Chapter 16
My alone time with Bobby was pure bliss. He just held me, and I let my exhaustion finally win.
Banging drums and a strumming electric guitar wake me from my slumber, and I immediately reach for Bobby, but his spot is empty and cold. I push myself up and try to find my shorts.
Bobby being the gentleman he is, offered me a dry t-shirt. As soon as I began to pull the wet clothes off my body, he covered his eyes, claiming he was giving me some privacy. I reminded him that he had already seen me naked when I went swimming, and he just shrugged, telling me that was different.
God, He's perfect.
Over the microphone, they announce Country Joe and the Fish. I want to watch them, so I quickly pull up my shorts and tuck in Bobby's oversized shirt.
As I'm about to leave, I notice papers laid on top of the sketchbook he placed on the blanket. I recognize Bobby's handwriting immediately, and I can't help but smile.
You're beautiful.
I look at the other pages he left with the note, my eyes gloss over. I gently trace over the pencil marks in complete awe of his talent.
The first one is of me swimming. The water only covers half my body, exposing my back and long, wavy hair. I'm looking over my shoulder with a smile as the water glistens around me.
Bobby must have just drawn the second picture because it's of me sleeping. His attention to detail amazes me. Not just because all I can draw is stick figures, but how he has the ability to capture images with such detailed accuracy. Like the way my damp hair falls over my face or the barely visible freckles that decorate my nose and cheeks.
For the first time, I'm getting a glimpse of what Bobby sees when he looks at me, and he's right. I am beautiful.
I tuck the drawings back into his sketchbook, not waiting for them to get ruined, and rush out of the tent.
As soon as our gazes meet, I run as fast as possible toward Bobby. His eyes widen before I jump and wrap my legs around his waist.
My heart rate quickens when he looks at me with a beautiful smile. "I love you."
Bobby's Adam's apple bobs, and his eyes go as wide as saucers. He opens his mouth to say something before quickly closing it. My hands cup his cheeks, and I pepper kisses all over his face. "I love you."
"Say it again," he says.
"I love you."
Bobby's hand goes behind my neck and urges me closer. He rests his forehead against mine, our lips only a hair's width apart. "And I love you, Winnie."
Our mouths collide, sealing our love with a searing, passionate kiss.
I hear the others hooting and hollering, but I block them out to focus on tingles taking over my body while Bobby's tongue caresses mine.
When we pull apart, we stare at each other with goofy grins. My cheeks are sore from my wide smile.
My arms stay around Bobby's neck as he places me back on the ground. He looks to the ground and lets out an airy chuckle. "I can't believe it. Are you sure?"
I gently grab his chin and bring his gaze to meet mine. "I am one hundred percent, head over heels, in love with you, Bobby. Don't doubt it. Ever."
Bobby brings me in for a hug, and I never want to let go.
I could stay like this forever.
When Bobby and I finally separate, I walk over to see if we have any food. My stomach growls so loud that I'm sure everyone can hear it.
Rose tosses me an apple, and I could die a happy woman when I bite the crisp fruit. The sweet and tangy juices dance across my tastebuds and satisfies my hunger.
Elaine comes over and nods her head to the side. "Can we talk for a moment?"
"Sure," I say before taking another bite of my delicious apple.
Elaine keeps a safe distance between us and walks with her arms across her chest. Deep down, I have a feeling I know what she wants to discuss, but I desperately wish we could forget it even happened.
"So, um." Elaine studders over her words before bringing her thumb to her lip and biting on her cuticle. "I'm sorry about what you saw before."
I hold my hand up, silently asking her to stop. "Let's forget it ever happened."
"Are you sure? I'm so embarrassed." Elaine says with a sigh.
Hell, yes, I'm serious.
I reach for Elaine and wrap my arms around her tightly. "Absolutely." Her muscles relax as she returns the hug, pressing her face into my shoulder. Moisture begins to seep through the fabric of my shirt, and my heart breaks thinking that my sister is so upset. "Elaine, look at me."
