by Susan Reid
“Perfect timing,” Joel grumbled with pursed lips.
I simply smiled at him.
“Man, you know there’s gonna be some fools tonight. I can smell the alcohol from here,” Joel then commented, after looking around and spying several guys starting a mosh pit near some makeshift bon fire thing.
“Yeah, I don’t regret not staying at all.” I then said watching them all rough house each other, and obnoxiously curse out loud.
“That barbecue sure smells good though,” Joel patted his stomach with a smile, looking down the walk path to the right.
“How hungry are you?” I asked him, spying the line that nearly wound down the wide walkway, teeming with people.
“Damn, not that hungry.” Joel joked with a hand to the small of my back, and leading the way in order to guide us through the throng, so I wouldn’t have to brush up against anyone.
We met China halfway, and she stepped back to check out my outfit with an approving smile and nod.
“Hotness girl, damn look at you! I didn’t think you were coming since it was getting late. Is he picking you up here?” She said with a twinkle in her green eyes.
“I know. I couldn’t decide what to wear and time got away from me. Yeah, he’s picking me up here.” I nodded and explained.
She gasped and squealed giddily, “Damn he’s gotta be smoking for you of all people to fuss over what to wear.” China snickered.
I pursed my lips, even though she was right.
“That’s what I said.” Joel commented.
“Hey Joel, Steve and some of the other guys are over by the beer kiosk. He told me to tell you to get in line with them, they’re near the front already, and they have another guy holding a place for them near the front of the pork barbecue sandwich line too if you’re hungry,” China thumbed behind her in the direction they had come from.
Picking up on the potentially awkward scenario, she was coming to my rescue and I appreciated it. We were so in sync, that was why she was my best friend.
“For real? Well…” Joel’s eyes widened, and I could literally hear him salivate upon mention of both beer and food.
“Go, I’ll be with China, have fun.” I told him, suppressing a smile.
He bit his lip and hesitated for a moment, “Alright, I’ll be back, you want something?” He asked.
“No.” I shook my head.
“Okay.” He said giving me a quick kiss on the cheek.
“Ooh la la, what was that about?” China teased, apparently having picked up on the difference in the way Joel looked at me.
“Nothing.” I waved off.
“Uh-huh. Well, this is Laura and Avery, guys this is my roommate and bestie, Star.” China introduced us.
“Hi, I love that color and that dress, it looks good on you.” Laura smiled.
“Thank you.” I replied.
“Star is gorgeous isn’t she?” China went on with a smile.
She was making me blush.
“So when and where is your interview gonna be and who’s the lucky band again?” I asked her.
China glanced at her watch, and then waved a press card she had in a plastic covered lanyard around her neck. “Fire Raiser and soon I hope, I don’t wanna miss the show. It’s somewhere backstage where the tour buses are parked. I wish you were staying, it really looks like it’s gonna be kick ass, even if you don’t like the music.” She then said.
“I didn’t say I didn’t like rock, it’s just not my preference in music, but we’ll see. He may decide to stay for a bit.” I replied.
“Well come on let’s go get in line with Steve too, I could use a beer for my nerves. Where is he meeting you?” She then asked.
“Up near the front entrance. I don’t want to stray too far since this area isn’t as crowded.”
“Okay, well let’s at least get a beer or something, I’ll introduce you to some people and then I’ll walk you back here and wait with you.” She offered.
It took forever to push through the hordes of people who were either trolling the booths, playing games for prizes hosted by the WCUUL radio, or standing in a line for food and drinks. The music, conversation and laughter all around us was deafening. We all had to shout to talk to each other. There were people of all ages and all walks, mostly punk, Goth and rocker types, but some people had even brought their young children. Not a smart thing to do at this kind of venue, I thought to myself.
I glanced at my phone every now and again in case Cam had called or texted me while we walked, but so far he hadn’t yet.
China’s phone played its melodic chime, and she glanced at the display with a wide grin, “Hang on, this is it!” She said excitedly as she answered it.
