Chapter 25: Dates in the Sand

POV: Zac

November 7, 2007

We were keeping our new relationships kind of quiet, mostly because we didn’t want everyone to pressure us or bitch. Simon was bad enough as it was, so it was better to not have everyone know, but of course everyone on the tour figured it out within two days. I think it was the not so subtle way she cuddled up with me on the bean bag chair, wearing her Star Wars pajamas which were so nice. Today she had told me to pick something to do, something fun and entertaining that was not in bed and not a zoo. That was very hard but I finally found something.

Taylor was sharing with me though, predetermined arrangement and she was actually sharing with Austin. I found it odd that I was so jealous of Max, but not Austin. Then again, I trusted her and him and knew they had no prior relationship. Also, Austin wouldn’t tell her how bad I was or how horrible I was.

“So, you spent a lot of time investigating San Diego, are you and Gabby doing something today?”

“Yep. We are going to Pine Valley, assuming she agrees to the ATV riding.”

“You do know dates aren’t always what you want, right?”

“Our last date was the fair. Give me credit Tay. If she doesn’t want to do that then I have three other options available for her to choose from.”

He leaned back against the headboard. “You know when I hired her I thought she would be great for your ego, dude, I didn’t expect you to want to date her. What the hell?”

“Didn’t think I’d want too at first either.”

He sipped his coffee. “Is there a reason why Maxwell is sending me message asking how she is? Asking if I’m watching out for her?”

I looked at him. “Is he sending you messages asking you?”

“Sent one Friday night, asked if she was okay if she seemed distracted or different. I mean, besides practically sitting in your lap she was acting quite normal. I didn’t tell him she was in your lap by the way. He then sent me one Monday asking if she was okay. Kind of curious as to why he’s not asking her.”

I slipped a clean shirt on and sat down. “She’s pissed off at him. I can’t really tell you why but it has something to do with her past and he brought it up in a very inappropriate and wrong way. Hurt her feelings pretty badly, she told him she didn’t want to hear from him and then left a note saying she would talk when they’re both home.”

He looked at me stunned, he and Max often hung-out during the tour and really Max knew Taylor better than he did me. So, I can imagine the news was shocking to him.

“Seriously? Max did something like that to her?”

“Yep. Guy that calls me a man whore pretty much called her one as well. It didn’t go over well with her and I can’t imagine when he finds out that she and I are dating what he’ll say.”

“Well, I’ll be sure to tell him she’s fine and dandy. Going to assume he doesn’t approve of you then?”

“He doesn’t know about us. Um, he got really mad that she came over to the house Halloween and after so needless to say she hasn’t even told him and I don’t know when she plans to.”

“Nice. Okay, I won’t tattle. What time will you be back?”

“Late tonight, we’re having dinner afterwards and then coming back.”

He smiled. “Sure you don’t want me to crash with Austin?”

“I’m sure Tay.”

I got her message saying she was headed down and said a quick bye to Tay and then met her at the elevator. She had on black blue jeans, her black sneakers, and my blue and white button up shirt.

“I didn’t even know you brought that shirt.”

“Of course.”

I got in and we went to the lobby where I presented her with the options, there was ATVing, which I was hoping for, but I also had the zoo, aquarium, and then a few museums and sights to see. She looked over the items and then me.

“I’ve been to zoos, aquariums, and all but I’ve never been on a four wheeler or anything with two wheels. So, if you can promise I won’t get hurt then let’s do that.”

“I can’t promise that but I can say that I will try my best not to let that happen.”

“Fair enough.”

I got a cab and we went to the meet up spot, where I paid for the event. We had the option for suits but given we were both pretty covered we opted to skip them and just go with a helmet. I had no doubt that a fire suit would look amazing on her though, perhaps later. We then were taken to Pine Valley where the trails were. She and I both had an ATV, but because she’d never ridden before I told them I’d let her ride with me for a bit. We didn’t need the guide so that was good, I wanted her alone and not with a bunch of others.

“You seem nervous.”

“I am! I’ve never been on four wheels that didn’t have a steel body around me.”

“I’m going slow. You did bring your camera?”

“Yes, phone too but it’s on silent.”

I had her sit down and then I got on, immediately her arms went around me. I could feel her against my back and her grip was rather tight.

“And you said you’ve never done this!”

“I saw the other rides, besides there is jack for me to hold onto, so you are it.”

“I’m not complaining.”

The first few trails I went down slow, mostly to see the trails and get her use to the feel and ride. Only then did I step it up in speed, the first few also gave me a chance to learn the trails. Her grip tightened when I sped up, not that I minded and I heard her yelp and felt her tighten way up when I jumped the hill.

“Zachary!”

I stopped and she actually punched my shoulder, which didn’t hurt at all. But, I faked being injured anyway.

“You could have warned me!”

I took the helmet off, we were off the trail so we were fine. “Are you okay?”

“Yes, didn’t expect it.”

“Sorry. You want to switch places?”

“I highly doubt you can stay on holding onto me.”

“Never can tell. Well, unless you’re some speed demon then we might have issues.”

