I See Sparks Fly Whenever You Smile

Fifty Six -

Alex

After Warped Tour passed through Maryland, the remaining few weeks of the tour seemed to fly by. Before I knew it, the tour was over and it was time to say goodbye to all our friends. That was the worst part of any tour - especially Warped Tour. Surprisingly, Brook seemed to have a much harder time with the goodbyes. At the end of tour BBQ/bon fire, Brook managed to down two and a half bottles of wine with Tay. She cried on Ryan Key's shoulder, thanking him for not just writing some of her favorite songs but for also being an awesome guy and a really good friend. Drunk Brook was becoming one of my favorite things to witness.

By the end of the night, Brook was drunk crying again when she realized she wasn't going to be able to have breakfast every morning with Tay. Tay then suggested Brook move to Poughkeepsie and the tears stopped - that way the breakfast tradition could live on. After a little while I had to remind Brook why it wasn't very feasible for her to move there, causing both girls to start crying again.

It may have made me the world's worst boyfriend, but seeing Brook so upset about saying goodbye to people and people being upset to say goodbye to her really made me happy. It showed how well Brook had connected to some people and that was huge for her.

Once we got back to Maryland, time seemed to fly by. We were home for just a few days before the band was off to Europe for a few weeks of shows and Brook went back to work.

It was hard to leave her behind but I felt better knowing that she would be able to keep herself busy.

After the Europe tour, we had a little time off at home before the Don't Panic release madness began. There was so many different emotions surrounding this release. I was excited but I was super nervous. And not just for the obvious reasons with all the label drama, but I was also nervous for Brook to hear some of the songs she inspired since they were so personal.

The week of the record release was nuts. We did tons of press and meet and greets. And then there was the ridiculous idea of playing three shows on three continents in three days. It was exhausting but I loved it.

The show in New York on the actual day of the album release was one of my favorite shows ever and on top of that Brook came out to surprise me and her cousin Sam was there too.

I really enjoyed spending some time with Brook in New York City. There was something about the city that brought out a different side of her - kind of like a kid in a candy shop.

Right after spending almost a week in New York it was time to start our next tour, which I was excited for because the fans had taken to our new song so well, I was psyched to play them live.

Two weeks into the tour, it was mid-October and we had a weekend off to go home for our friends Jake and Morgan's wedding. When I first got the invitation, I was afraid to mention it to Brook - for obvious reasons. But after Cassadee pushed me to bring it up to her, Brook was more than excited to go.

"Wendyyy," I whined, using the nickname I'd given Brook over the summer that sort of stuck, knocking on my bathroom door.

"Just one minute," she groaned.

She had been in there for over half an hour finishing getting ready for the wedding reception. I'd heard her say "just one minute" for about ten minutes now.

"Okay. But after this minute, if you don't come out, I'll be forced to go in after you," I teased from the other side of the door.

I got no reply but about forty-five seconds later Brook emerged from the bathroom with a face full of makeup, a head full of curls wearing this black lacy dress that I really liked.

"I'm assuming by the fact that your tongue is hanging out of your mouth and your eyes are popping out if their sockets, you approve of how I look?" Brook questioned, slipping her feet into a pair of bright pink high heels.

I nodded, quickly stepping closer to her and placing my hands on her hips. "You look incredible," I told her, leaning in for a kiss but she backed away and I frowned.

"Lipgloss," she explained like it was obvious, moving to walk away and gather whatever else she needed for the night.

"Like that has ever stopped me before," I scoffed, grabbing her wrist and pulling her back to me and pressing my lips to hers.

Brook pulled back a moment later, a smile spread across her still glossy lips. "You know... You don't look so bad yourself," she said, adjusting my tie.

"We are clearly going to be the best looking couple there. Well, second to the bride and groom, of course."

"And maybe Cass and Rian," Brook added.

"Nah," I shook my head. "We're better looking than them."

"If you say so," Brook said. Even though there was a smile on her face I could tell that there was still something bothering her.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

She shrugged, stuffing her tiny purse with mascara, a tube of lip gloss, her license and some money and her cell phone. "I'm fine."

"Lies." I said, sitting on the foot of my bed.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"Boyfriend of the year over here," I said l, pointing to myself. "What is it?"

Brook sighed, standing I front of me. "I guess I'm just a little nervous. You know how I get with new people."

I nodded slowly. "I get that. But you've already met most if this people briefly. So it will be okay. I promise."

She nodded slowly. "Yeah..."

I raised an eyebrow. "But there's more, isn't there?"

"Lina is going to be there?" she said, trying to make it sound like a question, but she already knew she would be.

"Of course she is. We've all known Jake and Morgan since high school," I explained.

"Right. And I've only known them for a few months."

"Brook. Where are you going with this?" I asked.

"I just kind of feel like I'm intruding on her turf, yanno?"

I raised an eyebrow and shook my head. "No. I don't know.."

She sighed. "I'm the new girlfriend who's only known these people for a few months. She's the old girlfriend who's known them for years. I don't want to make her feel awkward around her own friends because I'm there."

"Wendy," I said, reaching for her hand and tugging on it until she was sitting on my lap. "You must be the nicest person ever or the most insecure person ever."

