Hearts, Scars & Horseshoes

Chapter 44 - Faith

Oh my gosh.

I was freaking out.

Any minute Tobias would be pulling into the parking lot. Any minute I'd be seeing him and those green eyes. Any minute I'd have to introduce him to my parents and Simon.

I had never been so excited and so scared all at the same time. I wasn't really sure what I was afraid of.

"Is he here yet?" Tori asked, coming to stand beside me.

"Not yet."

"You look super cute in that dress." She complimented.

I looked down at myself, I was a ball of nerves when I put it on this morning. But I had to admit it was cute. And I might have thought it looked cute on me too.

"Thanks."

"Whoever picked it out has great taste."

I rolled my eyes, laughing. Tori had picked it out per usual and insisted I buy it. I hadn't fought her nearly as much as I usual did.

"You're ridiculous." I told her with a laugh.

"Ridiculously right."

I shook my head, studying the cars that were filling the parking lot. There was no way I'd miss his truck.

"What's he drive?" Tori asked, as a rumble came within ear shot.

"What are we looking for?" Paisley asked as she joined us.

I saw Tori look at me out of the corner of my eye. Normally Tori would have answered for me but ever since the lunchroom debacle, anytime something pertained to Tobias she waited for me to answer first. His dark green truck rumbled into sight and I felt my heart skip before it raced off to who knows where.

I pointed my finger at the green truck, answering two questions at once without having to speak.

"Is that that guy?" Paisley asked.

"Sure is." Tori answered.

"What's his name again?"

I couldn't stop the smile that spread across my face as my mind wondered if he'd hold my hand or kiss me or ask me to be his girlfriend. It was even harder to keep myself open to the possibility that we would just only ever be friends when he was actually around.

"Toby." I answered.

His truck clunked to silent, the door opening. I thought about running over to him but I wasn't sure if that seemed too eager. So instead I stood there on the curb between Tori and Paisley. The three of us watching like he was Zac Efron in Baywatch running down the beach to our rescue.

The door slammed shut and his green eyes almost instantly found me. My heart literally stopped beating as a smile spread across his face. That smile, believe it or not, was directed at me. I wanted to dance, I wanted to throw my hands in the air and dance around like an idiot. I didn't, instead I bit my lip, my own smile taking over my face.

"Whoa." Paisley said beside me.

"Right?" Tori agreed.

I still couldn't find words as I watched him walk towards us, his green eyes focused on me. He had a pair of khaki jeans on, a blue jean button up fit close to his frame tucked in and rolled at the sleeves and a pair of brown boots on. His usually messy hair was combed back, I wasn't sure if it was possible but it looked even more attractive than when it was wild and carefree.

"He cleans up good." Tori commented.

"Yeah." I said a little breathlessly.

When he was only a handful of feet away he pulled his hands from his pockets.