We weave through the crowd, the crackling fire mixing with the bass beats coming from the speakers.
This party reminds me of all of those others I used to attend when I was younger. Especially when I nod a few hellos as we walk by people, and when they glance to see who’s next to me, their looks of confusion afterward have me wanting to laugh hysterically—out of madness. Gossip still has a deep vein here.
We stop on the opposite side of the fire, on the side of the party closest to the lakeshore. I know the shore to be a few hundred feet through the thick forest.
So many memories.
Gabe picks a spot next to a large pine tree, the trunk ginormously thick. He takes his own long pull of beer as he leans his shoulder against the tree. He’s just staring with this funny crook to his lips.
“Gabe… you’re freaking me out,” I joke, staring back.
He laughs, “Sorry. I thought I would talk too much once I got to spend time with you, but the truth of the matter is, you scare the shit out of me.”
I laugh again, and his own tangles around mine.
“Well, I really like your opener, Gabe. It’s a real attention grabber. ‘Girl invites guy to party, and guy admits he’s terrified of girl.’ I think you’ve got the beginning of your first novel, or your next eclectic exposé on dating in the modern world.”
He laughs hard, snorting a bit while trying to contain his burly chuckles, and it feels like such a win.
I don’t know what’s come over me and where this confidence comes from. If I could be so bold with the over-dissection of my psyche, I’d say I get some sick pleasure knowing that the most popular guy back in high school can’t stop staring at me. That can surely make any awkward girl feel a little more on her game.
“Have I told you how much I like you?” he says, smiling, but his mouth slams shut. He’s embarrassed, but he doesn’t seem to regret saying it.
I take a slow sip of my beer this time, eyeing him curiously until I’m done. He has me hopeful for the night.
“No, you actually haven’t told me that at all. Did you have a crush on me in high school? You can say no.”
To hide my own bubbling, bold nerves, I take another sip. He rubs at his jaw as he lets his eyes caress every surface of my exposed skin before letting out a soft chuckle. “Um, maybe some of junior year, but I definitely did senior year. Have you always known that I did?”
I gulp, taking a step closer to him, liking that he’s on the defensive. “Actually, someone told me just recently.”
“Which somebody is that?” he hums.
“Haileyyy…”
My heart leaps into my throat as my eyes lock apologetically onto Gabe’s, knowing exactly who’s crashing my fun so soon by the rumbling voice coming from behind me.
“That somebody,” I reply crisply before swiveling around to see Caiden, hands stuffed in his pockets, grinning like an idiot, but he isn’t alone. He has an accomplice. Cameron is smugly at his side, and it becomes obvious that they know exactly what they’re doing, or about to do, at least. The bastards.
Gabe’s abrupt chuckle catches me off guard as he says, “Oh, well that makes sense now.”
And I can’t help my own string of laughter, too, and I enjoy Caiden’s look of confusion in response even more so.
“We were just talking about you,” Gabe says, not missing a beat before taking a sip of his beer.
The tension rises a level as I watch the two men eye each other. It feels so silly, but I stay quiet, watching it unfold.
“It’s been a while, Gabe. What brings you back to PineCrest?” Caiden asks, and I don’t trust him one bit.
This is when my eyes dart to Gabe’s. Unfortunately, I’m eager for the same information.
“Ah, well, my sister starts college soon. She got into NYU, so I thought I’d road trip it with her to New York. Ya know, since I live there.”
I smile. That’s kind of adorable.
Gabe catches my look and smiles back, but adds apologetically, “I was actually hoping to stay a while, but it turns out she has to be there earlier than we thought. So I’m leaving in a few days.”
My smile falters. A few days?
Is it weird that not only am I disappointed by the fact that Gabe is only here for such a short amount of time, but I’m also suddenly more jealous that he knows his end date?
When am I leaving town? How long can I stay?
“New York is so far from California,” rolls off the tongue of the infuriating man to my left.
I visibly roll my eyes, knowing Caiden’s going in for the kill so quickly.
My mouth finally chooses to function. “But we can totally keep in touch. I mean, if you want,” I fumble, adding a shrug.
“That’d be cool,” Gabe responds, and I feel victorious.
My blood starts coursing through my veins with a little pop of adrenaline, and with an odd sense of exhilaration with this battle I’m knowingly participating in.
Cameron stays rigid and silent at Caiden’s side, apparently only here to provide moral support to said douchebaggery shenanigans that are ensuing. Boys are so dumb.
“I don’t know many writers,” I add. “Writing is this sort of solitary universe.”
Gabe laughs, “It’s true.”
Caiden reappears as he says, “That’s right Gabe, you’re a reporter, right?” I can’t tell if his tone is condescending, but it’s the corner of his mouth that lifts upward when he speaks that gets me so riled up. It starts a tornado ripping around inside me, as love and hate twist around each other, making it hard to choose how to feel. “Have you read Hailey’s book?”
I’m tempted to look at my phone for the time, just to clock him on how long it took him to go in for the win so ruthlessly.
Gabe shrugs, eying me carefully before he says, “No, but it’s at the top of my to-be-read list.”