Treat

I wash the salt water from my skin under the shower spray. I love the beach but I don't love how sand gets in every crevice of your body. I'll be finding sand for days but it is so worth it. This day has been one of the best I've had in a long time. It seems I'm having more and more of those as of lately despite the bullshit Vic's ex is causing. Despite that bullshit, I'm smiling remembering the afternoon.

We buried Vance and gave him a mermaid tail, adding big breasts, per his request. We ate lunch and a seagull chased Vaughn. It was seriously the funniest thing I've witnessed in a long time. Vance was laughing so hard and not paying attention to his sandwich when a seagull swooped down and stole it from his hands. He screamed like a little girl.

By late afternoon, we packed up everything and headed back to the hotel to get ready for CarChella. The girls came to V and Chase's room to get ready and the guys went to Vance's. I reluctantly step out of the shower and wrap a towel around my body. The girls also need to shower and both were kind enough to let me wash up first.

"Okay, all yours!" I say as I exit the bathroom, noticing V and Taylor sitting on the balcony. Taylor jumps up from the chair, "Dibs!" she yells and runs right into the bathroom. Wes and Taylor showed up maybe an hour and a half after we arrived at the beach.

I grab my bag and plop it on the bed. "Okay, V, help me decide what to wear."

V gets up and moves into the room, "Show me what you brought."

"I brought this," I pull out a yellow floral romper and lay it out.

"Oh that's cute and would look killer with your skin tone. What else did you bring?" she asks excitedly.

I laugh and pull out a black sundress with a lace top, laying it on top of the romper. "Ohh that's really pretty too!"

"What did you bring to wear?" I ask her.

"Eh, my typical large tee and shorts but you make me want to get all cute."

"You're cute no matter what you wear."

"Thank you." I feel her arms wrap around my middle in a side hug, and I wrap my arms around her in return. I'm not only falling for Vic but his whole family. This is so dangerous. I know he's not in the right headspace but if I were to lose all this, I think I'd be destroyed. I have no plans of that happening because whether he realizes it or not, I'm not going anywhere.

"I also brought a ripped up off the shoulder shirt and shorts, we can match."

"Oh my gosh! Can we?"

"Heck yeah." I agree.

The bathroom door opens, "Okay! I'm done!"

V releases me and moves away to the bathroom. With my outfit now picked out, I begin dressing. Standing in my bra and underwear, I apply lotion. After being in the sun all day, even with sunscreen, my skin is tight and needs nutrients. By the time V's done in the shower I'm dressed in a ripped band tee that hangs off my left shoulder, shorts with fringe, and my Doc Martens. My hair is half dry and I let it air dry, it has that beach wave look and is less I have to do. I move into the bathroom and apply my makeup, the girls join me and we all look like a kick ass girls band.

V texts Chase that we're all ready, and he doesn't take long to respond that they are too. When we leave the hotel, they're all waiting for us in the hall.

"About damn time." Vance whines.

"Beauty takes time, something you wouldn't know." V retorts. Vance moves forward in a flash and grabs V into a headache lock, messing up her hair. She yells out and starts to punch him in the side.

"Ow!" he releases her, "That hurt!"

"Good, you buffoon!" she huffs and runs her hands through her hair.

The guys all look great, especially the Russo brothers, their skin even more golden. My eyes gravitate to Vic, taking in his tall frame in a fitted tee and jeans. He looks delish. I can't help checking him out, our eyes connect and he caught me. I'm not even slightly embarrassed, I wink and walk ahead of him.

Vince explains that CarChella is a few blocks away but an easy walk. We exit the hotel right into the hustle and bustle of the sidewalk. The sun is setting and the streets are lighting up, restaurants and store signs illuminating the darkening sky. People of all ages on their way to somewhere. Groups of teen girls giggle as they pass by, a family of five with young children with leftover containers in their hands, older couples out for an evening walk. It's full of life out here.

As we begin our trek to the car show, I feel an arm wrap around my shoulders and pull me into their side. I look up into Vic's eyes, a little surprised by his move, and he looks down at me then winks. He winks! Oh this guy...

I slide my hand across his lower back and curl my fingers into his side, I feel him twitch and wiggle my fingers applying a little pressure. He starts to laugh and it makes me smile. We walk like that the remainder of the way and as we near the stadium the bass from the music is palpable. V jumps around in front of us, she squeals out, "I am so excited!"

We round the corner and come to the intersection just before the stadium. Police are everywhere, guiding vehicle and pedestrian traffic. From here you can see the parking lot filled with expensive cars, food trucks, there's even a few carnival games and rides. This is so much bigger than I expected. There's a stage toward the far back of the event where a DJ is mixing music.

The light turns red and an officer moves to the middle of the cross walk while motioning for us to walk. The group already has their tickets so we head to the ticket booth to buy ours. There's a short line but they're so efficient that it doesn't take longer than a few minutes to purchase and catch up with everyone inside. Vic and I have detangled from each other and I miss his warmth.

"So how come none of your cars are in the show?" I ask as we walk deeper into the event.

Vaughn is the one who answers, "They have crazy expectations and you have to pay for a spot." He shrugs and continues talking, "I'd rather save my money for something else, like parts to put on my car. A lot of these guys have sponsorships."

We walk along the rows of cars, some have a dramatic display with lights, trophies in front, signs "Don't touch." Some have their hoods open but I couldn't tell you what any of it is. Lots of shiny parts, some even colored, it's all very fascinating. If the owners are nearby some of the guys will begin conversation so it takes a long time to get through but it leads us towards the back where the stage, rides, and food trucks are. Smart set up.

"Oh good, food!" V shouts to my right and pulls Chase towards a food truck.

Vic leans down close to my ear on my left, "You hungry?"

"I could eat!"

He waves his arms towards the numerous trucks, suggesting take your pick. I glance at each truck, looking for what's available. I smile when I see the Island Noodles truck and start heading that way. My mouth is already watering as I get in the line, Vic stops beside me and hums. "Never had this."

"Oh you're in for a treat!"

"Am I? I don't know, I could think of better things that would be considered a treat."

There's an innuendo in that sentence, I feel it in my bones. I want to climb him like a tree but it would be extremely inappropriate, police would consider it public indecency and we'd end up in jail. So I'm going to keep my hands to myself though it's becoming incredibly hard anymore. There's something brewing between us, the anticipation is growing and I think Vic is coming to his senses. The small touches, the hand holding. I want him and I know he wants me but he's afraid. Rightfully so, after everything that he's been through. I know, deep down, he's worth the wait. So I will wait.

"I could too." I wink at him and move forward to place our order. Before I could remove my wallet from my purse, Vic is handing his card to the woman.

"Hey! I was gonna pay." I turn to look at him, my hands move to my hips because I'm annoyed he did that.

He gently places his hand on my shoulders and moves us to the pick up window, "This treat is on me." He winks and that melts my sassy thoughts instantly. With every kind word and action he makes, it makes it incredibly hard to stop the snowball of feelings I have for him. I thank him and accept his kindness because this is just who he is and I'm all here for it.

May is such an incredibly busy month for me! These last few weeks just have been nonstop. I woke up this morning and had the urge to write...so therefore, I did and finished up this chapter. YAY! I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

I wanna say there's maybe 10 chapters left? Honestly not sure but some good drama is about to go down. Everything is you are reading is a rough draft and bound to change when edits are happening. Please don't hesitate to point out any issues or discrepancies because you are helping me when it comes to the final edits. I appreciate you so much.