Warnings: Brief mentions of Beau

Word Count: 2719

Authors' Note: We hope you enjoy the chapter! :)

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December 2016 - Before Leg Three of the Emotional Roadshow

Parking your car in the driveway of Josh's home, you got out and instantly got hit by the freezing winds that had formed. December was always miserable in Ohio and you wanted nothing more than to curl up in front of a fire with a big blanket wrapped over you, but you had promised the boys and Jenna that you would be present tonight in order to help decorate the interior of Josh's house. He, thankfully, had done the exterior not too long ago and it looked beautiful. The bright lights shone down on your face as you hurried over to his front porch and knocked on the door.

Bouncing a little bit to stay warm and wrapping your arms around yourself, you waited only a few moments before the door was opened up to reveal a familiar smile in front of you.

"Hurry inside! You'll get sick!" Josh exclaimed and ushered you in, closing the door behind you, as you were greeted by Tyler and Jenna happily.

You smiled widely and waved, looking over to see how adorable the both of them looked in their matching ugly sweaters. It wasn't even Christmas yet, but they showed their spirit as often as they could that month. Suddenly, a pair of warm and strong arms wrapped around you from behind and they belonged to the one person that you wanted to be hugged by. You smiled and looked over your shoulder, realizing instantly how close he actually was to you and blushing almost instantly.

"Thank you for coming! We have the tree and it just needs to be decorated," he exclaimed, trying to brush off what he had just done as if it were no big deal. He let you go and then scurried over to said tree, reaching into a big box he had to pull out some ornaments. You slowly took off your coat to let it hang on the back of the nearest couch and saw Tyler and Jenna smirking in your direction, which caused you to roll your eyes. Making your way over in their direction, you stood beside Jenna and nudged her a bit before the both of you started giggling a bit and helping to put some ornaments on the tree with little help from Tyler. He was too busy trying to get the Christmas music on to liven the mood more than it was.

After a bit of time, Jenna gasped and caused everyone to look in her direction as if they were worried something was wrong with her. She quickly waved her hand to shoo away any worries.

"I forgot about the goodies! Y/N, come and help me!" she yelled and grabbed your arm, dragging you into the kitchen while you nearly tripped over things on the floor; causing Josh and Tyler to laugh.

After Jenna let go of your arm, she hurried over to the fridge and got out her necessary ingredients to start making the cookie dough mix. She looked over to you with a smile and pointed to the cabinets.

"Can you get me a few mixing bowls?"

"Of course!" you replied. It was obvious that she had brought everything over, because there was no way that Josh just had the correct things lying around his home.

Getting what she needed, you placed the bowls down on the counter beside her, receiving a thanks on her end. The both of you got to work on the cookies, wanting to make them extra tasty for the boys, and got into a small conversation about the upcoming holidays. When you got to thinking, what you were doing... it was almost as if you and Josh were in a relationship already. You were baking for him - and Tyler a little -, spending time in his home, and helping him decorate.

Isn't that mostly what girlfriends do?

"What has you so happy?" Jenna asked upon noticing the smile on your face.

You glanced over to where the boys were standing near the tree, engrossed in their own activity. Tyler was standing on one arm of Josh's couch, leaning over to put an ornament towards the top of the tree. Josh was beneath him with his arms out, just in case he fell. Tyler never fell though, you had learned that a long time ago.

"I'm just thinking," you said, measuring out the ingredients that Jenna had put in front of you.

"About?"

"What life would be like if... you know. Him and I were to-"

"Say no more," Jenna grinned as she added an egg to the cookie dough. "I understand you loud and clear."

"Yeah," you sighed.

"I take it things with Beau aren't going well?"

You rolled your eyes, "Not at all. I've tried to end things at least five times since your wedding, but he just won't listen. He always derails the conversation or pretends that he never heard me in the first place. I'm starting to think that I'm stuck in a relationship that I'll never get out of."

"You know, there's always legal options... if it comes to that. The three of us are going to have your back."

"I know, it's just," you sighed, "I don't want to jeopardize the boys by bringing some giant legal matter onto their radar. Their career is really starting to pick up and I would hate to bring an end to that just because I can't handle my stupid boyfriend."

