Hide And Seek ~ Josh Dun

Chapter 84

Authors note~
I love you all. xoxo ~

"And then Tyler poured water on Brad to wake him up, and I've never been more scared for Tyler in my life!" Josh explains, and I burst out laughing. I miss being on tour with the boys more than anything. All of their crazy antics, the stupid pranks they pull on one another.

"What did Brad do?!" When I mention it, it makes Josh laugh even louder. It's been a while since I've seen him this happy, so it's nice to see that he can still be his old self.

"He got back is what he did, but he got me involved! He somehow got me to agree to replace his toothpaste with a tube of mayonnaise." We both die from laughing again, getting disapproving glares from the couples surrounding us. Once we calm down, Josh takes my hand in his and places it against his cheek.

"I wish you could be on tour with us, it just doesn't feel the same without you. All of the fans miss you too." His eyes scan over my face, as if trying to memorize it again, trying to see if anything has changed within the weeks we have been apart.

The fans do miss me, everyday they let me know. So many of them draw me beautiful pictures, pictures of Josh and I, pictures of Lil Dun and I. Last week someone painted an elegant water color photo of Tyler, Jenna, Josh and I. I've said it a million times, and I'll always say it: the clique is talented.

But they are also stubborn, constantly asking me why I'm not on tour, pestering Josh and Tyler about it at meet and greets. We all decided it would be better to keep my situation a secret from the fans. Soon this whole problem will be over, so it's no use to concern anyone else with it.

"I'll be on the tour again soon, Jish. Soon enough you'll be wishing I was away again." Josh shoots me a glare, and I smile at him, winking. God, I've missed just doing the simple things with him, being able to hold him, to talk to him face to face. It's the little things we take for granted.

"Impossible. Having you travel the world with me is a blessing I never want to have to do without again. It just isn't the same." Josh looks into my eyes, and I can see he means everything he is saying. Smiling, I lean in to kiss him. The feeling of his lips on mine is something I never want give up.

The couple at the table beside us scoffs at the display of affection, and Josh wraps his hand behind my neck, deepening the kiss.

~~~~

"Lil Dun!" Josh screams with joy, running over to the dog who is wiggling against the carpet. When Josh flops onto the floor next to him, Lil Dun jumps onto his chest, attacking him with kisses. I smile over at my two boys, and walk into the kitchen to put away the leftovers from lunch.

On the counter, I see a note from my mother, who has been staying with me since Josh left for tour. When I was younger, every morning before a big test or something important at school, my mom would leave a note in the kitchen. It would always be a positive note, something that would make me smile all day.

Reading over the note, I put it into my back pocket, reminding myself to put it into the bin with all of the others later. As I'm putting the food in the fridge, I hear the continuous laugh of Josh as Lil Dun continues to attack him with love.

"There, now you look like me." Josh says as he pushes around the fur on top of Lil Duns head.
~~

"Abby-Lynn?" Josh is standing outside the door, and has been for a little while. I just can't respond as it feels like a stack of bricks are piled on my chest. I'm sitting against the door frame, not wanting to let Josh see me like this again. "Abby-Lynn get out of the way of the door."

He continues to try to push lightly on it, but I don't move because I can't, all I can focus on it trying to breathe. It goes silent on the other side of the door, and my eyes close as I realize he has given up. My body is on fire, my lungs feel like someone is crushing them in their hand.

All of a sudden a fist covered in cloth smashes through the window on the far end of the bathroom. A muffled scream comes out of my throat, making me feel even more lightheaded than before. I watch as Josh climbs through the window, his face not even reacting as he gets several small cuts along his arms and legs.

Within seconds he is beside me, lifting me up and placing me onto the sink. I lean my head against the glass, enjoying the nice chill it has. He goes over to the shower and turns on the hot water, and shortly afterwards steam starts filling up the bathroom. He comes back over to me and rubs my back in small circular patterns, ways the doctor told him to try to help my lungs open up.

"In and out. Together. Watch me through the mirror, it's going to be ok." My eyes lock with his in the mirror and all I can see is the worry in them before the steam covers up the mirror completely. A sob shakes through my body, followed by a long gasp of air as my lungs feel free again.

Josh continues to rub my back, but now also leaves a trail of kisses up and down my shoulder while he whispers how sorry he is. Once my brain is clear, Josh turns off the water. He goes to leave the bathroom, but I stop him and force him to sit on the edge of the tub. He looks confused until I grab the first aid kit from the cabinet and start cleaning his cuts.

"Oh." Is all he says as he sees how many scratches he has. Several of them need to have glass pulled out of them. The whole time I'm doing it I can't help but blame myself. I just got so used to leaning against the door to keep Momma Dun and mom out so they wouldn't have to see me like that. I had forgotten how persistent Josh was.

After I am finished wrapping Josh up, he smiles and takes my hand, running his lips over my knuckles. I watch as his eyes sparkle as they travel all over my face. "I'm glad we can help each other."