Chasing the Wild Sparks (10 page)

“Well, look at you, Becks. How can I
not
keep my hands off of you?” He plants his hand back on my leg and squeezes my naked thigh. His touch is firing me up again. We’ll never make it to the festival if he keeps this up. I move his hand so that it’s resting on the material of my dress instead. He tries to move his hand forward again, but I stop him.

Bewildered by my action, he glances at me and asks, “What?”

“It’s just safer if you keep your hand here.” I concentrate on making his hand stay on top of my dress to prevent myself from thinking about the feel of it beneath my dress.

He protests, “Your skin is one of my favorite things about you.” He’s not making this easy.

“And yours is one of mine, so let’s keep it G-rated.” He looks over at me as he reluctantly pulls his hand away so that he can downshift, his other hand flipping the turn signal for the exit to the festival.

He wickedly smirks. “I’ll try.”

CHAP
TER 7

Sitting, Rod shouts from a place he found underneath a large oak tree. “Well, there you are!” From the short distance, I see he’s wearing a white T-shirt with a woman on the front, and something is wrapped around Rod’s head. A white bandana? Another thing I notice is a large blanket laid out next to his feet. Finn tightens his fingers around mine and I pull him forward.

Rod stands as we approach him. “Wilder? I thought you had to work?”

“Got fired.”

“Oh.” Does he actually believe Finn? Wow. Rod’s eyes flit to Finn’s hands. “Didn’t you bring a kite?”

“It’s in the shop.”

He looks at Finn skeptically. “Really? They have repair shops for kites?”

“Damn, Rod,” I mutter in disbelief.

He turns from Finn to me and points to my outfit. “And look at you, Hadders! What are you wearing?”

I glance down and smooth out my dress. “What’s wrong with it?”

“It’s a dress,” he states like I was unmindful of the fact. He sings, “I see London…”

“I catch you looking up her dress, you will see London,” Finn warns as he pulls me closer to his side. Jeez, Finn.

“It was a joke, Wilder. That would be gross anyway.” He sticks his tongue out while making a gagging sound. I scowl at Rod and then peer up to Finn, who irritably licks his top lip, shifts his eyes and glares down at me. I know he’s already reaching his limit with Rod.

“What are you wearing, Rod?” I flip his question on him.

“What?” He looks down at his shirt and then back up to me with an incredulous pout. “It’s Britney Spears!”
Oh, Rod.

With a dubious eyebrow arched, I point up to his head. “You’re wearing a Karate Kid bandana?”

His entire face scrunches up like he just sucked on a lemon. “No. I don’t even know karate.” He aims his thumb at his chest. “I’m a lover, not a fighter.”

Finn laughs. “You sound like a damn super villain. Are you Fruity Kite Man?” I tighten my grip around his fingers as I giggle.

“Shut up, Wilder,” Rod mumbles.

I roll my eyes and then look down at the blanket. “A blanket, Rod? That was so thoughtful of you.”

“Only the best for my friends.”

I notice the print on the material as I set my kite down. “Really? Pound Puppies?” I ask, glancing at Rod. Finn snickers behind me.

“It was the only old one I had. Lay off!” Rod whines.

“Calm down. I’m just worried what Morgan is going to say about this.”

He worriedly sucks air between his teeth. “I know. I honestly didn’t think of that.”

“That’s a rather big oversight.” Finn sneers.

“Shut up, Wilder!” Rod crosses his arms and angles his chin up. “Where have you two been anyway?” His eyes slide back and forth between us before I see the light bulb flash above his head. “Ooooh. Well, now it’s obvious.”

“What’s obvious?” Finn asks, his jaw jumping with rising indignation.

“What you two were doing. Sex in the ‘Stang.” Rod laughs into his hand and his mischievous brown eyes go to Finn’s head. “Love the new ‘do, Wilder. Hadders could’ve at least messed up the other side for you so that it would match.” He continues to laugh. “I hope you didn’t give her full price and a tip.” I run my fingers through Finn’s hair to put it back in place and he leans his head into my fingers, I think so I can reach his head.

Trying to diffuse and distract, I turn my head to Rod and ask, “Where’s Morgan?”

“I don’t know. Maybe she was detained like you.” Rod cringes. “That actually makes me want to stab my eyes out with my kite.”

I let go of Finn’s hair to pull out my phone. I don’t have any missed messages.

