A Fine Line (15 page)

There was a beat before Wes asked, “Can I take you?”

“You would do that?” Lucy eyed him warily.

And miss being your knight in shining armor? Not bloody likely.

“Why not? I haven’t seen a lot of this country yet. This is a perfect opportunity,” Wes responded casually.

Lucy didn’t even hesitate, “Then let’s go!”

She scrambled to get her things out of the back of her car and threw them in Wes’s mini Cooper. He gallantly opened the door for her and they were off.

Over an hour later, Lucy was chomping down her fingernails, “Are you sure you have enough gas?”

“Lucy, you asked me that same question miles ago. I think we’ll be okay.”

Ask him if he wants to stay and watch the show…

Why, so I can see him and Molly happily together? No, thanks for playing.

Not necessarily…

So what? He watches the show. Then what happens? He watches our band lose and make idiots of ourselves and goes home? Sounds like a fun night.

You don’t know how tonight’s going to turn out.

I know. I’m just tired and stressed and completely pessimistic at this point.

Well, you can always see if he wants to stay and spend the night – there’s an extra spot in your room.

WHAT?! How is that even a suggestion? I barely know him…

Come on, last band competition? What kind of better senior prank is there than hiding a guy in your room? Plus, you have to admit, after ogling and drooling over him for the past six weeks there’s a part of you that is dying to know what it would be like cuddled up next to him.

And you think the girls will go for this? What about Molly? I’m not the kind of girl that’s going to be the other woman.

Who knows? Anyway, all you can do is ask. If Wes says ‘yes’ then go from there.

I need to get more sleep.

Interrupting her slumber party thoughts, Wes asked Lucy conversationally, “So, what’s this competition all about?”

“Basically, we’re competing against bands from all over the state to be the best. To have the most technically demanding and together show out of everyone out there. All the sections in the band have to come together. They give out awards for sections, like mine, and overall band awards.” Without giving any further thought, Lucy blurted out, “Do you want to stay and watch? I’ll bet they have nothing like it where you’re from.”

Wes glanced at his watch and answered, “Well, what time do you think you’ll go on?”

“I think we’re on around 7PM.”

“That would put me back too late.”

The words hung in the car.

Lucy swallowed and said, “You can stay with me.”

Wes immediately raised his eyebrows and gave her an uncertain look.

Flushing, Lucy explained her seemingly ridiculous offer, “I mean, we’re staying overnight for this competition because it’s so far from the school and everything, and I mean, it wouldn’t be just me, it would also be Mandy and Gina, but at least you’d have a bed and a story to tell. Or, um, maybe you could stay with Molly…”

Wes chose to ignore the Molly suggestion, “Couldn’t you get in serious trouble?”

“At this point I don’t really care.”

“Let me think about it.”

Lucy didn’t want to admit that part of her was crushed that he hadn’t jumped at the chance. She turned up the radio and watched the world go by and began to relax. Sitting with Wes, driving on this beautiful Saturday afternoon, seemed completely natural. Then she looked at the time, trying to calculate how much longer it would take them to get there and started fidgeting.

“What seems to be the problem now?”

Lucy winced at his tone, but reminded herself that he was definitely going beyond the call of duty, “Well, we’re getting close and I think I’m supposed to be in uniform when we get there and I haven’t changed yet…so…”

“Just pop in the back seat…I promise I won’t look.”

Much.

Wes was momentarily taken aback when Lucy punched his shoulder.

“What was that for?” Wes asked innocently.

“You think I’m in an all guy section and don’t know what that last look meant? What kind of idiot do you take me for?”

“Well, consider a few peeks payment for this trip,” Wes said flirtatiously.

“Fine.”

Lucy launched herself into the back of Wes’s tiny car and tried her best to change into her bedazzled dress without revealing everything to the driver.

Well, I might ‘accidentally’ give him something to look at…

Wes pulled down his sunglasses, turned up the radio and began humming to himself, glancing back about every thirty seconds and grinning.

“Hope you enjoyed the show,” Lucy commented as she climbed back into the front seat a few minutes later.

“I certainly did,” he replied.

There was a weird moment between them, when Lucy squealed, “We’re here!”

Wes couldn’t believe the sheer number of buses, equipment trucks, and people that had gathered. He also couldn’t believe the fun road trip with Lucy was about to end. It seemed like they had just gotten started.

Lucy babbled nervously, “So, if you want to stay, just give me a call and I’ll give you the information where we’re staying and all that.”

Wes paused before answering, “I’ll watch – on one condition.”

Lucy’s interest was piqued, and she asked, “What’s that?”

“Join me on the football field.”

“For what? A game? I don’t think Coach would appreciate that.”

“Please, I’m talking about a lesson in what your country refers to as ‘soccer.’”

“You know, my brother does play the game.”

“Do you?”

“No.”

“Then, a trade. I’ll stay today, and you get a lesson on the best sport in the world next week.”

“You’re on.”

Before either participant had time to question whether or not they were actually setting up what could be considered a date, Lucy’s phone rang. She picked it up, recognizing the number and asked, “Where are you guys? Okay, I think I see that. I’ll see you in a few minutes. Stop here!”

Lucy closed her phone, unsure of what to do next.

What are you waiting for?

