The Searching Secret

Chapter 26

For a moment we just stood there awkwardly watching the bonfire and listening to the music that was playing. I took another long drink of my soda and turned to face Jay, ready to admit defeat, to admit that coming here may not have been the greatest idea. When my eyes landed on his, he was looking at me with the goofiest smile on his face. I couldn't help but laugh.

"Let's dance!" Jay said excitedly.

Accidentally in Love by Counting Crows was playing, and while that is a great song to dance to, no one else was. "Jay, no one is dancing," I pointed out.

"Then we'll be the first!" he said, grabbing my hand and pulling me closer to the fire.

"Jay, no, please, let's just go."

But there was no changing his mind. "Come on, come on. Turn a little faster!" he sang, in the worst possible voice he could manage.

I couldn't help but laugh at him and join in. "Come on, come on. The world will follow after!"

We probably looked like idiots to the other people at the party, as we danced together, being complete goofy balls. Yet, it didn't take long until more people joined us. For a while, the rest of the world was forgotten and our happiness was overflowing. Whether Jay or I was the one feeling it, I couldn't tell.

I spun around in a circle laughing, not believing how much fun I was actually having. When I faced Jay again he grabbed my hand and sang, "Come on, Come on, move a little closer."

This time he sounded more serious, but I couldn't help but move closer and sing back, "Come on, Come on, I wanna hear you whisper."

Jay's arm was now around my waist and mine was on his shoulder. Our other hand's still held each other as we continued moving to the song. "I'm in love," he whispered, before he spun me in a circle, which brought a laugh out of me.

However, my laugh was cut short when the song abruptly changed. "That was strange," Jay commented, as he glanced around to see why the sudden change. However, when I heard what song was playing I froze.

What day is it? And in what month?

This clock never seemed so alive

I can't keep up and I can't back down

I've been losing so much time.

As Lifehouse's You and Me played from the speakers, my heart beat quickened. "Evan," I whispered, as I thought back to back to our winter dance. This was the song I dance to with Evan. The song that was playing when I almost kissed Evan. What if he was here. . .

I quickly snapped out of my daze and searched the crowd, but there were too many people. Everywhere I looked I saw unfamiliar faces, everywhere but in front of me. Jay stood there offering me his hand, and that's when it hit me. Evan wasn't here. I was making up any excuse I could to avoid the seriousness of this moment with Jay. If I accepted his hand and danced with him, I would finally admit to my feelings. I would give up this hunt, and move on. Evan was the wedge that was keeping the door to Sam open, a door I needed to close.

I took one last drink and tossed the empty can aside. I took a deep breath, as I took Jay's hand and allowed him to pull me close. "Everything okay?" Jay asked softly in my ear.

I nodded my head, as I rested it against him. I knew I made my choice, I was giving up, and tomorrow we would leave here and never look back. Yet, I couldn't stop from searching the crowd as we spun in slow small circles. I couldn't stop my head from spinning with what if questions. I needed to stop thinking about him. . . I exhaled slowly and let Jay's emotions flow strongly through me. His love was strong and his joy was almost overwhelming, but in a good way. This is what I needed. Jay is who I needed, but it wasn't enough. Thoughts of Sam kept creeping in, and I needed to overpower them.

I turned my head slightly so I was facing Jay. I had to do something to completely let go of Sam and hold on to Jay. Automatically, Jay rested his forehead on mine and gazed deeply into my eyes. Before I had any time to talk myself out of it, I did what I had been thinking and wondering about this whole trip.

At first I just let my lips brush against his, but that only caused me to want more. I pressed my lips against his more. His body instinctively responded to mine, as if it's been waiting for this its entire existence. He pulled me close to him, as one hand traveled through my hair. With his strong emotions flowing through me, a soft moan from him was all it took to push any restraints I had, but he quickly pulled away. "Riley, are you sure?" he asked.

"I'm sure," I answered, as I grabbed his hand and lead him away from the crowd of dancing people.

A/N The song Jay and Riley danced to is post with this chapter! Tell me your thoughts! Who loves Jay and Riley together??