Not Expecting to Collide (COMPLETE) - ABP Fanfiction

Chapter 6 - Alone

Bam watched for October to emerge from her hotel room the next morning. The family business had taken him away from her last night but he was determined to find some time to spend with her today. Even if it was just to share the short ride to Browntown. He waited until the last van was about to leave the yard before he gave up. He took a seat in the van and tried not to be disappointed. Snowbird leaned over and whispered. "October left before dawn this morning. Myra said she was hoping to catch sunrise with her camera."

Just as the van was backing out of its parking spot, the owner of the hotel ran out from the office and waved it down. Ami, who was sitting in the front passenger side, rolled down her window. "I have an urgent message for October Hunt."  He waved a small piece of folded paper out in front of him.

"She's not in here but I'll make sure she gets it." Ami took the paper as he thanked her and waved. Ami turned around and handed the piece of paper to Bam without a word. Snowbird gave a short laugh. "Even when she's not meddling, she's meddling." She whispered. Bam smiled. He didn't need an excuse to seek October out but now he had one anyway.

She was his first thought as soon as he stepped out of the van. He found her near the trapper shack chatting with Myra about the day's schedule.

Myra gave her a wave and left them to begin her work.

She flashed him a dazzling smile as soon as she noticed his presence. "Hey." She greeted him with a hand pressed warm around his forearm. More evidence that the invitation she flashed him across the table the night before had not been imagined. "You building on the cabin this morning?" She asked. He returned her smile and nodded. "Apparently that's the plan."

"Good, I'm supposed to be taking photos of you and your brothers hard at work. Hope you brought your muscles." She winked. "Those legions of fans wanna see the gun show." She moved her hand up his arm to squeeze his bicep. He leaned into her. He smelled like wool and soap and she wanted more. The sound of footsteps coming closer made her step back.

Bear ran through the yard site with Mr. Cupcake on his heels. "You're going to be late, Bam!" He shouted as he sped past them.

Bam learned something new about her in that split second that she backed away from him; She was a very private person. She wanted to kiss him but she wouldn't until they were completely alone.

That realization brought on a whole new set of challenges. This is reality TV, as she so aptly reminded him the previous morning - There's always someone watching.

That and he had a huge family that's always around. Oh and he was leaving the next day on a job and would be gone two days. He realized he was running out of time.

Bam pulled the crumpled note out of his his pocket and handed it to her. "Message for you from the hotel." She bit her lip and raised her eyes to his with a slight shrug. He pressed it into her palm. "I'd better go." He said and pointed his thumb over his shoulder.

"Yes, me as well." She unfolded the piece of paper and looked at it. "I have to set up my -." She stopped mid-sentence and looked closer at the note. A gasp slipped past her lips before she covered them with her hand. Her eyes widened in alarm and her pupils dilated in shock. He watched as she scanned the page over two and then three times.

"Are you ok?" Bam questioned, worried by her sudden change.

She nodded. "Yes, you go ahead." She said slowly, her voice thick with emotion. "I'll catch up in a bit." She gave him a shaky smile when he hesitated.  It was obvious something very upsetting was in that note and he wanted to be the one to comfort her.

"Please Bam." She begged him with tears in her eyes. "I just need to be alone for a minute."

Reluctantly, he turned and left her standing in the clearing. As he walked away from her, his heart wrenched as he heard her begin to sob.