Blogging at 3am means...

Yep, I've had a few "beverages" tonight. Although this post isn't going to be the usual rant. Instead I've just focussed on working on more fiction. I had a pretty strong desire to continue with my experimentations with the romance genre and knocked out this one.

I've felt that my past attempts, with the Jeff and Deb stories, hadn't been too strict with the genre traditions. With this story I've tried to adapt my writing style to the more "active" prose of the genre. Although I have trouble writing the "typical" characters found in the genre so my "hero" and "heroine" aren't too traditional.

Hope it works out.

Romance Experiment # 5.1743
Tim Harvey

The chill of the cold beer glided down Rob's throat, cooling his chest and easing the stifling humidity of the festival grounds. It was only his third for the day, but Rob noticed the easy buzz taming his apprehensions about being alone at one of the biggest music events in the country. He smiled calmly and took another swig from the ice cold can, the perfect cure for the summertime blues.
He had never felt quite comfortable being alone at these things, but this year when his friends decided they couldn't go, Rob remained determined to keep up his live music streak. He had woken early that morning, skipped breakfast, dodged his shave and caught the bus to the festival grounds, arriving at nine in the morning. By eleven Rob was three beers down, and had fully shaken off the annoying feeling that his mates had ditched him. He was ready to enjoy the music and the atmosphere, even if he was by himself.
It was at the exact moment that the bartender, shaded by the large Coopers marquee, had cracked open his fourth can, that Rob noticed something out of the corner of his eye. He couldn't help but stare at the petite redhead in the Arcade Fire shirt arguing with another bartender. Her fiery red hair matched the look in her eye as she tried in vain to convince the bartender that she had ordered three pre-mixed vodkas for her friends, who were waiting outside the enclosed drinks area.
The bartender brutally enforced the two drink maximum rule and sent her packing. Rob couldn't take his eyes off the girl, her hair had struck him at first but as she walked proudly from the bar, Rob caught a glimpse of her slender figure. She wore a pair of navy short shorts, the kind that girls wear to the gym or a netball game, and a pair of red converse sneakers, no socks. The confidence in her walk, after being so publicly rejected, sent a surge of energy through Rob's body. He had to meet this girl, he thought. He felt an insatiable need to be close to her.
The groan from behind him snapped Rob out of his stupor and he apologised as he paid for the beer. A greater groan rose from the crowd waiting in line as Rob ordered a pre-mixed vodka with a sheepish grin. Drinks in hand, Rob darted through the crowd after the girl in the Arcade Fire tee.

Maddy couldn't believe the nerve of that stuck up bartender. She took a long swig from the vodka can as she stepped through the exit of the drinks area. The artificially sweetened orange tang hit her throat, masking the strength of the spirit within. She was grateful for the cool drink in her hand when she stepped back out into the summer sun.
'You forgot something,' a voice from behind Maddy caused her to freeze. Had she forgotten something? She spun around to see a guy holding a can of vodka out at her as if it were hers.
'Sorry?' she managed. The guy was tall and fairly slender, although his broad shoulders and wide chest seemed to say footy player.
'Your drink,' the guy said with a grin, holding the can closer to her. Had he seen her trying to order three drinks at a two drink max bar? Did he buy the third drink for her?
'That's not mine, sorry,' she muttered and turned to leave. Her eyes drifted across his chest as she did so, noticing the way his white v-neck tee spread over his collarbones, emphasising the strength in his shoulders. When she had managed to drag her eyes from him she began to walk away. Almost shaking her head, Maddy felt the impending hand on her shoulder. These jock types were all the same, she thought, they're just looking for an easy girl. It was a good thing that she was the furthest thing from easy, and this guy was going to find that out, right now.
She had managed at least thirty meters when she paused. There was no hand, no call, nothing. She felt a slight sting of rejection, but shook her head at the unnerving thought. Was she really that vain? But, could she really be that judgemental? Slowly, Maddy turned her head, casually checking out the crowd behind her.
The guy remained fixed in the same position that she had left him. His broad shoulders were slightly drooped and he had a dejected look on his face. He wasn't looking at her, instead reading the can of vodka in his hand. She noticed a can of beer in the hand at his waist. The waist was also pretty slim, and Maddy struggled not to take in the pair of muscular legs clad in khaki shorts, ending just above the knee. Football player, definitely.

Rob didn't get it. He felt that he could never quite get it right with girls. The idea that she would accept his joking offer was just plain stupid. The vodka can cooled his hand and he turned it over the read the information on the side. He never really liked the stuff, but he might as well drink it now that he had foolishly bought the damned thing.
'I'll take it, if you're still offering,' the voice was calm and Rob raised his eyes, startled to see the girl standing once again before him. She wore an easy smile that set aside any doubts or anxieties that had drifted into his head.
'Sure,' he offered the can to her. Her eyebrows raised slightly as she looked to the two cans already occupying her hands.
Rob managed a weak smile and she looked up at him, her face breaking into a wide grin. She took the can from him, and offered a shrug as she held the three cans between her delicate fingers. Rob noticed the perspiration on the cans running down her soft hands and couldn't hold back a wide grin of his own.
'I can hold that for you,' he smiled at her, 'Until you find your friends.'
She lowered her gaze and reluctantly offered the can back to him. Rob saw a hesitation in her eyes, and she took a breath as if she was about to say something but halted.
Stupid, Rob cursed himself. The drinks were for her.
'I always like to buy two beers, easier than waiting in line again,' Rob added, hoping that he hadn't upset her too much.
'Sure,' she said casually and looked away. Rob took the can, and took the time to take a good look at her. She was staring at a crowd of people lining up at a merchandise stand, but Rob didn't notice that. He was transfixed by her delicate jawline, her pale skin that looked so soft, and her slender neck. A loose lock of her wild red hair hung over her eye and Rob blamed the cans in his hands for his inability to brush it away. Images of his hand brushing that lock away flooded his mind and he could almost feel the warm flush of her cheeks as he imagined running his fingers gently across her face.

Maddy could feel his intense gaze on her hot cheeks as she watched the crowd flock around the merchandise stall. What was he thinking about? She wondered if he was judging her for trying to buy three drinks. He said he liked to buy more than one at a time. The burn of his gaze began to get too strong for her and she flicked her head back to face him.
Their eyes met and Maddy could see a gentle radiance flowing through his features. He sent a wave of heat through her cheeks. It could have just been the sun's powerful rays, but Maddy was sure that this was more than humidity. He didn't break eye contact and she took the time to get a good look at him.
He was unshaven, but the stubble, while normally a turn off, coated his tanned skin and cast a shadow under his high, strong cheekbones. They weren't the only thing that stood out strongly on his face, his jaw formed a sharp square that fit neatly into his perfectly moulded chin.
While his hair was dark, he had light eyes. They were a shade of hazel, not quite green or blue but close enough. Maddy felt a slight tingle in her fingertips. It could be the vodka, but she felt sure that it was caused by him.
He broke the eye contact, she realised as she noticed he was looking at her face. Her eyes drifted down to his chest, which was at her eye level. She felt like throwing the cans away and resting her hands on his strong chest. She wanted to feel his heart beating beneath the white tee. A strong desire to rest her body against him washed over her. She just wanted to rest her head on his chest and feel his arms wrap gently around her.
Of course, she couldn't just throw her drinks away, the idea was stupid. But if she didn't have them, would she do it?
'What's your name?' the guy asked, breaking the silence.
'Maddy,' she replied.
'I'm Rob,' he said.
The two looked to the cans in each of their hands and both shared the same sheepish grin. Good excuse, she thought.


Oh, it shouldn't end like that by the way... I'm just really tired.