She looked up at me, a weak smile on her face. "Maybe a mix of both?"

"I'll take that," I nodded. "Look," I said, pushing some of her curls behind her ear. "I've known Lina for almost ten years and I can promise you she won't feel awkward seeing you. She'll probably be excited."

"Really?" Brook asked, sounding surprised.

I nodded. "I promise."

She smiled. "I'm going to hold you to that," she said, kissing me gently.

"It will be fine," I assured her. "Rian's girlfriend from before Cass will be there and you don't see Cass getting her panties in a twist over it, do you?"

Brook stood up from my lap and shrugged. "No. But she's also met the girl before and been in situations before when they were to be in the same room. I haven't had the luxury yet."

"Don't worry," I assure her again, standing up and kissing the top of her head. "Plus, Cass and Lina are pretty good friends. So it's going to be okay."

"And if it's not?"

I laughed a little, following Brook out of the room. "I'll fake a stomachache and make you take me back to the room."

Brook smiled, leaning up and kissing me again, completely disregarding her lipgloss now. Deal."
*****

Brook

Once Alex and I arrived at the wedding my nerves slowly started to diminish once I was reunited with Cassadee and Jack. Although, it was mostly Cass, since Jack was a bit pre-occupied with Best Man duties. He did make it a point to drag me to the bar and demand we do a line of shots together, for old times sake, as he put it.

I did one and passed on the four others. A little wine buzz was one thing, but I did not need to get completely wasted. Plus, Alex and I usually decide before going to things like this who's going to be the responsible, more sober of the two of us and tonight we didn't.

Usually, it's whoever drove, but since Alex had already booked a room in the hotel that the reception hall was attached to, that didn't really count.

All night Alex had a beer in his hand. Since I couldn't tell if it was the same beer or many beers, I decided to make myself the more responsible one.

"Come on, Brook!" Cassadee squealed, pulling on my arm and dragging me toward the dance floor. "She's about to throw the bouquet!"

I tried to fight it but Cassadee wouldn't give up, so I let her drag me to the middle of the dance floor where the rest of the single girls gathered together.

I could tell they were all ready and willing to take out their best friend if it meant catching the bouquet and being the next to get married. I rolled my eyes at the thought.

The DJ began to hype the girls up and I tried my best to look enthusiastic. I could see Alex standing on the edge of the dance floor, watching intently. He was probably dying for me to catch the thing so he could torture me a little.

"Good luck," Cass whispered to me as she got into a readied position and I laughed.

"Dude, really? If the thing comes anywhere near me, I'm stepping out of the way and leaving it for you," I said to Cass, completely unaware a countdown to the big throw had already started.

My attention turned back to where it should have been just in time to see the colorful bunch of flowers soar through the air, out of everyone else's reach and land right in my hands. I barely needed to move. It was almost like Morgan threw it directly at me.

The room cheered for me. Out of one eye, I saw Cassadee completely overcome with giggles next to me. And out of the other eye, I saw Alex with nothing but a smirk on his face. I was so screwed.

Quickly, the DJ whisked me away to stand next to the DJ booth while the guys assembled on the dance floor and Jacob got ready to throw the garter.

I could barely watch. Knowing full well the ridiculous wedding tradition that would follow, I really didn't want some stranger feeling up my leg, so I prayed silently that if my boyfriend didn't catch it, at least Jack or Rian would.

Jacob sent the garter soaring throw the air. Immediately all the guys, except Alex, stepped out of the way. The garter landed on the floor at his feet and he bent down to pick it up, laughing.

The DJ realized that Alex and I were a couple at this point and grilled us for a few minutes with some ridiculous questions. There was mention of some guy code when it came to the garter toss and I understood why all the guys stepped away so Alex could get it.

The DJ brought a chair out to the dance floor and instructed me to sit down.

"Freaking out yet?" Alex asked me while the DJ waited for his partner behind the booth to put on some sexy music.

"A little less than I would be if it was some one other than you about to this," I admitted and he smiled.

"Don't worry. This will be over in a minute," he said.

The DJ then instructed Alex to crouch in front of me, holding his hands behind his back, and drag the garter up my leg.

Clearly, because it was me, Alex had no shame doing this in front of 150 people. I, on the other hand, was a little embarrassed with such a large audience.

Once Alex dragged the garter up to my thigh with his teeth, he lightly kissed my knee, briefly bringing me back to our first date and stood up, pumping his fist in the sir in triumph while the other wedding guest cheered. He then leaned down to where I was still sitting in the chair and planted a big kiss on my lips.

I was thankful a few moments later when the bride and groom started to cut the cake and the attention was off me.

"Here," Alex said, coming back to the table from the bar with a glass of wine in one hand and a beer in the other. He handed me the wine glass. "You look like you need it."

"Thanks," I laughed, taking a big sip.

Alex smiled, pushing his chair closer to mine and leaning his head on my shoulder. I was sure by this action that the beer I kept seeing him with was different every time.

"What?" I laughed, looking down at him.

"You're really pretty," he said.

"Thank you," I laughed.

"And I really love you. Like really, really love you," he continued.

