Reignite | Currently Revising

Chapter Twenty-Three

~Melanie~

A little past midnight, after we've played a couple of rounds of pool, corn hole, and darts, I lean against the counter in the garage, watching everyone. Imagine Dragons plays through the speakers as I realize Marisa and Kevin are nowhere to be found. When did they leave? I smirk, wondering if they're getting busy.

Kara practically drapes over Graham as he sneaks another beer from the fridge, Sean whispers something into a giggling Bianca's ear near the open garage door, and James and Charlie are arm wrestling on top of the pool table. I roll my eyes at them.

I look the other way and see Ethan standing right next to me. I jolt backward, surprised.

"What do you want?" I squint my eyes at him.

"I need to show you something," he responds.

What in the world would he need to show me after avoiding me almost the whole time we've been here and then giving me that smart-ass answer at the firepit? Curiosity gets the better of me, and I allow him to guide me out of the garage.

With our only lighting the moon and stars, we walk further away from the garage. As we move closer to the lake through the brush, I realize he's leading me to the empty dock. I can still hear the music from the garage playing faintly in the background, mixed with the sounds of the frogs and crickets of the lake.

"Okay, what did you want to show me?" I ask when we arrive.

Ethan rubs the back of his neck and looks down, chuckling. "Well, you know how we've known each other for forever now, and, well, we've grown so much since the last time we really saw each other."

I nod along, wondering where he's going with this.

He waits a few seconds looking at his hands before speaking again, "You look so beautiful tonight." He reaches out to touch my waist, but I take a step back, and his arms return to his side – my heart rate increases.

Ethan sighs, "Mel, you were right before. I have been avoiding you since you got here. I've just," he pauses. "When I found out you were bringing your boyfriend, I knew then you two were serious, but it seems that no matter how hard I try, I can't change how I feel about you." He looks away and grits his teeth.

About me? A chill runs down my spine as a light breeze blows by, freezing me in place.

"B-But Bianca said you have a girlfriend?"

"Bianca doesn't know what she's talking about."

Not sure what to say, I look out toward the dark lake, seeing the moon and the stars' reflection as if it is the sky itself and we are upside down. I never thought he liked me this way. I try to ignore the butterflies running amuck in my stomach.

I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. I clear my throat, then look into his eyes. I might get lost in those swirls of blue.

"I-I'm sorry, Ethan. I'm flattered, seriously, I am, but nothing can happen between us. I'm with James."

He smiles, but it doesn't reach his eyes. "Can I just have one thing?" he asks.

"What?"

He leans close, looking into my eyes before his lips slightly brush against mine. I'm still for a moment before realizing how soft his lips are, even though he smells of beer, pine, and soap. My stomach leaps into my throat as my lips gain a mind of their own and follow his lead.

He pulls me in closer, wrapping his arms around my waist, causing me to squeak in surprise. He slides his tongue inside my mouth, and I can't believe how good of a kisser he is, even if he does taste strongly of beer. I hold back a moan.

Immediately, I push him away breathlessly and take a step back.

"That can never happen again," I say, then quickly turn on my heel and speed walk back to the garage, leaving him alone on the dock, praying no one saw us. My heart is pounding so loud in my ears. It's all I can hear.

~~~

~Ethan~

I watch Melanie leave and not turn back around. I sigh as I sit on the dock and look at the dark lake. Where did the time go? Why did I have to wait until now to tell her? I should have gotten over my fear of Bianca's judgment and told Mel earlier when we were still in high school. Now, she has a boyfriend and said she doesn't feel the same. I groan as I lay my head in my hands.

A cool breeze drifts by as I remember that night at my high school lacrosse state tournament when I wanted so badly to kiss her while we were cuddling and watching the stars at the bed and breakfast, but I chickened out.

I thought bringing her here, far away from everyone, but right where you could see the stars above and across the water would get her back to that moment – that moment when I swear she wanted to kiss me then too.

Although, she did kiss me back just now... I smile as I look up at the night sky. There might be hope for us yet, Mel.

~~~