Finally, the performance was over and the crowd went nuts. Mel leaned into Casey and said, "After that I may have to fight you." She teased.
Casey just kept staring in awe of the boys.
Mel rolled her eyes. "Really are you like 14 or something?"
Casey finally snapped out of her trance. "It wouldn't hurt for you to act 14 now and again....MOM." she teased.
Mel shook her head and smiled. Just then she felt her phone vibrate. When she saw the number a worried look came across her face.
Casey noticed this and put her hand on Melanie's forearm. "Everything alright chica?"
"I hope so." She said then picked up her phone in panic. "Hello? Yes this is she." There was a brief pause then Mel said, "Well, do it then. Yes I give permission."
Casey smiled realizing that it was not an emergency situation. She become accustomed to these types of phone calls with Mel.
Just then the boys started another song, "Glad You Came" also an acoustic version. Casey smiled like a little schoolgirl as the song started. As Nathan began the song she said to herself, "She's lucky I asked her to have him. I may just take him myself and....."
Her thoughts were interrupted when Mel stood beside her and playfully bumped into her arm. "Hey, sorry about that."
Casey, not taking her eyes off the boys waved her hand signifying that she was okay with it.
"You really are insane gurlie."
Mel then turned to continue watching the boys perform. Watching Nathan perform was a little too addicting. She glanced over at Casey with her mouth open in this weird sort of surprised smile that seemed frozen in time. Oh god, I never want to look like that, she thought to herself.
After the song was over, she checked her watch and Casey could tell she was worrying over nothing. "Mel, don't worry." She said clearly talking about the phone call."
Mel didn't look convinced. "I should go, maybe?"
Casey cupped Mel's face in her hands. "Melanie, no you took care of it. Don't worry so much okay hun?"
Melanie shrugged then watched as the bodyguards escorted the fans off the beach. It only took a few seconds for the dance music to resume and for everything to go back to enjoying themselves.
Casey put her arm around Mel and pulled her in for a sideways hug. They both smiled as the stood cheek to cheek.
Just then Jay and Nathan walked by laughing about something.
Casey straightened up and nudged Mel. "Hello boys."
It took Jay a second and then he smiled recognizing the ladies. "HEY!" he shouted then pulled Casey in for a tight hug.
Nathan's smile faded as he noticed Mel standing there. By the look on her face it was obvious she now knew that he wasn't just a regular bloke. He had no idea what to say. Normally he had a lot to say, could blab on about anything, but this was awkward. Was he a liar? Was she gonna go "TW fan" on him?
Jay released Casey and could feel the tension. "Eh let me make you a drink." He said then took her hand and pulled her away. She looked back and Mel and mouthed the words, Oh my god.
Mel shook her head and smiled. She then turned back to Nathan. She broke the silence by saying, "I'm still gonna call you Beebs you know."
Nathan smiled in relief. "Good cause he is much better looking than I am."
Mel could not believe that comment. "Maybe a little." She teased.
He smiled. "That hurt a bit." he said with a laugh.
"So." She said.
Nathan pressed his lips together. No words again, he thought to himself. Nathan you are a brat. Just say something....anything. "So do you want my autograph?"
Mel looked at him strangely.
Yeah, you really shouldn't have said anything Nathan, he thought to himself.
"I'm kidding of course." He said trying to save himself from complete awkward embarrassment.
She smiled. "I figured. You will always be boy who stares to much on the beach to me." She teased.
He put his arm around her. "You don't know how happy I am to hear that." He said then began walking with her toward the party. "Can I get you a drink love?"
Love? She thought to herself. I am not going to easily fall for this British charm, she lied to herself as she felt her face burning a bit and the butterflies in her tummy.
"Mel?" he asked a bit worried that she did not respond.
"Oh yes sorry." She replied and Nathan left her side to get Jay to make a drink for her.
Mel bit her bottom lip and looked around at the guests of this party. She thought about what she was wearing. Suddenly she felt like a scrub in her short jean shorts, flip flop sandals and black V-neck tank top. At least I am showing some cleavage, that girls it up a bit, she though to herself. Nathan and the boys were all casually dressy if that makes sense. I should have thought this through, she thought to herself.
Just then Nathan came back with her drink. He handed it to her with a smile. "You look very beautiful." He said kindly.
She blushed. Oh stop it already with the damn blushing she yelled at herself in her head. "Well, I feel a bit under dressed." She confessed.
Nathan handed her his beer and held his first finger up as to say, hold on one minute. He took his jacket off so he was just in his t-shirt and jeans. He took the beer back and smiled. "Better now?"
She smiled then took the jacket from him. "Much and now I can wear this cause I am cold."
He smiled proudly. "I've always wanted to give a girl my jacket when she got chilly."
Mel didn't know how to take that comment. It could be taken that he didn't have much experience in the dating world...or he was full of shit.
"I am excited about my next lesson." He said.
"What was that?" she asked.
He said it a bit louder. "My lesson, I am looking forward to it."
She nodded finally able to hear him over the loud music. "Oh right. It's just loud I am sorry."
He took her by the hand and began pulling her gently toward the water. "Wanna go for a stroll?"
Damn those butterflies again. "Sure." She responded casually. He wasn't gonna see her sweat. Well, actually she would love to be sweaty with him and...no no stop it Mel.
She tilted her head sideways and was mesmerized by how hot his ass looked in those jeans. She had the most perfect view of it as he walked ahead of her pulling her by the hand. Well, actually a better view would be without the jeans. Dammit Mel, stop it she told herself.
He turned and faced her. "We can leave our stuff here and walk along the water yeah?"
She nodded and slide her sandals off and watched him sit on the sand and take his converse off and cuff his jeans up to the middle of his shin. She can't believe she was saying this about a guy but he had really cute feet.
He then jumped up and held his hand out. "Shall we my lady?"
"My lady? Really?"
He burst out laughing. "Sorry just trying to be gentlemen like."
She playfully pushed him in the stomach. I shouldn't have done that...it was flat and sexy as hell. This was too much, the singing, the stardom, the beach, the accent, THE ASS. Damn Brits.
"Don't get cheesy on me Sykes."
He nodded in defeat. "Right then." He said and began walking slowly next to her.
"So, how come you didn't tell me who you were during the lesson."
"I tried to, but....I dunno. I guess I was enjoying you not knowing."
Mel nodded. "I can see that I guess."
"I have a question." He said with a smirk.
"What's that?"
He stopped walking to look at her. "How is it that you didn't know? Huh?"
She laughed out loud. Boy he could be very charming. It would be a miracle for her to make it through this night without getting herself into trouble.