I watched as Brett closed the back of the bus, the last of Midnight Mayhem’s gear loaded in the back.

“So that’s the last of it,” I stated, my arms folded across my chest.

He turned to face me, running his fingers through his hair. “Alright Jess, what’s your deal?”

“I don’t have a deal.”

“You’ve been standing off to the side for almost an hour now. You haven’t said more than three words to me; you haven’t even offered to help like you usually do.” He leaned against the side of the house. “What’s going on?”

“Why didn’t you tell me that you guys went out last night?” I asked, shifting my weight from my right to left foot.

“Do I have to tell you every time we go out?” Brett asked, with a slight laugh. “Come on Jess, that’s not like you.”

I crossed my right foot over my left. “No, but I’d like to know when you kiss another girl.”

His eyebrows crinkled in confusion, clearly taken aback by the accusation I’d just thrown at him. “Excuse me?”

“I said I’d like to know when you kiss another girl, namely Alison Linley.”

“Are we really going back to this again?” Brett demanded.

“Like I want to,” I stated, my temper rising. “But I can’t ignore the fact that you first went out with the guys without even mentioning it to me and then you had your lips all over Alison.”

“I didn’t mention it to you because I didn’t think it was a big deal. I go out with the guys all the time, and I don’t think that I need to check-in with you beforehand.”

No, he doesn’t. I’ve known the guys in Midnight Mayhem for years, and I trust them and I trust Brett with them.

Apparently that was my first mistake.

“And my lips weren’t all over Alison Linley,” he added. “As I’ve told you multiple times, I don’t have any feelings for her.”

“There are pictures Brett.”

“Are you talking about the picture of her kissing my cheek?”

“And the one of you kissing hers.”

“It’s a cheek kiss. I give those to Terrence too, are you going to accuse me of liking him?”

I hated how nonchalant he was acting about this. His lips were on another girl. He was kissing someone else.

That wasn’t okay.

“It’s not just a cheek kiss Brett,” I said, my arms flying up in the air in frustration. “You can’t go around putting your lips on whoever you want to.”

Especially when it’s Alison Linley, the girl who’s been trying to win his heart since she was old enough to walk.

“I don’t know what this is, but I don’t like it,” Brett said, his voice tight. “You’re not the possessive, jealous type Jess, and I don’t want you to start now.”

“Stop telling me what type of person I am,” I shouted. “Stop telling me what type of person I should and shouldn’t be.”

“I don’t even know what we’re arguing about right now,” Brett defended.

“You know that Alison Linley has a thing for you,” I accused. “You’ve known that for years. So stop flirting with her.”

“But you know that I’m in love with you,” Brett stated, his voice rising. “So I don’t get why you’re so insecure.”

“I’m not insecure.”

“Really? Because it’s a cheek kiss Jessie, we’re arguing over the fact that I kissed someone on the cheek.”

“It’s not just someone. It’s Alison Linley.”

“So that’s what this is about,” he filled in. “It’s because it’s Allie.”

“Don’t call her that.”

“She’s my best friend. She’s been my best friend since long before I knew you. If you have a problem with that, then we’re going to have a problem.”

Wait, was he choosing her over me?

“Is that your decision then?” I demanded.

“Is what my decision?” he shouted in return.

“You’re choosing Alison over me, after everything we’ve been through?”

“If this is how you’re going to act, then yeah Jessie. I’d rather have Alison by my side.”

That hurt worse than I could’ve ever possibly imagined.

“Don’t you worry then, you won’t have to worry about seeing me around anymore,” I said, before turning and walking away.

And just like that, everything we’d built together was gone.

~*~

I sat with the flyer in my hands, one knee pulled up to my chest and my chin resting on my kneecap, my brunette hair falling down around my leg as I stared out the window.

Today was the day. September 8th.

I’d had this flier taped to my bedroom wall for three months now, and now that the day was actually here, I didn’t know what to do with myself.

“Jessie, go, don’t go, that’s your choice,” mom said, leaning across the dining room table. “But sitting here, staring out the window while you destroy that flyer? That isn’t going to help you make up your mind.”

