Firefly Night

CHAPTER 11

The fire crackled in the distance, its glow casting flickering shadows across the wide-open field, but all I could hear was the steady thrum of my heartbeat.

We were on the far edge of some friend of Colt's property, where the land opened up into a wide, sweeping field bordered by a thick line of trees. The firelight created a warm circle of light, but beyond its reach, the world dissolved into darkness, leaving only the rustling of leaves in the breeze and the low hum of voices from the small group gathered around the bonfire. Trucks and old cars were parked haphazardly in the grass, their headlights off but still radiating warmth from the drive.

I wrapped my arms around myself, more out of habit than actual cold, trying to shake off the unease that clung to me. The memories of the last few weeks lingered, shadowing my thoughts and making it hard to focus on anything else. It was strange being here, surrounded by people who seemed so at ease, when everything inside me still felt so unsettled.

"You sure about this?" I asked.

Colt's hand rested against the small of my back, his touch steady and reassuring. He turned to me, his blue eyes softer than usual. "We need this, Lemon. A little break from everything. Besides," he added with a half-smile, "you could use some fun."

Fun. The word felt foreign on my tongue, like something I hadn't tasted in years. But Colt's gaze held a sincerity that made it hard to refuse. So, despite the unease settling in my chest, I nodded, letting him lead me toward the fire.

As we approached, I could see Caleb and Sean already deep in conversation, their laughter carrying through the night air. We stepped into the circle of light cast by the fire, and the warmth of the flames brushed against my skin, easing some of the tension in my shoulders. Caleb spotted us first, raising a beer in greeting as a wide grin spread across his face.

"Well, look who decided to join the party," Caleb called out, his voice loud enough to draw the attention of the others.

Sean turned, his expression softening as he saw us. "Glad you could make it," he said, his tone genuine.

I managed a small smile, nodding in acknowledgment, but my eyes were already scanning the faces around the fire, searching for some kind of comfort in the familiar. The air was thick with the smell of smoke and pine, the scent of the night mingling with the faint trace of beer and something cooking on a grill nearby.

"Want something to drink?" Colt asked, leaning in close so I could hear him over the chatter.

I hesitated, glancing toward the coolers and makeshift bar set up on the tailgate of someone's truck. It wasn't that I didn't want a drink, but the idea of stepping into that crowd, of mingling with people who seemed so at ease, felt overwhelming. "Maybe in a bit," I replied, my voice quiet.

Colt nodded, his hand lingering on my back for a moment before he moved away, heading toward Caleb and Sean. I watched him go, feeling a pang of uncertainty. Colt had a way of blending in, of making himself at home no matter where he was. I envied that about him, how he could just slip into any scene without hesitation.

Taking a deep breath, I decided to follow, but I only made it a few steps before something—or rather someone—caught my attention.

"Lemon?"

The voice was unmistakable, and my stomach tightened as I turned to see Rem standing just a few feet away, a smile tugging at his lips.

"Rem." His name came out more as a breath than a word, and I had to fight the urge to take a step back. "I didn't expect to see you here."

Rem's smile widened, though there was a hint of something else there—hesitation, maybe, or curiosity. His dark hair was slightly disheveled, and he had that same easy confidence I remembered.