Not in the Same Way

Thirty Three

Maybe it's the undeniable effects of the alcohol that runs through my system or maybe it's just that I am irrevocably in love with her but something about the way Darby moves, her hips swaying to the music still blaring from Michaels outdoor speaker system and her hair flowing behind her, her hands thrown into the air as she giggles in pure delight affects every part of me.

Her smile is wide, her face lit up in a way I haven't seen in ages and I lean back further into the couch cushions content to watch her in my drunken haze. Her eyes widen as Crystal returns from refilling her wine glass, a girlish excited squeal sounding from her as she lifts the glass to her lips and sips from it.

Her hand tangles with Crystal's as she forces her friend to join her dancing, her other reaching for Ava's hand helping the little girl to participate in their unbridled fun.

Fuck. I haven't seen her look so happy in--well ever if I'm being honest, apart from perhaps the night I met her. We both were younger then, much less responsibility and both still with a lot of growing up to do.

Her eyes catch mine as she twirls, the fabric of that dangerously short skit rising and teasing me more than it already was. She smiles at me and I remember all over again what it's like to be the focus of Darby Carter's full attention. I feel like the luckiest damn fool on the planet.

She does a 'come here' gesture with her hand and I smile and run my hand across my bleached curls that continue to grow, untamed by trims with the world nearly completely closed down in this chaos.

I can't say no to her so I rise and walk towards her, catching her mid spin, my hand grabbing hers while my other finds her waist.

"Hi." She says, a laugh escaping her and proving very telling of the four glasses of wine she's had thus far.

"Hi, yourself." I say back, unable to hide my grin. "How are you feeling, love?"

"I feel great!" She says enthusiastically. My gaze find Crystal's behind me, a satisfied smirk coating her face. "Dance with me, Cal."

Her voice is so sweet, her scent overwhelming as she buries her face against my shoulder and Michael smiles from across the patio as he puts on a slow song.

Their backyard overlooks the sparkling lights of the city below and the view is gorgeous, but it's nothing compared to the view of Darby pressed against me like this.

We dance silently, her heartbeat and easy breaths all I can hear apart from the soft music that barely passes for background noise as Darby overloads all of my senses. I can feel the eyes of our friends on us but I simply could not care less.

I only let go when Darby does the song having ended and replaced by something with a faster tempo. I drop a kiss to her cheek and scoop Ava from the pavement where she has taken a seat, carrying her over to where Michael stands as Darby returns to her party for one.

"This is the happiest I've seen Darbs in who knows how long." Michael comments as I approach him.

"I was thinking the same things earlier. She never gets to let loose like this. That's partly my fault though and I'm gonna have to do better. I always get my kicks out when we're on the road but that leaves her stuck back here with only Ben who I know she only bothers when she's got no other choice. I'm gonna have to take more responsibility when this is all over if I want this to work out."

"Well fuck, who are you and what have you done with Calum Hood?" Mike asks me and I shove at his shoulder.

"Stop." I tell him.

"No, man, seriously, who are you?"

"Still just me, mate. Maybe a bit smarter and more humble version though." I say introspectively.