter of getting him to tell me. Do you know who it is?"

"Nope," I lied. Well technically it wasn't a lie. I didn't know who it was. I did have a strong feeling it was Jackie.

Despite the distraction with Jackie I could still feel my stomach knotting up. I couldn't help but notice he was banging on the drums a bit harder than he had during rehearsal the day before.

"Where's Alec?" I asked Jackie and she was no longer beside me.

"Whatever," I mumbled sitting cross legged on the floor watching the show unfold before me. Tyler's singing was beautiful as usual. I know I've said it before but I'm going to say it again. I'm so proud of him.

At the last song I stood up clapping for Tyler and Josh. Just then Tyler came running towards me and swept me up.

"Woah!" I chuckled.

"We're on world tour Y/N!" he hugged me tight and wasn't letting me go.

"Yes, Tyler. I know you could do it! You made it," he was still holding on tightly.

He pulled back looking me in the eye, "No. We made it. You. Me. Josh. Alec. Jackie. All of us. The fans. The crew. Our family. We all did."

I pulled him back into the hug squealing with him. Jackie threw her arms around us. Then Alec. Then Josh. We all stood there chanting, "We made it. We made it. We made it."

Slowly we all pulled away smiling at one another. I remember Josh's upset face and my stomach clenched.

"I'm going to get water," Josh said.

"Yeah me too," I scrambled after him.

"Hey are you ok? Did I do something?" I spoke quick and frantically.

He shook his head, "No not you. Uh-um are you and Alec like um dating?"

"What? No, of course not. Alec is like my little brother."

His cheeks flushed bright red, "Oh I saw you two hugging and I-I just thought-"

"It's fine Josh really. I don't have a boyfriend."

"Oh, right. Of course," he scratched the back of his neck.

"Yeah that thing," I waved towards the stage, "It's a ritual thing between the band. When ever one of us is nervous we support each other. Mostly me though. My nerves run the highest."

He nodded, "Ok."

"So are you ok?"

"Um, not really. Not because of you though," he said not looking me in the eye.

My heart clenched, "Do you want to talk about it? I mean you don't have to. I'm sure you'd rather talk to Tyler. You've known him longer. Sorry I'm rambling now."

He laughed which was a relief, "You're ok. Do you want to take a walk?"

"Yeah, sure."

I followed him out of the arena into the cold night air. I was glad for the jacket I pulled on after the show.

"So, I should probably tell you. I was dating Debby right?"

"Mhm. I think I saw that on Instagram."

"Yeah, well we broke up awhile ago, but now she wants to get back together. I saw her in the pit tonight," he looked at my waiting for a reaction.

I didn't know how to feel. She broke up with him right? Was there a chance of them getting back together? I mean if Debby was back any chances of us were ruined. Would there ever be an us?

"Well, what do you want?"

"No. She broke up with me. She didn't want me then and I don't want her now. It took nerve for her to come here tonight."

(I'm not sure how they broke up, but for the sake of the story this is how it happened.)

"Yeah, I can see how you feel that."

"She looked at me and waved her fingers at me like she could just show up and I'd take her back. I won't. That's not how it works," he sounded mad. I would be too.

"Well, lets go back inside and we can deal with Debby. Just know that I'm always here for you to talk to ok? No judgement, ever."

He smiled, "Thank you."

I nodded.

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That was probably longer than it needed to be. Oh well. Hope you enjoyed. ✌️️✌️️