I glanced back down at the flyer in my hands, which was now crinkled due to the death grip I currently had on it.

“I don’t know what to do,” I groaned, releasing the flyer and letting it drop down to the table.

“Clearly,” she said, handing me a cup of coffee.

“What help you are.”

She poured herself a cup of coffee, stirring in some creamer before turning back around to face me. “Let me put it to you this way Jess. Sometimes you don’t get to make choices in life, they make you.”

“You got that off of a bumper sticker,” I informed her, taking a sip of my coffee. “I read that one too.”

“But does that make it any less true?”

I took my coffee, and my crinkled flyer, up to my bedroom, shutting the door behind me.

I had an hour to decide what I was going to do.

I looked at the flyer again, the advertisement for the last show on Midnight Mayhem’s Summer Tour.

I’d made Brett sign the flyer for me, promising him that by the end of it all he’d be a famous rockstar, and I’d have his very first autograph.

But now everything was so much different.

I crumpled up the flyer, tossing it onto my desk before flopping down onto my bed.

“I’m not going,” I announced, to nobody in particular.

That decision lasted all of thirty seconds.

Maybe Brett wanted to see me.

Maybe he’d been thinking about me these past three months the same way I’d been thinking about him.

My empty call history and blank text messages told me a different story, but maybe he was just as nervous as I was every single time he picked up the phone, his finger hovering over my contact name.

The way we’d left things off had been so painful, the hurtful words and resulting breakup.

Maybe he wanted to take that all back, just like I did.

Or maybe he’d completely forgotten about me. He had been on the road, travelling the Eastern United States, for three months after all.

Maybe he’d gone ahead with Alison, just like she’d always wanted. Just the very thought of that caused my chest to ache.

Or he’d probably met another girl, someone smarter and prettier than me. Someone who knew at least a little something about playing the drums, and didn’t just nod along when he started on one of his cute little rants about the batter skin and the clutch and all of the drummer lingo that he used.

He at least deserved that, didn’t he?

But what about me, and what I deserved?

“Jessie?” mom called, knocking twice on my door before letting herself in.

I looked up at her, waiting for her words of wisdom and sense of direction.

“Your clothes are in the dryer.”

I let out a frustrated groan, burying my face in my pillow.

“Which means I found this,” she said, producing a pair of high-waisted jean shorts. “And these look great with that little infinity crop top that you have.”

“What are you doing mom?”

“I’m dressing you up!” she exclaimed. “I can’t have my daughter looking like a bum when she goes to Midnight Mayhem’s last concert on their Summer Tour.”

“I’m not going.”

She laid the shorts down on my desk chair. “You’re telling me that after all the hype and excitement for the past 3 months, you’re not going?”

“He probably doesn’t even want to see me,” I muttered into my pillow. “He probably has forgotten all about me.”

He’s probably hanging out with Alison Linley right now in the Midnight Mayhem tour bus, the two of them watching a romantic comedy together and snuggling up close, feeding each other popcorn.

“Okay,” mom said, pulling the pillow out from underneath me. “Sit up.”

I did, frowning at her.

“Jessie Taylor, pull yourself together. You are strong, you are beautiful, and you do not let a boy define you.”

I nodded, absorbing what my mom was saying.

“Now if you want to go to this concert today, then go. But don’t do it because you’re trying to win Brett back, or because you’re hoping to impress him. Go because it’s something that you want to do.”

“Thanks mom.”

She kissed my cheek. “And curl your hair with that outfit. I always love your hair in those big, bouncy curls.” And with that she left, closing my bedroom door behind her.

I checked my clock, letting out a sigh.

If I wanted to go to the concert, I had less than an hour before I needed to leave.

I found myself locating the shirt my mom was talking about, laying it next to the shorts she’d laid out on my desk chair.

I pressed my lips together, my eyes travelling between the flyer and my outfit as I bounced on my heels.

Was it worth the heartbreak all over again?

The answer was undoubtedly yes.

I missed Brett’s laugh and his goofy smile when I was talking too much. I missed the way he would get lost when talking about drumming, the way his eyes illuminated and his speech quickened as he got more and more excited.

