*Thank-you for the reviews on the last chapter. They were greatly appreciated. Thank-you all so much and thank-you for favoriting and alerting this story.*
Roman and Tayla had been hanging out for the last few weeks with one another. They were pretty much inseparable. Every weekend they found stuff to do together whether it was going to the movies, going to the beach, out to eat or just hanging out with one another. If they could they would have spent every waking moment together. They even worked out at the gym together as well as working together at the gym since Tayla managed to get her boss to hire Roman. And when they weren't together they were talking on their phones all the time. They had fallen head over heels for one another it was obvious to everyone that knew them but they were not an actual couple. They were just enjoying each other's company. Roman and Tayla were working at the gym folding towels when Roman said, "so what are you doing this weekend?"
"Not much," she said, "what about you?"
"Lucas invited me to his annual 4th of July party. Do you want to come with me?"
"Isabelle asked me if I wanted to go to that and I told her I didn't because I don't like going to his parties."
"This one is one of the better parties. It's not as bad as his other parties. I actually like going to this party."
"What all is going to happen?" she asked.
"It's at his house and he'll have his pool open, there will be grilling, games, drinking and then fireworks. It's actually a really great firework display. It's fun. We don't have to stay long we can just go to make an appearance and then hang out afterward and do our own thing."
"Fine," she said, "I will go but I don't want to be there long."
"We won't be," he said with a smile. "Thanks."
"You're welcome," she said smiling back. She loved his smile.
"So someone has a birthday coming up," he said as he folded a towel. "And that someone is you."
"Yeah," she said, "the big 18."
"What are you doing for your birthday?" he asked.
"I don't know probably the usual family dinner and cake with the family."
"No party?"
"No," she said. "I haven't had a party since I was 16."
"Oh," he said, "I was wondering if you wanted to take a day trip to Orlando or something. You know we could go to Disneyworld or Seaworld maybe Discovery Cove. I don't know whatever you want to do but I do want to do something for your birthday. What do you say?"
"A trip to Orlando sounds nice. I would love to go to Discovery Cove. That sounds like fun."
"Okay," he said with a smile. "I'll make the plans. I want you to do something fun on your birthday."
"I want to do something fun," she said.
"You will," he said with a smile. "You will have the best birthday ever I will make sure of it."
"Thanks," she said. Roman was too sweet to her. She wasn't sure what was going on between them and she didn't care but she liked it. She liked being able to talk to him about anything and being able to hang out with him. He wasn't a bad guy he was probably one of the best guys she had ever met. She considered herself lucky for the last few weeks to be able to enjoy his company.
That weekend Tayla and Roman arrived at Lucas' house for his 4th of July party. Tayla really wasn't looking forward to it but she went because Roman wanted to. The truth is she didn't like Lucas she thought he was a jerk but he was Roman's best friend so she tolerated him. Tayla walked in wearing a red halter top and a pair of blue shorts with white flip flops while Roman wore blue shorts and a red polo to match Tayla in the America theme. They walked in holding hands and walked out to the backyard where the party was already happening. "Look who decided to show up," said Lucas. "Where the hell have you been? I haven't seen you in 5 years."
"I have been busy," he said as he hugged Lucas. Just hearing Lucas talk got on Tayla's nerves. "Lucas, this is Tayla. Tayla this is Lucas."
"We've met," said Lucas. "How are you, Tayla?"
"Good. How about you?"
"I'm good," he said, "so you two make yourself comfortable and have fun. Thanks for coming. There are beers in the cooler help yourself."
"Thanks," said Roman as they walked away. "I promise we won't be here long," he said knowing Tayla was annoyed.
"Okay," she said as they walked over to the cooler.
"Do you want a beer?" he asked.
"Sure," she said. "Thanks," she said as he handed her one. They walked over and took a seat at a table as Isabelle came over to them. "Hey," said Tayla.
"I see how it is," said Isabelle, "I ask you to come to the party with me and you can't but you can come with him."
"Trust me I don't want to be here," said Tayla, "I'm only here because Roman wanted to come we're not staying long."
"That's pretty fucked up, Tayla," she said and Tayla knew she had been drinking. "You have been with this guy for a few weeks and blowing me off every weekend."
