Total pages in book: 136
Estimated words: 131821 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 659(@200wpm)___ 527(@250wpm)___ 439(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 131821 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 659(@200wpm)___ 527(@250wpm)___ 439(@300wpm)
Chase and I share a smile, and then he reaches forward, turning up the music.
I sit back, humming along to the music that fills the cab. When we pick up a little speed and the wind hits my face a little harder, I don’t roll the window up.
I close my eyes and breathe in deeply, and I don’t open them until Chase kills the engine.
My eyes slide his way as he unbuckles and starts to climb out, so I do the same, following him around back.
He pulls the tailgate down as my eyes move across the giant field ahead, where some people are scattered across what looks to be several hundred yards or more of grass.
“This is where the fireworks show was tonight,” he tells me as he sits. “I thought maybe we’d catch the grand finale at least, but I guess it’s later than I realized.”
Apparently, fireworks are illegal in Oceanside, and from what Ari said, there’s usually a dedicated spot where the city will put on a safe showing for the townspeople. I guess this was it this year.
“Why didn’t we come tonight to watch?” I glance back, and he pats the spot beside him, so I hop up, settling on the chilled metal.
“Probably because we’re all grown now.” He shrugs, then looks to me with a smile. “Next year, though, I’d bet money we’re the first at the show if Sarah or Viv have any say.”
Warmth blossoms in my chest. Not only at the thought of the love my friend’s parents have for Deaton but the fact that he and I are so effortlessly included in plans that don’t even exist yet.
Smiling to myself, I look out over the space. “I wonder if he’ll like all the colors but hate the loud booms that come with them.”
“If he does…” Chase reaches behind him, revealing a small plastic bag I didn’t see him grab from the truck. “We go to plan B.”
A small frown builds along my brow, and I watch, curious, as he pulls a long rectangular box out with one hand, revealing a lighter in the other.
A low laugh leaves me, and I hold my hand out, tearing into the thin cardboard after he slaps it into my palm.
I pull out two, holding them past my dangling legs, and he leans forward, lighting the paper ends. Once it catches and green and red sparks start to shoot from the end, I pass one his way.
Chase spins his in circles, making shapes with the smoke, and I do the same, my muscles relaxing even more. He must notice as he looks over then.
“See?” His grin is proud. “Everyone likes a sparkler.”
“These were my favorite when I was little,” I share. “My dad would always make a big deal of the holiday. He’d buy me one of those wire garland crowns, you know, the kind with ribbons that hung almost to the floor, and when he put it on my head, he’d bow like I was some kind of princess waving around a scepter of sorts. I’d pretend to cast spells and make Parker my minion.” I smile at the memory, but a frown quickly washes it away. “That’s probably why my mom refused to buy fireworks of any kind once they separated. She’d usually just…tell us to go down the road and watch the neighbors’” A second, more spiteful smile pulls at my lips as I reach into the box in my lap. “Serves her right. Deaton lived down the street then.”
The moment the words leave my mouth, my muscles lock, and I try not to look at Chase but do it anyway. I wait for the hint of pity to draw his features in, but it never comes.
He just…smiles.
“Yeah?” he asks. “That how you two got close?”
Biting into my lower lip, I face forward. “That’s sort of how it started, yeah.” I spin the stick between my thumb and pointer finger, glancing his way. “So, you excited to get back to school soon?” I say to change the subject.
He shrugs at the same time as he nods, and when he looks over, I laugh.
“What?” he wonders.
I mimic his movement, down to the faint scowl he had on his face, and Chase bumps my shoulder playfully.
After a moment, he sighs loudly. “We’ve been in training camps with the team on and off all summer, and technically me and the guys have been back on campus for weeks now since coach talked us into summer classes.” He shrugs again. “I just don’t feel like I’ve had much of a break, you know? I can’t say I’m not happy for the distraction.” He tenses a moment, gaze flicking my way as if he said that by mistake.
When I don’t react, he keeps going.
“The end of the school year was always when I felt like I could breathe a bit. Like whatever was going on was finally over and there was a fresh start. But this summer was…different.” He looks away then, glaring at nothing ahead of us. “I knew last year would be my last real summer. We all talked about it enough, that’s for sure, but man. It hits different when you realize it’s even further from what you expected it to be. It kind of feels like the year that was supposed to fly by just won’t end, you know?” He cuts a quick glance from the corner of his eye.