Fireworks

20

Jeremiah's eyes lock on mine for a fraction of a second and they seem to say 'be cool'. I try to act nonchalant when I look up and see a very confused-looking Arlo. "Oh, hey, Arlo," I say in a cool voice. I'm proud when it doesn't waver or go up in pitch.

His eyes show nothing but confusion and slight concern when he asks, "What are you doing here?"

I look around and say, "Here? Oh, I'm, uh-"

"Babe, who's this?" Jeremiah saves me, grabbing my hand and turning to Arlo.

Arlo flinches, though it's almost imperceptible, and he narrows his eyes at Jeremiah.

"Jeremiah, this is my friend from work, Arlo. Arlo, this is my - boyfriend, Jeremiah." I slightly choke on the word but manage to make it sound normal, and I let go of Jeremiah's hand so he can shake Arlo's.

"Good to meet you, man."

"You as well."

They stare at each other for just a second too long to be comfortable before Arlo lets go and backs up a bit, taking a chair along the wall closest to where I sit by Jeremiah's side.

"I thought you had to take the ACT today or something," Arlo says from his spot on the wall, his friends finally noticing me when they realize Arlo's talking to me.

I feel their eyes on me, but I just focus on responding to Arlo. In all honesty, I'm surprised he even knew that's what I was doing today. "Yeah, I just finished like an hour ago."

He nods, though I can tell he's now skeptical.

"Is today your day off, too?" I ask, watching as his friends collapse into seats next to him, still listening to our conversation.

"Yeah, I guess," he says, hand going to the back of his neck. "Harriet let me off the hook for the rest of the night because I helped Dad set up Godzilla."

I feel a small smile play around my lips at the thought. I knew they'd do Godzilla today. I kind of wish I were there to see it.

"And we're glad for it." One of Arlo's friends interrupts. "We've been trying to get this guy to come out with us for ages, but he's always at work. Work, work, work, it's all he does." he rolls his bright blue eyes and tips his chair on its back legs. He has chestnut hair and a face tat with a cursive word I can't make out under his left eye.

I smile politely, though my eyes wander back to Arlo.

"Well, aren't you going to introduce us, Arlo? Pretty girl." the same guy says after a small moment of silence, only filled by Jeremiah and the tattoo man's conversation.

Arlo glares at him and says, "Her boyfriend's sitting right there, asshole."

The guy raises his hands in a surrender position, though his smirk stays on his face. "Hey, no worries. I'm all bark, no bite." he winks and I feel my cheeks flush. "Well, unless that's something you're into, that is," he adds, his face only becoming more amused.

I feel my brows raise in surprise, and Arlo punches him. "Shut up, Gabe."

He just laughs, and the guy on Arlo's other side says, "Excuse my friend's manners. My name's Hoffman."

Hoffman has a similar build to Arlo in that he takes up most of the chair he's sitting in with his broad shoulders and big arms. He has skin darker than Arlo's, a deep umber brown with eyes to match. He seems the most mellow out of the group, though his tattoos are probably the most intimidating. They stretch from his finger knuckles up his arms until they disappear under his shirt only to reappear on his neck and crawl up past his jaw.