***COMPLETED*** Around the World and Back [A Patty Walters Story]

Chapter 18: "We haven't really talked about it."

A/N: I thought this one was going to be a little longer, but I have a pounding headache and I have to work tomorrow, so... enjoy this little filler chapter!

July 19, 2018

Cincinnati, Ohio

"So what do you do every morning?" Britt asked as she watched me take the lids off of the tubs. "And how do you know what's what?"

"I organize them and take inventory every morning so I know how much I'll need for the day," I said as I squatted down in front of the tubs to hang them over the side by size. "That's easy. I labeled the tubs. This one has "boys don't cry," this one has "who the fuck is Patty Walters?" and this one has the tour shirt and a few others."

She bent down to help me organize them, hanging each size over the tub in a pile.

"I couldn't do this every day," she laughed. "It seems like too much work."

I stood up with both hands on my lower back, stretching from side to side.

"My back is literally so fucked," I giggled as I reached for the cooler to grab a Gatorade. "I'm definitely going to have to go to the chiropractor when I get home."

"Speaking of home ... are you going to Brighton with Patty or are you coming back to Peoria?" Britt asked as she tilted her head to the side. "We haven't really talked about it."

I sat down in the other lawn chair to take a break and looked at her, biting down on my lip.

"I think I'm going back to Brighton with Patty," I said as I watched her facial expression. "We talked about it a few weeks ago but haven't really talked about it since," I said as I let my eyes wander. "We probably should talk about it though. Tour will be over in like two-ish weeks anyway."

She sat there listening to me as she played with her water bottle.

"I saw how happy he makes you in that picture you posted," she said with a smile. "Did you think you'd fall in love with him the way you did?"

I shrugged, standing up to finish sorting out the shirts in the bins.

"Yes and no," I laughed, sitting on the ground by the bin. "I've been in love with him for years now, but when he left, I just kind of pushed those feelings aside. I moved to Indy with Josh, as you know how that went, and then when I reunited with Patty a few weeks ago, all the feelings I had pushed away came back."

"What was it like when you kissed him for the first time?" She asked. "We haven't talked about this stuff in a while, so I need to catch up," she laughed.

I blushed, thinking of our awkward first kiss in his bunk.

"It was like ... fireworks or something. I pulled away because I thought he wouldn't feel the same," I laughed. "But then he pulled me back in his bunk and was like 'can we try that again?' and it's like our lips fit together perfectly."

"Aww!" She grinned as she pushed my shoulder lightly. "I love hearing you two talk about each other! It's so cute."

I stuck my tongue out at her as I finished sorting the last bin of shirts.

"Enough about me, how are things going with you and Ronnie? I heard you kissed yesterday!" I smiled as I grabbed my Gatorade.

Her cheeks turned a light shade of pink as she covered her face with her hands.

"Yeah," she giggled. "We did kiss. But it was nice ... we talked about music and he asked about my Panic! Tattoo," she said as she looked down at it. "We're gonna hang out today after their meet and greet is over," she beamed. "He's going to take me to watch Waterparks' set, and then we're going to go get something to eat."

Xoxox

"You've never seen them live before?" I asked as we sat at the tent watching the boys meet fans. "It's such a good show!"

"Ugh, it was fucking incredible," she said as she scrolled through Twitter on her phone. "I loved hearing The Handwritten Letter live. That song means so much."

I smiled at her, turning my head to look back at the boys. I loved how they spent time with every fan. It warmed my heart so much.

"I have yet to listen to the album in full yet because I want to be surprised when it comes out," I said as I looked up at her. "But I've heard snippets of The Question, The Answer, and I can already tell it's gonna make me cry."

The meet and greet was almost over, and Luke was coming to take his spot. We switched halfway through the day so neither of us had to suffer the whole time. As I stood up, my phone vibrated with another text.

Josh: I need to confess something to you.