I missed Brett.

I quickly got dressed, lacing up my combat boots as my curling iron heated up.

I dabbed on some light makeup before curling my hair, constantly checking the clock to be sure I wouldn’t be late.

I shoved my phone and wallet into my over-the-shoulder purse, practically running downstairs.

“I need to use the car,” I informed my mom.

“You’re lucky that I know you better than you do,” she said, dangling her car keys in front of me.

“Thank you.”

She waved me off. “Text me when you get there. Call me on your way home. I love you and be safe.”

“I love you too,” I called over my shoulder, as the door to the garage closed behind me.

The drive to the fairgrounds wasn’t too bad. But my jaw practically hit the floor when I got there.

The parking lot was packed, and there were people everywhere.

All to see Midnight Mayhem.

I remember going to their first shows, and I’d be one of the ten people there, if that.

And now there had to be hundreds of people here.

I swung into one of the last parking spots available before trekking up towards the stage.

I had to wait in line to get in, and pay the admission fee.

I’d never had to pay an admission fee to see a show before. Perks of being the drummer’s girlfriend.

I stepped inside the outdoor fairgrounds, the stage area already packed with people waiting to see the band.

There was no way I was going to get to the front.

There was no way Brett would ever know I was here.

I slowly stopped towards the back of the crowd, rising up on my toes to try and see the stage.

It was still empty, the show not set to start for about 30 more minutes.

If I’d known it would be this packed, I would’ve gotten here a lot sooner.

I folded my arms over my chest, letting out a sigh.

“Jessie?” a familiar voice asked behind me.

I turned to see Kelsey Jacobs waving me down as she made her way over to me, twin sister of the lead singer of Midnight Mayhem.

“Hey Kelsey!” I said, reaching out and giving her a tight hug.

“You have to come and join us,” she said, taking my arm and tugging me along without waiting for my answer.

She tugged me through the crowd of people, who didn’t seem too pleased, all the way to the front of the stage.

I’d never been more grateful for Kelsey.

“What time did you guys get here?” I asked her, as I met up with a few of my old friends.

I couldn’t help but notice that Alison Linley was not amongst them.

“Early this morning,” Lorraine informed me.

She was Jason, the bassist’s, girlfriend.

“I can’t believe you came,” Kelsey gushed. “We’ve missed you so much.”

I really can’t believe I came either.

“I couldn’t miss the hometown show,” I said, with an uneasy smile.

I was starting to feel nervous.

Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all.

What if Brett hated the fact that I was here?

We hadn’t left things on a good note. In fact, I clearly remember telling him he wouldn’t have to worry about seeing me around anymore.

But here I was.

The girls filled me in on the latest gossip and newest band information.

Including the fact that a representative from Kingston Records was here today to observe the boys.

“That’s so awesome,” I said, standing up on my toes and scanning the crowd.

As if I was going to find the representative in this mess of people.

I turned back to face the girls, who were checking the time and chatting about all of the people that had turned out for the show.

“So how’s Brett?” I asked, trying to make it sound casual.

“He’s the same old Brett,” Kelsey said, offering me a smile. “He’s more than willing to tell you everything you want to know about drumming and I can’t even count the number of times he made us sit through that weird movie about the guys hiding out in the forest.”

I’d forgotten that Kelsey had spent most of her summer on the road with the boys in their Volkswagen Bus, which they used to tour in.

I remember the day they’d bought it. The four boys, Kelsey, Lorraine and I had all gone to look at it from an ad in the paper. It was beaten down and some parts of it were rusted out, but they were so proud to call it their own.

We spent the next few weeks buying spare parts and fixing the bus up and before long it was ready to hit the road.

“That’s his all-time favorite movie,” I said, with a laugh. “I believe that he can quote it.”

“He can,” Kelsey informed me.

Ryder, the lead singer of Midnight Mayhem and Kelsey’s twin brother, came out onstage, and the crowd began to cheer.

“Mic check, one two,” he said into the microphone, as he adjusted the microphone stand to his height. “Mic check, one two.”

