Before You

Chapter Four.

After I hung up the phone, I pretty much started freaking out.

Sure, it's a performer who I've been wanting to see live for years, and I'm already dressed and ready to go, but now that'd I'd agreed to go, I didn't know if it was the right decision or not. I'm fairly certain that Jessica would be pissed as hell if she knew I was even debating going to a concert with the guy she's trying to get with.

On the other hand though, he had specifically said that he wasn't trying to take me out. Also, if I continue to make it weird, then he's going to think that I think he's trying to hit on me, which he obviously isn't. He can't even remember my name. He probably really is just one of those super sweet guys that is fun to hang out with and that makes everyone feel special when they're around him.

That thought sent me right back into thinking this was the wrong thing to do.

Does Hunter make me feel special?

He certainly makes me feel something, which is clear in the fact that I'm even still standing here trying to figure out the right answer. Jessica would be crushed, and she'd probably never trust me again.

My phone buzzed and I checked the incoming message.

No bailing.

I exited back out and shook my head. Am I that obvious that I have no clue what I'm ever doing? I straightened my back, looking directly into my reflection. "You can do this." I told myself. "It's just a concert."

I turned out the light, grabbed my bag and my keys and got out of my apartment before Macy could arrive home and start grilling me on where I was going. Traffic was heavy on the way downtown. I eased in and out of lanes slowly and carefully, hoping God wasn't going to strike me down for going behind my friend's back like this.

It took forever to find a good parking spot, but finally someone pulled out from a curb spot that wasn't even a block away from the venue and I swooped in to nab it before the group of teenagers in the black Mercedes could get to it.

I walked triumphantly to the ticket gate, losing some of that confidence again as I got closer and saw all of the people. Crowds have always made me a little nervous, especially if I'm alone. I bobbed and weaved through the throngs of people, wishing I could catch some of their excitement, but the thought of seeing Hunter in a minute and being here without any of my friends made it hard to do that.

After securing my ticket I made my way into the building, getting knocked and elbowed left to right. It wasn't a super big place, The Showroom Theater was mostly used for small concerts or ballets, but the place had the right vibe for Ed Sheeran. The walls inside were all draped in a red velvet fabric and there were sculptures and murals all throughout the lobby and around the small bars. The lights were already turned down low and I rushed to get to my seat, having to have someone help me find them. I almost cried when the man pointed down to the front. I checked my ticket two more times as I made my way down to the fifth row.

I hadn't even thought about how close the tickets might be. Usually when you win them they stick you in the far back of the venue up in the nosebleed seats, but not this time. I'm literally going to be able to see Ed's sweat I'm so close. Another shot of guilt wracked in my stomach when I thought how much Jess would have loved this. However, she did tell me I should find someone else to go with, and giving the ticket back to the original owner was just the right thing to do.

My nerves subsided a little as I slid passed people to get to my seat and I found Dave sitting to my left, and the seat to my right vacant.

"Hey." I half waved to Dave and he smiled, he was surprisingly better looking without the jock gear, and he actually had a nice smile when he bothered to use it.