Page 39 of Waiting for Redemption

“Eh, I think I’d be fine with that.” I shrug, settling into him.

* * *

We get through the first band's entire set list with no mishaps, and at one point I think I actually saw Tank mouthing the words to one of their songs. But as soon as the second band takes the stage, people around us start losing their ever-loving minds. The screaming is so loud I can’t even hear my own voice while I am trying my hardest to ask Tank if he’s okay. When they start playing their first song, the same guys Tank was watching earlier start stumbling around and bump into not only Tank, but me as well—sending him immediately over the edge.

I can see the exact moment he starts seeing red and I immediately grab his hand. He squeezes mine tight, moving his fingers to my palm to pinch it gently.

“Oh my god, are you guys okay?” Lauren asks, staring daggers into the guys that just trampled us.

“Yeah, Tank is just about to walk with me to the bathroom,”

“Want me to come with?” Lauren asks, still swaying to the music.

“No, I’m good.” I smile, trying to end this conversation as quickly and politely as possible. I turn around to leave the lawn, pulling Tank close behind me. With everyone now in their seats the rest of the facility is pretty much empty at this point—making it easy to find a quiet place for us to talk. We stop along the brick wall lining the sidewalks, and I can see Tank’s chest rising and falling more quickly now.

“What do you need?” I ask, unsure how exactly to help right now.

“To snap a few necks maybe. What the fuck is wrong with people?” he spits, slamming his fist into the concrete behind him. My heart aches when I see it happen, but I keep trying to think of how to get him to calm down.

“Well, alcohol along with the fact that they probably have a few less brain cells than the rest of the population,” I tease, trying to distract him. He huffs out an angry laugh as his eyes fixate on my arm. I follow his gaze and notice a small cut there, possibly from one of the guy’s beer cans. I thought I felt something pinch me when they fell into us, but I don’t know how I missedthis.

“They fucking did that to you?”

Shit.

He pushes off the wall and begins stalking back towards the lawn but I quickly run in front of him, bringing his steps to a halt.

“Tank, stop. I’m fine. It’s just a baby cut, I have probably done worse to myself working at the bar.”

“That’s different,” he says through clenched teeth.

“Look, just… focus on something else.”

Gee, what a great plan Ruby, I’m sure he hasn’t thought of that yet.

“Unless yougive mesomething else to focus on, someone’s nose is about to get broken.” I take his face in my hands, noticing the distant look in his eyes. Like he’s looking at me, but he’s not actually here. I try to get his eyes focused back on mine but when I can’t seem to bring him back to reality, I am flooded with so many thoughts and emotions that I feel dizzy.

Panic and adrenaline course through my veins as I stand on my toes and pull his face closer to mine, and I do something absolutely insane.

I kiss Tank Landry.

His body stiffens slightly as my lips land on his, causing me to pull away immediately. The panic from before suddenly becomes the only thing I feel.

“I’m so sorry.” I gasp. “I just–” He doesn’t let me get another word out before he pulls me in harder. His hands wrap around my waist as he presses his body flush against mine, sending me a clear message of how well my distraction is working. His tongue swipes against my lips and I can’t help the soft whimper that escapes from my throat. Nothing about this feels like a friendship being potentially ruined, it feelsright.

Kissing Tank Landry feels better than I ever imagined it would.

Which, if I’m honest with myself, has been more often than not.

When we hear footsteps approaching, he pulls me away, brushing his nose against mine before standing back to his full height.

“I don’t think there will ever be anything better to give my full attention to, than you.”

“So, you’re okay?” I ask, breathlessly.

“Better than okay.” He smirks, kissing the top of my head.

Tank grabs my hand and leads the way as we re-join our group, but when we make it back up and Lauren turns to face our direction, I pull away from him on instinct. I look up to gauge his reaction, worried he might be upset about my sudden need to put distance between us, but he simply smirks at me and shakes his head. He places his arm around my shoulder and watches the band play like it’s the most natural thing in the world. I do my best to enjoy the rest of the concert, but my mind keeps swarming with thoughts of what this might mean for us now.

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