I nod. “Well, you look pretty.”
She bites her lip, and her cheeks turn pink, but she doesn’t say anything. Bear scratches on the wood of the screen door so she goes over and opens it.
“How’d you find out?” she asks.
“Hudson. How you getting down there?” I look back toward the door, thinking we should walk off the porch.
“A friend is picking me up.”
“This friend a boy?”
“Jealous?” she throws my words back at me from earlier. I don’t respond, but hell yeah, I’m jealous. “What’d you come over for?” she then asks as she walks past me with purple toenails. Damn, I notice everything about this girl. I follow her as she tries to get away from her dad’s ears.
“I wasn’t ignoring you on purpose, L. I’ve got to get used to my job. I literally came home every day and passed out. My whole body is sore. I feel like I’ve been beat with a two-by-four.”
She laughs and I smile because, well…she laughed. She stops when we reach her mom’s garden and takes a seat on the bench. I stand and sink my hands into my pockets.
“I cleaned my room,” I tell her.
“Good. It smelled,” she replies, scrunching her pretty nose like she did earlier today.
“It smells like lemons now.”
I get to see her smile again. Crossing her bare ankles, she moves long curls to one side of her neck, revealing soft skin and making my mouth water with the urge to kiss it.
“Well, you’ve got to finish getting ready for your party,” I say, looking at her pretty toes. “I’ll call you tomorrow, yeah?”
She looks up at me. “Wanna come?”
I gaze down as she bites her bottom lip. “Oh, you gonna ask me now?”
“Well, I’m not making you, Tommy,” she smarts off and stands, walking away from me.
“Hey.” I spin her around. “You know damn well I want to go. I don’t know why it took you so long to ask,” I tease.
“Like I said earlier, you’d already know if—”
“I would have picked up the phone, I know. I’m kidding, Ellie.” I shake my head. “Go cancel on whoever. You’re riding with me.” I take her hand without thinking and she looks down, but doesn’t change it. I flinch as we walk back to her house because my hands are raw and they hurt like hell, but I ignore it. I don’t want to let her hand go.
Chapter Six
Ellie
Tall grass that needs to be cut comes into view and my best friend parks his brother’s car at the edge of the field. Hudson and Rose stop sucking face, and we four get out when Tommy pops the trunk. Banner picked me out all kinds of fireworks with the promise Hudson would be in charge. Hudson agreed with no problem.
As we all grab boxes, cars with loud music start to pull up. We’re just outside of town, and I’ve already sent Dad a text saying I was sleeping over at a friend’s house. It’s the end of summer, it’s Green Ridge, and for the most part, I think my dad trusts me. It’s not like I’m doing anything horrible, so I don’t feel too bad about lying. Plus, I’m with Tommy and Hudson. I’m safe, but the boy who’s only my friend won’t stop looking at me.
Most of the cars leave their lights on so we can see to gather some sticks and branches from the outer woods. Leaning down to tuck my escaped shoestring inside my Vans, I hear Tommy.
“Ellie, don’t bend over like that.” Looking back at him, I stand and see his eyes are where they shouldn’t be.
“You’re in a dress, remember?” His face looks different and I smirk.
“You act like you’ve never seen me in my underwear.”
“I haven’t,” he says, like what?
“Tommy, I jumped off that railroad bridge in my underwear, remember?”
“Those were shorts, very short shorts, but still shorts. You’ve got panties on now. Black ones.” His lips curve into a smile.
“Those were underwear, just a different kind.”
“Oh,” he says, grabbing two beers from the cooler. He walks over and hands me one.
Someone starts the fire and slowly everyone turns their lights off. Tommy lifts our chairs from the trunk while Hudson and Rose get theirs.
“Tommy!” We hear and turn to see Karen running over to us. She jumps into Tommy’s arms and makes him drop our chairs and his beer. With an annoyed sigh, I pick mine up, continuing to walk toward the fire.
Looking over when Rose walks up beside me, I notice her secretive smile and she leans into me.
“I think Tommy likes you,” she says.