He flashed a thumbs-up to the guy in the back before disappearing off the stage again.

About a minute later, Brett came onto stage, and I felt my heartbeat pick up.

He looked just the same as he did three months ago.

The same beach blonde hair and crystal blue eyes and the same wide smile with the deep dimples. The same muscular physique with the muscle tank top to show off just that much more.

The same boy I fell in love with all that time ago.

And the same boy that broke my heart just three short months ago.

Some of the crowd behind us began to cheer again as he ascended up onto his drum kit, testing out the different drums and the cymbals.

He played a simple beat before laying his sticks back down, flashing a thumbs-up to the guy in the back before disappearing off the stage again.

A minute passed before Jason, the band’s bassist, took the stage, hooking up his bass to the amp and testing it out.

He flashed the guy in the back a thumbs-up before leaving the stage.

“We’re getting close to show time here,” Kelsey said to me, with a bright smile.

“Well we’re also still waiting on Terrence,” Lorraine pointed out.

Just seconds later, Terrence, the band’s guitarist and Brett’s best friend, came onto stage, hooking up his guitar to the amp and testing out his equipment.

Once he was satisfied, he flashed his thumbs-up before heading offstage.

“And there we go,” Sarah said. “Now let’s get this show on the road.”

As we were waiting for the show to start, I couldn’t help but scan the crowd again.

Alison never missed one of Brett’s shows.

“Are you looking for someone?” Sarah asked me.

“Alison,” I said, looking back at my group of friends. “Alison Linley.”

The girls exchanged glances.

“What?” I asked, looking between them.

“She hasn’t been to a show in months,” Kelsey informed me.

“Why? What happened?”

I couldn’t help my racing heart, the smile twitching at the edges of my lips.

Maybe Brett and Alison hadn’t gotten together after all.

“Brett basically told Alison that they were just friends,” Kelsey said to me. “And that’s all they’d ever be. And she did not taking a liking to that.”

I wanted to jump up and down and scream and hug someone all at once.

“That’s unfortunate,” I said, in a calm and collected voice.

Kelsey just chuckled, shaking her head at me.

It was no secret that I’d never been Alison Linley’s biggest fan.

It was a couple more minutes before the boys came back out onto the stage, and I cheered along with the crowd.

I’d been a Midnight Mayhem fan since Day One.

Ryder Jacobs began singing, his presence onstage demanding attention.

But my attention shifted to Brett, as he pounded away on his drum set, his head bobbing and hands flying.

He was totally and completely in his element here.

I danced along with Kelsey and the rest of the girls throughout the concert, singing along with all of the songs.

I’d forgotten how much fun these concerts were.

The time flew by as Midnight Mayhem went through their set, this show is easily the best one I’ve seen from them.

“We’re Midnight Mayhem, and thank you guys for coming out tonight,” Ryder called out, before he exited the stage.

Brett stood on the edge of the stage and tossed his drum sticks out into the audience, a smile spread across his face.

“Come on,” Kelsey called out to me, over the screaming girls.

“Where to?”

She grabbed my arm, pulling me through the crowd. “Don’t you want to come backstage?”

I hadn’t thought this far ahead.

“Um…”

There was a bodyguard standing in front of a curtain that led backstage, holding a clipboard.

“Kelsey Jacobs,” she informed the bodyguard. “And this is my guest.”

He scanned the list, nodding as he saw her name.

“I don’t know if this is such a good idea,” I said, coming to a stop.

“You don’t want to come back and see the guys?” Kelsey asked me.

“I just don’t know if that’s really a good idea considering everything that happened,” I explained.

“You mean what happened between you and Brett?”

I nodded, using my left hand to rub my bicep on my right arm.

“That was three months ago,” Kelsey pointed out. “A lot can change in three months.”

That’s what I’m afraid of.

“It can’t hurt to at least come back and say hello,” Kelsey reasoned. “And then if you feel like things are too awkward or tense, you can just leave.”

“Alright, I guess so.”

I reached into my back pocket to check my phone, and I noticed it wasn’t there.