"I'm not blowing you off," said Tayla, "I just wanted to hang out with Roman and I have been working extra shifts at the gym because I need money for school."
"Whatever, Tayla," she said, "you don't like me anymore."
"Relax," said Roman, "Tayla has been busy lately."
"She hasn't been too busy for you," said Isabelle with jealousy in her voice.
"Why don't you sit down with us?" asked Tayla, "instead of being jealous. You can hang out with us."
"I don't' want to hang out with you now. You showed that you don't like me enough to be my friend."
"I am your friend," said Tayla, "I'm just not sure where all this is coming from. So what I don't spend every waking moment with you but that doesn't mean I'm not your friend."
"I get it," said Isabelle. "You think you're too good to hang out with me because you're going to college and I'm not. You think that because you graduated at the top of our class that you're better than me and that you're smarter than me. I'm not dumb, Tayla."
"I never said you were nor did I ever say I was better than you. I think you need to stop drinking."
"No," said Isabelle, "you don't get to tell me what to do."
"I'm not. I just think you have had too much to drink and you're angry about nothing."
"Tay," said Roman, "do you want to leave? Because this harassment isn't worth it."
"Yeah," said Tayla, "I think that would be the best."
"Okay," he said as they stood up.
"So now you're both too good to be here," said Isabelle as Lucas walked over. "No one wants you here anyway. You can leave."
"What is going on?" asked Lucas.
"Your girlfriend is starting with Tayla," said Roman. "We didn't do anything she came over and started with us."
"They think they are too good for us," said Isabelle.
"No one said that," said Roman as he stood up for Tayla although he knew he probably didn't need to because she looked like she was ready to go off any second. Tayla was quiet but she was capable of defending herself if she needed to.
"Then why are you leaving so soon?" asked Lucas.
"Because Tayla doesn't want to be harassed," said Roman. "That's why."
"So send the whore home and you stay," said Lucas. "She doesn't need to be here."
"She's not a whore," said Roman, "but we are leaving. Have a good day. Let's go, Tayla," he said as they started to walk away to be followed by Lucas and Isabelle.
"She's got you pussy whipped," said Lucas with a laugh.
"She can't have him pussy whipped," said Isabelle, "she's a virgin. She doesn't have sex. She's a loser."
"Yep," said Tayla, "I'm the loser yet you're the one whoring around. How many guys have you slept with that are at this party?"
"Don't be mad at me because I'm not a virgin. I can't help that guys want me," said Isabelle. "You're a loser, Tayla. No one wants you. Roman doesn't even like you. He probably thinks you're a loser too."
"Don't put words in my mouth," said Roman. "Tay, don't fight back let's just go."
"Yeah get out of here," said Lucas. "Roman, you can stay, Tayla can leave."
"No," said Roman. "If Tayla can't stay I'm not staying. Have fun," said Roman as he took Tayla's hand as they walked out of Lucas' yard. Hearing Tayla was a virgin was news to him. He wasn't sure if it was true or not. It didn't matter to him. He liked Tayla and he wasn't going to let someone like Isabelle or Lucas ruin it. They got back to Roman's car and were sitting in his car. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah," she said. "I'm fine."
"Isabelle was rude."
"I know," said Tayla. "You probably think I am some kind of freak don't you?"
"Why would I think you were a freak?" he asked as he started the car. "I like you, Tayla, I could care less what that drunk whore thinks and what Lucas thinks. They are jealous of what we have. I don't care."
"So you don't care that I am a virgin?" asked Tayla thinking that would turn Roman away from her.
"So you really are a virgin?" he asked as they drove down the street.
"Yeah," she said, "I'm a big loser huh?"
"No," he said, "You're not a loser. Being a virgin isn't a big deal. Being a virgin shows you care enough about yourself to not just give it away to anyone. I don't care that you're a virgin if anything I think it is pretty awesome."
"You do?" she asked.
"Yeah not too many girls are these days. In the last few weeks have I ever initiated or hinted that I wanted to have sex with you, Tayla?"
"No," she said.
"Exactly," he said.
"Why?" she asked.
