I looked to Julie, who was smiling widely at me. That smile had been missed these last few weeks. The girl wearing it had been greatly missed too.
“You heard the woman. Let's go,” she told me.
So, I kissed her, and did as the woman said.
Midnight Promises
“What time didn't steal from under your nose, circumstance did. It was useless to hope otherwise, useless to dream that the world somehow meant you good.”
Clive Barker
Cabal
♥
“Doritos, and an Icee, if they have them. Otherwise, only the Mister of Pibbs,” Julie instructed me, as she placed the gas nozzle in the tank. I saluted her as Liam and I started into the gas station.
“Sure thing, little lady,” I replied, and spun around.
“You know, I may not can hear everything you and Julie say, but it still sickens me to think of the way you flirt together,” Liam replied.
I laughed and punched his arm. “Gotta keep the romance alive. I can't have my woman leaving me for her adopted brother,” I told him, and Liam started shining his knuckles.
“That's always a possibility. You can't deny my charm,” he replied.
“Charming like a snake, maybe,” I told him, opening the door. He walked in ahead of me, wiping away fake tears.
“Oh my,” he started in a sing song voice. “You don't find men to open doors for their girls anymore,” he replied, fanning his face.
The people inside just looked at us, and Liam shot me a smile as he headed for the drinks. I was embarrassed and quickly followed him to avoid the stares from old guys thinking Liam was my 'girlfriend'.
“That wasn't funny,” I told him.
Liam shrugged. “I thought it was. It's a wonder they didn't pull out their rifles and shoot us both,” he said with a grin, grabbing two Mountain Dews for him and Hilary.
We had just made it to Tennessee. The sun had come up long ago, just over the mountains, and Liam decided that our path should go through Nashville. When we made it, we'd find a hotel, and call the parents.
I had no idea where we were at, only that the gas hand had looked dangerously low, and Julie and I were ready to get out of our seats and stretch our legs.
I didn't see an Icee machine, so I grabbed a Mr. Pibb for Julie and a Sprite for me. I followed Liam into the chips, and grabbed Julie's Doritos, and a bag for myself.
“So, you already told Ava, right?” Liam asked, looking at the chips is serious thought.
“Yeah. She was going to tell your parents so they didn't go crazy and call the cops,” I told him. I looked around, but when one of the old guys gave me a glaring once-over, I ducked my head and looked at Liam again.
“I don't think they'd go that crazy. I'm surprised they haven't called though,” he said, grabbing a bag of Frito’s.
“Maybe Ava did some really good convincing,” I suggested.
He shrugged and grabbed another bag. “Maybe, or maybe they both had a heart attack,” he suggested.
I widened my eyes. “That's not funny,” I replied, but Liam walked away laughing. “I'm serious. Not funny.”
Liam went to the counter, and the lady gave a snide frown to Liam as she rung up his things, and the gas that Julie had finished pumping. He looked back at me. “Put yours up here too,” he offered.
“Really?” I asked, and Liam didn't even bother with answering. I placed mine and Julie's snacks on the counter and the woman rung them up too, frowning bitterly the entire time.
Liam grabbed his things, and he leaned forward slightly. “Don't tell our girlfriends. They would be devastated,” he told her, and then walked out, missing the way the old woman's eyes widened and looked to me as if I were a terrorist.
I ducked out of the store quickly, coming up behind Liam and punching him. “That was definitely not funny, you douche-bag!” I told him.
Julie and Hilary were smiling. “What did he do this time?” Hilary asked, looking in the direction of our voices.
“Your boyfriend had those people thinking he was my boyfriend. They might shoot us if we don't get going,” I told them.
Julie came around to me, smiling widely. “Leaving me for my brother, huh?” she asked.
I leaned down and kissed her. “I wouldn't leave you for the most beautiful woman in the world,” I told her.
“My brother isn't a woman, so you could always-”
“Just shut up and kiss me,” I told her, to which she laughed and obliged. She reached up and planted a sweet kiss on my mouth.
“Disgusting!” Liam yelled, having already gotten Hilary into the front. He was standing above the cab and frowning. “That's my sister, man!” he accused me.
“Shut up,” I told him, and kissed her again. Julie laughed, and then we got into the bed of the truck. We leaned up against the glass, and she smiled at me as we drove away.
And I wondered how I had ended up here, sitting beside her, driving away from everything with my best friend and the love of his life. How had I ended up so happy, and how had I ended up with someone so perfect?
It was definitely a question that didn't need to be answered. Some things were better left unsaid.
♥
We drove into Nashville around three or four that afternoon. It was unlike anything I had ever seen, with the people and the buildings. It seemed everywhere we turned, there was a music reference, and not just country.
Julie looked to me, smiling as she admired the sights. “This is amazing!” she said emphatically.
“You're amazing,” I told her, and she laughed, shaking her head.
“Suck up.”
I smiled and leaned forward to the window. “So, where are we headed?” I asked Hilary. Liam was too focused on driving to turn around and talk.
“He said something about a hotel first, then somewhere to eat. He said he wants to go to the Grand Ole Opry and sing,” she said, and though she wasn't looking toward me, she was smiling.
