Not Expecting to Collide (COMPLETE) - ABP Fanfiction

Chapter 7 - Selfish

Bam made his way to the job-site and started work with his brothers. He kept his head down and nailed the plywood sheathing to the side of the cabin, all the while knowing that October was crying alone and there was nothing he could do about it.

It was less than half an hour later when she joined them. Her scarf was pulled up, sunglasses pulled down, hiding behind her camera, she never uttered a single word.

Out of the corner of his eye he watched her lift her glasses and wipe a tear from her cheek several times over the course of the morning. He was so preoccupied with watching her and making sure nobody noticed he was watching her that he didn't even yell when Gabe's hammer dropped dangerously close to his head. He heaved a sigh of relief when Myra made the call to break for lunch.

Bam found October sitting on a fallen tree far enough away from the group that she couldn't make out their words. He came up behind her and cleared his throat to make his presence known. She turned her head over her shoulder and quickly wiped her eyes. "Hi." She offered.

"Can I join you?" He said softly.

She gestured to the log and nodded. Bam swung one leg over the tree and straddled it. He held a large cup of steaming tea in front of her. She accepted it and took a sip. "Peppermint." She have him a weak smile. "Thank you."

He watched her for a moment then spoke. "Do you want to talk about it?" She shook her head, thought it over for a minute and then sighed. "My grandmother died." 

"I'm so sorry."  He whispered.

She shrugged. "I shouldn't be crying. She was nearly ninety years old. She lived this full and vibrant and amazing life. I should be happy and thankful for all the time I did have with her and for all the things she taught me. Instead I'm sitting here feeling sorry for myself because of what was taken away from me. That's just being selfish." Her voice dropped off and she inhaled sharply, stifling a sob.

"No it's not. It's being human." He replied.

"She taught me to be bold." October lifted her head to look into the distance.

"How so?"

October actually laughed a bit, then wiped her cheek. 

"She told me that feelings were never wrong and when it comes to matters of the heart, one must be courageous and daring. Even when things don't turn out the way you hoped." 

Bam nodded. "That's good advice."

"She was an amazing lady."

Bam spoke without thinking. "So that's where you get it from." His eyes widened and he nearly clamped his hand over his own mouth. He couldn't believe he had said that.

October smiled, and this time the smile reached her eyes. "BamBam Brown, are actually flirting with me while I sit here in a puddle of tears with mascara running down my face?"

"I was being bold." He said with a wink.

October actually laughed. The mood had been lightened and they were both thankful for that. "Are you still up for taking me to the Integrity this afternoon?"

Bam had not forgotten his promise from yesterday. In fact, he had been looking forward to being alone with October since the moment he made the offer. However things had changed since yesterday and now, since they were leaving for a job the next morning, his dad and brothers would be on the boat with them getting things ready to sail the next day. Bam didn't think his luck could get any worse.

The afternoon on the Integrity had been very enjoyable for October. At first she was disappointed that she and Bam weren't going to be the only ones there but once she got to work, those thoughts fell by the wayside. She got some really great shots of each brother performing various duties on the boat and an especially nice one of Billy that she thought might make a nice gift for Ami.

It was exceptionally lovely when the sun came out from behind the clouds and warmed enough that Bam stripped out of his jacket and sweater down to just a ribbed black tank top. Perhaps she had spent too much time gazing at his well- defined muscles under his tanned skin through her lens because when she panned the camera over to Noah, he glanced from her, to Bam (who was obliviously working away) back to her with a raised eyebrow and a knowing smirk. She might have blushed just a little.

When the skiff arrived back at shore, Billy and Bam's brothers quickly gathered their things and left Bam and October alone. Well, as alone as they could be with Ami and the sisters greeting the rest of their group and the film crew just a few yards away.

Bam spoke first. "Would you like to come to dinner again tonight?"

October shook her head "I'm afraid I wouldn't be very good company tonight." She said quietly. "But thank you."

Bam smoothed his hair away from his face. "We will be leaving tomorrow morning and return late the next day. When we get back, I'd like to spend some time with you."

A pained look came over October's features. "I'd really like that, Bam, but I will probably not be here when you get back. I'm going to have to cut my assignment short to go home and help my brother with funeral arrangements." Fresh tears appeared in her hazel eyes and one spilled over onto her cheek. Bam took two steps towards October and closed the space between them. He reached up with one hand and smoothed the tear away with his thumb. October's breath caught in her throat.

"I don't want this to be the last time I see you." He said honestly as he slipped an arm around her waist.  Her gaze snapped up to lock with his cerulean eyes.

"Bam." She whispered. He moved his hand from her cheek to the back of her neck. "What are you doing?"

"Girl, I thought it was obvious." He replied. His lips curled up into the slightest smirk only a breath away from hers. He knew he was being selfish for this was not the time or place but the urgency of the situation was forcing him to be so.

"Bam, there are other people here. People watching." A tiny hint of alarm edged into her voice.

"It's reality TV.  There's always someone watching." He didn't give her time to reply before he covered her mouth with his.