Page 4

There’s my distraction.

Her auburn locks pirouetted behind her as she skipped toward me. Her arms curled around my neck as she pulled me down for a kiss. The kiss was incomprehensible. Mundane. Just like our relationship.

“Hey, Ava.” I said once we pulled away.

Despite my lack of adoration for her, she brought a sense of comfort. The perks of knowing someone since childhood. Many timeless moments engraved her bold smile and emerald eyes.

“What took you so long?”

I ran my hand down my face with a sigh.

“Nothing important.”

I tossed my arm around her shoulder and lured her to the lively bonfire right beside an abundance of alcohol placed on the rock table. I reached into my back pocket for my pack of cigarettes and brought a stick to my lips, but I hadn’t lit it yet.

Ava handed me a drink. I clutched the nicotine stick between my fingers and took a heavy gulp. I never winced as the alcohol scorched my esophagus. Her eyes were on me the entire time, but I didn’t acknowledge it. I took two more sips before placing it to the side to light my cigarette. I pulled the air into my lungs and exhaled.

“You’re here.” Collin, my best friend, said.

“I saw you this morning. Don’t tell me you missed me this much.”

He grinned at my joke.

“You know I can’t be apart from you for too long. I get withdrawals.”

I tossed my head back with a chuckle before inhaling another drag.

“Our new neighbours moved in today.”

Everyone’s heads turned to me. Marshtown rarely got new arrivals, so this was breaking news.

“What are they like?” Elsie, Ava’s best friend, asked.

“It’s just my mom’s best friend and her two kids,” I said. “Nothing special.”

Ava and Elsie shared a look, but I didn’t question it. I turned to Collin and extended my cigarette.

“You know I’m training.”

I rolled my eyes and shrugged before taking a large inhale. I kept the smoke in my lungs as I dropped the stick to the ground, kicking some sand over it. The fumes blocked my vision as I released it from my hold. I took a seat on the log near the bonfire to generate some warmth. Even with my jacket, the breeze was chilly. I watched as the flames danced, twisting from side to side like a graceful ballerina.

Ava sat beside me, clutching her drink in both hands. I extended my legs forward, leaning against the trunk behind me, and folded my arms across my chest.

“It’s pretty cold.”

I hummed in response. I could tell she wanted me to give her my jacket, but I wasn’t about to catch hyperthermia because of her carelessness. She should have brought another jacket. She watched me like a hawk watching a small mammal.

“Here, you can have my jacket.”

Collin, forever the chivalrous hero, placed his Marshtown Manatee’s jacket over her shoulders. I scoffed and took another sip of whatever she concocted.

“Way to be a wonderful boyfriend, Asher.” Elsie said.

I ignored her comment and gave her a thumbs-up.

I can be a sarcastic bitch too, Elsie.

My phone hummed in my pocket, but I ignored it, knowing it was my mom demanding to know where I was. I downed the remnants of my drink and reached over to pour more. I grabbed the first bottle I could find. Bourbon. I shrugged and filled it halfway.