I laughed and came back to Julie. She had begun to resemble a kid, pointing at the various things and people that caught her attention. I just admired her, and watched her joyful expression.
Eventually, Liam pulled up to a motel, and parked. He turned around, and Julie and I came to the window.
“This place good? They should be relatively cheap, and there's a pool,” he replied.
I looked to Julie, and she nodded, so I shrugged. “Fine by me,” I replied. I looked at Julie again. “Will you and Hilary be okay while Liam and I get a room?” I asked.
Julie nodded and smiled. “I'm going to call my folks while you're gone. We'll be fine,” she assured me.
Liam and I left, and went inside the main office together. We decided on two rooms rather than one. Figured it saved everyone some embarrassment.
When we came back out, Liam drove around to the room, which was on the first floor for Hilary. The motel lacked an elevator, and she wasn't accustomed to stairs yet.
Julie was quiet, but she was pretending to be happy. To a guy that couldn't hear the strain in her voice, and a girl that couldn't see the worry in her eyes, they couldn't see it, but I could.
Our rooms were next to each other, and the pool wasn't too far away. I grabbed Julie's bags and then my own. Liam did the same for him and Hilary.
“Thirty minutes? Get freshened up, and then we're gone,” Liam said, and I finger-gunned him to show my approval. He and Hilary went into their room, and then I followed Julie into ours.
“I'm going to take a shower,” Julie said immediately, grabbing clothes and a bag that I assumed had her soap and things. She was already heading toward the bathroom when I closed the door behind us.
“Okay,” I said as the door closed to the bathroom. I wasn't sure if she had even heard me.
I laid my bag on the bed, and pulled out the things I had brought. I grabbed some fresh clothes, and began taking my shoes off. I tucked my bag under the bed, and flipped on the TV as I listened to the shower.
Jul
ie wasn't in there long. Ten minutes, tops. It was probably less than that, but I wasn't counting. I was just listening, and waiting for her to come out.
When she did, she was wearing one of the hats she had gotten from Ava. The black ski hat, a pair of cut off shorts and a faded red Goo Goo Dolls tee.
“How do you do that?”
“Do what?”
I smiled. “Look so beautiful without even trying? It's not fair for ugly people like myself,” I replied.
Julie smiled and rolled her eyes. “You are really sucking up today, aren't you?” she asked, and went back to her bag, rummaging through it.
“Just trying to keep my woman happy,” I reminded her.
She took out a pair of socks, and got on the bed to put them on. It was while she was doing this that I got up and went into the bathroom to take a shower.
I would like to think I took an even quicker shower, but I spent a lot of time under the drizzling lukewarm water relaxing my muscles. I wanted to see Nashville, but going to bed would be a welcomed sight too.
I came out, and Julie wasn't there. I quickly slipped into my shoes, grabbed my money, and phone, and went to Liam's room. Julie was there, talking with Hilary, while Liam fixed his hair.
“We thought you might have drowned,” Hilary replied, laughing as Julie braided her hair.
Liam, watching us in the mirror grinned at me. “He had a lot of ugly to wash off. Right?” he asked.
I gave him the middle finger and held up my phone. “While Prince Charming is finishing his hair, I'm going to call Ava,” I told them.
For a moment, Julie looked hesitant, then she softly smiled. “We'll be out in a few minutes,” she replied, and turned her attention back to the complicated braid she was doing in Hilary's hair.
I knew her conversation with her parents hadn't gone well. The only thing I was afraid of was that Ava might have sobered up and wasn't happy either.
But when I called, she answered with a cheerful 'hello'. I sighed in relief. “We made it to a motel,” I told her.
“You mean you've been driving since you left?”
“Liam and I took turns,” I replied.
“Where are you at?” she asked.
I laughed. “If I tell you, are you going to send police after me?” I asked.
She laughed in return. “Of course not. I won't tell a single soul,” she replied.
“Nashville.”
“Nashville!” she said excitedly. “If you meet anyone that even looks remotely famous, you better grab an autograph for me.”
“I will,” I promised. I leaned against the wall, and I sighed. “Did you tell Julie's parents?”
“Yeah. They immediately called me when both Julie and Liam were gone. They didn't seem to pleased that they both had left, and Hilary's mother,” Ava made an exasperated sound to show her frustration. “That woman is a bundle of unpleasantness. Not that she can really do anything. All of you are over eighteen, except Julie. But, I think the Michaels are going to get over it.”
I sighed in relief. “I think they might have gave Julie a few choice words,” I told her.
“Probably just upset. I would have been if you had left without telling me,” she replied.
I knew that was true, but she was also not losing a dying daughter. We would be back, but I think they feared losing Julie before we did.
“Did you tell them when we would be back?”
“Yes. I thought they might have a heart attack. Everything will be okay down here though. You four have fun and bring back souvenirs,” she told me.
“Alright, we will.”
“I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
The phone clicked off, and I slid it into my back pocket. I knew Julie was thinking about her parents, but she would keep playing happy camper until she was alone.
I had a feeling she would break down when we came back.
♥
They finally came out, and Liam struck a pose. “Beautiful, huh?” he asked.
I rolled my eyes. “More like conceited.”
