"Maybe not."
The clearing comes into view a few minutes later. Trucks everywhere, parked at angles, headlights cutting through the growing dark. Music thumps loud enough to feel in my chest even with the windows up. Firelight flickers through the trees, orange and gold against the night.
I find a spot near the edge and park. For a second, we just sit there, engine ticking as it cools.
"You good?" she asks.
"Yeah. You?"
"Yeah."
She reaches for the door handle and I catch her wrist, pulling her back for a quick kiss. She smiles against my mouth.
"What was that for?" she asks.
"Nothing. Just wanted to."
Her eyes soften. "Come on. Before Chace sends a search party."
We grab beer from the back and head toward the noise. The heat from the fire hits as soon as we clear the trees. People everywhere—faces we've known our whole lives, voices layered over each other until they blur into one continuous hum.
Chace spots us immediately and grins. "Well, well. Look who showed."
"Don't start," I warn.
"I'm not starting anything." His grin widens. "Just observing."
Shae appears, barefoot, cup in hand. She takes one look at us and smirks. "Oh good. I was starting to think I'd have to drag you both here myself."
"You're very dramatic," Hazel says.
"It's part of my charm."
The group pulls us in. Someone hands me a beer. Someone else launches into a story. The fire crackles and spits, heat rolling off it in waves.
I end up standing next to Hazel, close enough that our arms brush. She leans into me slightly, and I slide my hand to her lower back without thinking. Just resting there.
She glances up at me, something soft in her eyes.
"You two want a chair?" Chace asks, gesturing to the empty spots near the fire.
"We're good," I say.
Hazel shifts closer, her hip against mine, and I keep my hand where it is.
I stand there with my arm around her waist, beer in hand, listening to Chace tell some story about a date that went sideways, and I realize I'm happy.
Not just content. Happy.
This is what I wanted. Her. Here. Part of things. Part of my life. Not hiding. Not temporary.
Or at least, it doesn't feel temporary.
She leans into me, laughing at something Shae said, and I press a kiss to her temple without thinking.
Chace sees it and grins. "You two are disgusting."
"Jealous," I shoot back.
