The Band And The Busker (All Time Low/Alex Gaskarth) *COMPLETED*

Old Scars/Future Hearts

Chapter Eighteen: Old Scars/Future Hearts

2 WEEKS LATER

KARA

Tonight was date night, and Oli had convinced his band to leave the bus so we could have some alone time. Of course, the first thing we did was have sex in the front lounge and then in the back lounge because we weren't confined to the bunk area for once. Now we were lounging around watching TV with Oli behind me and me lying down next to him with his arm wrapped around me.

My phone pings indicating a new message off Alex of all people. But I was pissed off at him because these past two weeks he'd gone out of his way to ignore me, and I didn't know why which frustrated me because last time I looked, we were on good speaking terms.

Alex: Would you like to hang out?

Kara: After you've ignored me for two weeks!!! Why would I?

Alex: I was an idiot

Kara: I'm pissed if you don't want to be friends again all you had to do was say so

Alex: No, I do want to be friends...I just had some stuff going on...please believe me

Kara: I don't know Alex

'Who are you talking to babe?'

I glance up at Oli before showing him the messages between Alex and I. He frowns and I turn off the screen, I didn't want to hear any of Alex's excuses.

'He ignores me for two solid weeks after I thought we were back to being friends, and now out of the blue, he wants to bloody hang out. Can you believe his nerve Oli?'

Oli sighs, 'If this didn't bother you, Kara, you wouldn't be getting this worked up over him. I'm going to ask you a question, and I want an honest answer.'

I sit up, quite nervous at Oli's serious tone. He too sits up and unwraps his arm from around my waist.

'Do you still have feelings for Alex? I'm not talking about friendship; I'm talking about romantic feelings. If he was just a friend you'd get over his ignoring you, but if you still like him, then you'd get worked up.'

I was gobsmacked Oli had decided to drop this bombshell on me. Could he see that I had conflicting feelings for Alex? I chew my lip, 'If it weren't for Alex I'd still be busking in London, he was the first guy to ever show me attention, but he has Max and seems happy to lord her around in front of me. I'm confused by the mixed signals Oli.'

Oli nods, 'are you only with me as a rebound from Alex? Everyone knows Alex still loves you, I walked past their bus and heard him admit it.'

Was Oli a rebound from Alex? I mean we did get together pretty fast after Alex and I ended it. Was I that desperate to be loved by someone that I jumped in bed with the next person to make me feel special?

'I don't know what I want Oli. I'm happy with you. Maybe subconsciously you were a rebound, but after a while, it felt right calling you my boyfriend.'

Next thing I know Oli's pulling me into a hug, I half expected him to flip out and kick me off the bus, but he was hugging me. I hug him back, knowing this might be the last time I get to be held in his arms.

'I'm happy with you to Kara, but I don't want to be second best. Maybe it's better if we remain friends, so that you can have another chance with your first choice. Hell, even I can see that you and Alex were made for each other.'

'Don't you hate me, Oli? Doesn't this make me a bad person? I don't want the fans to hate either of us.'

Oli rubs circles on my back taking away some of my nerves, 'we're ending this relationship mutually, but we're still going to remain friends so there should be no reason for anyone to hate us. Maybe we should take the same picture and post on our individual Instagram and write posts from the heart that explain, but maybe skip over the Alex part.'

I pull out of the hug and monitor Oli's facial expression; he seemed serious about this though there was some underlying sadness at the idea of breaking up when we'd had some fun times together. I reach up and stroke his cheek, and he cups my hand, keeping mine in place.

'I won't forget what we had Oli.'

'Neither will I but this is best for both of us right now.'

He releases my hand, and we both compose ourselves wanting to look good in our final Instagram photo as a couple.

Writing the post was one of the hardest things I'd ever had to do, but I spoke from my heart, making sure to empathise the mutual break up and remain close friends.

Oli takes my hand and helps me up off the sofa before leading me towards the bunk alley. We climb into his bunk and cuddle each other, nothing romantic just savouring our time together. Plus it gave time for the news to sink in about the breakup.

~1 Hour Later~

For the past hour, both our phones were lighting up with message off our band members and friends. Both mine and Oli's band supported our decision, which is what I wanted in the first place; it would be kind of awkward if our bands started hating each other. The fans took the news surprisingly well, and we hardly got any hate because our posts were heartfelt and honest.

Alex had been messaging me nonstop since my last message, but he'd paused over the last half hour most likely having seen the Instagram posts and wanting to seem respectful of mine and Oli's decision. But Oli was right I still had feelings for Alex, and I needed to act on them.

Kara (To Alex): Do you want to hang out tomorrow?

He replies instantly.

Alex: How about coffee? I'll pick you up at your bus around 10

Kara: It's a date x

'We are doing the right thing, Kara.'

Oli kisses the top of my head, and I put my phone down to snuggle against him. I hoped we were doing the right thing.

ALEX

'This is great news, Alex, she said yes to coffee and even called it a date.'

Jack jumps up and down next to me on the sofa clapping his hands together. Rian and Zack were on the opposite sofa keeping an eye on me as the situation unfolded in front of us. It shocked all four of us that Oli and Kara had called it quits on their relationship, their Instagram posts were honest, and it was good they were going to remain friends. I had a gut feeling that this was more Oli's doing than Kara's because Oli knew how I felt about Kara.

'Now you can dump Max who's needy and hangs out with all the male crew members. This is what you've wanted for a long time Alex, are you going to pass up the opportunity?'

Rian was right, I'd been talking about wanting Kara back, and now I had my chance.

'I'm going to tell her how I feel tomorrow guys. Now how do I end things with Max?'

MAX

Alex was going to dump me to get back with Kara. That was a dick move Gaskarth and one I wasn't going to let him get away with. I was so sick of everyone saying the two of them belonged together; I'd worked too hard to sink my claws into Alex and to make a name for my band, and no way in hell was I going to lose it all.

I had one surprise up my sleeve that would make Alex stay with me, not because he loved me but because he had a responsibility to raise his child.