Lost In The Moment (Moment #1) (4 page)

As we walk down the boardwalk surrounded by music and people dancing enjoying the day, I can feel him staring at me, like he's looking for some sign as to what I'm feeling, but I've managed to stick to acting like nothing happened. To kill the awkward silence and staring I try to start up conversation. "You guys want to get a spot on the beach so us girls can work on our tans and hopefully relax away this hangover." They must've got my humor because they were all smiling at me. "Yea. Let's go. You know I could use a tan." Kayla replies with a cute smirk.

Her reply was funny since she has pretty fair skin and doesn't get much of a tan even after being in the sun all day. We find a spot, as Kayla is laying her towel down and I'm getting mine out of my bag, Jason nudges me. "So, how did you sleep last night? You look pretty good this morning for someone who drunk as much as you did." Now he's trying to be funny. I was a little surprised that I'm not feeling too miserable with a hangover, just a little bit of a headache, and I haven't drank that much in a very long time. "I slept very well and I feel fine, surprisingly. That's the most I've drank since my 21st birthday." Saying that was my way of politely saying that whatever happened last night is to be blamed solely on the alcohol and nothing more. "Planning on going out again tonight?" he asks. "I think so." I know he's going to join since Kayla and Cameron are already talking plans for hanging out tonight. "Well I just so happen to have a fully stocked bar right by my pool if you ladies want to come over." He wants me at his house? He is so confusing. One minute he's practically kicking me out and the next he's inviting me over. Before I can even respond, Kayla responds for me. "That's a great idea.

Drinks by the pool sounds like a good time to me. What do you think Katie?" This is one of those moments where I wish I would've told her everything, and then maybe she wouldn't be so quick to answer for me. I know Kayla will only be here for a week and she seems to really like Cameron so I'd hate to ruin her good time.

Looks like we are going to Jason's. "Sounds good to me." Jason smiles widely at my response. I'm not sure why he wants to hang out with me after our last encounter, it wasn't exactly pleasant, but a night of hanging out drinking without dressing up and wearing high heels sounds like my kind of night. "What do you like to drink? I'll pick up some stuff for you two." Surely if he has a fully stocked bar I can find something, but I should probably avoid liquor, especially after last night. "I'll drink any kind of beer you have. I'm going to stay away from the liquor for a night." He's smiling at my response once again. "A girl who likes beer. I'm sure I have something you'll like. After all, we do seem to have the same taste." His smirk that follows his humor is cute, but I'm still not interested and I hope he doesn't think I am.
After a few hours of small talk on the beach and goofing off on the boardwalk, Kayla and I finally get back to my house. I really had a great time. Jason and Cameron really are a lot of fun so I'm actually looking forward to hanging out with them again tonight, but first I really need a nap and a shower.

I slept for almost an hour and quickly showered since I slept longer than I intended. Kayla was already dressed and standing in the kitchen eager to go when I came downstairs. She must really like Cameron, I haven't seen her so excited to hang out with a guy before. "It's about time. You ready to go?" she asks jokingly. Since I don't feel the need to dress up its jean shorts, a T-shirt, and my plain old grey chuck Taylor's and my hair is down and my curls tamed thanks to my amazing hair product which I have yet to remember to pick up extra of, so I suppose I'm as ready as I'm going to be. "I'm ready when you are." I reply to Kayla. Before I even get the words out she was already at the door ready to walk out.