It took a little more convincing before she agreed and got off, I slid back and she got back on. I took a moment just to teach her the levers and where her gas and definitely where the brake was. It was a bit difficult to hold on to her, given that I weighted more but I found a way by using my legs to balance myself some. She chose slow too, so that greatly helped. After about an hour of riding around with her driving we stopped and she said she felt okay riding alone, so she picked up her ATV, I rode behind her and I could tell when her confidence level got higher because her speed increased. Before long she was zipping along the trails pretty quickly. She would occasionally stop and get a picture and that included me, great another shutterbug like Taylor. Yet, I was taking many of her too. We took a lunch break about 2 and then they packed us up and took us back about 4:30. From there we went to the dinner reservations, another seafood place and another place she would deem non-budget friendly. We were seated quickly, she left it to me to order for her and then we were left alone.

“You haven’t talked to Max since that day at the house. Are you still pissed at him?”

“I told him we’d talk when we were both at home. That’s sometimes right before Thanksgiving. How did you know I haven’t talked to him?”

“Because Taylor asked me why he was calling him. He’s sent a few messages asking Taylor how you are, if you were okay. He clearly cares about you.”

“Yeah, well if I wanted a father I would just call Jacob. Maxwell knew that was wrong to say. It wouldn’t matter what the circumstances were, it was wrong.”

“You were adopted along with a boy, did you not tell him what Jacob was doing?”

I watched her reaction this time. She was fidgety and nervous and unlike most of her replies when it came to this boy, this person she always took longer to answer. I was beginning to think that whoever this boy was either he hurt her too or there was something about him she just didn’t want to tell me.

“I did tell him and he just didn’t believe me.”

“Was he not close to you?”

“I guess not as much as I thought. Didn’t you ever feel that way? Like someone was closer but really wasn’t.”

“Priscilla was like that, I thought she cared more but she didn’t. Sometimes we just over think it. What was his name?”

“Corbin, I haven’t seen him in a long time.”

“I think you should talk to Max before then, least let him know you are okay. I know he was an asshole and I know he shouldn’t have said that to you. But clearly he wants to know if your okay.”

She was relieved of that sentence because the waiter brought our plates and we diverted from conversation to eating. She seemed to love the parmesan crusted tilapia I ordered for her. The chocolate lava cake I ordered was also something she loved so at least I’d done well choosing dinner. Afterwards we chose to walk the park about a block away, it was still early really.

“So, do you enjoy running your own business?”

I glanced at her. “I do, it allows for freedom on creativity and what we want to do. I love being able to do what we want and not have the label tell us it’s not good enough.”

“I saw the documentary before the tour. Apparently Abby had it. Label was a piece of shit.”

“It was, but we came through and moved on. It’s where we want to be. Is this what you wanted? Being a roadie?”

She got really quiet then, carefully constructing the answer I was sure.

“I wanted to be a doctor when I was 11. After my 12 th birthday I didn’t care anymore.”

“Why not?”

“I just didn’t, when I met Max I was fine. Content. After he left I just did whatever. Ended with this.”

“Did you ever want to do anything else?”

“Newton said I should be a model, but I like to eat too much for that.”

I did a once over. “You do? Newton was right.”

“Simon said I should do porn because I was already a whore.”

“No. You are not a whore and you aren’t doing porn. Unless I am the only other person in the video.”

“Now, that could be a really big seller.”

“It won’t ever go beyond the bedroom. I like keeping my private life, fairly private.”

She stopped and looked at me. “This from the guy who took some blonde up on her hotel key?”

“Hey, no pictures. Tweets about shit can’t be proven either.”

“You do have me there. I wouldn’t do porn anyway, Abby would have a heart attack.”

“Have you talked to her?”

“No. She hasn’t sent anything either.”

“You should contact them, at least to say your okay and still pissed not to reply. But let them know I haven’t hurt you or anything.”

“Define hurt…”

“Don’t even go there.”

“You did cause me to bust my head on the wall of the bunk and I recall bruises.”

I pulled her around and to me, kissed her. “Not my fault you forgot we were in a bunk and those are good bruises.”

“Shocked no one woke up.”

“Isaac asked but didn’t want an explanation.”

“Good.”

We headed back to the hotel after that and while I wanted to ask Austin to trade rooms with me, I also knew that relationships were a lot more than just sex, so I left the rooms the way they were. But, I did walk her to the door and give her the end of date kiss. She went into the room and I returned to mine and Taylor’s, we would be here tomorrow too and we decided to hit the aquarium or the Zoo early as we had to leave to head to Los Angeles. Taylor was on the phone with Stella when I came in so I went ahead and changed and got ready for bed, by then he was off.

“So, did you ATV?”

“Yep. She chose the activity because she’s never been on an ATV before. We stuck with 4-wheelers and she did pretty good. No wrecks, no broken bones.”

“That’s good. Stella said she was going to send her a message but I told her you two were out today.”

“How is Stella?”

“She’s fine, busy with the bookstore but otherwise nothing is going on.”

I sat down and considered my question to him carefully.

“Do you know Stella is the one?”

