Not Expecting to Collide (COMPLETE) - ABP Fanfiction

Chapter 3 - Wild is the Wind

Late in the afternoon Bam had been left to his own devices while the rest of his family was still needed for production.  He stopped by his shack to grab his camera and set off towards the beach to look for something interesting to photograph. He spotted October as soon as he emerged from the shelter of the trees. She was standing at the edge of the water with her camera pointed out towards the Integrity. He hollered a greeting to her but it went unanswered.

As he travelled towards her, he began to hear her singing.  She had a clear and pretty voice and although she wasn't headed for Nashville, she could certainly carry a tune. The familiar melody beckoned him further down the beach until he was able to make out the lyrics. He smiled as he watched her, oblivious to her surroundings while she concentrated only on that which she could see through her camera lens. He stopped walking when he became close enough to reach out and touch her, which he did before thinking about it.

October screamed and jumped in surprise, losing her balance and knocking her tripod in the process. Reacting quickly, Bam wrapped his arm around October's waist while his other hand reached out to catch the tripod. He was only successful in keeping one of the three upright.

He landed on the ground with a thud and then a grunt as October's body collided with his. October kept her eyes closed for a dazed moment. Bam's arms tightened around her as he lowered his face towards hers. When she finally did open her eyes, they grew wide at realizing her precarious situation. She rolled off of his chest, sat back on her knees and removed the earbuds from her ears. 

"Are you okay?" She asked softly, her eyes still wide. Bam sat upright, nodded and straightened his glasses. October punched him square on the shoulder.

"Ouch!" He yelped. "What was that for?"

"For scaring the life out of me! I nearly had a heart attack!"

Bam rubbed his shoulder unconsciously.  "You know it's rather dangerous to listen to head phones out here. I could have been a bear." October blanched a little at that realization.

"Well, thanks for saving my camera and thank you for not being a bear." She said matter-of-factly.

Bam was trying to ignore the fact that October's hand was resting on his thigh. He could feel the warmth from her body seeping through his blue-jeans. When he realized the effect she was having on him was about to become obvious he stood up quickly and reached his hand out for her to take. He pulled her up to her feet and reluctantly let her go.

"Of course, if the bear is a Bon Jovi fan you might be safe."  October laughed and Bam had never wanted to kiss someone more than he did at that moment.

"I'm sorry you had to be subjected to my caterwauling.  If I had known you were there I wouldn't have been singing so loud."

Bam shrugged. "It wasn't terrible. Besides, New Jersey is a classic album. You can't help but sing to it." October nodded in agreement. 

They stared at each other for one awkward minute when October tilted her head and smiled at him. "Did you just come out here to listen to my terrible singing?"

Bam reached inside his jacket and produced his camera. "It's not as big as yours." He gestured to her gear still standing behind her.

She grinned and raised an eyebrow. "Feeling a little inadequate in the size department?"

Bam threw his head back and laughed loudly.  "No, no." He replied. "I'm confident in my abilities with my own..." he paused and winked, "...equipment." His genuine amusement made his eyes twinkle. October had never wanted to kiss someone more than she did at that moment.

"What are you shooting today?" Bam asked, steering the conversation back into less salacious territory.

October nodded her head in the direction of the Integrity. "Trying to get some nice shots of your boat there. The water is so calm today. It's beautiful." She said wistfully.

"Will you show me what you've got so far?"  He asked, hoping she would allow him to stay in her presence longer.

"Sure, on the condition that you show me some of your photos someday."  She turned before he could answer and removed her camera from the tripod. She knelt at her back pack, removed the large zoom lens and attached the lid to the body. Bam's heartbeat jumped as she reached up and tugged on his hand so he would kneel beside her. "Here's what I got this afternoon." 

She tilted the camera and scrolled through the photos on the LED screen at the back while discussing the various filters and different techniques she used to achieve each different effect.  Bam looked down at the top of her head and breathed in the scent of her so close he could feel her body heat.

"I'd like to get on it sometime this week and take some photos close up and inside the wheelhouse." She murmured, still focused on the camera in her hands.

"I could take you out there now." Bam offered, inhaling her heady perfume. The peppermint tea and vanilla lip balm scent from that morning had been replaced with fresh air and sunshine.

She checked her watch and shook her head. "Not enough time. Tomorrow?" She turned her face up towards his and found herself staring into his piercing blue eyes. She caught her breath, about to lean in when she heard another voice down the beach.

The disappointment and annoyance was evident on Bam's face as he tore his gaze away from her to answer Gabe's shouts. "Be right there!"  He yelled and got to his feet. He turned back to her with a brisk nod. "Tomorrow then." He said softly and left in the direction of his younger brother.