Fire Burning

Bonfire

The backyard glowed soft orange by the time the firepit was lit.

Addie tossed an old flannel blanket over the grass while Hades and Duke dragged out extra lawn chairs and camping stools. Alec had his Bluetooth speaker perched on the porch steps, lo-fi beats thudding gently through the cooling air. Someone had already cracked open a pack of s’mores, and Maddie was busy shoving half a marshmallow in her mouth while trying to talk.

I sat cross-legged by the fire, a red solo cup in hand, the burn of something strong sitting low in my stomach.

Warmth buzzed everywhere.

Maybe it was the drink.

Or maybe it was the way Aristotle hadn’t taken his eyes off me since we got back.

Jeremy wasn’t subtle either. He flopped down beside me a little too close, legs touching, arm brushing mine. His cologne was all citrus and danger.

“You warm enough?” he murmured.

“I’m fine,” I said, though my skin burned from more than just the fire.

Addie clapped her hands. “New rule! Bonfire game time. Truth or dare, or drink.”

Groans and laughter spread through the group. Jeremy leaned closer to me with a grin. “Let’s make this good.”

Alec spun an empty beer can in the middle of the circle. “Let chaos begin.”

The first few rounds were funny. Maddie was dared to text her ex. Duke had to do a terrible cartwheel in the yard. Hades was dared to rap an embarrassing childhood poem.

Then it landed on me.

“Truth or dare, Em?” Addie smirked.

I sipped from my cup. “Dare.”

Addie’s smile grew. “Kiss the person closest to you.”

Jeremy’s smirk was already in place. He leaned back, arms wide. “Guess that’s me, huh?”

I rolled my eyes—but leaned in.

The kiss was slow at first, but turned hot in seconds. Jeremy tasted like tequila and cherry cola. His hand brushed my cheek, the other finding my thigh briefly before we pulled apart.

The group howled.

Maddie flung a pillow at me. “Okay, fire!”

Jeremy winked. “She’s got good taste.”

Alec spun the can again.

“Jonathan,” Addie said. “Truth or dare?”

“Dare.”

“Eat a whole marshmallow dipped in mustard.”

Jonathan groaned, but did it to raucous cheers.

“Duke,” Alec called next. “Truth or dare?”

“Truth.”

“Have you ever hooked up with anyone in this circle?”

Duke choked on his drink. “Hell no. Y’all are hot but too much drama.”

Laughter broke out again.

Alec pulled out another bottle—tequila this time. “Round two,” he announced. “Let’s do Never Have I Ever.”

Everyone held up three fingers.

“Never have I ever... kissed two people in the same night,” Maddie said.

I dropped a finger. So did Jeremy. He just grinned sideways at me.

“Never have I ever… thought about skinny dipping with someone here,” Duke added.