Unexpected Love

Chapter 37

The girls bought me a birthday sash and said I had to wear it all night. We parked our cars in a grass field where sketchy guys directed us to pull in. We piled out of our cars and the seven of us walked over to the entrance to get our bracelets.

Crowds of people were moving in and out the gated area. Vendors had pitched their tents along a specific row and I could smell a variety of burgers, funnel cakes, and Chinese food being made. The bass was loud even for us as were entering the field. It looked like another section of the area was blocked off for what looked like miles of tents...apparently several people were roughing it.

Jess grabbed my hand and pulled me in the direction Lacey was headed. We made our way to the stage to hear music already being played. A band I didn't recognize was rocking out on stage with a high energetic performance. They had a great tune and their lead vocalist was pretty impressive.

The sun was setting and big lights began to flicker on around us. The air was cool but not enough for me to be cold. I was in deep admiration of the ambiance around me when I felt a vibration from my phone in my back pocket. My parents and siblings were all texting me happy birthday. It was common for my mom to mass text everyone when someone's birthday was happening. I quickly text back to everyone and slide my phone back in pocket.

The crowd started getting a bit rowdy for us as a different band was approaching the state, so we exited the mosh pit of people and headed to grab food and drink. We all ended up getting burgers, fries, and sodas. Though some of us wanted to numb our senses tonight we didn't want to be stupid and drive home or be a potential victim of sort. We crowded around a small table and enjoyed the moment. We laughed hard and made jokes. We talked about our goals and the boyfriends we missed. When Lacey started talking about Matt and Jess about James, I couldn't resist by ignoring the conversation by jumping up and saying I have to pee.

I walked away from the group and made my way towards the rows of portable bathrooms. I was looking down at my feet when I heard it... the sound of Switchfoot playing. I felt like my body was drawn to it. A local band was playing a cover of Switchfoot on a smaller, second stage. A small crowd surrounded the stage and I couldn't help but sway with the rest of the group. I got lost in the lyrics and the memories it brought to me. How I use to listen to them when I was angry at home, how Josh and I listened to them when we were driving, or how it played again in the background countless times we were together. I swear if they started playing Yellowcard I would lose my shit considering how we listened to them the day Josh and I spent all day in his dorm.

They finished their set and I came back to reality to realize I was far away from the rest of the group. I picked up my phone and dialed Jess "We're by the food still" she screams "Where did you go?" "Sorry, I found a small band playing some music that I loved so I stayed to hear it. I'm on my way." "Heads up Jenn. Josh is here. He's here with several of the girls guys including mine. They all got nervous thinking we couldn't handle ourselves on our own" she laughs. "More or less they're afraid we'll find something better" I respond. "Exactly! But let's enjoy the night like we planned, please!" she insists.

I hang up the phone and slide it in my back pocket. My smile begins to fade as I look up into the crowds and see him. He's wearing shorts, converse shoes, a black tee shirt, and a black flat cap. He's captured me, my complete and utter attention and I can't help but stare. My expression probably shows longing and when his eyes meet mine and it's like he knows. He slowly walks through the crowd closing the gap between us and it is like were the only two people here. I can't even hear the music anymore but I can't bear to wait any longer. With only a few feet between us, I run and jump into his arms. He catches me with open arms smiling. My legs gravitate around his waist. His hand grips the lower part of my back while the other supports my neck. My arms circle around his neck as I place my lips on top of his.

We hold our kiss for a few seconds when I pull away "I love you." He smiles ear to ear and I can feel his breathing quicken. "I love you too" he whispers in my ear. Our lips part again and our tongues begin to swirl. He tastes like mint and cologne that I haven't smelt before. Our embrace is longing and needy as much as lustful as it can be. He begins to lower my legs to the ground as I can tell he's beginning to lose his balance. I protest but were not in the best place. "Can we go back to your place now" I ask. "I hoped you would ask" he responds. He keeps his grip around me pretty tight as we move through the crows and finally see several of our friends still sitting and eating. "Hey guys! Were headed out" Josh yells. I can't help but glow with excitement. Jess winks my way knowing that I made my decision to move forward. "You kids have fun now" James yells.

We walk into the crowds of parked cars in the field and hop in Josh's mustang. The music is low and he holds my hand tight as if he will let never to let me go. "I'm sorry, I am truly sorry" he says "But I'm yours and your mine." "I couldn't have said it any better" I say back. The night is dark and yet still young in my head. The breeze is cool and we're headed back to his dorm. I can't wait to get a good night of rest...or so I thought.