I had it out in front of the stage. I must’ve left it on the edge.

“I’ll be right back,” I said to Kelsey.  “I left my phone out there.”

“I’ll meet you back by the boys.”

I nodded before taking off running towards the stage, hoping and praying that my phone was still there.

I really didn’t want to have to explain my irresponsibility to my mom. There’s no way she would accept that was a good reason for a new phone.

I spotted my phone still sitting on the edge of the stage as I got back out there, and I quickly swiped it, checking to make sure everything was still okay before shoving it into my back pocket.

That was close.

I went to go meet back up with Kelsey, but paused when I reached the bodyguard.

How was I supposed to get back in?

“Yeah?” the bodyguard asked me, looking me up and down.

“I’m Kelsey Jacobs’s guest,” I informed him.

“Name?”

“My name isn’t on the list.”

“Can’t let you back if your name isn’t on the list.”

“But I’m Kelsey Jacobs’s guest.”

“Name?”

I let out a sigh. “Jessie Taylor, but my name isn’t on the-”

“Go on back.”

I paused, staring at him. “What?”

“Go on back,” he repeated.

I don’t understand.

“Your name is on the list,” he informed me.

Kelsey must have put my name on the list after I came back out to get my phone.

“Who puts people’s names on the list?” I asked him.

“The band.”

I stepped back behind the curtain, the bodyguard letting the curtain fall behind me.

Had Brett put my name on the list?

I was probably overthinking things. More than likely Kelsey had put my name on the list when I went back out to get my phone.

But the bodyguard did say that the band puts people’s names on the list.

“There you are!” Kelsey called, jogging up to meet me. “I totally forgot that you needed someone to let you back in.”

“My name was on the list,” I informed her. “Didn’t you put it on there?”

She opened her mouth and then shut it again, shaking her head. “I can’t put people’s names on the list. I’m sorry Jessie; I didn’t know yours was on there.”

Brett must have put my name on the list.

“Did you find your phone?” she asked me.

I nodded, feeling numb and confused.

“Great! Come on then.”

I followed her back to where the guys were all hanging out, a bunch of our old friends all gathered around.

“We were just about to head over to my place,” Kelsey informed me. “Start up a bonfire.”

I scanned the room, my heart pounding as I searched for Brett.

But I didn’t see him here.

“Brett and Terrence just left,” she informed me. “They went to get the supplies.”

Of course they did. That was just my luck.

“But they’ll be at the bonfire,” she informed me. “Are you in?”

“Yeah, sure,” I found myself agreeing.

“Jessie?” Ryder called out, making his way over to me. “Jessie, hey!”

“Hey Ryder.”

“Were you at the show?”

I nodded.

He wrapped me up in a tight hug. “We’ve missed you these past few months. You’re the only person that can make Brett shut up when he gets on one of his drum-rants.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle, giving him a tight hug back.

“Are you coming to the bonfire?” he asked, pulling his arm tight around my shoulder as he released me from his hug.

I nodded.

“It’s going to be epic,” Ryder informed me. “We haven’t been able to throw a party in months. So it’s going to be months-worth of repressed partying all wrapped up into one night.”

“We can ride with you right?” Jason asked me, his arm wrapped tightly around Lorraine.

Before the boys had bought the bus, I’d been the only one in the group with any type of transportation. We used to pack my mom’s minivan full of people, everyone sitting on top of each other as we made our way downtown.

“Of course you can,” I said, a smile spreading across my face at the fond memories. “Is it going to be at Ryder’s place?”

“Would it be anywhere else?” he asked me, his arm still slung around my shoulders.

“We should probably get going,” Jason pointed out.

I fished my keys out of my shoulder bag, the three of us heading out towards my mom’s minivan.

“So have you talked to Brett at all?” Lorraine asked me.

“Since the tour started?” I asked, avoiding the subject of the break-up.

I hate talking about it.

She nodded.

“No.”

I’d composed so many texts to him, apologizing for what I said. Offering to come and meet him at one of his shows. Just a simple hello. But I’d deleted every single one of them.

