The mini concert ended and the crowd erupted in cheers, claps, and screams of love and gratitude to the band.
The boys bowed and waved to the crowd. Pete and Joe threw a couple of picks in a general direction towards the crowd.
Pete was the first one who went down the stairs. His smile was way too powerful for me to even look at. His joy perfectly reflected on his face, his wide grin, and his minimized eyes from smiling.
He took off his bass and handed it to one of the crews.
"Oh good god." Pete muttered as he hugged me and buried his face in my neck.
I laughed and hugged him back tightly. "Congratulations, love." I inwardly cringed at my endearment to him. I'm not used to it yet.
Pete chuckled, lifting his head up to look at me. The way he looked at me felt like he wouldn't mind letting go of me soon, which confused me. Maybe it was just the night and the recent happenings hours ago.
"You're beautiful, Y/N." Pete spoke genuinely, hooking a couple of hair strands behind my ear.
"You're beautiful too, Pete." I chuckled, resting the palm of my hand on his chest.
He leaned in to plant a soft kiss of my forehead and then hugged me again.
"Hey, lovebirds. Let's go have dinner and celebrate." Joe spoke, reaching up to fluff my hair.
I giggled and softly punched Joe's tummy. "You looked great up there, fro bro."
"Duh. When have I not looked good?" He jokingly sassed, laughing afterwards.
Hayley skipped to me and hooked her arms with mine (the weak and still recovering one) while my other one was holding Pete's hand.
"Hey, Pete." Hayley called out. "Good catch." She teased.
Pete chuckled then sighed afterwards, which made me glance at him in wonder and in concern.
I wonder what's going on in his mind. I wonder what's behind those eyes that are suddenly unsure. I wonder what's he thinking behind his desperate, tender, yet loving way of holding me. I wonder what that heavy sigh meant.
I have to know, because I don't know who to hold on to anymore.
⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫⚪⚪⚪⚪⚪⚪⚪
We arrived at the restaurant of the hotel that we are staying in for the night. It was in the rooftop and it was really fancy.
There was a long white table filled with different kinds of viands, deserts, and other kinds of food and drinks. The crew, the manager, and the boys took their places
Patrick sat across me, Joe across Hayley, and Andy across Pete.
I tried to bravely catch Patrick's gaze but he kept looking anywhere but in my exact direction.
"This has been such a great night for us all." The manager spoke, standing up and holding a slim glass of champagne. "The feedback of the fans was out of this world. Now, we've got them up and waiting for the release of the album; I hope that that will serve as a motivation to finish everything; clean-cut; before the due date of the release."
"Yup, we're on it." I spoke up.
The manager nodded politely at me, smiling.
"And congratulations to the new lovechild of this album, Pete and Y/N." The manage announced. Everyone cheered and clapped their hands, making us flush in pride and in giddiness.
The manager tapped the metal spoon against the glass and the rest of the people did the same including Hayley, Joe, and Andy. Patrick was trying to busy himself by having a small talk with one of the crews that was sitting next to him.
"Kiss her. Kiss her. Kiss her." They all chanted. Except Patrick who now pursed his lip...
I turned to face Pete and he gently held my chin, smiling like an idiot. I tilted my head, closed my eyes, and leaned my head forward, anticipating for Pete's warm, soft lips.
It felt perfect once our lips met. Pete's always been tender with his kisses, which I really appreciate.
I couldn't help but glance at Patrick who's now bitterly smiling at us while clapping with the rest of the people around the long, rectangular table. He sneered at me then took a swig of his Chardonnay in a tall slender wine glass.
His face crumpled and he let out a chuckle. The waiters began to move around, setting food before us.
Patrick stood up and walked to their manager, leaning in to whisper something. I watched the manager sadly frown and nod understandingly.
Patrick forced a tight smile and patted the manager on his shoulder and walked out of the rooftop.
I held Pete's hand. I know that he knows what's going on.
"Happy fourth of July, babe. May we last longer than those fireworks in the sky do." Pete spoke, his hazel eyes glimmering.
I just smiled at him, not knowing what to say.
