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The streets are lively tonight, the usually dark sky lit by bonfires, string lights, and cell phone flashes. The people of Oceanside, both young and old, enjoying the last holiday of the summer before most go back to their normal, everyday lives. People run the roads barefoot, dragging wagons stuffed with ice chests, blankets, toddlers, and dogs. One guy is even rolling a keg around, his friends laughing and helping push it from behind but tripping over one another, liquid spilling from their plastic cups.
Chase and I both chuckle at the sight and end up sitting at the stop sign for almost three minutes, just waiting for a chance to turn among the crowd.
“Looks like the beach is clearing out,” I comment, a strange mix of numbness and relief settling over my bones. “I wonder if we’ll see a bunch of people packing up to go home tomorrow.”
Chase glances over with a grin. “Aw, she’s a real ocean girl now? Tired of sharing the beach with drunk college kids and screaming babies—” Chase clamps his mouth closed so fast I can’t help but laugh. He looks away, rubbing the back of his head, short brown strands sliding along his fingers. At the light, he finally looks back. “I’m sorry. That was…shit.”
“Don’t worry about it.” My lips turn up slightly, and I pull the blanket up to my neck, watching the small shops as we goby. “Because you’re absolutely right. The lungs on some of those babies, I’d pull my hair out.”
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.
