The Tale's Willow

I Love You

A/N: This is the other perspective of sorts 😉

Being the newest member of the group has its pros and cons. They're already established, which is a pro and con. Everyone knows one another on a very personal level. Everyone has stories and inside jokes. He was welcomed cordially with huge smiles and hugs. Chris did his best to help him integrate into the group. A few weeks of practice and rehearsals go by quickly. The night before the tour starts with him as the new baritone, Chris throws a bar-b-que for the group and their spouses.

I've done a good job of avoiding him those few weeks. I've been busy working with her on her debut album to try and distract me from his presence. This party at Chris' will make it hard to avoid him. We were fans of his old group and were thrilled when we'd heard he left. It was a unanimous decision to offer him the job of new baritone when Chris decided to leave.

I had watched some of their videos over and over just because of him. Most people didn't know that I was bi. I looked up interviews and watched fans live videos of the group just because of him. Somehow, his presence had sucked me in. He was not only gorgeous but had a big heart and kind soul to boot. And being a southern boy didn't hurt, either!

Jenika had been very persistent when we met and eventually I just agreed to go out with her. There are times that I honestly reconsider my orientation! My mind became consumed with him. Each time I looked at my girlfriend, each time we kissed or touched in any way, my mind would replace her with him. We were drunk one night, me less so than her, and I accidentally called out his name instead of hers! She didn't notice my mistake, but I laid awake all night thinking about why I had done it.

Austin & Olena arrive with us. My heart hitches in my chest as I try to not look like I'm ogling the tall, gorgeous brunette standing with everyone else. Jenika seemed to suddenly be a little clingy when she found out this little party was really for him which irritated me some. I tried to calm her down but it didn't seem to do any good. I was beginning to wonder if bringing her along was a huge mistake.

After a short discussion, we finally made our way outside with her grasping my hand tightly. There he was sitting a few feet away from me. Blue jeans, boots, black t-shirt. He had found a seat in a plastic patio chair, beer in his right hand, and was just listening to the chatter around him. Did he not like us? Was he having second thoughts already? Did he not feel comfortable around us?

She was talking with Ericha but never let go of my hand. I was busy talking with Chris but was afraid of looking over at him. I was afraid of what would happen if I did. Would I blurt out something stupid? Would I confess my love? I just couldn't acknowledge him yet.

He received a text, the ringtone being the main Star Wars theme, making Adam look over at him and smile appreciatively. After typing out a quick reply, he set his phone in his lap. I still hadn't said anything to him. Did this make me a coward? Would I ever be able to actually talk to him like he was just one of the guys and not someone I was insanely lusting after? The afternoon went on as we hung around drinking beer, casually eating hamburgers, and getting to know one another better. She sat on my lap when I wasn't eating and I wanted so badly to just push her off my lap. It was like she was trying to let everyone know who belonged to her!

The party really started hopping after dark. Chris turned on the stereo and hard liquor was brought out. Most of us were drinking pretty heavily. Adam was a lightweight, so he wasn't drinking much. Rob had a few drinks since his wife offered to drive them home. She and I were drinking pretty heavily, me for a different reason than the others, as were Austin & Olena. He began drinking pretty heavily too, and it concerned me a little.

Suddenly she began to get a little frisky. I had told her now wasn't the time, especially since we were in someone else's home, but she didn't care. Figuring he was watching her be all over me made me feel disgusting. Imagining it was him who was all over me was a little more exciting. Near midnight things were getting kind of wild. Adam and Ericha had already left since they didn't want their babysitter to be out too late. Adam once again welcomed our new bass-baritone to the band and said he couldn't wait for our first shows.

People were up dancing around. Apparently, he needed to use the restroom so he "discreetly" left the living room. The alcohol in my system was making me feel a little bolder. With him out of the room, her touching me made me feel a little sick. Now, I may not be the most handsome man on the planet but I'm not that ugly either. Why couldn't he have fallen for me? Since I'd worked myself up, I had to calm myself back down before I did something stupid. I excused myself as I carefully slid her off my lap.

I was waiting at the bathroom door. He was still in there and I knew it. He opened the bathroom door and ran straight into me. I guess he wasn't expecting someone to be standing there because he seemed pretty surprised. I said 'sorry' in an extremely deep voice. The slight shiver caught me off guard. Did he like my deep voice? We weren't that different in height, so I was looking straight into his eyes when he apologized to me for bumping into me. My lips curled into a smile as we stood there. For the first time, he actually smiled at me. It made my heart do back flips in my chest. We just stood there silently for a few minutes.

He excused himself as he squeezed past me. I didn't make it easy because I didn't move. I wanted to see what he would do, how he'd react. He had to squeeze himself between me and the door. Without looking back, he headed back into the living room. I sighed as I walked into the bathroom. Kelsey, Olena, and that blond little tart of mine were in the middle of the living room dancing around together making everyone laugh. I finally returned to the living room and then looked right over at him to find him looking right back at me. My pulse quickened slightly knowing without a doubt he was watching me.

Kelsey was laughing with Olena while Rob and Austin were talking about something I couldn't quite make out. Eventually, he meandered into the kitchen where the beer was at. I'd asked Jenika to go fetch us another beer which she gladly did. It took her longer to come back than I had expected. He didn't return with her so I thought I'd be a gentleman and go check on our newest band mate. I told her to sit down and that I'd be right back. Her and Chris got back into whatever discussion we had been having, I was only half-paying attention to be honest, so I quickly left the living room.

His back was against the island and his arms were folding across his chest. Taking a few deep breaths, because my heart was now in a race with my pulse, I cautiously approached him. Hearing footsteps, he quickly looked up. Before he had the chance to open his mouth, my brain screaming "It's now or never!", I closed the gap between us. My hands found either side of his bearded face and crashed my lips to his. Even if he doesn't feel the same, I have to do this. To my delight and surprise, not only does he kiss me back, one hand entangles itself in my hair, but the other arm snakes its way around my back and pulls me closer.

I pull away just enough that our lips are still touching and mumble, "I love you".

A/N: Whatcha think? Please vote and comment below your thoughts :)