Writer's note: OK, here we go. (Practicing my music supervisor obsession) If this were a movie, which it is in my head, as soon as Paul pulls her away from Marko to get her alone, start playing "Radioactive" by Imagine Dragons. No, it doesn't fit into the 1980's timeframe here, but ya know what? This writer is writing this story in 2013. And I can do whatever I want. Hehehe! Enjoy!

Chapter 11 "The Fast Ones Always Ride for Free"

Because of the cold front that came through with the rain and all, it was maybe in the 60's when I got off work. I went upstairs and threw on a Chicago Cubs sweatshirt over my jeans and grabbed a big chunky orange afghan my sister Susan had crocheted me. Y'know, since a big blanket was not what Paul had after all.

He was waiting for me at the door of the record store that I had already locked. You could get up to my apartment through the store or there was also a way outside in the back of the store. I usually went through the store because it felt "safer".

I stepped out and locked the door behind me. "I guess you don't know how to get to my place through the secret passageway." I joked.

"You could show me."

I turned around and he was standing directly in front of me. He put his hand up to square me in and leaned against the door. "You look awfully cute tonight." He gave my sweatshirt a little tug.

"Uhhhh,.." I stammered and ducked out from under his arm. "Why? You a Cubs fan?" I started walking towards the beach.

I was immediately pissed at myself for doing that. How long was he gonna put up with my jumpiness and my freakishly nervous nature when it came to him? A guy like him would probably give up really soon. When I thought about it, I could see myself acting completely normal with him. "Daydreamed Paul and Skylar" were able to hold hands. In my mind when Paul kissed me it was magical. And it was smooth. There was no awkwardness about it. "Daydreamed Paul and Skylar" had "flow". Why couldn't real-life Paul and Skylar?

"We gotta stop and get beer. You drink?" He asked catching up with my quick pace.

"Not really."

"Figures…" I heard him say under his breath.

Maybe I was being over-sensitive and thinking too much into it, but that one hurt my feelings. Like he almost sounded annoyed with me.

"…but I will tonight."

"You sure?" He asked.

"Yeah." I nodded and smiled. But even I felt the unsureness in the smile I wore.

We walked to the convenient store that everyone went to before you partied on the beach. They had booze, towels, sunblock, hats, sunglasses, snacks. Anything you could possibly want. They probably made a killing in profits,…that is if most of their stuff didn't walk out the door with a "five-finger discount".

I chose not to walk in with him. The night sky was that dark smoky gray and the neons from the store light it up a little eerie green. I looked to the beach and as far as the eye could see there were only 3 fires out there tonight. It was a Monday, so the beach wouldn't be as busy. I was nervous to meet his friends. Marko had been cool, so I hoped they were all like that.

"What's up Babe?"

I spun around to see a guy wearing board shorts and a poncho. I looked around and there was no one else around. He was definitely talking to me.

"Hi" I answered.

"What's going on tonight, Pretty?"

He oozed confidence. Had to be a surfer with his attire. He was okay looking I guess. A little older. Late 20's.

"Uhhhh, I'm going to a bonfire".

"Well there's 3 of them going on tonight, so I hoped you picked the right one." He popped the top off his bottle of beer and took a swig of it. "We're the first one out there."

"Ok." I nodded. I didn't know what to say to this guy.

"You can walk down with me, if you want."

It's not like this guy was being a jerk, he was just being persistent.

I heard the squeak of the door opening.

"Back off Blaine. She's with me."

Paul was carrying a 24 pack and looked all none too impressed to see this guy.

"Is that right?" Blaine eyed Paul with a smirk on his face. This guy may have been cocky about it, but he bowed out with no problem. "Well you two have a nice night."

Paul watched him walk away. He had that same look on his face that he wore when the bikers were messing with me at the concert.

"Stay away from that guy." His voice was firm as he stared after this guy walking to his bonfire. "And if he starts bothering you and coming into the store when I'm not around you let me know, ok?"

"W,why? What makes him so,…"

"Just do it, ok?" He interrupted me. I felt he was being bossy, but I let it slide without a smart ass comment that usually would've come out of my mouth.

"Okay."

"C'mon." He said and I followed him out to the fire.

We walked in silence past the first bonfire. I felt Blaine's eyes on the both of us. Paul looked straight ahead with a pissed off look. I wondered what history those two had.

We were at the second one that was a ways down from the first one. All three of his friends were there sitting around. Not doing much else.

Quiet Riot blared out of a radio they had.

"Hey, there she is!" Marko greeted me as we walked up. "Skylar, this is David and Dwayne."

Trench coat was David. Hot Indian looking guy was Dwayne. Had to make the proper switch of names in my mind.

"Hi". I smiled and took a seat on a large log.

"Run into any bikers lately?" David's smooth voice asked me.

"No, but I know who to call if I ever do again." I blushed. "Thank you guys for um, handling that."

"Our pleasure". He said.

Dwayne nodded.

"She's got Douche Bag Blaine after her now." Paul said while opening the cardboard case of beer.

"Are you surprised?" David asked him taking a can from Paul.

Paul handed out beers and started rocking out. That half head bang and half- hearted fist punch he always did.