“No shit?” I say sarcastically because, duh, he likes me. “We’re like best friends, Rose.”
“No, I mean like has a crush on you, Ellie. You should have seen how hurt his face looked after Hudson told him about this party and you didn’t invite him.” She grins as we stop far enough away so we don’t feel the sting on our faces. I put my beer down and unfold my chair, pulling it out from the arms.
“He has it bad for you. All the other girls see it too, and they’re super jealous,” she says, setting her chair up too.
I look back at Tommy. Karen is all over him, laughing and smiling, invading his personal space. Regardless of her, his eyes look for me. It’s nonplusing.
I turn away and pick up my beer, popping the top and taking a big gulp. Sitting down, the nylon red fabric stretches, and I watch the flames in front of me shoot up and burn. It’s cooler tonight because summer is fast ending and winter will be here before we know it.
I stretch my closed legs out, glad to feel them warm from the fire. With an enormous limb dragging behind him, Hudson walks up to the bonfire. Tossing it with someone’s help, he steps back as sparks fly up into the night sky. I peek over at Rose.
“Like, how hurt did he look?” I ask because I’m curious.
“Like his dog died, Ellie.”
I roll my eyes. “You’re so dramatic.”
She laughs. “Nah, but he did look bothered by it. So, what about you? Do you have a crush too?” she asks with a smile on her red lips.
I shrug and keep my mouth shut. She doesn’t need to know how I feel about Tommy.
“You’re so mysterious, Ellie Williams,” she says, moving a stray hair from her face.
“I’d hardly call myself mysterious, Rose.” I smirk.
“Well, I would and everyone else thinks it too. You don’t have any girlfriends. You only hang out with Tommy and Hudson, the cutest boys in town. You do crazy things like this.” She looks around. “Even though you’re the chief’s daughter and could probably get into a lot of trouble, you don’t seem to care. Everyone knows about your mom and stuff, but you never seem down.”
“Am I supposed to walk around like a sad puppy because my mom killed herself?”
“Well, no, but you don’t talk about it either.”
“That’s because it’s nobody’s business,” I say a little harsher than I intended.
“I’m sorry, Ellie. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
I sigh. “Don’t worry about it. Let’s just stop talking, okay?” She nods and I feel bad.
Looking at my beer, I watch as a trail of condensation makes its way down the can. It’s nice to know what the whole town thinks of me. Apparently, I’m a mysterious outsider who only hangs with boys. Screw all of ’em. I look out past the fire to see Tommy and Karen kissing. A feeling I don’t like settles in my gut so I shift my gaze. Bringing my beer to my lips, I chug it before I stand.
“Want another?” I ask Rose.
“Nah, I still have some left.”
“I’ll be back then.”
“Hey, Ellie.” I hear and turn to see Walker, the boy I was going to catch a ride with, and his friends, James and Bo.
“Hey,” I reply, grabbing a beer from the cooler and shutting the top back. “You get the fireworks?” he asks.
“Yep.” I smile.
“Sweet.” He grins. “We’re all taking shots over at my car. You want one?”
I shrug. “Yeah, I’ll take a shot.”
*
A few hours later and a few beers too many, everyone is mostly pissed and bouncing from car to car. The fire has died, but no one cares because everyone’s lights are on again. Some sparklers have been handed out, and I light one, twirling it in my hand, drawing letters that mean nothing and hearts that mean even less. I cover my mouth as a laugh slips out when Walker almost burns his finger and drops his beer.
“I always burn my damn hand,” he says and I shake my head as I light another one. Bo shotguns his fourth beer, and James is throwing up off cheap whiskey. I quit after one shot and two beers because I don’t like throwing up. Somebody yells, “Free Bird,” and someone’s bass rattles their trunk. I hear a loud squealing noise, and I turn to see Tommy’s and Hudson’s faces light up.
White sparks fly into the air, and I run over to them. I’m in a great mood, and since Karen has finally laid off my best friend, I put my arm through his and rest my head against it as Hudson lights more fireworks.
My best guy’s brother moved his car closer, and Tommy steps us back until we’re up against it, but I don’t let go.
