Chapter 66 Chapter LXVI

Chapter 66 Chapter LXVI
“Where’s Lauren?” I ask.
“She came with Chad, didn’t she?” Ryan retorts, turning to look at our brother.
Chad shrugs, rolling his eyes dramatically. “She stopped to speak with whoever that guy is that she works with. Jason? Jack? Josh?”
“James,” I correct, narrowing my eyes at him. “What’s wrong with James now? You used to like him.”
“Yeah, until I found out he wants to sleep with my sister,” my brother replies in a bitter tone.
“What? James is into Lauren?” I squeak, shocked. “Oh, my God!”
“Who is James again?” Poppy chimes in, suddenly interested in our conversation, her task of organizing the napkins long forgotten. 
“The cute guy with green eyes and dimples? Girl, Lauren has won the lottery,” I muse. James has been my sister’s coworker since she got into the fire department. At first, he was just this shy guy who helped show her around, but after one summer, he simply became this…hot, guy-next-door kind of boy, so cute I barely recognized him when I saw him at one of Lauren’s work parties.
“Oh, that James…” my friend murmurs dreamily. “You go, Lauren!”
“Whatever, he’s not all that,” Chad grumbles.
“Yeah, right…” I tease, offering him a mocking smile. “You’re just jealous because you can’t get yourself a nice girl.”
Chad straightens up, turning to look at me. “Who told you that? For your information, I’m quite popular, sis. I’m single because I want to be, not because I don’t have options. And you should be focusing on your love life instead of dissing mine, don’t you think?” He grins at me, stepping aside just in time to dodge my punch.
That was a low blow, and I curse him when he takes a couple of steps backward, still laughing at me.
“Don’t be rude to your sister, Chad,” Mom scolds, pointing a finger at him. 
He throws his hands in the air, feigning innocence. “Just stating the facts, Mom.”
“Shut up if you don’t want to miss your chance at having kids one day in the future,” I warn him through gritted teeth.
“When are you guys going to grow up?” Ryan interjects, apparently too mature and serious to be affected by our sibling banter.
“Don’t act like you didn’t just step out from under Mom's wing,” I snap at him.
“Yep, and fell right into your wife’s lap. Not that big of a change,” Chad adds, getting flipped off by our older brother.
Ryan looks shocked, glancing at Alice with his mouth agape.
“You asked for it, sweetie,” Alice remarks with a shrug and a gentle smile, making us all howl with laughter. 
It takes us all more than five minutes to compose ourselves and get back to finishing our tasks before the festival officially starts. But when we finally do, I’m too focused to notice someone approaching just outside the stall. It’s only when I hear the sound of a guitar string starting to play on the stage and the loud, high-pitched fans yelling at the members of Glitch arriving at their soundcheck that I look up and spot Spencer talking to my brother. 
It’s been just one week since I last saw him, but no matter how much time has passed, whenever I see Spencer, I feel as if it’s the first time ever. I’m always astounded by how handsome he is. And today is no different. He’s wearing a denim outfit, with a matching jacket and pants, and a white T-shirt. His hair is slightly wet and combed back, and his beautiful blue eyes are covered by sunglasses. His dimples are on full display as he laughs at something Chad said, and I am momentarily in awe, just knocked dead staring at him.
He looks like a fucking supermodel.
I, on the other hand, didn’t put too much effort into my outfit when I left home this morning. I slept in and got up late, so I had to rush to take a shower and help my mom pack the truck with the bakery boxes to bring to the festival. Thankfully, I had picked out what to wear last night, so I didn’t have to grab whatever came to mind, but I still don’t look as good as Spencer. My plain black pants, white shirt, and oversized jacket don’t do his outfit justice. Good thing I decided to braid my long hair, so I do look kind of cute. At least that’s what Poppy told me when she saw me earlier today. 
And right now, I choose to trust my friend’s judgment. 
Because Spencer is looking over here, and I suddenly forgot how to speak. I need to trust my appearance, at least.
“You know, this would be a good time for you to solve your problem,” Poppy whispers in my ear, nudging me in the ribs while she stares at the same spot as me.
“I can’t, I need to finish this,” I lie, pretending I still have something left to do. The bakery stall looks amazing, and no matter how hard I try, I can’t find anything out of place or needing a last touch to keep myself occupied.
“Come on, Hays. You need to step up and stop being afraid. It’s just Spencer,” she insists, turning to face me. Her eyes are encouraging, and her smile is reassuring, but I still feel my throat and mouth dry as I ponder what could go wrong.
What if Spencer doesn’t want to speak to me?
“That’s the problem, isn’t it? He probably hates my guts, Pops.”
My friend snorts, rolling her eyes at me. “I don’t believe that, and you don’t believe that either. Spencer could never hate you. Now, stop whining and just go talk to him.”
She shoves me out of the stall, and I almost trip over, my boots getting stuck in the dried mud on the ground. I turn and shoot Poppy a deathly glare before straightening up and taking a deep breath. My friend is right. I’d better just get this over with. I’ve put this off for a long time already. 
With renewed determination, I walk toward my brother and Spencer, who is now looking at me. I can’t see his eyes clearly, but he seems to have noticed me, and by the way his jaw and his posture are relaxed, I don’t think he’s angry. 
At least, that’s what I’m hoping.
“Can I talk to you for a sec?” I ask softly, approaching from behind Chad’s back and making my brother turn on his heel, slightly alarmed by my sudden presence.
I don’t look at him, though. I have my eyes set on Spencer, and I don’t dare blink until I see him nodding at me and slapping my brother on the back, saying he’ll meet him later. He then gestures at me to follow him.