Bandmate ||Ricky Garcia||

《n i n e t y - t w o》

Audrey's POV

The warm sweaty feeling started to spread like a virus across my body the moment his eyes laid on me. I could feel Jocelyn's grip on my arm tugging forward, but my legs dragged on the floor. They felt like heavyweights pushing me down the closer we got. He lifted his arm waving us over. Decorating his face was a side smile causing his little dimple to become more visible. 

There is the occasional fourth of July decorations to remind everyone why we even gathered here. An American flag was spread throughout the patio table as if they got too lazy to hang it up.

''Do I look good?'' Jos's breath hit my ear and I nodded without hesitation. Emery comes into view running in our direction. Jocelyn lets go of my hand and toss herself at him. She nuzzled her head into his neck for what felt like forever before he greeted me. 

''Chips!'' someone screams, and before I know it, the bags in my hands are yacked away. Catching a glimpse I see Liam running with them, trying to open the bags. 

''I thought there'd be more people?'' I ask looking around the house probably counting up to 18 in my head. 

''It's mostly friends and people from work that invited themselves when they heard us talking.'' As Emery is talking I spot Shawn and Jace with their shirts off having fun by the pool. Well, at least I know some people. 

Ricky starts to walk to us and we meet halfway. He is carrying a plastic cup and I prepare to smell the alcohol radiate from him. I'm pleasantly surprised that it is not the case.  

''Happy you could make it. You look great.'' He smiles down at me causing my palms to get hot.

''It is nice to see you again,'' I answer back. There's a long silence after that. Emery takes in a deep breath points at the kitchen.

''So there's some food, please help yourself,'' he guided us through his house and we leave Ricky behind. Emery turns to look at me and adds, "Before you ask Liam didn't cook anything.'' 

"I don't see anything burnt so I believe you.'' I smile taking the paper plate he was offering me. I take a quick glance behind me to see if Ricky is still standing there, but he's gone. I start to tap my finger on the countertop.

''No need to be impatient there are chicken wings for everyone, here.'' Emery drops a wing on my plate and I turn back at the food. 

''Ah, you got my favorite flavor!'' Jos cheers extending her plate so Emery can drop her some wings. After filling our plate with the food we follow Emery to the patio. I notice Ricky talking to Jace on the other side of the pool. His body sways back and forth, shifting his body weight from one leg to the other. 

I tried to keep my attention on Emery's stories but I couldn't help but eyeball him. Wondering if he was trying to look out for me, just like I am for him. Emery volunteers to pick our trash and throw it away and I use that opportunity to talk to Jocelyn.

''How did you see Ricky when we first came in?'' I bring her closer to me.

''I saw him with my eyes?'' She joked and I raise an eyebrow at her. "Okay well, he looked not angry or upset.''

''He keeps clenching his hands and shifting his weight. Did you notice?'' I lean in closer to her getting a stronger vanilla scent from her.

She turns her head to the side and stares at him. He catches her looking at him. They just stood there with their eyes wide open. Jos waved at him and he waved back. 

''He looks fine to me.'' She turns back to me with a shrug. After some minutes I feel a cold finger tap my bare shoulder. Jos and I both turn to look at each other then slowly look behind us. The sun causes his eyes to squint and his hair to glow gold.