Thoughtful(40)

Once we rejoined the guys, we hit up some of the bigger acts. Like they had all day, the guys disappeared into the swarm of the crowd, and Kiera and I melded together once they were gone. At the last show of the night, we were near the back of the crowd, but not as close to the edge as we’d been before. It was pretty tight around us, and Kiera and I were holding each other so close, we were almost one person. I ran my fingers through her hair as her fingers swirled a pattern on my chest. My heart sped up at her nearness combined with the darkness, and I hoped she couldn’t hear it.

The song blaring through the speakers was a popular song on the radio, and I sang along to it. It was a slower song, and I swayed my body a little as I sang. Kiera matched my movement, and before long, we were sort of slow dancing together. I stopped singing and just enjoyed the moment. I pulled her tight for a hug, and she returned the sentiment. It made my heart beat even harder that she’d hugged me back. Why does touching you feel so good? And will it stop the second I drive you home?

I didn’t want it to stop, but I knew it should. What we were doing was stupid and dangerous. Someone was going to get hurt. Denny was going to get hurt. Even though I knew that, my fingers drifted from her hair down to her back, caressing her. I so badly wanted to allow them to drift farther down, to feel them curve around her backside. I wanted to feel her, all of her, but she’d probably slap me if I took it that far. And that’s not what this was about anyway. This wasn’t about sex, this was about our connection.

I still wanted to feel her body though. I wanted to bend down and kiss her too, but I shoved both desires aside. Dancing with her was enough. Dancing with her was amazing. Better than any sex I’d ever had.

I didn’t want the song to end, I didn’t want the show to end, but eventually both did. Kiera and I loosened our holds on each other as the crowd around us dispersed. Maybe I was reading too much into it, but she seemed reluctant to break apart from me, like she’d enjoyed the closeness just as much as I had.

She was clearly exhausted though. When the guys joined up with us, they were wired, practically bouncing off the walls, but Kiera could hardly walk in a straight line anymore. Still holding her hand, I led her through the thinning crowds and back to the car. I did a quick inspection of the Chevelle, but it seemed okay.

Evan and Matt got in the car, and Griffin held the door open for Kiera. He was half-lit at this point, and I could only imagine what he might try to do to her if she sat with him. I was about to tell him to switch with Evan when Kiera crawled into the front seat, between me and Evan, instead of the back. Griffin instantly pouted, and I shot him a smile as I got into the car after her. Sorry, Griff, no fondling this trip.

Spent, Kiera laid her head on my shoulder. She was out like a light by the time we reached the freeway. I could almost hear Evan looking at me; the entire right side of my face burned from his stare, but I concentrated on the road. Nothing to see here, Evan, I swear.

When we got to Pete’s, Kiera was still sleeping, so I made sure I didn’t jostle her too much when I pulled into the parking lot. I stopped my car behind Griffin’s van to let everybody out. Matt and Griffin hopped out, and Griffin started animatedly telling Matt all about how amazing it was going to be when the D-Bags ruled Bumbershoot. Matt, for once, seemed to agree with him.

Evan got out, asked Matt and Griffin a question, then turned back to me. “Hey, Kellan, we’re gonna stay at Pete’s. You comin’?” By the look on his face, it was clear that he wanted me to.

I looked down at Kiera asleep on my shoulder. She was wiped. Waking her up and dragging her into the bar didn’t seem fair. Neither did leaving her in the car, not that I would ever leave her alone and vulnerable like that. “No, I’ll pass tonight. I think I’ll get her to bed.”

Evan just stared at me in response. He was torn, I could see that much. He knew I was right, I needed to get her home, but he was worried about what might happen if I took off with her. I wished he wouldn’t worry about stuff like that. Nothing was going to happen. Not while she was happy with Denny.

After a long pause, he finally told me, “Be careful, Kellan. You don’t need another Joey and…Denny is a friend, man.”

Even though I knew he was thinking it, it stung to hear him say it. I cringed as I thought over how I could possibly explain to him what Kiera and I were. What she meant to me. What Denny meant to me. That I’d never hurt either of them. It was hard to say though, because…I’d really enjoyed holding Kiera today. A lot more than I should have; I already wanted to hold her like that again.