Small Town Summer

21: BACK TO REALITY

Callie

We managed to all pack up the campsite pretty quickly. Everyone pitched in except for Jake, he laid across the front seat of his truck with his hat over his eyes. Anyone could tell that he was in pain. Ruby just unwrapped his hand and it's so much worse than I imagined. Two of his knuckles are obviously dislocated or broken, you can't even see them they are so far in his hand. All Ruby could do was wrap it back up, make him an ice pack out of the little ice that was left in the eskies and now roll him another joint.

"You sure you don't just want to go to the hospital here?" She asks him while she licks the joint to seal it. She obviously isn't a stranger to weed either, which makes me feel less guilty about Jake implying I was a party girl earlier this morning. He shakes his head, wincing.

"Ryder's probably still there." He replies, looking up at me. I was already guilty enough, but when our eyes meet I swear I could literally feel the pain he was in. Jake saw this on my expression immediately.

"Don't start Cal, this isn't your fault." He says bluntly as Ruby hands him the smoke. He puts it in his mouth before Ruby lights it for him.

"It's all my fault." I sigh, leaning my back against Jake's truck.

"Sorry? Do you actually think that?" Ruby asks me, screwing up her face.

"Ruby, if I just stayed right where you told me to wait outside of the toilets he wouldn't have had the chance to grab m-"

"Uhhh, no. No woman should have to worry about going any where at any time. Last night was all Ryder Cal. Don't convince yourself otherwise." She finishes.

"Exactly, so why are you feeling guilty about leaving Cal outside of the toilet Rube?" Jake interrupts taking Ruby by surprise, her eyes widen. My heart drops when I remember listening to Ruby sob to the boys last night about how guilty she felt.

I reach out and wrap my arms around her, pulling her to me.

"Uh- Cal-"

"It's neither of our faults. You're an amazing friend, and I'm so happy I met you." I cut her off while I squeeze her tight. She wraps her arms around my waist and squeezes back.

"I love you." She tells me.

"I love you too." I reply, smiling. When I release her from the hug, my eyes land on Jake who is still sitting in the passenger seat of his truck. He's grinning. I smile back at him.

"Can I get one of those?" Josh's voice comes from right behind me just before he wraps his hands around my waist, his hands landing on my stomach while he pulls my back to his. I look up at him without turning around and giggle before giving him a quick kiss. Josh then looks to Jake.

"Mase will drive your car man. I'll drop Callie off and meet you guys at the hospital, yeah?" Josh asks him. I look around our campsite, Nelson and Eric are getting into their car and Mason is wandering over to us. He grabs Ruby by the waist and pulls her back a couple of metres away from where we are standing, obviously to say goodbye and drive safe. It sucks that Ruby has to drive so far by herself now... all because of my stupidity.

"Sounds good bro." Jake replies as I turn to Josh.

"Maybe I should go back to town with Ruby." I state. Josh's eyes narrow.

"No. You're coming with me." He replies.

"Josh I ju-"

"Callie. You're coming with me." He repeats, giving me a stern look. I shut my mouth, forming a straight line with my lips before nodding a simple nod.