We head out and figure we will just walk since his house isn't very far and the whole way, Kayla was quiet, which is so unusual for her, it's like she was nervous. I've never seen her like this before. "Are you okay?" I ask. "Of course. Why wouldn't I be?" she answers and looks at me confused by my question. "You just seem quiet. So what's the deal with you and Cameron?" The curiosity is killing me so I had to ask. They're so cute together. Anyone who didn't know they just met would easily think they were a couple in love by the way they act together, it's cute really. "I don't know. I know we just met, but there's just this connection that I've never felt before. It's crazy I know, but I really like him." Kayla falling for a guy she just met? In the years I've known her, I've never witnessed her glow the way she does when she talks about him. She's never been serious about anyone and she's never openly said she really liked someone, every guy she's been with were just fun flings, but this seems different. I suppose I can handle having to hang out with Jason all week if it means seeing her happy like this. "Maybe he's the one." I say and give her a wink and she just smiles back.
We didn't even make it to the door before Cameron was outside greeting us. He grabbed Kayla's hand and pulled her inside and I followed. His house is more amazing than I remembered, but I don't think I did much looking around my first time here it was more kissing and bumping into walls, but looking at it now, it's really amazing. We walk through the house and out the back door to the pool. I though my pool was nice, but his is incredible, from a waterfall to an attached hot tub it was almost breathe taking. My first thought is to grab a cold beer and sit with my feet in the pool. Luckily I came prepared and wore my bikini under my clothes since both Jason and Cameron were just wearing swimming trunks. I think I've seen Jason shirtless more than I've seen him full clothed, but I'm not complaining because he definitely has a nice body and that's seriously the last thing I need to be thinking about. Get a grip Katie.

With it being close to getting dark out, Jason is over setting up the fire in the fire pit just by the pool. I grab a beer and walk over to the pool, I'm really not a big beer drinker, but liquor and Jason isn't a combination I'm trying to mix tonight. I take my shirt off since there's still some sun shining and I really need to work on my tan as much as possible if I want to fit in here. I'm pretty tan normally, but in LA almost everyone has a nice dark tan. I set my shoes and socks a little away from the pool so I can sit down and put my feet in the pool. I see Jason staring at me and I know it's because I'm sitting here with just a bikini top and shorts, but I don't care because I'm not in any way trying to impress him.

Kayla and Cameron are cozied up in the lounge chairs talking and laughing and I can't help but think how cute they are and how sad it is that Kayla has to leave in just a week. I wonder if they'll stay in touch after she leaves. Maybe she will come visit more. My thoughts were abruptly interrupted by Jason sitting down beside me and of course smiling widely. "I'm glad you came." he says happily. "I knew Kayla wanted to hang out with Cameron so of course I had to come." I'm known for my sharp tongue and blurting things out without thinking, but I just can't have him think I'm came for him, because I didn't. "Gee thanks." he says with his boyish grin. He had this charm about him and again I find myself strangely lost in it.

I quickly bring myself back by reminding myself I could never picture him as anything more than a friend, even that was pushing it. "Come on." he says to me as he's standing up reaching his hand out to grab mine. I go along and giving him mind hand curious as to where he's taking me. He frees my hand and I continue to follow him into the house and to the kitchen.

On my way inside I managed to catch a glimpse of Kayla and Cameron snuggled up closer than before. I'm still in awe of how cute they are together and the glimmer in her while she sits there intertwined in him. Having to be stuck hanging out with Jason is worth it if it means seeing her like this.
"You have to try one of these." as he's grabbing a glass and pouring something in it. "What is it?" It has a pretty light purple color to it and I noticed he was drinking it as well. I'm going to guess and say it's liquor based and exactly what I was hoping to avoid. "It's the best drink you'll ever drink. It's my secret drink. Just try it." he hands me the glass.

Why not, I'm curious and will just have one. I take a big sip and to my surprise, it's really good. I definitely taste the liquor in it, but can quite figure out what it is. It has a sour and sweet taste to similar to a Long Island iced tea, but with something fruity and it's definitely stronger which is odd since a Long Island iced is pretty strong as well, but it’s nothing compared to this. "It's really good. What's it called?" I ask. "It's called the Jason." he replies and takes a big drink all while smiling. "The Jason? Really? I think I've had all of the Jason I can handle." his eyebrows raise to my comment and then bursts out laughing.

Yes I was referring to last night and he knew that's exactly what I was referring to. If I'm going to be forced to hang out with him I might as well break free from the awkwardness between us. I feel relieved that's it out in the open and I can stop trying to act like it didn't happen. "You're funny and cute." he manages to say while still laughing. "I'll show you cute if you ever let me kiss you again when I'm too drunk to think clearly."

