Three weeks had past since Jared and Jenny’s trip to New York. Once the pair made it back to Nashville Jenny mentioned to Jared that she thought about heading back to Texas to visit her parents. A part of him was anticipating her asking him to join him but the invitation was never offered. “I just need some time to think and just figure things out.” Jenny shared with him one afternoon while they were playing video games at his house. “Jen, are you okay?  Ever since we got back you have been quiet.  Unusually quiet. The doctor told who everything came back…”  ”Negative. Yes, I remember. I just feel as if I am going backwards not forward in my life. I think going back home will remind me what my purpose in life is suppose to be.” “Are we breaking up?” Jared asked. He was worried that this was where their relationship was heading. not for“What? No. I just need some time for myself. Like…I don’t know…a break.” “A break is a breakup.” “No it isn’t. At least for us. I need this Jared, please. I swear I’ll comeback.” She promised him.

“Why isn’t Jenny here?” asked Nate. The whole gang was in Indio, California for the Coachella music festival. The band was set to headline the Friday night concert. 

“She couldn’t make it. She’s still in Texas visiting her folks.” Jared informed. 

“Still. Dang. She’s been gone for how long?” 

“Only a couple of weeks. It’s no big deal. Why shouldn’t she catch up with her parents.” Jared said defensively. 

“Alright man, relax. It’s been two weeks I just thought she would be back by now.”

“Yeah, me too.” Jared replied under his breath.

He couldn’t deny being upset that Jenny wasn’t with him at this eventful time in his life. Even though the guys had played Coachella before back in 2007 this was the first time they would be headliners. Before Jared left for the music festival he called Jenny to remind her and ask if she was still coming with him. “I think it would be best if I don’t go.” Why not?” “I just kind of have other plans with some people I have reconnected from high school. It’s crazy. I mean these were the people that ignored me and now they turned out to be pretty decent human beings. It’s funny how people can change. Anyways, you’ll be fine. I’ll watch you guys over the live stream on you tube.”

“I just wish you going with us.” said Jared sighing. “When are you coming back to Nashville?” he added.

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t know when or you don’t know if you’re coming back at all?” he questioned.

Now it was Jenny’s turn to sigh. “I honestly can’t answer that right now. This has nothing to with you Jared. This is all me. Look, have fun this weekend and call me when you can. Don’t worry about me, okay.”

“How can you expect to have fun when I don’t even know when I’m going to see my girlfriend again?” Jared asked as he was starting to get frustrated with what he was hearing. He couldn’t understand why Jenny couldn’t just give him a straight answer as to when she’ll be returning to Nashville.

“Of course you’ll see me again. Why do you always turn my words around and make everything sound more dramatic then it needs to be?”

“Cause that’s what you do Jared. You blow everything out of proportion.” explained Matt when Jared retold the story about his conversation with Jenny. The two cousins were hanging out in the backyard of the rented house they were staying at in Indio, California.

“What?! I do not. I don’t understand how I’m the bad guy when I just asked her when she was coming back home to Nashville?” asked Jared.

“You’re not the bad guy. No one is saying that. Look, don’t find some dumb excuse to blow what you have with Jenny. Yes, she has her problems but don’t we all. No one is perfect. If she needs to take some time to figure things out then let her.” stated Matt.

Jared knew Matt was right but a part of him was worried that Jenny would never be able to figure out what it is that she needs. Or worse that Jenny would figure out that she didn’t want to be with him anymore. That being with him has caused her nothing but pain and humiliation. 

“Matt, I need to ask you something.”

“What?”

“Do you think Jenny and me are gonna last? Like, do you think she’ll be the one I’ll end up marrying?”

“Why are you asking me this?”

“Because you’re the only one I can talk to about this kind of shit, okay. Now tell me, do you see me and Jenny lasting? Be honest.”

Jared could tell that Matt didn’t want to answer his question. Matt scratched his chin and pinched the bridge of his nose. The actions of the older cousin was making the younger one nervous. Jared was starting to regret asking such a question.

“Don’t get mad at me but I don’t think so. Not cause I think that you two don’t love each other cause I can see that you both do.”

“But?”

“It’s just… I don’t know. I feel as if you’re putting all your chips into this relationship. I mean Jenny is your first real girlfriend since Alisa. You were the first out of all of us to have the idea to settle down with someone and now you’re the last to do it. Do you feel as if you’re left out”

Jared wanted to yell out, “No! That’s crazy!” to Matt’s theory but he couldn’t bring himself to open his mouth and defend himself. He couldn’t deny that a part of him was feeling left out and lonely since his brothers and cousin settled down with their significant others. Matt was the first to get married and would be the first to become a father since Johanna was due any day now. Then Nathan married Jessie the day after Matt and Johanna sealed the deal, and soon Caleb would tie the know with Lily this coming May. 

“Look, you were ready to get married a two years ago. There’s no crime in that. Would you have rather married Alisa to make her and your Mom happy?“ asked Matt then added, “If you had done that then I’m sure you would end up being miserable. There’s no crime in waiting. Marriage isn’t a race to get to some finish line. This shit lasts forever and it won‘t always be fun.” 

“You still didn’t really answer my question though. Why don’t you think Jenny and I will last?” Jared pressed on.

Matt sighed. “Cause you both aren’t healthy for each other. I think that in both of your minds that you feel that you can’t live up to one another’s expectations. Just look what happened to Jenny at The Grammys. Plus, we all know something happened while you two were in New York that you aren’t sharing. It must have been pretty bad.”

“It could have been bad but thankfully nothing happened.” shared Jared. 

“I just think you should get out soon before it’s too late.” stated Matt honestly. Just then his cell phone rang and he excused himself to answer it leaving Jared to alone and think of what his cousin said to him.