Jenna set down the spoon that she was stirring with and turned to face you, a serious expression now covering her face.

"Listen, I know that those two - idiotic as they may be - would much rather have you safe and happy, even if it meant a hit to their career. You've experienced firsthand what their fanbase is like, Y/N, they're not going to ditch them anytime soon. And you and I both know that Josh would love to see you get rid of this guy."

"He's been wanting to see Beau gone since I met him four years ago."

Four years ago. Had it really been that long since Josh came into your life?

"Just another reason to kick him to the curb."

"I guess."

Your conversation was interrupted by the boys wandering into the kitchen, carefully eyeing the bowl of cookie dough in front of Jenna. Josh hung around the far side of the counter, but Tyler was bold enough to come striding over and stick his finger straight into the bowl, earning him a swat from Jenna.

"You didn't wash your hands!" she groaned.

"My hands are spotless," he said, making a show of licking the cookie dough off his finger.

Jenna only shook her head and went back to adding chocolate chips to the bowl. Tyler sauntered over behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his head on her shoulder. When she was distracted by him, he reached forward and swiped another glob of dough onto his fingers.

"Tyler!" she giggled. "Stop that!"

You couldn't help but smile when Tyler pressed a kiss to her cheek. Over a year of marriage and they were still acting like the same lovesick children they were when they met. It gave you hope that one day, that might be you too.

Now that Jenna and Tyler were distracted by one another, Josh came wandering over and leaned against the counter next to you. He crossed his arms in front of him, making them even harder to ignore than usual.

"It seems like decorating the tree went well," you smiled, meeting his eyes to avoid your own from wandering somewhere else.

"I would say so, aside from when Tyler nearly fell straight on top of me."

"Hey, at least nothing ended up broken."

"Yet."

Josh laughed and shook his head. You stared for a moment, letting yourself take in the crinkles around his eyes and the few strands of pink hair that were framing his face. He noticed you staring and raised his eyebrows, making you turn away.

"Want to try some cookie dough?" you mumbled, already reaching for two spoons that were sitting out on the corner.

You scooped up two sizable globs of cookie dough with the spoons, handing one to Josh.

"Cheers?" he asked.

"Cheers."

You clinked your spoons together and took a bite of cookie dough. It was easily the best recipe you had ever tried, thanks to Jenna. She wasn't kidding when she said baking was one of her talents.

"This is amazing," Josh nodded. "Great job, Y/N."

"Yeah, I really helped," you snorted.

Josh laughed and bumped you with his elbow. You simply ducked out of his way, stumbling a little in the process.

You giggled, "Guess I've had a little too much eggnog."

"Ok! Ok. Boys out of the kitchen," Jenna said. You turned to see that she had broken out of Tyler's grasp and was now standing in front of the oven, waving her arms at all of you. "You interrupted our moment earlier."

"Your moment?" Tyler asked.

"Yes. Our moment. Now get out of here so we can continue it."

Tyler made a show of leaving the kitchen, making sure to drag his feet and sigh dramatically now and again. Josh followed behind him and gave him reassuring pats on the back, still holding his cookie dough in his free hand.

Leaning against the counter, you watched the boys leave - your sole focus being on Josh. Shaking your head to rattle yourself out of a small daydream you were having, you suddenly came to the realization that eyes were burning into you. Your head slowly turned to the side to face Jenna, who was staring in your direction with a giant smirk.

"Girl, you have it bad." She wiggled her eyebrows, causing you to laugh.

"Jenna, stop!" you responded with a light push to her arm.

The both of you turned back to your previous task of now placing the cookie dough onto the tinfoil covered trays and putting them inside the oven once it was preheated. Now that the both of you had a little time to spare, you would be able to get in that famous girl talk that the both of you were known for. Josh and Tyler knew full well that if they ever interrupted your girl talk time, there would be hell to pay... mostly from Jenna. She was sweet as pie, but she had her moments where she invoked wrath.

"So, are you going to tell me your true feelings now about the Little Drummer Boy in there?" That sentence alone made you roll your eyes harder than you ever had before, as the reference was ridiculous, but you couldn't help but smirk.

