Jack's P. O. V.
After the New Mexico show, the guys and I ran to the meet and greet room. We were all messing around and joking with each other, our adrenaline pumping through our veins.
We went through the meet and greet, but the whole time Wren was on my mind. I'd make faces at her every now and then, only when no one was watching. I didn't want to risk anyone seeing me and even having a thought of us together.
After the last fan took her pictures, Wren was packing up her camera gear. We went to help her, but Aspen came running up to me crying.
"Jack!" She cried running into my arms.
"What's wrong?" I asked, tilting her face up to mine. "What happened to you?" Her whole left eye and cheek was all black and purple.
"I was talking to Jade at the merch table and some girl came up and started yelling at me. I ignored her, but she turned me around and punched me in the eye. She said that if I didn't leave you alone, she'd hurt you next," She sobbed, putting her face in my chest. I held her close to me and rubbed her back. "I don't want you getting hurt because of me."
"Hey, I'm okay. We'll all be okay. I'm so sorry this happened to you Aspen."
"I never thought our fans would get violent," Jonah said.
"If she hurt Aspen, she's not really a fan," Wren commented.
"Let's go find your dad, we'll get some ice." I said to her. I wrapped an arm around her waist and walked her to the green room.
"Aspen, what happened?!" David asked. She looked at me then back at David.
"She was with Jade at the merch table and-"
"I fell. I tripped over a box and my face hit the corner of the table," she interrupted.
"I told Jade to keep it organized," he said.
"No, it was my fault. I just need some ice or something."
"Okay, come here. Jack go get on the bus."
"No I'll go with you guys."
David left us and came back with a bag of ice. Aspen took it and put it on her cheek, wincing as it touched her skin. I gave her my jacket and she put the hood up to try and hide the ice pack. I took her free hand and walked outside with her.
"You can say hi to the fans," she whispered before we got to the door.
"No, it's fine." I reached out for a few fans hands, but I didn't stop. I helped her up the steps of the bus and she sat on the couch.
"You okay?" Wren asked.
"Yeah, I'll be fine," Aspen gave her a smile. Wren had her laptop open and was sitting on the couch across from Aspen. I sat next to Aspen and wrapped my arm around her shoulders.
"Which one should I post?" She asked showing me a few pictures she had taken with me before the show.
"Hmm, that one." I pointed to the one where I'm hugging her from behind. She's looking up at me while laughing and I'm smiling down at her. Aspen had asked Wren to take pictures of us so it as easy for me to keep a smile on my face. I had wished that I was holding her instead, but not everything works out the way you want them to.
"I like this one too," she snuggled into my chest. I looked over at Wren. She was completely focused on whatever was on her screen, but she looked so adorable.
A few loose hairs were falling in her face, but she didn't mind. Her eyebrows were furrowed with intense concentration, and she had her bottom lip trapped between her teeth. I couldn't help but stare at her gorgeous face.
A few minutes later the guys came out from the back room. They asked how Aspen was, then grabbed controllers and started a video game. I joined in and tried to focus on the game.
"Do you guys wanna see any of the pictures?" Wren asked. No one answered.
"I wanna see them. Here, come sit between Jack and I," Aspen said. She looked over at me then moved between us.
"These look so good!" Aspen said as Wren clicked through the photos. I looked over at Aspen and saw that she was completely focused on the pictures, and she had the ice pack covering her left eye.
I put my hand on Wren's thigh and rubbed my thumb across her skin. Wren shifted, but I kept my hand on her. I looked at her and saw a small smile on her face. I smiled to myself, then saw Daniel looking over at me. He raised his eyebrows and I quickly took my hand away.
"We're stopping at a gas station if any of you guys wanna get out," David said from the drivers seat.
"Jack and I are gonna get some snacks or something," Daniel said. I looked up and Daniel motioned for me to follow him. I sighed and walked off the bus and into the gas station.
"What's going on with you two?"
"What do you mean?"
"You don't think I've noticed you guys always looking at each other? Did you just forget about Aspen?"
"Don't worry about it."
"No Wren and Aspen are both my friends and I don't want either of them to get hurt by getting involved with you!"
"I can't tell you what's going on."
"You can't tell me? Best friends, band mates, brothers, does that mean nothing to you?"
"It means the world to me! It means nothing to David."
"We're not talking about David!"
"Yeah, we are. He asked me to keep this from you, but like you said you're my brother. I've kept it from you long enough."
"Well what is it?"
"David forced me into dating Aspen. He said if I didn't, he wouldn't hire Wren. She was so excited about this job and she means so much to me."
"So you don't like Aspen?"
"No, I never did. I like Wren. But David wanted her to be happy and I make her happy."
"Jack, have you thought about talking to Aspen about this?"
"No, why?"
"Aspen is the sweetest girl I know. Don't you think that she'd want you to be happy even if you weren't with her?"
"Maybe, but if David found out I broke up with her, he'd fire Wren."
"What if she breaks up with you? Says it's not what she wants anymore. She can even blame it on the fans."
"You think she'd do that for me?"
"There's only one way to find out. I'd do it. I think that Aspen will be happy for you no matter what."
*****