When my sister raises her head, her eyes are glistening with tears. I rub her arms, offering comfort in any way I can. "Elaine, seriously, I'm not judging you. It was just a shock to witness it, that's all."
Elaine wipes her cheek with the palm of her hand and whispers, "Okay."
I brush the hair away from her face and say, "I do have a question to ask, but then I want to erase that image from my mind forever."
Out of all the possible songs to play during this conversation, Country Joe and the Fish begin to play Love Machine. Elaine and I lose it and laugh so hard that we almost fall to the ground.
When our laughter dies down, I put my arm around my sister's shoulder and bring her close. "Elaine, you don't have to answer this if you don't want to, but are you bisexual?"
Elaine shakes her head. "No, I'm definitely strictly dickly."
More questions pop into my head, and my sister cuts me off just as I open my mouth. "And before you ask, Rose and I have never done anything like that before. Heck, we didn't even touch each other." Elaine pauses, looks at me, and begins biting her nails, waiting for my reaction. All I can do is nod my head. "We were in the moment, and all just went with the flow. Rose made it clear that she just wanted to get off and wanted no intimate touching or sex. She used him for his fingers, and Mike was more than willing to help her out."
Oh, I saw.
I don't know what else to say, so I settle with, "Oh, okay."
"I like Mike, and he told me he's into me. I don't know if you realized it, but the two of us stepped away when Mountain was playing, and he totally banged the shit out of me. I don't want you to think our first time together was with my best friend."
I gasp and place my hand on my chest. "You mean I'm the last to know?" My words were laced with sarcasm, mocking Elaine for how she acted when she found out about Bobby.
If looks could kill, I'd be buried six feet under by sunset. A laugh bubbles up my throat at Elaine's deadpan expression, but I swallow it down when she swats my arm.
I continue to poke fun at Elaine by stomping my foot and walking back towards the others. She chuckles before yelling, "You're being a jerk."
The five of us make our way toward the stage and find a spot closer than we've ever been.
When I skim the crowd, it's evident that thousands of people were no longer in attendance.
There is still a sea of people surrounding us, and despite still being packed like a can of sardines, we have a little more breathing room.
I glance at my sister and notice her cuddled up next to Mike, and my heart swells. Elaine is wearing a massive smile, and it brings me joy to see her so happy.
Rose sits beside me and looks at Bobby before leaning in close. "Should I apologize?"
I don't even take my eyes off the stage and continue to watch Ten Years After perform their opening song. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Either it's their twin bond, or Rose wasn't quiet enough because Bobby shifts forward to look at his sister. "What did you do now?"
"Nothing," Rose and I say at the same time.
Thankfully, Bobby doesn't have time to ask any more questions because two people sit beside us with their dog. My eyes almost pop out of my head. "Can I pet your dog?"
"Of course." The woman smiles down at her dog and scratches behind the dog's ears. "His name is Ziggy."
I love dogs. Mom and Dad surprised us one Christmas with a puppy. When we were trying to come up with a name, my dumb ass four-year-old self suggested Rose. I remember everyone laughing at me, and I couldn't figure out why.
In typical Rose Walker fashion, she reminds me from time to time how honored she was that I love her so much that I wanted to name our family pet after her.
Dixie died a few years ago, and I still miss her.
I hold my hand out, palm up, and Ziggy immediately comes to say hello. He kisses my face when I scratch his neck, and I can't help but smile at his sweetness. When I pull away, he lays beside me and puts his paw on my lap.
Ziggy stays like that for a while, only occasionally lifting his head for extra cuddles. Act after act, he hangs out with us and his owners, totally unphased by the loud music and dancing crowd.
When the twinkling lights make an appearance, it hits me that tonight is our last night here, and tomorrow morning we will say goodbye to this beautiful place.
My heart drops at the thought.
I refuse to let sadness take over and remind myself that this weekend has been the best of my life, and we still have a whole night to enjoy.
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