I glanced around at the booths and kiosks while she conversed with whoever it was on the other end with enthusiasm, mentioning that they’d be right over, and what entrance did they need go into.
“Yes! That was Fire Raiser’s manager; they’re ready for the interview… oh yeah! Hey guys, they’re ready for us, let’s go!” China finally ended the call, and then waved to Avery and Laura.
“Now? Oh, well I guess I’ll wait with Joel here then,” I pointed back towards the entrance.
“Wait with Joel? That’ll be tacky not to mention killing Joel softly girl. I’ll wait with you, Lauren and Avery can go ahead of me. I’ll catch up and don’t worry, I’ve got Steve and his gang to escort me, so I won’t be alone, let me text him to get me a beer too. Damn, I’m not gonna get a chance to meet…oh my god holy, hot damn,” China then trailed off with her phone still in hand, while looking over my head with her mouth open. Laura, Avery, and half the damn girls behind her also followed suit next, so I turned around to see what all the gawking and pause had been for —thinking it may have been one of the bands strolling through.
Instantly my heart began to throb, and the dancing butterflies began to flutter wildly in my belly. Cam was heading towards us — tall, dark, perfectly styled mussed hair, muscular broad and solid body fitting perfectly in the black, form fitting shirt he wore that clung to and hugged the bulges and ripples in his arms, chest, and abdomen like a second skin. The dark blue jeans he wore were faded a bit on the thigh areas, and hung relaxed on his narrow waist. They had to have been custom made to fit that perfectly on him, given his height.
Though I found myself swooning and drooling too, I suddenly wondered how the hell he had gotten here and found me so fast.
He was smiling his perfect, white prince charming like smile, and that made him even more captivating and beautiful. I hated that all these other girls were staring at him like that too, soon to be staring at us when we left together.
His gorgeous indigo blue and dark green eyes gazed me from head to toe, as he moved in beside me with a gentle hand on my back. The static was back —just as I figured it would be, but I ignored it even though it was affecting my dress and hair a bit.
“Wow, you look beautiful. You weren’t hard to find at all. Are you ready?” He asked.
Damn, he even smelled good, too. I inhaled and took cautious mental note of that.
“Thank you. Yeah…that was quick,” I nodded with a smile, almost forgetting that China was standing there.
“I told you, traffic isn’t a problem for me.” He smiled.
I wasn’t sure I believed that, but…well, he was here.
“Oh, this is my best friend and roommate China, her friends Laura and Avery. This is Cam.” I finally snapped out of admiring him and introduced them.
God, they were all still gaping as if he truly were a rock star, or an athlete and no, I couldn’t blame them. Cam waved and flashed that gorgeous smile.
“Nice to meet all of you,” He replied.
China moved in close to me and whispered sharply in my ear.
“He’s a cop? I bet he’s freaking hot in his uniform, no wonder you couldn’t resist. Where the hell did you find him and does he have any brothers? Shit Star, that’s a lot of delicious man and…uh…take it slow, because he may be too much for
you to handle and take for a starter.” She said jokingly, and I knew what she meant.
I gasped and playfully punched her arm, “I can’t believe you just said that.” I whispered back.
“Ouch — what?” She laughed while grabbing her arm.
I gave her a wry look, glancing over at Cam who didn’t seem to be paying attention to us at the moment since Laura and Avery had begun a conversation with him, but he sure was smirking as if he probably had heard China and I blushed.
“Oh, hi Steve,” I waved looking behind China.
“Steve who?” She kidded.
I nudged her in the ribs.
I was messing with her, he wasn’t there, but he could have been and she knew what I was getting at.
“I thought you guys had to go?” I reminded her.
“Go where?” China smiled looking up at Cam.
“I’ll see you tonight, be careful and don’t forget to roll your tongue in off the ground,” I joked giving her a hug.
She giggled, “I want every single detail. You guys are so cute together; you’re like the jolly green giant and sprout. How tall is he anyway?” She whispered with a wide smile.
