Divinity: The Gathering: Book One (55 page)

He stepped away and waited patiently for
me as I turned my back to him, and waited for Cam to answer.

             
He answered on the second ring and upon immediately hearing his rich, deep voice —waves of both excitement and arousal coursed and pulsed through me all the way down to my toes.

“Hi Cam, it’s Star.”

“Hey, is everything okay?” He asked.

“Oh, yeah of course. Um, I know we didn’t plan on going to the rock concert
, but I told my friend that I’d meet her here for support. I didn’t plan on being here long, so I wondered if you wouldn't mind picking me up here instead?” I asked.

“You’re at the concert now?” He asked as if he
were surprised to hear that.

“Yeah well it’s more of the pre-show stuff right now. I know I probably should’ve called you sooner, I’m sorry.” I told him.

“No don’t apologize it’s okay. I can be there within the next twenty minutes. You’re not there by yourself are you?” He then asked, like I had no business being here by myself.

“Well no. I’m looking for my friend China right now
, but I came here with another friend and FYI, the traffic is lousy here. It’s pretty packed so just call me when you get here, and I’ll meet you somewhere near the north entrance because it’ll take you forever to find me otherwise.” I then said.

There was a slight pause
, and I hoped he wasn’t annoyed by that.

“Traffic won’t be a problem for me. I’m on my way so I’ll see you in a little bit.” He then said
, and I could tell he was smiling when he said that.

I smiled, “Okay, bye.” I said and tapped the end call icon.

I couldn’t wait to see him again.

Several blocks were blocked off by police cars or traffic cones, detour signs and barricades, which left the only two lanes left open for traffic, jam packed. A large stage sat in the middle of all the activities while stage hands and sound techs put together and tested out the sound system. An array of booths and kiosks from t-shirts, novelties, all sorts of grilled foods, drinks, beer, band souvenirs, Halloween novelties with band logos, and just about every local radio station in the city hosting contests for prizes, had been set up in neat rows packed with fans gathered all around.

             
The smell of barbecue, grilled corn and onions saturated the air, surrounded by the thumping of drums and wailing of guitars from a DJ manned booth, somewhere amid the setup.

I hated crowds like this. Not meaning the rock music fans dressed in leather and spikes, Goth gear and piercings in places that made me cringe in particular, but the whole elbow to elbow thing.

I already regretted telling China I’d meet her and given what I was seeing, it’d be a miracle if I could even find her in this crowd.

             
I was about to text her anyway to let her know that me and Joel were here so we could meet up, when Joel grabbed my hand and stopped me before we began to merge into the crowd and look around.

“Hey, if it doesn’t work out with this guy, I wa
nna pick up where we left off…minus the head-butt. I’m serious.” He then said with a chuckle, looking down at me, and brushing my cheek with his finger.

I laughed
, and was struck speechless at first.

“Okay.” Was all that came out of my mouth b
efore I could even think the words to tell him it would be pointless, because I’d be too much of a headache.

He was just about to lean in and try to kiss me again
, when I heard my name faintly…I think.

Joel sighed and mumbled with annoyance as we both looked around
, trying to search the faces of the crowd for anyone familiar but seeing no one yet. I snickered to myself; I guess it just wasn’t meant to be I thought silently.

“Star, hey Joel! Star!” Someone was waving.

China finally emerged from the crowd with an excited smile on her face, and two other girls from her media communications class in tow.

We both waved as they all jogged towards us.

“Perfect timing,” Joel grumbled with pursed lips.

I simply smiled at him.

“Man, you know there’s gonna be some fools tonight. I can smell the alcohol from here,” Joel then commented, after looking around and spying several guys starting a mosh pit near some makeshift bon fire thing.

“Yeah, I don’t regret not staying at all.” I then said watching them all rough house each other
, and obnoxiously curse out loud.

“That barbecue sure smells good though,” Joel patted his stomach with a smile
, looking down the walk path to the right.

“How hungry are you?” I asked him, spying the line that nearly wound down the wide walkway
, teeming with people.             

“Damn, not that hungry.” Joel joked with a hand to the small of my back
, and leading the way in order to guide us through the throng, so I wouldn’t have to brush up against anyone.

             
We met China halfway, and she stepped back to check out my outfit with an approving smile and nod.

“Hotness girl, damn look at you! I didn’t think you were coming since it was getting late. Is he picking you up here?” She said with a twinkle in her green eyes.

“I know. I couldn’t decide what to wear and time got away from me. Yeah, he’s picking me up here.” I nodded and explained.

She gasped and squealed giddily, “Damn he’s gotta be smoking for you of all people to fuss over what
to wear.” China snickered.

I pursed my lips
, even though she was right.

“That’s what I said.” Joel commented.

“Hey Joel, Steve and some of the other guys are over by the beer kiosk. He told me to tell you to get in line with them, they’re near the front already, and they have another guy holding a place for them near the front of the pork barbecue sandwich line too if you’re hungry,” China thumbed behind her in the direction they had come from.

Picking up on the potentially awkward scenario, she was coming to my rescue and I appreciated it. We were so in sync, that was why she was my best friend.

“For real? Well…” Joel’s eyes widened, and I could literally hear him salivate upon mention of both beer and food.

“Go, I’ll be wit
h China, have fun.” I told him, suppressing a smile.

He bit his lip and hesitated for a moment, “A
lright, I’ll be back, you want something?” He asked.

“No.” I shook my head.

