The Heart of Cars

Chapter 21

I move towards Colton and call out his name once I see him after finding my dad. He looks at me and waves. "Hey." He says once I get to him, still within the sight line of my dad and the group. "Umm hi. So I have an odd question."
"Okay? What is it?"
"Have you seen anyone acting strange? Or like looking for you?" He gives me an odd look and laughs a little. "Other than you, no."
"Oh, okay. That's good." I nod to myself and itch the skin right below my elbow, like I do when I get nervous. "Why? Is something wrong?" I shake my head instead of answering no since he can't hear the lie in my voice that way. "Liar."
"What? How can you tell?" He laughs and looks at my arm where my had it still itching. "Oh right. Sorry." I stop and put my hands behind me. "So?"
"Okay, well, I got these messages and the messenger was looking for you and said they found you and so I was wondering if you seen anyone." He looks disturbed by the news and puts his hand on my back and gently but firmly leads me to my dad. "I haven't seen anything." He says once we get in earshot and my dad purses his lips in thought. I go and stand by Ashley and Brittany. I watch as Brett, Dad, Colton, Sam, and Tyler try to figure this out. "Okay, that's enough!" Ashley says stepping closer to the guys. "What do you mean, Dear?"
"What I mean, Brett, is that this is suppose to be a fun night before tomorrow. We can deal with this later. Everybody be on alert but don't ruin it for Colton, Sam, and Jo." My phone beeps and I mutter that it was too late for that. I look at my phone and clench my jaw at the text. I'm so happy you guys are finally noticing me after a few days. The commander should really be better at this.
Me: why? Because he has more experience then you? Or because he is older?
Them: yes.
Me: what do you think you want?
Them: what makes you think I want anything from you?
Me: if you didn't then why message me?
Them: because by texting you, it shakes everyone up and not just my target. My fists clench and unclench after I put my phone away. I take a deep breath and walk away, grabbing Sam and Colton on my way. Beep. Beep. I groan and look at the text. You're also adorable when you get frustrated or mad. I stop in my tracks and chuck my phone at the hard ground right at my feet. I see it break and keep walking calmly with the boys keep pace with me. Sam glares at me and Colton chuckles lightly at my temper tantrum. "It's not funny." Sam snaps and I walk to a secluded part where nobody will hear his outburst. "None of this is funny. She has been reckless since we got into town and since she met you."
"Woah, Sam. I've been more reckless since I've had the thought of having a baby or be in the military over my head and that blames is also on you. Don't point fingers if you don't have one directed at yourself."
"Oh so now you're standing up for a strangers?"
"I know him better then I knew you when I stood up for you in River Run. Or did you forget?"
"No. I also didn't forget what got you put in there in the first place. It wasn't just because of that one incident."
"And I didn't forget what landed you in there." I say a quiet but very pissed tone. I take a step forward and notice Colton is bouncing a little on the balls of his feet, like he does when he gets anxious or feels awkward. "Not tonight Sam. The queen was right, it's a night of fun." I turn and walk to the free rides, where I see Tyler. "Scrambler?" He asks without glancing at me. "Yeah. You're on the outside."
"Always am." He mutters and we get in line. Brian, one of the soldiers who found his other half, is standing in front of us and we talk until it is our turns to get on. We get on and I get irritated that I'm wearing a dress. "Why is this the dress code?" I laugh and lean on Ty as the ride starts. "Because the elders who made it wanted to piss you off, specifically." He holds a straight face until I start laughing. Tyler is always the best at making people laugh when they don't want to. We get off and laugh like we had done most of the ride. Tyler's arm is around my waist from helping me off the ride. "Aww, you two will be the cutest couple tomorrow at the festival." I turn to see an older woman their with her granddaughter,I'm guessing. "Oh we are-"
"Thank you ma'am." Tyler interrupts me smoothly and guides me away from them. "I'm too tired to have it explained to people."
"Oh, that makes sense. Wonder how shocked she will be to see me there with Sam and Colton and not you."
"Well, you could always choose me." He laughs and wiggles his eyebrows once I look at him. I laugh and put my arm around his waist like his is with me. "Yeah and make your mother right? No thanks."
"My mom told you to choose me?" I nod and we both burst out laughing. We go on a few more rides and decide to go and find my dad so I can go back and to bed. We come across an area where music is playing and people are dancing. I laugh as I hear maps by Maroon 5 and see Ty look at me, pleading. I sigh dramatically and nod. He smiles his most contagious smile and pulls me unto the dance floor. We dance for the remainder of the song and wait to see what the next song was. I smile at Tyler when we hear moves like jagger comes on. "They really like Maroon 5 huh?" He nods and holds out his hand to me. We have been dancing to this song together since we met. This is how I first met the Prince. We smile as he spins me around and we dance as partners to this song like the very first time. We leave after that song and joke around as we make our way towards where we think my dad is. I smile as I see someone hanging out by the security building. I go and jump on his back and hug him, being careful so nobody sees my butt from my dress going up. He laughs as do the soldiers who seen. I get down and say hi to everyone. "It's been awhile Jolene. Staying out of trouble?"
"Yes Christopher, it has been awhile. And staying out of trouble is way too boring." He frowns at his full name and nods. "Dad? Can I head back to the hotel?"
"Not by yourself." I pout and he looks away from me so he doesn't cave. "I'll go with her." I hear Tyler say from behind me. "No. Sorry Ty but not tonight."
"Come on dad. You said not by myself, if he goes we meet the requirements."
"Not Tyler." He looks at me and I pout. "But dad, I'm tired. I just wanna go to sleep. It's been a long and stressful night."
"Exactly and how Tyler unwinds is why I'm saying no. No offense Ty." I groan and lean on the poor guy. Tyler puts an arm around my shoulders when I lean on him. "Yeah but really, Dustin? When have I ever done that with Jo? Never. Plus, I doubt we want to change that the night before she chooses." I sit on the counter behind Tyler and lean my head against his back knowing this will be a long argument. I pull on the back of his shirt a little so I'm not falling off to lean on him and he looks back at me before taking a few steps backs to lean on the counter in between my knees, which is okay since his body is covering anything that would have shown, like my red spandex shorts. I lay my head on his back again with my arms hugging him from behind. I don't hear what is being said, I just focus on the warmth from Tyler and soon I'm sleeping heavily.

*edited*