"Because 1 we aren't ready, 2 we just met and 3 I want to get to know who you are and know you before I get to know you intimately. I am enjoying what we have right now. I like hanging out with you and being with you. I don't want sex to ruin anything."
"Are you a virgin?" she asked.
"No," he said, "I'm not. I wish I could be but I made dumb choices and did it because it was the cool thing to do. I wish I hadn't but I did. Now I just take my time and don't rush into anything. I am not going to pressure you into anything, Tay. I will respect whatever your wishes are whether it be to lose your virginity down the road or whether you want to wait till you're married. I will respect you and what you want. Whenever you're ready, you're ready. It is your call. And I don't think you're a loser because of your choice if anything it makes me like you more so don't worry about it."
"Thanks," she said with a smile.
"So we have the whole afternoon ahead of us. What do you want to do?"
"Beach," she said, "I really want to go to the beach."
"All right," he said with a smile as he took her hand and drove them to the beach.
Tayla and Roman spent some time at the beach. They started off by laying on the beach and enjoying the sun shining on them and working on their tans even though both of them didn't really need to work on their tan as they already had the beautiful natural tan. When things got too hot Roman and Tayla went into the ocean to cool off. The water was beautiful. It was clear blue as it hit their feet. Roman took Tayla's hand and they walked further into the ocean. As the cool waves hit them they started to cool off and lost the burn they had felt from the sun. It was refreshing. Roman started to splash Tayla with the water and she splashed him back. They both laughed as they had fun. Roman's eyes matched the ocean as he looked into her eyes. "I'm so sorry about that party. I should have never made you go."
"It's fine. I'm having more fun now. It's not a big deal. NO more parties though."
"No more of Lucas' parties," he said. "I don't care though. I would rather spend a billion days with you than go to a party. I have a lot more fun with you anyway."
"Same here," she said with a smile. "Your eyes are amazing. They match the ocean."
"Thanks," he said as he wrapped his arms around her waist and she wrapped her arms around his neck. He leaned down and softly kissed her lips before he picked her up. She wrapped her legs around his waist as they shared a passionate kiss in the ocean.
When the sun had set and the cool of the summer night off the ocean set in Roman and Tayla sat on the beach eating frozen yogurt as the waves crashed around them before the 4th of July fireworks started. "Tayla," said Roman as he stopped eating his yogurt.
"Yes," she said looking at him.
"Can I ask you something?" he asked.
"Yeah, go ahead," she said.
"I have been thinking about this for a couple weeks now. We have spent so much time together in the last few weeks and I am enjoying every minute of it. These have been the best weeks of my life. I want to keep doing this stuff. So I guess what I am trying to ask is if you want to be my girlfriend?"
Tayla's heart skipped a beat and a smile came across her face. "I would like that a lot."
"Me too," he said with a smile. "You're absolutely beautiful not just on the outside but the inside too. I want so much more than just a few dates here and there. I want to be in a relationship with you. I know you're going to Penn State for college and I'm going to Georgia Tech but I know that we can make it work. It will be tough but I think we can do the long distance thing during the school year and spend holidays and the summer off together. So are you okay with being my girlfriend?"
"Roman, I would love to be your girlfriend," she said with a smile.
"I might be the luckiest guy alive right now to have you for a girlfriend."
"And I might be the luckiest girl to have you for a boyfriend," she said with a smile.
"My parents are having a family barbeque next weekend I was wondering if you would want to go?" he asked.
"You want me to go to a family event?" she asked.
"Yeah why not? I want my family to meet you. It's fun. I just hope you are ready to meet a lot of people and ready to be around my big family."
"Okay," she said. "I'll go."
"Good," he said with a smile. "I can't wait for them to meet you."
"I can't wait to meet them," she said even though she was nervous about meeting his family. Her life had just changed completely in a matter of minutes. She had her first boyfriend and everything felt different but it was a good different.
"Good," he said as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "You're beautiful."
"You are too," she said with a smile before she kissed his lips. The fireworks started to pop in the air. Roman held Tayla close as they watched the firework display. This was so far the best night of his life.
*A/N: So what did you think? Please review and thank-you for reading.