The drive to Ryder’s house was relatively short, and the cars were lined up down the street by the time I pulled in.

One thing Ryder Jacobs knew how to do was throw a party.

My heart began to race as I stepped out of my car, realizing that I was finally going to be face-to-face with Brett for the first time since the fight, the break-up.

And I was terrified.

“Are you coming?” Lorraine asked, raising her eyebrows at me.

I hadn’t realized that I’d stopped just short of Ryder’s house, lost in my thoughts.

“Yeah, I’m coming,” I answered, catching up to the two of them.

I didn’t want to face this alone.

The gate to Ryder’s backyard was propped open, and the bonfire party was already in full swing.

I stood off to the side with Lorraine as Jason went to get to the two of them sodas.

“I love how relaxed Ryder’s bonfires are,” Lorraine said to me, with a smile.

“I love how relaxed his parties are in general,” I said, with a nod.

Ryder was an easy guy to get along with, and he usually invited about half of the city over when he decided to have a bonfire.

“Want to come grab some seats with us?” Lorraine asked, as Jason came back with their drinks.

I shook my head. “You guys go ahead. I’ll be fine.”

She waved, offering me a smile before the two of them went to go and relax by the bonfire together.

I folded my arms across my chest, leaning against the folding table behind me.

It was a cool night out, just the perfect temperature for a bonfire.

I looked around at all of the people I’d used to be friends with, the people I’d used to associate with a regular basis.

I didn’t belong here anymore. This was Brett’s territory, not mine.

I went to leave, my head bent low so I didn’t make eye contact with anybody that I knew.

And then I ran smack dab into someone carrying a can of soda.

The soda sloshed out, spilling all over me.

I looked up into the eyes of Terrence, the band’s guitarist. And Brett’s best friend.

“I’m so sorry,” Terrence said, his eyes meeting mine. “Jessie? Oh geez Jess, I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine,” I promised, not wanting to draw any more attention to myself than had already been gathered.

“Let me get you a towel or something-”

“No really I’m fine,” I interrupted, itching to slide past him towards the gate that led to my freedom. “I was actually just-”

“You leave for two seconds and you’re already wreaking havoc?” an all-too familiar voice joked behind me.

I turned to see Brett standing behind me, a smile on his face as he joked with Terrence.

And then we locked eyes.

I felt like my stomach was in my throat, my heart racing.

Confusion and surprise mixed on Brett’s face as he registered who I was, the smile leaving his face for a shocked expression.

I just needed him to say something, anything.

“I got you that towel,” Terrence said, handing me a big, fluffy towel.

“Thanks,” I muttered, running it through my soda-soaked hair.

“Jessie you’re here,” Brett stated.

All I could do was nod, waiting for some type of reaction from his stoic face.

Was he happy to see me? Was he angry that I was here? Did he miss me as much as I’d missed him?

“I can’t believe that… I mean did you… I mean how did you… No what I actually mean to say is that you…” Brett trailed off, fumbling over himself as he tried to form a coherent sentence.

“I came to the show,” I offered. “You guys played really well.”

“Thanks,” he said, reaching up to rub the back of his neck. “Where were you at the show? I looked for… I mean didn’t see you there.”

I felt my heart pick up a little bit.

He’d looked for me?

“I was in front with Kelsey and the girls.”

“I guess I didn’t see them either.” He let his hands drop back down to his sides. “I didn’t expect you to come.”

“Well I really didn’t expect to come.”

“I waited for you to come backstage after the show too,” he said, his eyes searching mine. “But you didn’t.”

“I did,” I countered. “But you’d already left.”

“Are you cold?” he asked, his eyes glancing over me. “You’re covered in Terrence’s soda.”

“I’m fine,” I declined.

“No here,” Brett said, sliding out of his hoodie.

I wanted to take the hoodie and hold it in my arms, the smell of Brett overwhelming.

I’d missed that smell.

But instead I just slipped it on over my head, wrapping my arms around myself. “Thanks.”

And then the silence lapsed between us, the awkward tension.

Because neither one of us had yet to address the elephant in the room.

