That Was Then, This Is Now

Part 22

Tim POV
At the brunch yesterday Faith asked me to go to her brothers wedding. The way she asked has me confused. Am I her plus one? Did her brother just ask her to take me? Does she want me to go? While all these questions are running through my mind I'm getting ready for the CMAs which start in an hour. Faith and I haven't done a red carpet together in so long. I hate red carpets, your face gets numb, you answer the same stupid questions, you have to be fake nice to people you don't like and you can't talk to the people you do for to long.
"Okay Tim," starts Jack, indicating that this will be a conversation where he does the talking and I do the listening. "So you and Faith are walking the carpet together. We are stopping to get her in the way. When we get there you'll open her door, and walk with linked arms. Try not to hold hands. If your gonna like guide her, please don't touch her ass." He says.
"Jesus jack. What is wrong with you people." I say laughing.
"Well you two have been getting closer so I just thought maybe that..."
"Nooooo. We are just friends." I assure him.
"Okay good. Let me know if that changes please." Shortly after we leave to go get Faith. We pull up and Jack runs in to get her. She slides into the back of the limo with me, followed by Jack and Gary.
"Faith you look beautiful." I say breathless. I mean she's always stunning but there's just something captivating about red carpet glam. It suddenly hits me that she's up for a huge award tonight. She must be so nervous.
"Thank you." She says, smiling at me.
"So you two are presenting duo/group of the year." Says Gary refreshing our memories. "Don't choke." He laughs. "And you are seated front row with the rest of the nominees Faith. Tim your gonna sit next to her, when she wins congratulate her, nothing to touchy so don't hug." He says.
"I'm not going to win." Says Faith.
We pull up to the venue and I get out walking around to open the door for Faith. As soon as we hit the carpet all eyes are on us. She holds onto my arm tightly, as we begin our trek down. Each reporter asking the same questions around our reunion, if we're together. Each time I just compliment Faith making her blush ridiculously and we move on.
"So Faith, how are you feeling about the awards tonight?" Asks a reporter.
"You know, it's always nerve wracking but with Tim here I think I'll cope." She says smiling at me.
"You two are also presenting an award, which is amazing, but do you think you two will be sharing the stage musically anytime soon?"
"I would love to." Says Faith.
"Me too." I agree and with that tease we move on to the next reporter and so on and so on. Once we've made our way through that we each exhale a deep breath.
"You did good." She says squeezing my arm that she hasn't let go.
"You too." I smile. I think that it's in that moment I realise that I'll never get over Faith.
"Tim! Faith!" I hear from the crowd of other musicians. I see Keith and his wife Nicole walking towards us. "Hey guys!" He says as we all greet each other.
"Nicole!!" Squeals Faith.
"Faith!!" Squeals Nicole back.
"Women." Says Keith shaking his head. We stand together for a while catching up. It's almost exactly like what it was when Faith and I were dating. Us talking to them. Soon we all flow into the auditorium.
"Tim! We're next to Keith and Nicole." Says Faith pointing at our seats.
"Oh cool!" I reply. We take our seats quickly. "You know if you keep death gripping my arm every time you get a wave of butterflies I'm gonna have bruises." I laugh quietly to Faith. She still hasn't let go, and I know it's because she's nervous.
"I'm so sorry." She says pulling away.
"Faith, it's fine." I say almost sad that's she's pulled away. "Don't be nervous. Look around this room." I say to her. "There are so many amazingly talented people in this room right now. Each of them deserves recognition, but there's someone here who has more talent in their pinky finger than we all have collectively."
"Is Beyoncé here?" She asks.
"No Faith, it's you. If you don't get the award tonight, they're stupid but we all know how talented you are okay." I say trying to reassure her. She just nods at me.
"Can I still hold your arm?" She asks.
"Of course." I say as Carrie and Brad take the stage.
"Hello y'all!!!"
"Welcome to the 2011 CMA awards." Says Carrie.
"You sure it the 1998 CMAs Carrie?" Brad asks as they begin their skit and I prepare my self for the roasting that is to come.
"Yes I'm sure, why would you ask such a dumb question?" She says laughing at him.
"Well we've got George Strait, and Reba in the front row, Blake is wearing that." We all laugh even though we don't know what he's wearing, "little big towns hair is teased. And look Tim and Faith are together." Yep there it is.
"Shhhh. Brad that's just hearsay." Says Carrie. "They're just 'good friends'" Says Carrie putting bunny ears on good friends.
Faith looks up at me smiling and laughing. "I'm glad you're my friend." She whispers to me.