“You having fun?” he asks me.
“Yep,” I say, looking up at him.
He’s smiling and doesn’t seem to be drunk at all, and I can’t look away. The corners of his eyes crinkle, and his smile fades as his expression goes serious. We’re far back from the rest of the crowd. His body shifts in front of mine, and I feel my lungs freeze. He rests his hands on the hood of the car, each arm beside my body. Inside, I feel too warm, but cold chills run up my arms because it isn’t hot out here.
Tommy’s eyes search mine, and he looks at me as though no one else is around. His gaze drops to my lips, and before I can even think, he leans in to kiss me. His lips are soft, and when I feel his tongue touch mine, my world starts to spin on every axis.
I grow hotter as I hear the big boom from the larger fireworks, but I don’t care to see them. Tommy snakes his hand around my back and pulls me closer. He tastes like gum and cigarettes, beer and trouble. I hear Karen yelling his name, and the fog that’s taken over my mind disappears. I pull away.
Bringing my fingers to my lips, I look up when another big boom goes off and purple sparks cover the sky. My eyes dart back to him, and he lifts his lip only a tad before he moves from in front of me. I see him climb on top of the hood from the corner of my eye, and I do the same as he grabs a smoke from his ear. He cups it before he strikes the lighter with his thumb and smoke fills my nose. He offers it to me, but I shake my head no. I don’t want to forget his taste just yet.
“Tommy!” Karen yells again, but neither of us says a word. We sit in silence on Hudson’s hood watching the display of fireworks. I don’t know about him, but I’m terrified.
*
The sun shines brightly, letting me know it’s morning, and I pull myself up from Tommy’s lap. Stretching my arms out in front of me, I gather my hair up and rub my face. I look in Hudson’s back seat and see him and Rose are still sleeping. Blinking my eyes, I regard Tommy who rests his head against the window. Remembering our kiss, I sigh and open the car door. Cars are still parked where they were last night. I grab the trash bag from the floorboard and get on with cleaning up our mess.
*
Slowly everyone starts to wake up and help me pick up the trash. I see Tommy leaning against Hudson’s car with a smoke between his lips and a hand shoved in his pocket. He talks with Hudson and Rose before she walks away and helps me pick up the last bit of beer cans.
“Great party, wasn’t it?”
“Yeah, memorable for sure.” I look toward the Lincoln and see Karen with her arms wrapped around Tommy’s neck. I blow and run a hand over my hair. “God, I’m ready for a shower. Let’s get out of here,” I say to Rose.
*
It’s early still, and I know the chief will be doing his morning run and eating at Green Ridge’s favorite diner, Chevy’s, so I tell Hudson to step on the gas and get me home before he gets back.
We pull up into the driveway, and I open the car door.
“Thanks for the ride, guys. I had fun.” I hurry out before Tommy can stop me. Running onto the porch, I just get the door unlocked when I hear his voice. It’s deep and cool.
“Yo, wait up, L.”
My chest falls as I turn around.
“You okay?” he asks, tilting his head slightly and gauging my reaction.
“Yeah, just tired and I feel gross.”
He nods and slides his hands into his pockets.
“Y’all should probably get going, you know, before the chief comes home.”
He narrows his eyes “We okay?”
“Of course, you’re my best friend. I’ll call you later.” I smile, but he doesn’t. “Okay?” I question. The slump in his shoulders doesn’t go unnoticed.
“Yeah, L. Okay.” He turns around and walks away from me.
I don’t watch him get into the car. Shutting the door behind me quickly, I take a deep breath and close my eyes before I let the tears in them fall down my cheeks.
“I can’t do this,” I say out loud to no one. I sniff and push away from the door before I head upstairs and jump into the shower, ready to wash everything away—the smoke from the bonfire, that beautiful kiss, this feather-like feeling in my chest.
*
I’m woken up by a soft dip in my bed and the sound of my dad’s voice.
“Little Miss,” he says and I open my eyes to see him looking down at me with Bear at his feet flopping his tail.
