Baby Steps

33.

B A B Y S T E P S

[CHAPTER THIRTY THREE]

♡

The boys performance was insane, although I left slightly early to grab a drink and texted Brad to meet me by the tent.

I stood again as the wind brushed past me whilst the stars appeared in the sky. Suddenly, two hands grabbed at my waist, which made me jump as a scent of familiar aftershave invaded my senses. It was Brad.

"Did you enjoy the performance?" He asked curiously as his arms snaked around my waist and pulled my body against his.

"Outstanding!" I span around in his arms and leaned up to press my lips against his.

"And you aren't angry about what I said to the security guard about us?" He wondered as his eyes glistened with concern. I didnt reply but instead placed my lips a giant his again. His fingers weaved through my hair while the other hand grabbed at my tender skin on my waist. I wrapped my around his neck, parting out lips away. "I'll take that as no."

"It wasn't the way I exactly had in mind to tell the boys but-" I shrugged as I twisted his curls around my fingers. It felt so good to be so close and feel the passion running between us.

"Nor the way I visioned to be asked."

"I didn't want you to back down again." He winked as his lips tugged up into a smirk. "You have to admit, it will make a brilliant story to tell Arabella when she's slightly older."

"She'll be amazed how unromantic you are despite being labelled the cute one." I let out a giggle as excitement filled up in my stomach and I'm not the only one with those feeling as Brad, once again, pecked his lips on mine. "What was that for?"

"I just felt like kissing you, girlfriend." He whispered, emphasising the word 'girlfriend'.

"So what should we do now, boyfriend?" I questioned.

"Maybe this-" Brad then started kissing down the side of my neck, nipping and sucking at my skin.

"Oh, okay-" I responded as he kissed my lips. "Aren't the boys expecting us to rejoin them?"

"Hmm." He grumbled under his breath. "They went to a restaurant go get something to eat and drink then they planned to come back here to embarrass themselves by dancing exotically to the music that played through the night."

"In sure they'll be wondering where we are." I pointed out wisely.

"They know I've come looking for you." He shrugged, taking a step backwards and readjusting his clothes.

"You have been a while." I stated obviously.

"I love it when it's just us two without interruptions." He said passionately. "We could cuddle in the tent and call it a night, I can easily text one of the boys and make some pathetic excuse." The corner of his lips rugged up to form a small as he his hand reached out to squeeze my thigh gently.

"Actually, I'm absolutely starving and I was looking forward to dancing until morning with my four best friends." I admitted truthfully as we both stared at each other for a long time.

"I can't compete with that, it sounds like a perfect plan to me." He scooted forwards and placed a soft kiss in my nose. I smiled and returned the favour, as I pulled away our eyes locked again making me want to kiss him. He took my hand and guided me to the restaurant to eat.

Soon enough, we found them all sat around a circular table ordering their dinners.

"These two need to order as well." James pointed out to the waitress who Tristan was admiring from a distance.

"What would you like to eat?" The waitress questioned as we settled down.

"That depends." Tristan said plucking his lips together. "What's the special on the menu tonight?" He smirked suggestively. We all quietly chuckled at him, patiently waiting for her response.

"Lamb steak." She replied in an unamused tone. Tristan remained silent as his eyes widened in size trying not to laugh at himself.

"I'll have a cheese burger." He muttered in annoyance, pushing the menu away from him.

"I'll have the same please." Brad confirmed before looking over at me. "How about you?"

"Can I have just a bowl of chips?" I questioned closing my menu.  She nodded taking James and Connor's orders as well before walking off.

"She seems very eager Tris!" James joked, glancing at him erupting in laughter.

"Whatever." He scoffed in embarrassment. "I wasn't interested in her anyone, only friendly flirting."

"And what about Brooke?" Connor asked the smirk dropped from Tristan's face.

"Nothing." He shrugged. "We're over-"

"But why?"

"A lot of undiscovered past history." He answered bluntly. "It's best for both of us to part."

"Are you alright?" I found myself growing concerned for the both of them.

"Recovering." He stated. "When someone has lied to you for well over ten months he can damage you but I'm well-"

"Let's toast something!" James interrupted, destroying the negative vibes that were building up. "To the future!"

"TO THE FUTURE!" we cheered and sipped our drinks before falling into superstar discussions waiting for our meal.

"How much is my food?" I asked as I started to fish my pockets for my purse.

"I've got this!" Brad told me as he flaunted a twenty pound note in Connor's face teasingly. I started to protest but I gave him a reassuring smile.

"What a perfect boyfriend." Connor teased sarcastically.

"Just because you're jealous." He poked out his tongue to Connor before smiling proudly at me. "Haven't you got any female friends for good old Con?"

"Maybe when I go go uni I could meet a future girlfriend." I suggested as his mouth dropped.

"When will that be exactly?"

"I go in two days for a taster weekends and start officially in September." I informed them all, capturing their attention with my details. "I'm not really looking forward to the trip to Wales."

"Don't other uni's do your course?" Brad questioned curiously. "What about London university? That's much closer meaning a quicker journey back and forth."

"I'm not travelling there every single day, I have my own dorm room." I said the obvious as he frowned.

"You'll hardly see us then." Tristan commented pouting his lips together. "Especially when we go on tour, it could be weeks until we next see each other-"

"Months!" Brad exaggerated throwing his hands in the air. "Better start saying our goodbyes now-"

"Goodbyes mean forever." I stated. "I prefer to say see you later, as you know you'll see the person again soon!"