I smiled. "I love you, too, Alex."

"Good," he said, leaning up and kidding me. "And don't worry, I won't drive you crazy about the whole us being next to get married thing," he said, patting my leg lightly where the garter still sat on my leg, under my dress.

"I appreciate that," I laughed as he kissed me again. I knew full well this wasn't the last I heard of the whole thing.

"Brook!" Cassadee appeared at the table. "I need to use the bathroom. Would you come with me?"

"Of course," I replied. "I'll be right back," I said, turning to Alex who sat up full.

"Okay," he nodded. "Remember I love you," he said, kissing me before I stood up.

I smiled. "I remember."

"What's that about?" Cassadee asked as we walked through the lobby towards the bathroom.

I laughed. "What? Alex? He's just drunk."

Cassadee nodded. "Right. I was beginning to forget what drunk Alex was like. It's been so long."

I rolled my eyes as we stepped into the bathroom. "I figured I would give him the night off from taking care of me. Plus, I think I'm still a little hungover from the last night of Warped Tour."

Cassadee laughed as she locked herself behind a stall to do her business. While I waited for her, I looked myself over in the mirror and adjusted a few pieces of my hair before digging in my purse and re-applying my lipgloss.

Just as I was finishing up, a tiny blonde in a green dress stepped out of one of the stalls. Immediately, I knew who she was through the reflection in the mirror. To avoid an awkward moment, I quickly looked down at the sink in front of me while I washed my hands send hoped for the best.

Cass came out of her stall a few seconds later and saw the blonde right away.

"Lina!" she squealed.

"Cassasee!" she smiled. "How are you doing, Miss Team Blake? I can't wait for the live episodes of the Voice to air and we can watch you win the whole thing."

"I'm good. I'm good. How are you?" Cass smiled, quickly changing the subject from her being on the Voice.

She didn't like talking about it much. I think she was afraid to sound like she was bragging and she was afraid to jinks how well she had been doing so far.

The two girls briefly chatted, catching up on what they'd been missing in each others lives since they'd seen each other last. Which from what I understood of their chit chat was New Years.

"Oh!" Cass gasped when she glanced over at me. "I'm being rude. Lina, this is Brook. She's Alex's..." Cassadee paused, a mortified look on her face when she realized what an awkward position she just walked herself in to.

There was a couple of seconds of awkward silence before Lina cleared her throat and extended her hand to mine. "Hi Brook. I'm Lina. I used to be Alex's," she said, shooting a playful smirk at Cassadee who was still a bit flustered.

"It's nice to meet you," I smiled, shaking her hand. "I've heard a lot about you."

"Good things, I hope," Lina laughed.

I nodded. "Of course."

Lina smiled again. I was surprised at how genuine it was while I could tell she was totally judging my appearance.

"I loved your dress. And nice touch with the pink heels. They totally pop."

"Thank you. That's what I was going for," I shrugged.

"We'll, it was very nice to meet you," Lina smiled at me. "And Cass, it was great to see you. Good luck with everything!"

The two girls hugged quickly while Cass promised to keep in touch before Lina gracefully exited the bathroom.

I leaned up against the counter while Cass washed her hands and touched up her hair and makeup, taking a deep breath.

"You okay?" She asked me.

I nodded. "Yeah. That was lot more pleasant than I anticipated. But my head's still spinning a bit."
*****

Alex

Later that night, once the wedding was over, Brook and I were up in the hotel room. We had both changed into pajamas. Brook washed all the makeup off her face and, for the most part, brushed all the curls from her hair.
Although I'd stopped drinking about two hours ago, I was still feeling a bit loopy and needed to lay down.

"So, be honest. Are you freaking out about the whole bouquet and garter thing?" I asked Brook when we were both situated in bed.

She laughed. "Honestly. No."

"Really?" I didn't believe her.

"Really," she shrugged. "It's just a silly wedding tradition. I don't think I know anyone's who's ever gotten married right after catching the bouquet."

"What about someone who caught the bouquet and her boyfriend catch the garter?"

Brook shrugged. "I don't think I ever heard of that actually happening."

I laughed. "Maybe it's a sign."

"Maybe," she shrugged, snuggling closer to me. "I think I was more freaked out about someone else's teeth dragging that thing up my leg."

I laughed, kissing the top of her head. "Don't worry. I was going to let that happen."

Brook smiled, leaning up and looking at me. "Oh, by the way, I met Lina."

My eyes widened. "You did?"

She nodded. "In the bathroom."

"How did that go?"

"Pretty pleasantly actually. She was very friendly."

"So, I was right..."

She nodded. "Yes, Alex. You were right."

I smiled. "Yes! I finally did something right! How does it taste saying those words?"

She smirked. "Kinda sour."

I laughed. "So, tonight was a success?"

She nodded. "I think so."

I wrapped my arms around her tighter. "I wish we had more time home now. It's gonna be so hard to leave tomorrow night."

"Tell me about it," Brook said, leaning her head on my shoulder.

"Do you think it's true when they say that absence makes the heart grow fonder?"

She looked up at me again with a sleepy smile. "Judging by how much I love you, I'd say it's definitely true."