Pushing his foot down on the gas, he fires up that sound again. A mound of dirt before him. Leftover from the detached bathhouse and outdoor spa that was added last year.
My father had not been here once to see. The forgotten slope of packed earth the perfect addition for tonight’s antics.
Heads turn, following Finn. The vehicle flying in slow motion. The open flames of the bonfire below kissing the wheels. Bouncing off it comes to a skidding halt on the other side. A mixture of sand and dirt flying everywhere.
If you thought the crowd was crazy before that, it was nothing compared to now. The frenzied chaos like straight morphine to the veins.
Finn pounds at the hood, chanting, hyping them up. Dude was fucking nuts.
The single-worded chorus on repeat. “Fishes… fishes… fishes…”
Never to leave his fans unimpressed he grabs a boulder. Throwing it on the gas pedal and letting nature take its course.
Rory’s Jeep flies off the dock at record speed. The water crashing around it like a murky blanket. Drizzling most of the audience in its misting rapture.
I don’t look for Rory outright, because I already knew what her reaction was going to be. While everyone else enjoyed the show oblivious of the intent. She had to watch, seeing how little value I give most things.
Everything temporary, like her.
When I do finally search her out, she doesn’t leave me disappointed. I could feel her anger radiating off her from here. Eyes a blaze of fury, while mine said welcome back.
I basked in it like a man starved.
fourteen
Rory
AfterFridaynight’seventof my Jeep becoming a flying submarine. I decided to do what I do best.
Isolate.
Spending all Saturday and most of Sunday exploring deeper into the conservatory. The wildness of my life disappearing when I stepped through those doors. I couldn’t describe it, there was just something about it.
It rejuvenated me, preparing me for another week of suffering.
“Hey, new girl.”
I smile, grabbing at the last of my things for the day.
“Got a secret admirer?” Xander’s lips turn down, reaching past me and snatching at the box of chocolates sitting on my calculus book.
“If you consider Hailey a secret.” I snort.
His shoulders noticeably deflate at the comment. Opening the box after undoing the satin ribbon, his eyes widen, brows creasing. “Two are missing.”
I glance down and bark out a laugh. “Guess Hailey got hungry. I hadn’t opened them yet.”
The candy and her promise to drive me anywhere I wanted for the next year was her way of apologizing. It had been her idea to go, and she felt guilty.
Really though, like I told her, I was fine. Worse things have happened.
I did plan on taking her up on her offer to drive. There was no way I would ask Finn to take me to school after he ditched me. Also wasn’t going to ask Abram to supply me with a new one, so Hailey it was.
Xander closes the lid, handing them back, shaking his head in fondness. Hailey was one of a kind.
A silence falls between us then. Me grabbing my things and him rolling on the heels of his feet.
He shifts doing it again.