Pathways // Gawsten [Book 2]

29 - We All Keep Hurting Each Other

In just a blink, it seemed like the roles had switched. Grace and Awsten returned to the bus with multiple bags on both of their arms. All the bags were overflowing but neither of them seemed to care. They'd spent way too much on cute and punk baby clothes and some treats for themselves and their boyfriends. 

Once they saw their boyfriends, their happiness didn't last long. The first thing Awsten saw was the dried tear tracks on both their faces. Their eyes were puffy and red, making both Awsten and Grace worry about what had happened in the time they'd been gone. Otto looked up at the sound of the door opening, and only seconds after making eye contact with Grace he stood up and walked into the back room.

Everyone could hear him climb into his bunk and Geoff hung his head. He really didn't know what they were meant to do now. 

"What's wrong with Otto?" Grace asked,

"What the fuck's wrong with you?" Geoff scoffed, and walked into the back room too. 

Awsten and Grace could vaguely hear the two whispering to each other in the back room and just looked at each other confused. They were completely oblivious and had no idea what had gone on. Before they could say anything else, the door opened again behind them and Jawn walked on.

Jawn had been inside the venue all day with Lucas getting everything ready for the show that night. He'd been there since early morning and he too was oblivious to everything that had happened. 

"They need you for soundcheck now, guys." Jawn said as he walked onto the bus. He put his camera down on the table and pushed his hair out of his face, "By that I mean you were suppose to be there half an hour ago." 

Awsten swore as he and Grace rushed into the back room to put their bags down. He knew they were a little behind schedule but he had no idea how much. He walked off the bus with Grace following him, and heard another two pairs of footsteps following them. He craned his neck slightly and saw Otto and Geoff walking with their heads down. But all the breath was taken from his lungs when he saw the two with intertwined hands. What the fuck had happened that afternoon?

-

For the first time in a while, Awsten was nervous on stage. He could see Grace standing at side stage biting on her thumb nail as she clearly felt it too. Throughout the show so far, Geoff and Otto had been throwing each other glances and avoiding looking at Awsten as much as they could. It put Awsten on edge, he didn't know what was going on. 

He tried to focus as much as he could but he knew people in the crowd were picking up that something wasn't quite right. And it didn't help when Geoff began to speak to the crowd.

"How are you fucking doing?" Geoff yelled loudly into the microphone, making Awsten's breath hitch. Geoff hardly spoke on stage anyway, and it was so out of character for him to swear in that context. 

The crowd yelled back at him causing him to smirk. Geoff looked back at Otto who nodded at him,

"We just want to thank you guys for sticking with us through everything that's happened recently... To show our appreciation, Otto and I wanted to do a cover for you guys!" The crowd screamed in response and Awsten only looked confused. 

Awsten slowly walked off stage and put his guitar down, standing next to Grace who also had no clue what was going on. This was usually the part of the set where Awsten sung "Lucky People" and he had a gnawing feeling that this was no coincidence. Whatever Geoff and Otto were doing, it'd been planned.

It was something Geoff and Otto had very briefly discussed before leaving the bus to go on stage. The song happened to be one that they both knew but also seemed appropriate. 

"You guys don't know a lot of stuff that goes on in our lives," Otto began speaking as Geoff messed with his pedals, "But apparently, neither do we."

Geoff began playing and some of the crowd screamed as they recognised the riff to "Shot Across the Bow" by Mayday Parade. That was Geoff's angry song, and he knew that once Awsten heard this, he'd realise what had happened. 

I hope you fall into the ocean
And the current leaves you helpless swimming around
As the waves crash over you until you drown and float away

Geoff glanced off stage to look at Awsten who was just gaping at him, but it was clear it hadn't clicked yet. He could also see Grace standing there looking just as confused. Anger pulsed through him seeing them together, and he tore his eyes away to focus on the song.

I hope she tasted like the way I used to taste
I can't believe I'd even say this to you now
When you won't listen at all

Once he sung the changed lyric, the crowd scream and the look of pure horror and realisation crossed Awsten's face. Geoff knew. Geoff knew everything.

We'll hold a funeral for nothing
And celebrate how empty love can be broken
It takes the sea to put you six feet happily underground

Geoff screamed a thank you before walking off stage with Otto in tow. He nearly threw his guitar at one of the tech's as he stormed through the backstage towards the door. Grace grabbed onto Otto's arm as he walked past but he ripped his arm from her grip and followed Geoff.

It stung Grace in the chest as she watched her boyfriend walk away angrily. She looked over at Awsten who had a bland stoic look on his face. Without another word, he followed after Geoff leaving Grace all by herself.

Suddenly, she felt a presence beside her. She glanced and saw Jawn stood there with a sad look on her face,

"What do you want?" She muttered, fiddling with her sleeve.

"You were ready to lie to Otto about being a father. They wouldn't have been so mad if you hadn't done that," Jawn began,

"I know th-" Grace tried to respond, but Jawn cut her off,

"I'm not done." He growled, "Otto was back in your life when you had sex with Awsten. That's what will hurt him the most. You had him back and you still slept with Awsten." 

Jawn didn't let Grace respond before he walked away, leaving her to watch the tech crew rush around, and listen to the crowd dissipating. 

At the back of the venue, Awsten was wondering around trying to find where Geoff went. The back of the venue was so big that he had no idea where to look. He almost gave up when he caught sight of a door swinging. He picked up his pace and hurried towards it, pushing it open slightly.

Outside was Geoff, leaning against a railing with a lit cigarette in his mouth. Geoff puffed the smoke into the air as Awsten stepped towards him.

"Those will kill you, you know." Awsten muttered,

"So will you." Geoff gnarled back at him. Awsten stepped back almost immediately from shock. He hadn't expected Geoff to be so cold to him.

"What happened tonight?" Awsten asked quietly and he heard Geoff scoff. Geoff dropped the cigarette and crushed it with his boot.

"I left my life behind to protect you," Geoff choked out, and Awsten suddenly noticed the tears in his eyes, "And you hook up with Grace. Not only that, but you nearly got her pregnant. You would've lied to Otto about being a dad, and would've lied to me about you being one."

"It was necessary!" Awsten defended weakly,

"No, it was fucked up." Geoff retorted, shoving Awsten as he walked past.

"Geoff please.." He pleaded.

"Stay the fuck away from me, Awsten." Geoff barked and walked back inside, slamming the door behind him leaving Awsten by himself out in the cold.

Things were never going to be simple, and this time it was his fault.