“I’m not entirely sure, but I believe she is. We’ve been together over a year and we get along great. We don’t argue or fuss a lot. I think she could be the right one for me. Why?”

“How do you know?”

“That’s a hard question to answer Zac. How did Mom know Dad was right? How did Dad? You ask them they just knew and it went from there. Why are you asking? Surely you can’t think Gabriella is the right one, you’ve only been dating like a week.”

“Well, I dated Priscilla for two years and thought she was the one too, clearly I was wrong there. But this doesn’t feel the same as her. I want to be there and I want to tell her everything’s okay.”

“You do Zac, that’s what a boyfriend does. You haven’t done steady in a long time.”

“I know that. But after Colorado I didn’t want anyone else.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“What I mean is that after that I couldn’t..I wanted her. I thought at first it was just purely a sexual attraction but then spending time around her and not thinking of it that way. Like the day trip she asked for, the fair, and Halloween.”

“I think cupid got you. I can’t tell you if she is the one Zac. But, I can tell you that if you feel that way, then you need to avoid blondes. You need too not focus on the sexual aspect, I am fully aware that she’s said yes, you act to calm and she acts too lovey dovey. The head cracking noise a few nights ago didn’t help.”

I felt the slight blush. “No one else has peaked my interest in months. Not blondes, red heads, nothing. Just her.”

“That’s good. If you want it to last then you need to maintain that. Don’t let fans get so close, don’t let them touch you inappropriately or slide keys into your pockets. If they do, toss the key. I know Priscilla really hurt you and I understand that you fear Gabby will do the same thing, but you can’t compare them Zac. They are two totally different people.”

“Oh yeah, Gabriella knows what it’s like to be cheated on. She wouldn’t do that.”

“Then you shouldn’t either. I do like that you have settled a bit, temporary or not, because I was worrying about you. The constant one nighters.”

“I was using protection Taylor.”

“Protection only goes so far Zac. It’s personal too. You should have more respect for yourself than to just engage in risky behavior. I know I did and I know Ike did, but really we tried to prevent that with you. We failed.”

“My fault Tay. Not yours.”

“We set the example that it was okay though, both of us did that and in your young mind it was okay as well. I wish Priscilla had been better because you acted happier and then she went and became a bitch. Then you went and became like a man whore, teasingly said by the way.”

“Gee, you agree with Max?!”

“No, because while I know your number is up there, it’s not extremely high and you don’t just hook up with every single one.”

“Only blondes apparently.”

“Yeah, about that…Gabriella doesn’t have blonde hair. What’s up?”

“No idea. I don’t think it’s all hair color. I think it’s other things too.”

He smiled. “Assets, help. Men are just visual and we need assets. Guess you like hers and other things.”

“Are you asking me if I like the fact she has boobs and an ass?”

“Bro I don’t need to ask that.”

“Does it feel different with someone you want to be with?”

“You were going to marry Priscilla Zac, did you not notice a difference in the sex?”

“Priscilla never would have sex with me, she claimed she wanted to wait. She was okay with oral sex but that was it.”

“What about Crystal?”

“Never really had a lot of chances Tay, we spent most of the time in California or some studio. It didn’t feel any different any of the times.”

“Does it feel different with Gabby at all?”

“Does wanting to see her count? Not like I attempted many positions where I had to stare at them Tay.”

“Yeah, when I was being stupid I preferred any position where I saw the back of her head. With Stella though I like watching her, of course any position is nice.”

“Ditto.”

“So, when did Gabby say yes? Because I recall there for a while it was no.”

“Halloween, not quite sure what changed her mind really. My best guess is she just wanted too, but it’s odd because she’s wanted too for some time just stuck to her guns and said no.”

“How do you know she really wanted too?”

I smiled at him. “The way she looks, the way her skin flushes a bit. She shocked me when she kept going. I just assume she was okay for the oral.”

“Maybe your oral abilities are just that good.”

“I’m concerned on that level. I called her baby and she said no one ever had, just like babe. Also, I don’t think oral wise anyone ever did that or anything else.”

“Zac she’s pretty open talking about sex, she’s had oral done before.”

“That’s not what I meant Tay, like I know it’s been done. But I don’t think any of them cared beyond themselves.”

“Well, least make sure you don’t act like them.”

“Not with her, never. The others? I couldn’t care a less.”

He giggled. “Asshole. Anyway, I’m going to shower. What is the plan for tomorrow?”

“Aquarium or Zoo, I think though maybe others will join but I’m not sure.”

“I’m up for either, give me time to snap pictures of you two together.”

“Shutterbug. But I guarantee you’ll get better ones of her.”

“She mentioned an ex took a shit ton of her, never seen them.”

“Stella would kick your ass for viewing them.”

“You’ve seen them?”

“Yeah, there are a few that Stella wouldn’t mind but there are a lot she would. That black hair she had them and super long too, there are a lot without tops. Apparently some of her without anything, she wouldn’t let me see them.”

“Understandable.”

“Yeah. She might now though..”

He just shook his head and we talked a little more about tomorrow and then both of us went to bed. I did miss her being so close but I made sure she the last text she got was from me.