“Funny. I don’t know, maybe six five, six seven?” I replied.
“Shit, yeah I’m guessing at least six eight because Steve is six two himself, and he would totally tower over him. Nice.”
She was right though, even in heels, my face was literally level with Cam’s chest.
Even though I’d love it, I hoped he didn’t have slow dancing in mind, unless he brought a ladder for me.
“Wait,” I stopped her before she turned to leave, seeing as Laura and Avery probably weren’t in any hurry to go just yet either. They were both still in conversation with Cam, and he obliged politely while other girls — and some guys passing by gawked, and some even snapped pictures on their cell phones of him. Maybe they thought he played professional basketball too.
“What?” China’s eyes twinkled as she smiled big.
“What do the tattoos on his hands look like to you?” I asked her.
She looked over at Cam’s hands again for a moment. Her expression reminded me of Logans’ similar confused look, in searching for something they couldn’t see.
“On his hands where? I don’t see any tattoos.” China replied, perplexed.
I had the confirmation I needed in that regard, “Never mind. I’ll see you tonight but don’t wait up.” I told her.
“A tatted cop? Rawr…I knew you were a closet freak Star. Hang on let me get a quick picture of you two together,” China laughed, and then offered.
I rolled my eyes and suppressed a smile, as I shook my head.
Apparently, Cam had tattoos on his hands that no one else but me could see, and they resembled the demon cops tattoos, which only meant one thing.
I began to feel somewhat apprehensive about going anywhere with him alone, and I wondered where we would be going on our date anyway, wishing we could just stay here —what with so many other people around. At the same time I wanted to ask him some things in private that may not have been ideal here either.
I already knew there was something supernatural about him; I just wasn’t sure which side he was a part of yet. Drake seemed to be the one ‘following me around,’ the way Ms. Hawthorne had described the dark one following me; given the way he would show up in random places and how soundlessly he moved, but he’s been healing me.
A being trying to hurt me wouldn’t bother to do that.
“Okay, count of three…one, two…” China began, while holding her cell phone up to take the picture.
I groaned internally as Cam moved in next to me, willingly obliging with a smile to pose with an arm around my shoulders. I put an arm around his muscularly, tight and firm waist, noting how warm and good he felt against my body.
“Three,” China said as the flash went off.
“Gorgeous, you two look good together!” Avery commented as she and Laura leaned in to look at the picture.
I was curious and I wondered if the aura China claimed to be around me would be there. I couldn’t wait to see the picture myself.
“Let me see it.” I asked.
“I just sent it to you.” China smiled with a slightly perplexed expression while looking at the display of her phone, and then tapping it to send it to me.
My curiosity was driving me crazy now especially seeing her face. Why didn’t she seem as enthused as Avery and Laura over how good it turned out?
“Oh, okay.” I said slowly.
“Send it to me too,” Cam then leaned in to tell me.
I looked up at him and smiled before looking at my phone display, and seeing China’s MMS picture message downloading.
“Hey, you must be Officer Cam. I’m Joel Carson, a close friend of Star’s,” Joel voice cut in from behind us suddenly.
I looked up and turned to glance behind me, surprised to see Joel had sidled up beside me, holding his hand out to shake Cam’s hand, and smelling of barbecue sausage and beer. He eyed Cam with scrutiny up and down as if he were sizing him up or something. I didn’t like the snarkiness in his tone.
Cam turned his attention to Joel and shook his hand. I was taken aback by the look Cam gave him through lowered lids and it wasn’t just because he was looking down at him either. (Joel was only five eight himself)
It was almost like a macho front, like he was conveying it through expression alone, that I was going to be with him tonight or something, even though he gave a half smile as he shook Joel’s hand.
“Nice to meet you Joel, just call me Cam.” Cam said.
I decided not the let it linger as I broke in and moved to stand next to Cam, while avoiding Joel’s eyes for a moment.
“Ok. Don’t you think you’re a little too old to be dating a college student…Cam?” Joel then asked.