Once I unleash the smart ass side of myself it's hard to get it back in check, but I was partially being serious, I would be furious with him and my drunken self if a replay of last night ever happened again. "I'll make sure next time you're not too drunk." he winks at me. "There won't be a next time drunk nor sober." I smile at my openness. We make our way back outside drinks in hand to see Kayla and Cameron making out. Jason looks at me shaking his head. "Do you want to go for a swim?" It's pretty much dark now, but since it's not cold, a night swim sounds alright, it's better than watching Kayla and Cameron with their tongues down each others throats. I set my drink down on the ground by the pool to take off my shorts and of course Jason is staring at me.

To kill the yet again awkward moment, I take a couple steps back to run and cannon ball into the pool splashing water right onto Jason. The stunned look on his face when I emerge from the water is priceless, but as I'd expected, he does the same by jumping in right beside me splashing water in face. He comes up and we are both laughing now. We splashed around and shoved each other under like we did the other night in my pool just without the up close hesitation when I thought he was going to kiss me. We take a break to hang on the side of the pool and grab our drinks. As I grab my drink I look up and notice Kayla and Cameron were gone. They must've made their way inside for a quiet and more private place to be alone.

Now it's just Jason and I alone. I can feel this drink kicking in but not to the point of feeling too drunk, more of just feeling relaxed. Jason is on his third one so I know he's feeling it, I'm surprised that he's doing such a good job at hiding it. I look at him to see he's looking at me. "What?" I ask curious about what he's thinking. "Nothing." he shakes his head with a somewhat serious look on his face. "Just tell me." Now I'm really curious. "There's just something about you Katie. I just can't figure it out. You're different, but in a good way." he looks away like he's trying to hide his expression. "What is there to figure out? Not everyone is as awesome as me. I will say it's not easy being this awesome." I say in an attempt to lighten the mood. He laughs, thankfully. "You are pretty awesome. It's getting cold, let's go inside." We get out and he hands me a towel from the lounge chair by the pool.
After making our way back inside we head upstairs so Jason can try to find something comfortable for me to wear. I look around his room thinking about last night and what would've happened if he didn't stop. Would I still be here hanging out with him? He stops my thinking to hand me a pair of shorts and a t-shirt and I go into the bathroom just off of his bedroom to change. Just as I take my bikini top off, he walks in "This shirt is a little smaller if you want it instead." I scramble to grab the towel to cover my chest. "Have you ever heard of knocking?" He's looking at me smiling from ear to ear. "It's not like I haven't seen it all before." I scowl at his remark. "Very funny." I say before grabbing the shirt he's holding. He turns and walks out and I shut the door behind him. I quickly get dressed before he finds another reason to barge in. I open the door and walk out to see him standing there completely naked and my jaw drops. He doesn't even flinch, he just looks at me. "Have you ever heard of knocking?" he says with a smirk.

Why am I still looking? Oh my gosh Katie, turn around. I turn and walk back into the bathroom and wait a few seconds before saying "Are you dressed yet?" he immediately answers "Yes I'm dressed. You can come out now." I walk out to him fully clothed sitting on his bed holding the TV remote. "What movie do you want to watch?" I see him clicking through movies and clicks the romance category. Is he serious right now? I join him and sit on the other side of the bed. "Romance? Really?" He looks at me realizing I caught him picking the romance category. "Would you rather watch something scary?" I do like scary movies, but comedies are usually my go to when it comes to picking a movie. "How about a comedy? The funnier, the better." He nods in agreement with my choice. "I actually just bought a movie I think you'll like. Be right back."

He jumps up and runs downstairs. Not even a minute later he's comes back in with a movie, a bag of sour patch kids, my favorite by the way, and some Doritos. He puts the movie in and sits on the bed beside me. After laughing together about every part of the movie, Jason switched the TV over to just a TV show and before I could even see what was on I was sound asleep.
I started to wake and I know it was still late at night because it was pitch dark in the bedroom. I must've been cold since I fell asleep on top of the comforter and I didn't want to wake Jason by trying to wiggle underneath to cover up, he looked to so peaceful laying there and as I looked at him I got this feeling, a feeling I can't explain. I know I was still half asleep, but I found myself thinking that maybe there was something between us, a real connection I've never felt before. If this connection was real, why was I fighting it? I came to LA to change my life and how I lived it, but how can you change if you hide behind fear, fear of being close to someone again has made me push him away and pretend I don't feel the way I do.