“Why did you put my name on the list?” I asked Brett, my eyes flickering back up to meet his.

“Because I was hoping you’d come,” he stated.

“You never texted me,” I pointed out. “You never called. I thought for sure that you’d moved on or forgotten about me or that you didn’t want anything to do with me anymore.”

“You never texted or called either,” he pointed out. “And I thought all of those same things.”

“I was scared,” I admitted. “I was scared that you were still angry from our fight. And I was afraid that if I did reach out, and that if you didn’t want anything to do with me anymore, then that would really be the end of it all. So I just decided that it was easier not taking the chance.”

“We have the worst timing,” Brett said, with a small laugh. “We had to pick the night before I was leaving for tour to have the biggest fight of our relationship.”

I just nodded, wrapping my arms around myself.

“I’m sorry for the things I said,” he said, slowly shaking his head. “I’m sorry for the way I acted towards you. You didn’t deserve that. You don’t deserve that.”

“It was my fault too. I started the argument, I fed your flame, and I said some pretty awful things too,” I said, my eyes searching his.

“She, I mean Alison-”

“I don’t care about Alison anymore,” I interrupted.

I just wanted this to end.

I missed the way that his eyes crinkled when he was laughing. I missed the way that he’d hold me under the moonlight and kiss me until my knees went weak. I just missed him so much.

“I just wish that there was a way to take everything back,” Brett stated. “To erase what happened.”

“I don’t want to erase the past,” I declined, causing Brett to look at me with an expression of surprise. “If we can’t forgive our past mistakes, then who can? I want us to not forgive and forget, but to forgive and learn, to create new memories from the ones of our past.”

“How did I fall in love with someone so wise beyond her years?” Brett joked.

And that’s all that it took, for him to admit that he was still in love with me.

He took my cheeks between his hands, pressing his lips to mine with an increasing passion.

I wrapped my arms around his neck, glad to be in his arms again, just to even be near him again.

I hadn’t truly realized how much I’d missed him until this moment.

I wrapped my arms around him and he pulled me in close, resting his chin on the top of my head as I buried my face into the crook of his neck.

“Your hair is sticky,” Brett commented, with a laugh.

I let out a long laugh, wrapping my arms tighter around him.

“Are you coming on the next tour?” Brett asked, as I finally let go of him.

“Next tour? A bit cocky aren’t we?” I joked.

A mischievous smile just spread across his face.

“Brett Harrison what aren’t you telling me?” I asked, a smile spreading across my own face.

“As of 7:02 this evening, Midnight Mayhem is officially a signed band.”

I let out a squeal, throwing my arms around his neck once again.

“So I start playing this new song, it’s one that we’ve never played live before and we’ve ran-through maybe once or twice,” Brett started. “So I’m onstage and it’s a 7/4 beat and I can’t figure it out to save my life. By the time I’ve figured out that I’ve got the beat reversed we’re about halfway through the song and Terrence has shot me about three different looks and I’m completely off-balance…” He trailed off once he realized that he was rambling, again.

“It’s cute,” I defended, my arms still wrapped around him. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, but it’s cute.”

“Well the moral of the story is that I thought I’d screwed up our shot with Kingston Records,” Brett said, still laughing.

“I am so, so proud of you,” I said, as I kissed his cheek.

“I think I deserve a little more than a kiss on the cheek for a record deal,” Brett bargained.

I leaned around the other side, placing a second kiss on his opposite cheek.

A wider smile spread across Brett’s face, which I didn’t think was possible up until this moment.

“I’ve missed you.”

There were no words to describe how much I’d missed him.

But in this moment, words weren’t needed

__________

I'm so excited to have the opportunity to share this story with you guys. I was asked by the people at Sour Patch Kids to write this story to help celebrate Singles Awareness Day (Valentine's Day), and it's been a privilege and an honor to work with them.

Be sure to enter your own story into the #SPKSADcontest and share your Sour Then Sweet love story. Check out the Sour Patch Kids’ profile for rules on how to enter. 

A huge thanks to Sour Patch Kids for commissioning this work.

- Rachel