My mouth fell open and China gasped with wide eyes, looking at Joel in shock and then she nudged him.
“Joel!” I was annoyed, embarrassed and angry by his tone and comment.
“Sorry, I didn’t realize she was a minor.” Cam replied coolly.
“No, but she’s only nineteen. I’m not saying you’re old, but just how old are you?” Joel asked with a raised brow. His dark almond eyes fixated on Cam with a serious edge.
“Whoa Joel, quit while you’re ahead,” China did a slashing motion in front of her neck, but Joel ignored her.
“Are you drunk?” I asked him with annoyance.
“Not at all,” Joel replied not taking his eyes off of Cam.
“I’m sorry Cam. You guys have fun, and be careful out here, good night China.” I told her and her classmates with a wave and a scowl for Joel, as I took a few steps away from the group in order to hurry up and leave before a possible fight and arrest ensued.
I couldn’t believe Joel said that. It was either the beer, jealousy or both, I then thought.
“Night,” Cam dazzled China and the other ogling girls around us with another breath taking smile, and then shot an almost cocky stare at Joel with a smirk, as he put an arm around my shoulder.
As soon as he touched me; I felt a slight electrical shock of both heat and lust that shot straight towards my groin and I shivered at his touch. I had to suck in a breath just to release the strong pull of passion that instantly overwhelmed me, making my pulse throb and my heart pound wildly. I felt my face flush hotly, not wanting to look up at him, though I somehow I felt as if he knew exactly what effect he was having on me right now.
He guided me through the crowd, protectively leading the way and clearing a path for us towards wherever he had parked.
I could still feel everyone’s eyes on us as we walked away, and my gut wrenched wondering what must have been going through Joel’s mind right now too, but I didn’t care. He ticked me off and I think I knew why but his attitude had been totally uncalled for.
I’d see him tomorrow and we’d talk some more about what I said, and the almost kiss if I wasn’t still angry with hi
m.
We passed the makeshift mosh pit, where the rambunctious group was still going strong. I saw Cam glance over at them momentarily as if watching, or looking for someone. I smoothed out my dress repeatedly, the static making it cling to me awkwardly.
“Why would you apologize for him?” He then asked me.
I looked up at him as we walked, “I’m not. I mean it wasn’t like him. He’s not like that at all usually.” I then told him.
“Drunk already huh?” Cam commented.
“No, he wasn’t…we just got here, and I can tell. He’s not a typical drinker either,” I defended Joel.
“How old is he anyway?” Cam then asked looking down at me.
I stopped, and my eyes widened as I looked up at him. I had forgotten Cam was a cop. Joel was twenty.
He chuckled, “Don’t worry, I’m off duty and truthfully I could care less. How have you been?” He then asked to change the subject first, with his full attention and gorgeous eyes looking down at me.
I was shocked at his answer, but I didn’t question it. I thankfully blew out a relieved breath, “Okay I guess.” I said as we began to walk and make our way through the crowd again.
“You guess? That doesn’t sound very convincing.” He commented.
“Yeah, I should work on that I suppose,” I joked and he laughed a little.
“Thank you for the flowers, they were beautiful, and they happened to be my favorites. It’s crazy that you would know that.” I told him with a smile.
He coughed a little and smirked, “You’re welcome. I’m pretty good at reading people too.” He then said with a single raised brow.
“Pretty damned good, actually,” I commented, flattered that he remembered parts of our conversation from the diner.
He smiled.
“So where are we going?” I asked as we continued to make our way through the now thinning crowd, the closer we got to the entrance.
“I have a place in mind that I think you’ll like. If you want, we can come back later on tonight. I see that most of your close friends are here, and it seems like they really wanted you to stay, especially your friend Joel.” He then said.
So that was a macho stare he gave Joel. How in the world did he think that he needed to be jealous, looking the way he looked? God, I hoped he wasn’t that possessive, crazy kind of cop that you always see in the movies…if he even was a cop —or human for that matter.