Here was my first impression.

David was definitely the leader. When he spoke, everyone else stopped. He had this coolness about him that couldn't be denied. He was calm and collected. A little cocky. Overall, his presence demanded respect. And I'm sure he got it. I took him as a serious type, but he always wore this faint smile, as if there was an underlying joke no one else knew about.

Dwayne was the strong silent type. He would have been the one who got all the girls if he would've spoke up a little more. He had a beautiful dark complexion and long dark hair. Very Tall. Always seemed to be on guard, of what I have no clue. He just seemed very "aware" of his surroundings.

Marko was Paul's other good time pal. Had a light hearted personality and really friendly. Was willing to cater to you, if you will. "Skylar, you want another beer?" "You guys need anything from the store?" "David, you ok with the radio station". Not that he was some kind of servant; he just was the hospitable type. I could tell there was some friendly competition between him and Paul. Marko would send obvious flirtatious comments over my way just to see Paul squirm.

Paul was the "spacey" one. He was always here, but at the same time he was always somewhere else too. It's like his mind was always more entertaining than whatever conversation was going on in front of him. The guys picked on him the most, but I'm sure it had to do with the fact that I was there. He was very charismatic and it came naturally to him. He didn't need to think of witty comments or good comebacks, it's how he thought on a regular basis.

Paul finally sat down next to me and got under the big blanket I had wrapped around myself.

Goosebumps rose up on my skin when he grabbed my hand under the blanket.

Because I didn't drink, the 2 beers I had were going to my head.

The guys asked me questions about myself. I answered them. If I asked them any, they were answered minimally. But I was having a good time. The guys were relentless to each other. They teased me a little bit, but were respectful about it.

I caught David watching me from across the fire a lot. His face seemed to glow blue with the reflection off the water. It would've normally made me uncomfortable, but I didn't wanna draw attention to it. These guys were fun.

After my 3rd beer, Marko started firing on me.

"Skylar, c'mer. Sit over by me. I'm nicer than Paul is anyway."

Paul rose his eyebrows up at his friend and laughed a little. He shifted uncomfortably but tried to hide it.

"Y'know what? I will come over there." I let go of Paul's hand and stood up. "But it's because you have the radio by you."

"That's fine, if that's what you wanna tell people. But I know the real reason. It's cause I'm dead sexy and you can't stand it anymore." Marko wore an instigators grin.

I plopped down on the log next to him and grabbed the radio. There was a local station that played the music I really liked late at night, but it could be hard to find sometimes. I ran through the static and the song "Baby I need your Loving" came on.

"Oooh, leave it." Marko stopped my hand from turning the dial.

"What?" I laughed.

"Yeah!" He jumped up and yanked me out of my seat with him. He pulled me away from the fire and started trying to swing dance with me. I started laughing and let him whirl me around. The beer was making me loosen up and Marko was fun. David and Dwayne we laughing and watching Marko try out his slick dancing moves. Paul? Not so much. He looked bored.

Eventually Paul got up and tapped Marko on his shoulder.

"I'm stealing her." Paul said.

"What?" Marko asked

"Yeah." He dismissed the opportunity for argument and grabbing my hand he started leading me away down the beach.

"Pauly, you're no fun anymore." Marko called to him.

The comment didn't phase him and he just kept walking.

"So, you're friends are fun." I said after I knew they were out of earshot.

"Yeah, they can be alright."

"Well they must be if you live, work, and hang out with them all the time." I tried not to kick sand while I walked but the beer was making my movements less precise.

Finally we stopped walking. I looked around and I all I could see was the distant glows of the three fires. We had gained some distance.

The ocean crashed on the side of us and I shivered from the cool night air.

"Are you cold?" He asked and took off his jacket.

"Yeah, but aren't you gonna be really cold?" I motioned to his bare arms.

"Nah." He said and draped his jacket over my shoulders. He stood in front of me and rubbed my arms to warm me up. His motions began to slow.

I looked up at him and he was giving me that look again. Staring at my lips. My heart rate quickened as he leaned in slowly.

I began to pull back.

"No." He said softly but firmly. His grasp on my arms got a little tighter. "Don't do that, Skylar…How long you gonna fight me off?"

I swallowed hard and took a deep breath. I couldn't look at him anymore.

"Let me do this. I promise you'll be okay." He got inches away and brushed my hair back from my face.

I didn't move.

He went in again and this time I let him.

I felt it everywhere. My heart fluttered in every inch of my chest and I got a little lightheaded.

He pulled away and stepped slowly backwards. He looked at me like he had seen a ghost.

What happened?

"Sky, Skylar you gotta go now." He said in a shaky voice.

"What's wrong?" I took a step towards him and he practically jumped away from me.

"Nothing". He looked extremely distraught and was wringing his hands out. "You didn't do anything wrong, ok? Marko will take you home. Marko!" He yelled for his friend and kept taking steps away from me.

I stared at him getting further and further away from me.

I had messed something up. I wanted to burst into tears, but I wouldn't let him see that.

"Don't get upset. You did nothing wrong. It's me. I'll see you tomorrow."

He turned around and started walking fast back to the fire.

The wind picked up and whipped my hair around.

What did I do?