“So, thanks for driving me.” With the kick from her conscious, Lucy leaned over to kiss Wes on the cheek, when he had to suddenly stop the car for a passing Guard member. Lucy’s friendly peck ended up square on the masculine mouth she had been dreaming about for the past six weeks. The intense and passionate make out session that instantly followed was a continuation of what had almost happened a few weeks ago in her driveway. Wes’s hand slid behind Lucy’s neck and he brought her in close. As he ran his tongue over her lips, Lucy’s world momentarily stopped – she forgot all about Molly and the competition that was going on outside her window. Somehow finding herself halfway on Wes’s lap, the pair was interrupted when Lucy’s phone started trilling. Looking down breathlessly, she said, “Crap, that’s Tom!”

Like a shooting star, she was gone.

So she finally kisses you and her response is ‘Crap, that’s Tom.’ Nice one, mate.

* * *

CHAPTER SIXTEEN: Take Your Breath Away

While Wes was stuck pondering what the words “crap, that’s Tom” could possibly mean, Lucy walked breathlessly away from the car in utter and total shock. As she passed through the sequins and polyester, all she could think of were Wes’s lips on hers. Almost unconsciously, she ran her fingers over her lips and was not surprised how plump her mouth was. She put her hands up to her face to try and cool down her flushed cheeks, but nothing could control the fact that her heart was currently slamming inside her chest. She allowed herself a few minutes more of basking in the glow of Wes’s affection, before deciding to let the reality of the situation hit her.

What am I going to tell Molly?

Well, was that a one time thing or do you want it to happen again?

What do you think?

Then you’d better discuss things with Wes before you both go to Molly.

Somewhat breathless himself, Wes watched Lucy walk away in her cute swing dress and for the briefest moment considered driving back home.

As if I could stay away…

Good call. Spending the night with three high school girls? They’ll make you a legend back at school.

It’s not going to be like that…I just want to spend time with Lucy.

Wes parked the car and looked for a good spot to watch the competition. He had never imagined anything like this in his entire life. He had no idea that marching bands could compete against one another or that this many bands even existed. Already, he could feel himself getting wrapped up in the excitement of the day.

Bronwyn was worriedly looking through the crowd for Lucy. Her big blue grey eyes scanned the nearby bands, but she couldn’t find her favorite Battery member anywhere.

“What seems to be the problem, Bronwyn?”

Bronwyn turned around and saw Drew looking at her. Her cheeks instantly flushed. She responded, “I’m looking for Lucy. She still hasn’t shown up.”

Drew sighed deeply, “I heard about what happened.”

Bronwyn gritted her teeth, “She’ll make it. I know she will.”

In a natural move, Drew reached over and briefly touched Bronwyn’s shoulder for reassurance. Unfortunately, there was no time to consider what his gesture meant as both the Drum major and the freshman Pit member sighted Lucy at the same time. Bronwyn looked closely at her friend’s face and was surprised. The redhead had expected Lucy to be frustrated or royally pissed off, but she looked anything but that.

There was no denying the smug and satisfied look on the bass Lieutenant’s face and Bronwyn was instantly wondering who had put it there. As Lucy walked over to where the percussionists were gathering, Drew wandered away, idly wondering if he would ever be able to inspire such a look from a girl.

Attempting to block out all images of Wes (or what had taken place in his car), Lucy hurriedly tried to snap herself back to reality and scrambled to where the Forrest Hills drumline was already unloading the contents to the equipment truck. As she walked up, everyone started clapping. Lucy dropped a quick and saucy curtsy in her bedazzled skirt, then quickly squared her shoulders and marched over to where the band parents were talking to Mr. Izzo. She tapped Mrs. Wyatt on the shoulder, handing the chaperone a piece of paper, “Here’s your,” she paused to hold back an inappropriate word, “form. My parent’s cell phone number is on it. The Line needs me.”

With that she turned on her heel and strolled back over to her section.

Tom commented, “So glad you decided to join us, Ms. Karate.”

Lucy rolled her eyes, but didn’t mind when Tom swept her up in a big hug. He whispered in her ear, “You had me worried.”

She looked up and said, “You didn’t trust I’d find my favorite quint player?”

“Hey, I did. I’m just saying that you cut it close.”

Mark piped up, “Sorry to interrupt this little love fest or whatever, but I don’t think you have to worry about Mrs. Wyatt messing with the Line again.”

“What did you guys do?” Lucy asked while attaching her carrier to her bass drum.

“Why don’t you ask my girlfriend?” Mark motioned to Lucy’s best friends.

Lucy turned around and saw Gina and Mandy with identical smiles on their faces, “What did you girls do?”

“Well, it’s not really us so much, I mean it was an effort put forth by your entire section. We just added the words.”

Mark went out on to proudly sing the Line’s newest cadence, created on the bus ride over, entitled, “Mrs. Wyatt is a Bitch.”

The verbal cues in the song, provided by Gina and Mandy were less than flattering to the band parent and by the end Lucy’s sides hurt from laughing so much. She wiped a tear from her eye and told her friends, “Thank you.”

After a group hug, Gina asked, “What took you so long to get here?”

Lucy’s cheeks immediately went red, “What do you mean?”

Mandy started scrutinizing her friend, “What do you mean ‘what do you mean’? Did something happen this afternoon?”

Lucy’s fingers went to her lips and she pulled her friends away from the percussionists listening ears, “We need to talk.”

“Spill it, Lucy.”

“I just made out with Wes!!”

Gina looked at her, “What? When?”

“After I went to the house to get directions, my car wouldn’t start, so he gave me a ride up to the competition.”

Mandy sighed with a dreamy smile on her face, “A regular knight in shining armor.”

Gina commented, “Some knight.”