Safe Place // Jake Kiszka x Calum Hood

Chapter Twenty.

July 4th 2021

"I ask this every year, but why are we doing this again?" You asked as you continued to chop up the slices of pineapple in front of you.
"Anddd I tell you this every year, because it's fun Farren. We have fun." Ivy replied with an eye roll, the annoyance clear in her voice.
"Hey now no need for the sassiness missy. Because don't get me wrong, I love celebrating this day just as much as the next American...but what I don't understand... is why they do..." You replied pointing out the glass door to Calum, Ashton, Michael and Luke outside.
"UGH why do you have to be such a party pooper all the time!!" Ivy exclaimed with an exasperated sigh from across from you.

You were currently standing at the island in Michael and Crystal's kitchen cutting up fruit for a fruit salad.
Since you had become friends with Ivy and the guys they had made it a tradition (I know right, another tradition..) to have a cookout for the 4th of July every year, switching up who would host.
Last year was you and Calum, this year was Michael and Crystal, next was Luke and Sierra.
Like you said, you absolutely loved getting together with your best friends and spending this time with them. It never failed that you always had the best time. You just didn't understand why the four Australians insisted on celebrating a holiday based on the birth of American independence...

"Ivy I am not a party pooper! That is a logical question?!" You replied to her in between your laughter, "Come on guys help me out here?!" You pleaded, looking over to Sierra and Crystal for help.
They were both laughing at you and Ivy's banter as they also worked on preparing the rest of food.
"I hate to break it to you Ivy, but I have agree with her on this one...it's a little strange..." Crystal said with a wince.
Sierra also nodding beside of her, "Ditto. Sorry Iv."
"That's it. All of you are against me." Ivy pouted.
"What's going on in here?" Ashton said with a raised eyebrow as he pushed open the glass door and stepped inside.
"Babe they're killing my vibe! Farren is on her bullshit again asking why we're having this cookout because you're Australian-"
"Oh no not again...." Ashton said with surprise as he looked over at you with a wink.
"EXACTLY. And I was trying to-"
"Ivy love as much as I enjoy hearing this debate every year, I just came in to get the food for the grill and some drinks." He said before kissing her on the cheek and making his way to the fridge to grab the platter of burgers and hot dogs.
You, Crystal, and Sierra hadn't stopped laughing the entire time the conversation had been going on.
"Ash you need some help carrying anything?" You asked, wiping the stay tears that has fallen down your cheeks from laughing.
"Are you sure you're done in here?" He asked looking at the pineapple you had just cut up.
You turned to your friends, "You guys good if I head outside?"
Crystal nodded, "Of course, we're almost done anyways."
You turned back around to Ashton with a shrug.
"Okay then yes if you don't mind, could you get the drinks?"
"Absolutely." You replied with a grin.
You headed over to the fridge and grabbed three beers and two bottles of water before walking over to Ivy and laying your head on her shoulder,
"You know I just love to get on your nerves right?"
"I hate you."
"No you don't, you LOVE me!!" You proceeded to yell at her as you walked out the back door and across the yard to the grill.
Luke, Ashton, and Calum all had seats at the large outdoor table as they watched Michael in full on dad mode at the grill, his apron on and all.
"Here you go boys, beer for you three-" you said handing one to Calum, Luke, and Michael, "and water for us." You said as you handed Ashton the other bottle with a wink.
"Thanks Fare."
"No problem." You walked over to where Calum was sitting and perched yourself in his lap, draping your legs across his and wrapping your arm around his neck.
"Hey you."
"Hey yourself." He said looking up at you with a smirk as he snaked his arm around your back for support.
"I really like this bathing suit." He said as he slowly pushed his hand up underneath his flannel you were wearing and onto your back. The roughness of his fingers dancing across your back raising goosebumps all over your skin.
You had on a simple black bikini and as you were walking out the door had thrown one of his plaid button ups over top as a cover up, nothing fancy, but clearly it was enough to rile him up.