Tied to Our Fate

I didn’t want to go to crazy with what I wore so I just decided to keep it simple, wearing a flowy black skirt that came a little above my knees and a white tank top. I curled my hair a little, nothing too fancy and went a little bold with my eye makeup with green and black and blending it out to make sure I didn’t look like a hooker.
The knock at the door startled me a little and I quickly grabbed my purse and went to answer it.
“Hey.” I was greeted by Brian.
“Hey.” I smiled back.
“Ready?”
I nodded and shut the door behind me and he lead the way to his car.
“Who’s going to be here tonight?” I asked, as we made our way down the highway.
“I think Matt and Val. Maybe Johnny, Jason and Matt.”
“Oh.”
“Why?” he questioned.
“I was just wondering.”
“Don’t want to be seen with me, I see…” he teased.
“I didn’t say that.” I giggled.
“Well too bad if you don’t because it’s happening.” He smirked, looking in my direction.
“Whatever just watch the road.” I laughed.
“So you don’t mind that our friends are going to be there do you really?”
“No, I don’t. Do you?”
“Nope.” He smirked again.
“Have you heard from my brother today?”
“No I haven’t.’
“Hmmm, weird.”
“What?”
“He left late this morning and I haven’t heard anything out of him; usually I do.”
“I’m sure he’s fine.” He added as we pulled into the parking lot.
I shrugged it off. I’m sure he was fine.
Brian came over to my side of the car and took my hand. I smiled down at our intertwined fingers as he led me to the door. As soon as the door opened, the overpowering smell of alcohol hit me in the face. It was a little noisy and a little crowded in here tonight, but it was Sunday so I guess everyone one getting all their weekend partying done before tomorrow morning.
“Hey, over here!” I heard from across the bar.
I looked around and saw Val standing up, waving her arm. Brian saw too and we ordered drinks from the bar and then took a seat around the table. To my surprise, it was only Matt and Val here tonight; that I knew of anyway.
“Hey guys!” we were greeted by Matt.
“Hey.” I waved.
“Is it just you all tonight?” Brian asked.
“Afraid so. Jason and Matt bailed and Johnny didn’t return my call and neither did Zack, so I don’t know.” Matt replied.
“So you haven’t heard from Zacky either?” I wondered.
“Nope, I haven’t.”
“Why? Is something wrong?” Val asked worriedly.
I shook my head.
“No, I don’t think so. He’s probably off doing something. You know how he gets sometimes.”
As the night went on we had a few more drinks, laughing, telling stories of the times when we were younger. Even thought I was a little younger than the rest of them, I still got into trouble with them and had some wild times. Zack always let me tag along for the ride.
I took a sip of my drink and felt something on my leg. Looking down I realized it was Brian’s hand on my knee. I quickly glanced up to his face; a small smirk played at the corner of his mouth and he gave my knee a light squeeze. I tried to hide my smile as Val told a story that sadly I had forgotten what it was about. I was too distracted by the warm hand on my knee.
“…But I don’t know why they said that because and Brian I swear if you don’t stop being handsy under the table with her I’m gonna smack you. You are distracting her from our conversation!” She stated.
Matt busted out laughing and I almost spit my drink all over everyone within a five foot radius.
Oh God… I thought.
I tried to focus on something else other than the burning sensation in my cheeks.
“Don’t be embarrassed Stace!” Matt chuckled.
“Jeez, it’s not like no one know Brian here has had the hots for you for forever.”
My face got even redder.
“Matt!” Val hissed elbowing him hard in the side.
“Well on that note…” Brian began, standing up.
“We have dinner plans.”
I looked up to him.
“We do? We do! Well see you guys later.” I smiled.
“Bye guys!” Val smiled.
I got up from the table following closely behind Brian.
“Sorry, just thought you might want to get out of there.” Brian told me when we reached the outside.
“I did. Thank you.” I smiled.
He put his arm around my shoulders as we walked to the car.
“Want to take a walk?”
I nodded looking up to him. He was awfully close to me and it surprised me how much I liked it.
We walked around for about an hour just talking and finally wound up at the beach. As I took a seat in the sand beside him he pulled his arm around me and I leaned into him.
“He fucked you up didn’t he?” Brian asked out of the blue.
We had just been sitting there starring into the dark ocean not saying a word.
I thought about it for a second, not sure how to respond. He just sat there starring in front of us waiting for my reply.
“A little.” I admitted.
He looked me in the eye.
“A little? I can see it all over you.”
“What do you mean?”
“You used to be so carefree and now you’re just quiet and don’t really do anything.”
I was a little surprised by his words but I knew this talk was coming sooner or later.
“I…don’t know what to say. I’m just…I don’t know.”
His arm around me gripped me tighter and he scooted closer to me.
“I would never do that to you, you know that right?” he whispered.
I looked down and nodded.
“I just want you to give me a chance to prove that.”
“I know.” I spoke quietly.
“Stacy, I like you, I always have. I just wish I would have told you sooner and I want to make that up to you now, ok?”
“Ok.” I smiled looking at him.

Notes