“Hey,” I say, sitting up.
“Rough night?” he asks, kinda smiling.
“Nah, just decided to take a nap.” I shift my eyes over to my clock and see it’s late in the evening.
“Wow, I slept a long time.”
“Yeah, you did. Of course, I would have too if I was out partying all night.” He purses his lips and narrows his eyes at me.
I blink and bring my lower lip into my mouth.
“Don’t you ever lie to me again, Ellie. I was young once too, and I’m the chief of this town. I know what goes on.”
I look down. “I’m sorry.”
He rubs his beard. “Supper is in the oven. It’s just us and Bear tonight,” he says, getting up and walking to the door.
“Dad?”
He turns back to look at me.
“Why didn’t you stop me?”
He sighs as his eyes roam around my room. “Because I know your mama would have told me not to.” I lift my lip and rub the back of my neck.
“Since Banner got you the fireworks, I made him and Ben go down there and make sure you kids didn’t blow your hands off.”
“I didn’t see them.”
“That’s because I told them to be in stealth mode.” He smiles. “Anyway, they gave me a good report, besides the underage drinking, of course,” he says, annoyed. “But none of you left drunk, so at least I know this town isn’t full of kids with a death wish.” He goes silent for a moment and gazes down at the floor before he looks back at me. “Ellie, I’m dead serious. Never lie to me again. You’re too important to me.”
“I won’t, Dad.”
“Okay. That’s settled. Let’s eat and watch Mrs. Doubtfire. Come on, Bear,” he says as I throw my covers off me.
Chapter Seven
Tommy
Dumping the penny bank upside down, I let the change hit the coffee table and reach down to pick up the ones that slid off. I grab the rollers and search for the quarters. I need a pack of smokes, and besides my few weeks of savings, I’m broke from giving Hudson some pocket cash, putting gas in the Lincoln, and buying some groceries for the house because Ronnie sold our stamps again. Fucking Ronnie.
“Come in,” I say when I hear a knock on the door. The knob doesn’t turn and no one replies. I sigh and get up, ill that I haven’t had a cigarette and that I had to move. Saving money is hard.
“I said come in,” I bark as I yank open the door. “Shit, L.”
She stands th
ere, wide-eyed.
“Sorry,” I apologize as I turn back to rolling quarters. The girl I’ve hardly seen in weeks walks in like she’s never been here before, and that makes me even more aggravated. I search through the pile, picking up only quarters until I have thirty dollars rolled. Enough for a few packs and some beef jerky. I look over at Ellie. “You come over to test the furniture out?” I ask, standing up and sliding the rest of the change back into the bank.
The front door opens, and Ronnie strolls in. He looks down at the change and smiles.
“Just what I needed. A few bucks to get me a beer.” The bum goes to grab a roll, and I smack his hand away.
“You didn’t earn this money, Ronnie.”
“Well, you didn’t earn this roof over your head either, did you, boy?” he snaps back.
I narrow my eyes. “Fine. Take one roll, asshole.”
He does so while happily saying hello to L before he walks back out.
“He didn’t exactly earn this roof either, did he?” she asks me as I put the rolled-up change into my back pocket.
“No, he didn’t, but I don’t feel like fighting with him. I need some smokes. You wanna walk with?”
“Sure.” She stands as I open the door and signal for her to walk out first. We walk down the road in silence until she finally speaks, “How’ve you been?”
“Fine,” I lie because I haven’t been fine. Kissing her was the best and worst thing that ever happened to me. Best because I’ve never felt anything like it and I wish I could do it a hundred times over, but worst because she acts like I’m a stranger now.
“Good,” she says quietly.
“What about you? The chief and Bear?”
“We’re all fine too.”
“Good.”
“How’s Hudson?”
“He’s okay. Working tonight. Probably staying at Rose’s house.”
“He and Rose still at it?” She smiles as she looks down at her shoes and moves her ponytail to the side.
“Yep, still going strong. On the counter, couch, wherever they can.”
Chasing Ellie: A Chasing Fireflies Spin Off Page 6