He shrugged. “Whatever works.”
I laughed, and Julie came to me, hooking her arm with mine. I smiled at her, and she returned it. I took that as a sign that she would be okay for a while.
“So, where are we going to eat?” Hilary asked, holding to Liam. He was like her guide dog when we walked, and he took that honor with seriousness.
“Somewhere within walking distance,” Julie replied. “I'm tired of sitting for one day.”
I squeezed her arm. “How about we eat at the first restaurant we come to?” I added.
Julie smiled and looked to Liam, who looked amused and interested in the idea. “No matter what type of restaurant it is,” he replied.
Hilary actually looked scared. “Says the pickiest eater. Liam you rarely eat normal food,” she told him.
“So? I like this idea. Come on,” he begged her.
Hilary sighed and leaned against him. “Fine. Lead the way,” she told him. He took the offer and started walking.
The first restaurant we came to was iHop.
Some times you win some, and some times, you just get lucky with pancakes and waffles.
♥
It was a wonder they didn't kick us out. It was also a wonder that Liam didn't throw up, but we managed to both walk out willingly, and avoid a vomit scene of iHop.
Liam loaded his pancakes with cream cheese, and whipped cream and sugar. Plus the colossal amount of strawberries he had asked for, all of his teeth should have rotten off.
Julie and I shared a plate of waffles, neither of us being too big about breakfast foods. Hilary ordered a stack of pancakes, covered in syrup.
I whispered to Julie that we could order pizza when we got back to the motel. She smiled in approval.
We left, and walked along the streets. The lights were on, and Nashville was lit up beautifully. Seeing Julie beneath those lights was mesmerizing, and I got Liam to take a picture of us together. Then some stranger took a picture of all us.
The girls wanted to stop by a boutique as we passed, so all of us went inside. It was, well, chic. The clothes were high end, and expensive. I lifted a blouse, thinking the pale pink tone would be beautiful on Julie, but when the price tag assure d me that it was over three digits, I immediately removed my hand and kept walking.
“May I help you?” a woman asked, coming up to the girls. Julie turned around, and shook her head politely.
“No, we're good,” she said, and then took a pair of jeans from the rack. She looked to me with a smile, and was about to ask me a question when the one asked again.
“Are you sure? I'm not sure if there's much here for you. There's a wonderful store just down the road-”
Julie spun so fast I thought she might fall. I saw the way her eyes cut into the woman, as Hilary held to her arm.
“What is she talking about?” she asked.
“She's being ignorant, is what she's doing,” Julie replied.
I saw the problem, and I almost couldn't blame the woman. A burned boy, a sickly girl, and a blind girl walked into a fancy boutique. The only one that looked as if he belonged was Liam, and he was the wrong gender.
“I'm just off-”
“We don't want any of this knock off crap anyway,” Julie said defiantly, and came with Hilary toward me. “Let's go. Maybe we can find a Walmart,” she said, giving me a crooked smile as she passed.
I grinned and tapped Liam on the shoulder. “We're leaving,” I told him when he turned around.
He raised a brow, noticing the girls, then the woman, who only looked mildly annoyed. “What happened?” he asked, and I laughed as we left.
♥
We walked along the sidewalks for a while, both of us holding to our girls, and probably standing out as tourists. We came up to the Grand Ole Opry, but weren't allowed in. We could hear the music from where we were standing though. Liam placed his hand against the wall, and he then turned around and
took Hilary's hand.
“You can hear the music, right?” he asked.
Hilary nodded, a smile on her face. “It's a slow song. A couple in love kind of song,” she replied.
He took her hand and placed it on his shoulder, and I watched him smile a smile she would never see. “Lead, and I'll follow along with you,” he told her.
And then they began to dance, and I turned to Julie and offered my hand. She returned my smile and took my hand, and we all swayed to the music.
I can tell you, dancing with Julie is another one of those treats I would never deny myself again. There is nothing more serene than holding the love of your life in your arms and swaying to a song that give you chill bumps.
Nothing.
♥
“I think I want to head back,” Julie finally said. The city was alive and well, and there was still so much we hadn't seen, but Julie suddenly wanted to leave.
“Really?” Liam asked, pouting slightly.
She smiled, and held to my arm. “I didn't say all of us. Falon can walk me home and then come back with the truck. I'm just not feeling that well,” she replied.
“Then I'm staying,” I replied. I looked to Liam. “We'll see you tomorrow at checkout.”
Liam nodded and gave one final look to Julie. “If you get worse, you better tell Falon. I'm sure Nashville has a great hospital,” he told her. His brotherly instincts had kicked in.
Julie smiled, and I suddenly knew her plan. She held to me sweetly. “I'm sure I’ll be okay. Be careful,” she told them.
We all said our good-byes, and I waited until we were a safe distance away before calling her out on her little trick. “Faking sick? What's the real plan?” I asked.
She smiled, because she never expected me not to know she was faking. “The pool is calling my name. I couldn't wait any longer to see you without a shirt,” she teased me.
The idea both fascinated and frightened me. Seeing Julie in a bikini? Well, any guy that says seeing a girl in a bikini isn't great, is a liar.
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