"I honestly wish I knew what they were. I mean... I know that I like him. A lot. But, there's just so much going on with Beau and he won't take a hint that I want to break up with him. I really want Josh to be happy and he deserves it, but am I really making him happy here? Stringing him along while I'm dating someone?" you spoke softly, so that the boys wouldn't be able to eavesdrop. Jenna just sighed and took your hands in her own.

"Y/N... what you have right now? It's not a relationship. You both are just existing in the same space. There's no love there. You have a guy in the next room over that would give you the world. He's waited this long for you. He's not going to leave now," Jenna spoke in a similar soft tone.

Tears started to sting at your eyes as they brimmed up, threatening to spill over and down your cheeks. Sniffling slightly, you squeezed her hands and nodded slowly to her, knowing full well that she had never been more right. You pulled one another in for a huge hug and stayed there for a few moments before pulling away as she checked your makeup for smears. Once you were both good, you giggled a bit together and linked arms, heading back into the living room to see the tree all finished. Josh was just putting the finishing touch on the tree: the star. You and Jenna sat on the couch to watch in awe, her sitting beside Tyler and leaving an open space beside you. The four of you gasped as the light of the star turned on after Josh had plugged it in and you all clapped happily at the sight. Josh came out from behind the tree with a goofy grin and bowed before he made his way over and sat beside you on the couch... a little closer than you thought he would.

Swallowing hard, you could tell that something was different about his demeanor. Something was off. Was he nervous? Tyler and Jenna hadn't seemed to notice as they chatted with one another while looking on his cellphone at something funny. Josh's leg bounced in its spot and his hand tapped on his upper thigh as if beating an imaginary drum, causing you to quirk an eyebrow in his direction.

"You okay there, Dun?" you asked softly, seemingly concerned for him.

"Y-Yeah... I, um, was hoping that we could talk, maybe?" He wouldn't look at you.

"Of course."

With that, Josh quickly got up and motioned for you to follow him, and you did so, heading around to the back part of the house in the hallway. He obviously wanted to get out of earshot of the grinning couple that had remained on the couch behind you. Now standing awkwardly with him, you could tell that he was having a hard time with whatever he was about to say and it made your heart start pounding in your chest.

"So..." he started and you let out a breath of air to silently thank him for breaking the tension. "...Tyler and I have the Grammys coming up and we've been nominated for an award. I was wondering if maybe you'd want to come with me - us. Come with us." He stumbled through his words and it caused a big smile to play on your lips.

"I would love to, Josh." Finally, he looked up to you with a smile that matched the size of your own, suddenly seeming much more confident.

"Great! We'll talk more about it later and I'll give you the details," he said happily and you nodded to him, starting to walk with him back into the living room.

The both of you stopped dead in your tracks when you saw Jenna and Tyler standing there with smug looks on their faces. Josh seemed just as confused as you did. Before you were about to say something to question it, Tyler just pointed up above you to show a newly placed mistletoe decoration. You and Josh stared at it for a few moments, before both of your faces flushed bright red.

"You have to do it. It's tradition," Tyler grinned and nudged Jenna, who was giggling a bit.

Josh looked over to you with a look of fear, not sure what he should actually do in this situation. You decided to take the initiative with what little courage you had and leaned forward, placing a soft kiss on his cheek, before hurrying to your spot on the couch. Josh stood there for a few moments, dazed, and had a very brief look of love that crossed his face. He tried to hide it, but the grin that was permanently on his lips betrayed him.

You were too nervous to meet his eyes when he took a seat next to you on the couch once again, instead opting to rope Jenna into a conversation so you had an excuse to keep your attention elsewhere. Even as the two of you sat discussing the latest episode of your favorite TV show, your mind wouldn't stop its endless loop of the kiss you had just given Josh. It had been brief, but the feeling of his cheek against your lips was enough to have your hands shaking. Thankfully, your oversized sweater - and Jenna eventually dragging you back to the kitchen - proved to be enough to hide it.

You just hoped that Josh was willing to wait a little longer.