“Okay.” He said giving me a quick kiss on the cheek.

“Ooh la la, what was that about?” China teased
, apparently having picked up on the difference in the way Joel looked at me.

“Nothing.” I waved off.

“Uh-huh. Well, this is Laura and Avery, guys this is my roommate and bestie, Star.” China introduced us.

“Hi, I love that color and that dress, it looks good on you.” Laura smiled.

“Thank you.” I replied.

“Star is gorgeous isn’t she?” China went on with a smile.

She was making me blush.

“So when and where is your interview gonna be and who’s the lucky band again?” I asked her.

China glanced at her watch, and then waved a press card she had in a plastic covered lanyard around her neck. “Fire Raiser and soon I hope, I don’t wanna miss the show. It’s somewhere backstage where the tour buses are parked. I wish you were staying, it really looks like it’s gonna be kick ass, even if you don’t like the music.” She then said.

“I didn’t say I didn’t like rock, it’s just not my preference in music
, but we’ll see. He may decide to stay for a bit.” I replied.

“Well come on let’s go get in line with Steve too, I could use a beer for my nerves. Where is he meeting you?” She then asked.

“Up near the front entrance. I don’t want to stray too far since this area isn’t as crowded.”

“Okay
, well let’s at least get a beer or something, I’ll introduce you to some people and then I’ll walk you back here and wait with you.” She offered.

              It took forever to push through the hordes of people who were either trolling the booths, playing games for prizes hosted by the WCUUL radio, or standing in a line for food and drinks. The music, conversation and laughter all around us was deafening. We all had to shout to talk to each other. There were people of all ages and all walks, mostly punk, Goth and rocker types, but some people had even brought their young children. Not a smart thing to do at this kind of venue, I thought to myself.

I glanced at my phone every now and again in case Cam had called or texted me while we walked
, but so far he hadn’t yet.

China’s phone played its melodic chime
, and she glanced at the display with a wide grin, “Hang on, this is it!” She said excitedly as she answered it.

I glanced around at the booths and kiosks while she conversed with whoever it was on the other end with enthusiasm, mentioning that they’d be right over
, and what entrance did they need go into.

“Yes! That was Fire Raiser’s manager; they’re ready for the interview… oh yeah! Hey guys, they’re ready for us, let’s go!” China finally en
ded the call, and then waved to Avery and Laura.

“Now? Oh, well I guess I’ll wait with Joel here then,” I pointed back towards the entrance.

“Wait with Joel? That’ll be tacky not to mention killing Joel softly girl. I’ll wait with you, Lauren and Avery can go ahead of me. I’ll catch up and don’t worry, I’ve got Steve and his gang to escort me, so I won’t be alone, let me text him to get me a beer too. Damn, I’m not gonna get a chance to meet…oh my god holy, hot damn,” China then trailed off with her phone still in hand, while looking over my head with her mouth open. Laura, Avery, and half the damn girls behind her also followed suit next, so I turned around to see what all the gawking and pause had been for —thinking it may have been one of the bands strolling through.

             
Instantly my heart began to throb, and the dancing butterflies began to flutter wildly in my belly. Cam was heading towards us — tall, dark, perfectly styled mussed hair, muscular broad and solid body fitting perfectly in the black, form fitting shirt he wore that clung to and hugged the bulges and ripples in his arms, chest, and abdomen like a second skin. The dark blue jeans he wore were faded a bit on the thigh areas, and hung relaxed on his narrow waist. They had to have been custom made to fit that perfectly on him, given his height.

             
Though I found myself swooning and drooling too, I suddenly wondered how the hell he had gotten here and found me so fast.

He was smiling his perfect, white prince char
ming like smile, and that made him even more captivating and beautiful. I hated that all these other girls were staring at him like that too, soon to be staring at us when we left together.

His gorgeous indigo blue and dark green eyes gazed me from head to toe
, as he moved in beside me with a gentle hand on my back. The static was back —just as I figured it would be, but I ignored it even though it was affecting my dress and hair a bit.

“Wo
w, you look beautiful. You weren’t hard to find at all. Are you ready?” He asked.

Damn, he even smelled good
, too. I inhaled and took cautious mental note of that.

“Thank you. Yeah…that was quick,” I nodded
with a smile, almost forgetting that China was standing there.

“I told you, traffic isn’t a problem for me.” He smiled.

I wasn’t sure I believed that, but…well, he was here.

“Oh, this is my best friend and roommate China, her friends Laura and Avery. This is Cam.” I f
inally snapped out of admiring him and introduced them.

             
God, they were all still gaping as if he truly were a rock star, or an athlete and no, I couldn’t blame them. Cam waved and flashed that gorgeous smile.

“Nice to meet all of you,
” He replied.

China moved in close to me and whispered shar
ply in my ear.

“He’s a cop? I bet he’s freaking hot in his un
iform, no wonder you couldn’t resist. Where the hell did you find him and does he have any brothers? Shit Star, that’s a lot of delicious man and…uh…take it slow, because he may be too much for you to handle and take for a starter.” She said jokingly, and I knew what she meant.

I gasped and playfully punched her arm, “I can’t believe you just said that.” I whispered back.

“Ouch — what?” She laughed while grabbing her arm.

I gave her a wry look
, glancing over at Cam who didn’t seem to be paying attention to us at the moment since Laura and Avery had begun a conversation with him, but he sure was smirking as if he probably had heard China and I blushed.

“Oh
, hi Steve,” I waved looking behind China.