to live for the hope of it all.

Chapter 32

October 29th, 2023

"My hands shake, I can't explain this, ah, ah, ah, ah,
Say my name and everything just stops..."

Bailey

Jesus, I fucked up so bad.

Some of last night's memories started coming back to me after eating breakfast this morning. I cringed as I remembered how I acted about Beckett and Paige. It wasn't my place to be upset when it was my fault for misreading our friendship.

Deciding to get drunk last night had seemed like a good idea then, but I was paying for it now, and it seemed like Wren was too. Grandpa Matt laughed at us from where he washed dishes.

"I let y'all eat in silence," he started. "But I take it last night was fun?"

You have no idea.

It really had been a blast. That was the first time I felt comfortable to let loose in public, and doing it with Wren made it that much better. I smiled softly remembering how we danced to "Slut!" and blocked everyone around us out.

Then there was beer pong and my cheeks heated thinking about how good Beckett's arms looked when he lined up his shot. Or the crease in his brow that I wanted to smooth with my thumb. Or the way his tongue ran over his bottom lip while he concentrated on which cup to aim for.

Stop it Bailey, don't torture yourself.

"It was, I'm glad we went," I told him, catching Wren's tired eyes as she smiled at me.

"Me too," she agreed, standing up from her chair. "I've gotta get home and shower, I'll see you on Monday."

"Okay, text me when you make it home."

"I will, I love you," she said, turning to my grandfather at the sink. "See you soon, Oliver. Love you!"

"Love you!" We both shouted, watching as she locked the front door from inside before closing it behind her.

"Boyo texted he'll be over for lunch."

"What?" I faltered, whipping my head to my grandfather before wincing at the ache.

Beckett's coming over?

"Relax, you've got like two hours to make yourself look presentable."

"Why is he coming over?" I asked, feeling my cheeks heat up as more from last night started coming back from me.

His jaw was so sharp when I traced it.

"I invited him," he said, shrugging his shoulders like it's not a big deal.

It absolutely is a big deal.

"Why?" I asked, again.

"I have to run into town at 2 and won't be back till later this evening, so I just wanted to catch up with him before then."

"Oh," I said. "What's going on in town?"

"Just a little blood drive down at the hospital," he explained. "I'm gonna donate and then stick around to see if they need help with anything."

"What would the world be like without someone as awesome as you?" I joked.

"Let's hope we don't have to worry about that for another 30 or so years," he laughed. "Go shower before lover boy gets here, you smell like cheap booze."

Is that what was in that cup?

"Whatever," I sighed, pushing in my chair and heading towards the stairs. "I'm going, I'm going."