“Holy fuck!” Rod yells and Finn and I swiftly look over at him.

“Watch it!” Finn snaps.

“What? Don’t tell me you’ve joined Officer Beckett’s F-Word Taskforce.” Rod rolls his eyes. “I will sign a blanket waiver at work tomorrow. I’ll get Amos to draw one up for me.”

Reaching for my fingers again, Finn taunts, “And what are you doing? Joining the Closeted Gays Brigade? Come out already!”

“Damn, Wilder. I thought you getting laid would lighten your cheery disposition, but I see that Hadders failed horribly on her part.” Rod walks over to me and smacks me on the back. “Maybe she didn’t do you enough.” Finn unclasps my hand and his fingers curl into a fist underneath my fingers. What the hell is suddenly going on with these two? They always seemed to have gotten along before.

I laugh dimly. “Shut up, Rod.”

He nudges my arm. “Did you see Amos’ boyfriend Friday?”

I shove his arm and sigh. “No, Rod. The man is not gay!”

“I swear to God he is, Hadders! Everyone in the office thinks he’s straight and I’m gay. No fucking way… Oh, oops.”

“Sure…” I tease.

Rod rolls his eyes at me. “Anyhoo, before Officer Wilder issued me a citation, I was going to say, ‘Holy cow! Look at the hickey on Wilder’s neck!’” Rod leans forward to get a better look and Finn scowls. “Is that from my buddy, Hadders, here?” Rod slings an arm around my shoulders and another hand up to his mouth as he giggles behind it.

Finn’s eyes flash as he glowers at Rod’s arm. “Who else would it be from?” He’s pissed now. Shit.

I shrug out from Rod’s arm and announce, “I brought food.” I drag Finn with me to the other side of the blanket. Taking the food bag from Finn’s other hand, I set it in the middle of the blanket.

Rod holds up his iPod and announces, “I brought music!” Rod is an unofficial aficionado of music. He loves all kinds, but is undiscriminating for the absolute random. He’s been known to rock out to Barry Manilow while wearing a Foreigner T-shirt and a Vanilla Ice jacket. He also calls himself a DJ, but he’s only done it for two parties. Not exactly a professional. On most weekends, he is often wearing a band or some sort of other music-related T-shirt.

Finn frowns at Rod. “I’m in no mood for Milli Vanilli.”

“Bite your tongue or get your woman to do it. I didn’t bring them with me anyway.” Rod grabs his kite. “Let’s go fly a kite. Literally.”

I bend, but remember to do so at the knees, since I have a dress on. No doubt that Finn would throw me over his shoulder and take me home if I flashed anyone. I’m still not sure about his outburst this morning with him saying, “You’re mine.” If I truly am, then why won’t he announce it to people?

I pick my kite up and take it out of its packaging. “Come on, Finn.”

He shakes his head, his shaded, light brown hair swaying against his forehead. “I’ll stay here and watch.”

“Why?”

“I have a couple calls to return.”

I look down at my kite. “Okay.” I turn from him and he grabs my arm before I leave.

“What?” I ask as I glance up at his handsome face.

He caresses my cheek. “I love you, too,” he finally tells me, since he was too busy teasing me in the car. I smile up at him before he sweetly kisses me.

“Why don’t you both get another quickie in before we do this? I’ll wait, but make it fast, Wilder. Pretend you’re riding your bike and race to the finish.”

Pulling away from me in annoyance, Finn’s gaze slides from me to Rod and he mutters to him, “Go fly your damned kite.”

“I’ll be back,” I say and pat Finn’s chest. He distractedly nods and pulls his phone out of his front pocket.

Rod squeals, “You’re not pulling it out here, are you? Jesus!”

Finn glares at Rod. “Watch your mouth, Rodwell.”

“Come on, Rod.” I step away from Finn and walk out to the field of colorful people and kites.

Rod falls into step beside me and looks over his shoulder. “What’s wrong with Wilder now, Hadders? Seriously. Did you sleep with him? Maybe that’s the problem.”

“Thanks, douchebag!”

“Is fucking the only thing you did or did you talk, too?” He rolls his eyes when I peer over at him with antipathy.

“Yes.”

He giggles. “Yes to the fucking or talking?”

“Both.”

“Wow. That is TMI.”

