What I Need

Oakland

We arrived at Oakland in time for everyone to get over their high. I finally got to see the Armstrong and Backer houses and from the outside, they're nice, large, and better than my house could ever be.

"Man, it's good to be home! " Joey said, stretching his arms until his belly and underwear showed which made Bailey's arms wrap around it and tickle it.

"It sure is! " Bailey shouted.

"Hey Bailey, he's mine! " Max shouted, now hugging Bailey from behind.

"Get over here! " Seb shouted.

They were all giggling and fell over, drowning in their laughter.

I walked out the door of the van and glared because it was so sunny but then looked around to take in the atmosphere. I stretched my limbs and then heard,

"Joey! "

I looked around to see who it was but looked ahead to see a young adult male, with a baby face smiling at me, and I recognized him immediately; Jakob Danger.

He walked up to me with an understandably quizzical facial expression on his face.

"Uh, you're not Joey. " He said to me.

"I'm not, I know your brother well, it's a long story. He's still in the van. Joey!"

As soon as I called, everyone started to come out and stretch and as soon as Joey came out last, Jakob ran over and gave him a big monster hug.

"It's been a while, little bro, " Joey said, lifting him and holding him in his arms.

"Who are those two? " Jakob asked, pointing to Bailey and me.

"It's a long story, " Joey responded.

I heard a faint gasp from Cole as he looked over and his face lit up like a dog.

"Dad! " Cole shouted.

"Dad! " Max also shouted.

They both ran towards a tallish and greying man that resembled their future and jumped up to give him a hug.

"Daddy Backer! " Seb shouted, sprinting to hug him and tackled all three Becker men to the ground for a hug.

"Whoa, you boys really miss me. " Their dad, Mr. Mark Becker said.

In the corner of my ears, I hear a long and eager,

"Sweatieeee! "

I turn to see the one and only Adrienne '80' Armstrong, looking happy and hearty as ever. She went over to give Joey a hug and kiss on the forehead.

"I missed my baby. " She whispered.

"I love you too mom. " He said back.

"Wait where's your shoe? " She asked, pointing at the exposed sock.

"Off the Grand Canyon. " Joey smiled, causing her to smile and hug him some more.

"Gee Bail, I'm feeling left out, " I said, "You wanna h-"

"No, " Bailey interrupted. Harsh.

"I'll hug you, " Jamie said to me.

"Me too, " Nick added.

I group hugged them at the least, which brought some comfort to me.

Mr. Becker, Ms. Becker, and 80 came over to all of us, giving Bailey and I some strange looks but smiled nonetheless.

"Well well, " Mr. Becker started, "You all have been at tour for a while now, you're probably hungry. I started a BBQ in my backyard so come on down.

"Yes!" Cole said he nudged my shoulder to say, "My dad can finesse the heck out of hot dogs and burgers. You'll love it."

We went into the Becker backyard and saw a younger version of Cole and a young dirty blond girl waiting as well.

"The bros are back! "

"Hey Marcki, hey Cade! " They both hugged Cole, leaving Max out.

"No hug for me," Max asked.

"No." They both said at the same time.

"I'll hug you. " I volunteered.

"Uh, I'm good, thanks. "

The smell of BBQ slipped into my nose, bringing hunger into my stomach. Everyone took a seat, and Bailey Sat on Joey's lap while I sat on the ground.

"Mmm, " I start, "Smells good. "

"I hope you'll like it, " Mr. Becker says, "So how have you two met my boys? "

I hesitated to answer since it doesn't sound good in my head.

Oh you know, just sneaked onto your boy's tour van because I loved them so much, the usual love story.

"Well, " Bailey started for me, "I was bringing my best friend to meet SWMRS, thinking that was enough but, nope! I was brought along into the tour van without anyone else knowing until we left the state. I was pissed off at the situation at first but in all, I had fun, saw new cities and met this cutie pie. " Joey then kissed Bailey on the cheek and everyone awed.

"That's so nice you've met someone you like, Joey. " 80 said, "Welcome to the family, although my husband is at work, doing his usual musical thing and my side of the family is large, I'm sure you'll love us all. "

"It was that easy? " Bailey asked. "No initiation, jump in or ritual. Wow, I'm honored, truly. "

"Well, I had to be beaten to get in so, WTH?" Seb said.

"Well hey Seb, " I add, "You saw what we had to go through, especially with the water balloons so we're even. But now tour is over, therefore, we're family.

"Hey speaking of which, " Max said, "We need to prepare for our last show at 123 GO! records tonight. "

"I thought tour was done? " I say, baffled.

"We got to go out with a bang here at home, " Joey says. "And there will be multiple acts like us, FIDLAR, Destroy Boys, and most of all, my little bro bro, over there."

"Oh yeah, I forgot you're in a band. Are you anything like SWMRS? "

Jakob smiles and says, "Yes and no. They're more Clash and Beach Boys and my band is more Strokes and Arctic Monkeys. We're similar but not the same. "

"Like applesauce and orange juice! " Seb shouts.

"Seb... Your analogy is way off again," I say, resulting in him swatting at me with his hand.

"Okay that makes sense Seb, I'm gonna get some food now, " I say.

I go on to get some BBQ hot dogs and burgers, and we all scarf it down since we'll need more energy for tonight.