Lost in the memory

Twelve

They drove over to the address that this friend sent Eddie around four pm. They were going to stay a while, then go back to the hotel to get ready to go out to the bars.

"Eddie!"

A guy in cheesy American flag print shirt and dad shorts waved them over. Eddie pulled him into a hug, while Buck awkwardly stood behind him.

"Who's this?" The guy asked

"Buck," Eddie said as Buck reached out my hand to shake his. "My boyfriend"

Buck stopped and looked into Eddie's eyes. Almost worried for him, he just came out to this guy?

"Ed's-" Buck started

"you finally came out?!" The other guy said just as taken back as Buck.

Eddie looked at his feet and shook his head. "Not exactly Thomas..."

This Thomas guy finally shook Bucks hand. They finally explained that Thomas was bisexual also. Thomas helped Eddie out with a lot of his feelings. Buck let his guard down, knowing this guy wasn't like Eddie's other asshole friends he's met.

Thomas tossed them both some beers and they walked down to the water edge of this lake. Thomas had thrown this Fourth of July party at a lake house his family owns.

"I told you he's chill" Eddie said lightly leaning against his shoulder

"I guess he gets a pass" Buck smirks into the Mikes Hard Lemonade he was sipping.

They walked around the trail behind the lake and the lake house. A peaceful little path in the woods, the beautiful flowers that were overgrown around the trees.

"Imagine living here, just us? A dog? No other care in the world." Buck mumbled out, mostly to himself.

"That would be so nice" Eddie replied continually on the path.

He stopped, watching Eddie walk ahead of him. Buck shook his head and smiled, hurrying to catch up with him. He really love him. Maybe what he said last night was true, they could live a life together.

-

By the time they entered the third bar that evening both boys were pretty tipsy, the next thing Buck knew he was out onto the dance floor with Eddie, just like that first night. The world froze around them.....

.

Earlier that night after they left the party with Eddie's old friend, they got back to the hotel. Relaxed up a bit, got changed and went out for a quick dinner. Neither wanting to drink on a empty stomach. Then they went to a small bar with cheap drinks to start off the night, talking with some tourists from Colorado. They drank with them, talking about their road trip from Denver to Florida.

.

The second stop was very much more of a club scene. High paced, dance music for sure. They had a cover fee to even get in. The two walked all around the building, getting a few mixed drinks and then enjoying the dance floor, mixing their bodies with the other sweaty people. The alcohol was definitely hitting Buck, feeling free and happy.

Then he convinced Eddie to stop at this gay bar/club. It was not as roughty as the other clubs, but definitely not a chill bar. They got in and Buck could tell that even with the alcohol, Eddie was very nervous here.

"Don't worry, everyone's very welcoming" Buck told him, placing his hand on his shoulder.

He took a deep breath in and got them another drink. The wooden walls lined with pride flags and banners. Two other guys started talking to them. They seemed close to Buck and Eddie's age, probably not using fakes, like them, though. They chatted to the boys about being from New York and even bought shots. The place blasted DJ Khaled, Flo Rida and Trey Songz. The most popular music out right now, but unless Buck is tipsy not something he's listening to. Eddie seemed to know the music decently well.

Then the dj said something about playing slower songs, a song Buck recognized anywhere started up. "Mine" by Taylor Swift.

Buck smiled and laughed. Taking Eddie's hands and pulling him out the floor,

"This is the music I'm down to dance to" he said

Buck laid his head on Eddie's chest, just listening to the song play.

"I'll never leave you alone" Buck heard Eddie sing along.

He leaned down and kissed into Bucks neck, as the song finished up, another country song started. "Need you now" by Lady A started up.

They continued dancing along with the beat of that song, he also hummed along to that song. Buck felt like he was on another plane of existence. He felt so lightheaded and in love, never wanting these moments to stop.

As the song ended and the loud, pounding club sounds came back. Buck felt way to overwhelmed and almost sick hearing the loud sounds again. He gripped to Eddie's chest.

"Can we go?" He asked

Eddie nodded, taking his hand and calling a taxi. Once outside the bar Buck pushed into a deep kiss, needing to feel him. Then soon after turning around to throw up on a bush

"Sorry" Buck cried out starting to tear up.

"Hey? You okay?" Eddie asks concerned

He sat on the steps, next to the building while they waited on the taxi. Not really sure on what to say.

"Yeah, I just... i don't know." Buck shrugged. "I'm so in love with you. It hurts"

"Oh Buck, I love you too, you've changed my life" he smiled

He ran his hands through Bucks hair, his body shivering under his touch, in the best ways.

Once back at the hotel, they cuddled up, falling asleep together. Knowing the best days were ahead, they had each other and that's all that truly matters..

-July 8th 2010-

Getting back to Galveston, it feels like it had been forever since the boys seen Cass and Amanda. They set up a double date to hang out again. Buck went to work for a few days, seeing Cass, and leaving Eddie to do stuff, desperate for something to do he drove up to Houston for a day or two, just to get his mind off of being alone all day. At this point Eddie thinks he should just get a job too.

-
They walked into the bowling alley where they were meeting the girls. Eddie was ready for a fun night with them.

Buck texted Cass to see what lane they were on while Eddie grabbed the shoes and balls. They made their way to the lane and saw them setting up the machine.

"Guys!" Cass waved "I missed you both!"

They all exchanged hugs. Amanda finished typing in all their names on the machine. She went first, throwing a perfect strike.

"Loser buys dinner" Amanda smirks as she sits back next to Cass.

Eddie shook his head at her, "I guess I'll just get my card out now"

He was terrible at bowling, the one sport in school he avoided with a ten foot pole. At least in football or baseball it was easier. He'd much rather do those.

Cass hit 8 pins on her first throw, Buck also hitting a strike.

"Show off" he muttered to Buck as they passed each other. He laughed