patience

Chapter Eleven

I had talked about everything with Alessia, but I had still avoided Shawn. I knew I wouldn't be able to forever, but I was going to try. I had no clue what to say to him, or even how to act around him. I knew I needed to babe the same mindset with him that I did Alessia, but Shawn and I were different. Alessia didn't know anything, but Shawn did and still kept it from me. That's the part that hurt a lot.

***
Alessia was about to go on for her set. I hugged her like I always did then watched her run out on stage. A few minutes later, I felt someone tap my shoulder. I turned around to see Shawn.

"You haven't talked to me all day. What's up?" He asks.

"Nothing" I say and turn around to watch Alessia.

"Why are you lying to me?" He asks.

"I'm not" I say.

"Yes, you are" He retaliates​.

"Riv, I don't get it. What happened?" He asks. I felt so bad for being mad at him.

"Alessia told me something happened in the past between you two. I didn't ask what, but I know something did. You didn't tell me" I say. He scoffs.

"You can't be mad over me and Alessia keeping a secret from you if you're keeping one from her. Plus, what happened with us is nothing like what's going on with you and I" He says. That kind of made me feel better in a weird way.

"You swear?" I ask.

"Promise" He says. I let out a sigh of relief. He extends his arms in my direction. I fall into him.

"I'm sorry" I say.

"Don't be" He says still holding me.

We stood there in each other's arms for the rest of Alessia's performance. We didn't care who saw us backstage​, because nobody would snitch. But, when she was done, I had to pretend I wasn't falling madly in love with him.

She came off stage and hugged me again.

"I'm going to take a shower. We have to travel again in a few hours" She says.

"Okay, I'm going to watch Shawn" I say. She nods and walks back to her dressing room.

Shawn walked up to me after she was gone.

"Good luck" I say and kiss him softly.

"I'm singing every song for you" He says and smiles before walking to his place. I watch him with so much love it's crazy. I knew he was all mine, but no one else did.

***
It was nearing the end of the show and Shawn stopped to talk.

"Okay, Pittsburgh. I always do this song last now, and for a special reason" He looks behind him. I knew he was looking for me in the wings. "Where Were You In The Morning, Babe?". He always points to a random fan when he says that, but I know who he's really saying it too.

***
He came off stage and I jumped into his arms.

"I didn't know you do that song last every time now" I say looking up at him.

"After Louisville, I started doing it" He says. We had began walking back to the buses. He never used his dressing room. As we were walking, he slowly laced his fingers with mine.

"That's sweet of you" I say. I look over at him and his face was blank. "What is it?". He stops and faces me.

"The first time I kissed you was in the middle of an arena with the Ohio River behind us" He says. I wasn't following at all. "That's why I want the first time I do this to happen in the same way.". Still lost.

"What do you mean?" I ask. He takes my hands in his and leans in. I thought he was going for another kiss but I was wrong. He leaned in and whispered in my ear.

"I love you".