Chapter 21
I threw on a sweatshirt and stepped out of the hotel. It was a windy, rainy day but I kept moving, making my way to a gazebo on the other side of the street. I sat down on one of the small benches inside and looked out at the road, which was steaming at the touch of the cold rain. I sighed and closed my eyes, taking in my surroundings. I soon drifted of to sleep, but was quickly awakened by someone sitting down next to me. “Not now Joe” I mumbled.
“I don’t know who this ‘Joe’ is, I saw you here and I decided to come over and say hey…hey, im Josh” came the strong voice of this total stranger.
“Hey, im Crystal” I said looking into his blue eyes. He had straight black-ish hair and a wonderful smile.
“Nice to meet you” he said flashing me another smile. “You new here?” he asked looking ahead.
“Yea, im staying in the hotel across the street” I replied shivering as a droplet of rain hit my neck
“Do you want to get coffee and tell me why you’re out in the pouring rain?” he asked. I could hear the desperateness in his voice, but I decided to say “yes”. I got up and followed him to a small coffee shop a few minutes away. “Sorry we had to run, my cars in the shop” he said wiping the water droplets out of his hair.
“Ah, don’t worry about it. Im used to walking in the pouring rain with total strangers” I joked. He gave a small laugh as we sat down at a small booth in the back.
“So, why were you there sitting all alone?” he asked seriously, taking a sip of his coffee. I told him everything. When Joe and I met, how we just started dating and how he proposed. He had a look of remorse and disbelief on his face.
“So there you have it” I sighed slurping up the last bit of my coffee. I had no idea why I was totally throwing up my feelings to him. I guess I just really needed someone to talk to. “Well I better get going” I said looking at the clock on the table to reveal the fact that it was 5pm. They were all probably looking for me at this very moment.
“Here, I’ll walk you back” he said getting up with me and heading for the door. It had stopped raining. We made it back to the hotel and said our goodbyes. He walked off before giving me his number.
“Who was that?” asked Joe in a somewhat furious tone of voice. Im guessing he saw everything from the bench he was sitting on in front of the hotel. I bit my lip.
“A friend” I said before brushing past him and into the hotel. I got dressed and went back downstairs with everyone and headed to the venue. Since we were getting there later than usual they would have to do sound check right away. This time Joe didn’t sit next to me but he kept glancing my way the whole way there. When we got there me and the girls headed into the amphitheater and sat down in the front row. There were a few other girls there, but other than that we were the only ones there.
“Alright guys, this first one is year 3000.” Said Joe into the mic. My heart melted as he jumped around the stage. He made his way over to some other fans and sent them flirtatious smiles. They all giggled loudly as he walked away. I couldn’t help but feel jealous because of it. Maybe I wasn’t completely over him…at least not yet.
After sound check they hopped off the stage to sign a few autographs then came over to us. But of course Joe being Joe stayed and flirted with the girls. I stayed seated in my chair. Arms folded across my chest. This concert tour was going to be a B-L-A-S-T…we all made our way outside and decided to chill at the beach. Everyone was staring at Kev and Tara. They must have seen the article about the two of them. I felt really sorry for them. Joe hadn’t said a word to me since he saw me and Josh outside the hotel. I guess he was just getting me back. I don’t see why though. I didn’t even do anything. All I did was talk to the guy. It was time to head back to the venue for the concert. Katie, Tara, Ashley and I went backstage to the lounge and sat down to talk. “What’s up with you and joe?” asked Ashley. She and Katie hadn’t heart about the “marry me” thing yet, so I told them the whole story how he saw me and this guys josh talking outside at the hotel. They stared at me with blank expressions.
“Don’t you think the two of you should at least try and talk about it?” asked Katie flipping through a magazine. I shook my head.
“About what? He’s the one at fault here. And besides, we just started dating and then he asks me to marry him? Where did that come from? And now after all of this, I don’t even thing I love him anymore” I said looking around making sure no one was eaves dropping.
“That’s awful!” exclaimed Tara. She always had a way to make me feel guilty, but without her I don’t know where I’d be. “You still love him. Don’t even say that. I can see it in the way you look at him” she said, her eyes boring into mine.
“Alright, fine maybe I do still love him, maybe im just scared about this whole thing” I half yelled. They shook their heads in agreement. “And it doesn’t help that he flirts with other girls in front of me either” I hugged.
“You afraid you’re gonna lose him?” Tara asked in a kind gentle whisper. I nodded my head. I had already lost him more than once. And I guess I don’t want it to happen again. The guys all came out and gave us hugs and of course Joe had avoided me. I sat back down on the couch and closed my eyes. Keeping the now pouring tears from raining down my face. We stood endlessly on the side of the stage watching them perform. I sort of wish I had just stayed home if this is all were going to be doing. At the end of one of their last songs Joe stepped up to the mic.
“How are you all doing tonight?” he asked in a heavy breath. “I just want to say thank you all for coming out tonight and I wanted to apologize… you know who you are, and I want to let you know, my offer still stands” he said taking a sip from his water bottle. I looked at the crowd. I laughed as I saw confused faces. Then I was shoved by Tara, making my presence known on stage. I shyly stepped out so everyone could see me. I stared at Joe. He stared at me for the longest time. He held out his arms to me and I couldn’t help but run into them. Embracing him in a much needed hug.
“I’ll take you up on that offer” I whispered to his face. He smiled as his lips pressed firmly down on mine. His breathing heavied even bore as he brushed my neck.
“Okay, guys. Let’s keep it PG” said Kevin with a chuckle. The whole crown laughed along with him.
“See you later” I said before walking back to Tara and the others. “Thanks for the push” I mumbled giving Tara a hug.
