Standing There (Love in the Park 1)

Chapter 4

Lindsay

The energy is electric as everyone dances to the end of Twist and Shout. “Welcome Crest Hill,” the lead singer shouts and the people go wild cheering for more and then the next chords hit and everyone screams. I’m so excited as I belt out the words to We Can Work It Out.

Katherine and I are moving our heads to the rhythm of the song just like the rest of the crowd when I sense a change in the air. It’s a tingling that races up my spine, not in fear but a sense of anxious curiosity. It’s not the fear that I’ve had for years, it’s something so different. The kind of energy that pulls you toward it.

It’s odd that I feel an overwhelming need to turn my head. I move to the music, twisting just enough to make the look seem accidental, but when I do, I see a man so handsome that my breath catches. I freeze and take him in. He’s over six feet tall with a medium build, smaller than my brother, but in no way weak looking. He has masculine written all over him. My eyes go to the long sleeve shirt he has on. It’s rolled up over his forearm, showing his natural strength. “Wow,” I whisper, ogling his chiseled face covered with a hint of scruff My body reacts in a new way, and I know damn well, I shouldn’t be welcoming thoughts of giving him all of me. He smiles just enough to let me know that he saw my visceral reaction. I blush, but the sun is setting so he probably can’t tell. At least that’s the lie I tell myself.

I turn back to the stage and try to focus on the music and not my racing heart. I shouldn’t even be thinking about a stranger. I couldn’t trust a family friend or a high school boyfriend, but I have no qualms about wanted to know the hot guy.

It’s not long before I have to sneak a peek and he’s still staring. His eyes are intense and focused on me. Hell, he’s so damn gorgeous that I give him a weak smile, but it instantly fades when I see a pretty woman rest her head on his arm. Fucking bullshit. Suddenly I need air even though we’re outside. Is gorgeous synonymous with asshole or what?

I’m done with hot men. At nineteen, I need to just take a break from the opposite sex. It’s not like I’ve been anything more than kissed anyway. I’m not getting sex. It’s my fault, but it was the best decision I ever made. I would totally hate myself if I gave up my v-card to my ex. He wasn’t a virgin and blamed his cheating on the fact that I wasn’t ready to give him my cherry as he so eloquently put it. I never confessed to him that I’d been broken and nearly raped, but he didn’t deserve an explanation.

I lean over to my bestie and shout, “I’m going to the bathroom.” She nods, and I cut out as fast as I can, looking for the potties. I easily spot them; the bathrooms are located at the field house on the far end of the park much closer to the vendors than the stage. Luckily the front of the stage is practically a mosh pit, hiding me as I make my escape. By the time I get to the bathrooms, I feel like an idiot. It wasn’t like he would have approached me. I shake it off and walk into the restroom area. I don’t have to go, but I want to look at myself. Seeing my reflection, I don’t look as crazy as I feel.

Good. I wash my hands, then turn to walk out and run directly into his little woman. “Just the woman I was looking for,” she says. My face drops. I don’t want problems with her.

“Excuse me?” I question, attempting to move past her, but as I’m about to a swarm of women, two with strollers come into the bathroom. They also distract the woman just enough to let me make my escape. The squeeze is tight, and I’m not going to get by easily, but I manage to get away from the man’s angry wife. Do they make men who aren’t complete douchebags anymore? Did they ever?

I send Katherine a message as I head toward the car. I need to get away.

Chapter 5

Roman

“Casey, what are you doing here? I thought you were on your way to get something to eat,” I bark out in an angry whisper.

She tilts her head up and says, “I was, but then I saw that chick staring at you, inching closer and all. I know that usually, I back you up when it comes to these eager chicks. What’s wrong?” My sister looks hurt, and I feel like a dick, but I can’t think straight. All I can think about is Lindsay was interested until she saw Casey then she ran off.