How it Happened is Irrelevant (Mabbell)

22

Craig's POV:

I think tonight's crowds were the loudest we've had yet. Whenever they're really excited, I feel really excited too. It makes the show that much more enjoyable for both parties. Then again, we'd already given them an encore and were done for the night. I was walking back to the bus when I felt two arms loop around my torso. At first I thought that it was some random chick wanting attention, but when I looked down I recognized the tattoos. TJ moved the hair that was plastered to my neck aside with his nose and kissed the back of my neck. 

"What're you doing?" I whispered. Sure, we're both adults and therefore this is fine. But it's a little bit too much public display of affection in front of the guys, and possibly any passing fans, for me. 

"I've barely been able to be alone with you all day," He drew out the last two words as his breath hit the back of my neck. It sent chills down my spine. He returned to kissing the back of my neck, pressing his tongue to my skin. I'll admit it, it felt pretty nice. But I can't do this here, or now.

"You're a real gorgeous nightmare, you know that?" I told him. Even though I knew that would only encourage him, I said it anyways. He ran one of his hands up my shirt. It was doing things to my head. "S-s-stop."

He let me go. "Why do you want to keep us a secret?" The frustration in his tone made me feel guilty. 

"Us? There is no us, TJ." If he's jumping to conclusions, then I at least get this liberty. 

"I know that. But we can at least tell the guys that we're going out."

"I don't want to."

"Why not? You made me come out, and now I can't even openly have a gay relationship because you're too embarrassed?" 

"That's not it!" I insisted. 

"Then what is it?" He crossed his arms and raised an accusing eyebrow. "Uh-huh, that's what I thought." He rolled his eyes.

"You don't know what this is like! You don't feel like you're gonna pass out every time you look at me!"

"If you didn't want for any of this to happen, then why did you start it? Why did you kiss me? Why did you take me out? Why did you do all of that if you didn't want-"

"Because I do want it! I just don't want people to know about it until I can keep myself steady. I mean, look at me!"

He wrinkled his nose and uncrossed his arms, taking one of my hands into his. "Stability is overrated."

I turned our hands to lace our fingers. "Fine, but take it easy with the kisses."

"Only behind closed doors." He made an 'x' over his heart. "Cross my heart and hope to die."

"Do you know the full poem for that?" I asked. 

"Do you?"

"As a matter of fact," I grinned, "I do. Cross my heart and hope to die; stick a needle in my eye. Wait a moment, I spoke a lie. I never really wanted to die. But if I may, and if I might, my heart is open for tonight, though my lips are sealed, and a promise is true. I won't break my word, my word to you."

"I always thought that there was more."

"Maybe. I've never heard anything after that," I shrugged as we began to walk again. 

"Did you ever listen to Falling in Reverse's new demo?"

I'd forgotten about the flash drive that TJ had given me a while ago. Honestly, I might have lost it somewhere. "No. I don't remember where I put the drive."

He stopped. "What do you mean you don't remember where you put the drive?"

"That wasn't a copy, was it?" God, I lost their only file.

"It was a copy, the ONLY copy. Dammit, Craig! I trusted you with that!"

"Don't worry! We'll find it!"

"Hey guys, do you know who's drive this is?" Robert asked, coming back over to us. He held up the white flash drive that held the demo. How convenient that timing is. I was about to reach for it, but TJ snatched it first. 

"We were just about to look for this," He explained. I'd long since let go of his hand, so he ran off to give it back to it's rightful owner. 

"Not that it's any of my business, but what are you two straying away out here for?" His words were a wild curve ball. Since when is he interested in anything that any of us are doing? 

"Just talking," I sighed, rubbing my arm. 

"Talking rather loudly."

"You heard?" I nearly choked on the words. 

"I heard you yelling about a flash drive," He chuckled. 

"Oh," I released the breath I'd been holding. "Yeah, he gave that to me. I thought I'd lost it, but I was wrong."

"What's on it?"

"The only copy of Falling in Reverse's new demo."

"That could have been a disaster."  

Oh, you have no idea. "But it wasn't, so everything's great now."

He looked me over rather carefully. "Did you not sleep well?"

I rubbed my eyes despite knowing that that wouldn't get rid of the dark circles. "No. I guess I just wasn't used to to hotel's sheets," I lied. "I'll probably sleep better tonight."

He nodded, but I could've sworn that I heard him whisper under his breath, "If you ever even sleep at all."