One Temptation

Under the Stars (Chapter 26)

I love this chapter quite a bit, the song for this chapter that I was listening to on repeat while typing it was 'Night Changes' by One Direction.

And if I'm being honest the song fits this chapter so well.

So if you want the full experience I suggest listening to that song as you read this chapter.

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I shot a quick message to the group chat, letting them know I was ready, and within seconds, my phone blew up with a hundred replies.

After a couple of minutes of just standing there, staring at my phone, I finally got a call from Cole. "We're at the streetlight," he said.

I wasted no time. I bolted down the stairs, nearly knocking into Aiden, who was casually eating a bowl of cereal at 4pm.

"What the fu—" he started, clutching the bowl as it almost slipped from his hands.

"Where's Mum?" I asked, barely catching my breath.

"She just left for the store or something," Aiden replied, giving me a look like I'd lost my mind.

I groaned, gripping my duffel bag a little tighter. Right then, Dad walked in, and I turned toward him. "Dad, I'm heading out now. I'll be back either late tonight or early in the morning," I repeated, even though I'd already told them earlier.

He walked over, pulling me into a quick side hug and kissing the top of my head. "Be careful, sweetheart."

"Always," I said, returning the hug before pulling away.

Dad went back to the living room, and Aiden, still chewing, said, "I'll tell her you left. Now get out of here."

Outside, the evening was cool but not cold enough to be uncomfortable, just enough to make the air feel fresh and crisp. 

Cole's car was parked under the streetlight, a black seven-seater SUV, packed with more bags than seemed necessary for just one night. From the amount of stuff they had, it looked like they were gearing up for a week-long camping trip. 

I paused for a second, glancing around, still not sure if West was coming. Cole hadn't confirmed it, and part of me was curious if he would show up. I shook it off for now, deciding not to overthink it.

I climbed into the backseat, squeezing in next to Lia and Em. Jake was already in the front passenger seat, fiddling with the aux cord as Cole adjusted the mirrors.

The moment I shut the door, music blasted through the speakers.

After that moment Cole took off driving and on the way we listened to music on blast with our windows down.

We all had made a playlist together for moments like this that Jake decided to play it on shuffle and turned the volume all the way up. I wouldn't be surprised if the entire town could hear us.

With our different music taste it was funny listening to the music switch so suddenly that I caught myself laughing.

20 minutes in when I had to basically yell at Jake to turn the music down so I could hear what Lia was saying over the loud ass speakers.

"What?" I yelled, leaning closer.

"Are we stopping for food first?" she shouted back.

"Obviously!" Jake turned around from the front,  "No road trip without food!"

Cole glanced over his shoulder at us. "We are about to get on the highway, after that there's like no place to get food so we have to make a turn now."

"Yea alright." Jake said.