“You’re the one who asked!” I giggle, but manage to be serious as I tease, “Yes. While we were having hot and sweaty sex, you’re all we talked about.” Rod’s face suddenly looks like a melted candle with his bandana sadly drooping. I stop walking and laugh, holding the kite next to my face as I gasp for air.

“Nice one, Hadders,” he mumbles when he recovers. “Let’s go over there.” Rod points to a small clearing amongst the other kite enthusiasts. We have to dodge through kids and adults alike holding onto their rolled strings. We stop near a huge bush with newly budded, light green leaves growing on it and look around. It’s a large meadow and people are spread throughout, spaced apart so kites don’t become tangled, but not far enough. The threat of kite entanglement still looms due to the large amount of people already participating, and the throngs of people still walking into the festival. There are kites of every size, shape, color and skill floating above us. Single-strings, stunts, boxes…

He nods at me. “Let’s see it, and I mean your kite. I don’t want you pulling something out that is going to have Wilder beating the shit out of me for looking at it by accident.”

At the mention of his name, I look over to see what he’s doing. From where we’re standing, I have to lean forward and back again to get a glimpse of him. He’s sitting on the blanket, talking on his phone. He has his head down, gently gesturing with his hand that is hanging over his propped knee, the other knee laying at an angle in front of him. He looks delicious. Just thinking about him sprawled across his bed this morning makes me hot in my sweater even with the cool breeze.

“Quit checking out your hot and moody boyfriend, and fly with me, Hadders!” he enthusiastically shouts, shoving the back of my shoulder. Hot, yes. Moody? He is acting more antagonistic toward Rod this weekend. Why? He said he’s never jealous. Does he trust me that much? Or is it that he just doesn’t care if anyone else flirts with me? Maybe he doesn’t think anyone else would want me.

Looking away from him, I unexcitedly unfold my kite as Rod drags his out further to catch the breeze. His white and pink Hello Kitty kite starts picking up wind.

“What the hell?” I ask, laughing and dropping my kite to the ground. I clutch my stomach and snort. Rod is undeniably rubbing off on me.

“What?”

I point as a new wave of laughter takes over. “Your kite!”

“Quit laughing, you douche canoe!” he orders, trying to be stern, but ends up laughing with me.

I gasp for air. “Don’t tell me that was the only one you could find!”

He shakes his head. “It wasn’t.”

“Okay…” I nod at him to continue.

“What?”

“It wasn’t the only one left, but you bought it anyway?”

“Yes.”

I splutter, “Are you a fan?”

He gives me a sour look. “No.”

I laugh and he smacks my arm with the tips of his fingers for maximum sting; however, my sweater jacket cushions the blow, which only makes me laugh harder. “I’m so confused right now!” Laughing hysterically, tears flood my eyes.

“It’s all of Wilder’s sperm floating around your head.”

I instantly stop laughing to stare at him. “That is so weird.”

It’s his turn to giggle now as he gazes up at his pink kite and readjusts his headscarf with his free hand. “It’s for Eden. I got it because I told her I’d fly a kite for her.” The tears in my eyes spring forward, but now for a different reason.

“That is so thoughtful, Greg.” I wipe my eyes and he looks up at his kite.

He nonchalantly shrugs. “It’s just a kite.”

“It’s the thought behind you flying it.”

“Well, actually, it’s the lift-to-drag ratio and the length of the string.”

“Shut up, Rod.”

He grins and glances down at me. “I can’t believe you gave him a hickey where everyone can see it. That was rather crazy to do on a guy that is seen all over Richmond and surrounding areas on a daily basis.”

“Yeah. I didn’t mean for everyone to see it. It was dark and I thought I was low enough.”

“Did he know you were doing it?”

“I think so. He did pull my face away, but I guess it was too late.”

“It’s a pretty big one.”

“I know.”

“Was he mad when he saw it?”

“No. He didn’t even say anything about it until we were on our way here and I pointed it out.”

“He didn’t even try to cover it up today? Why? He knew I’d call him out on it.”

“I don’t know. He never really did say.”

“That’s strange. He’s usually cagey about you in public.” He gestures to the crowd around us. “And this is definitely public.” Not in his immediate viewing area, though.

“We did talk about that. He said he doesn’t care what people speculate about his private life. He just wants to keep it that: private.”

“You’re a huge part of his private life, Hadders. Aren’t you?”