Scott is sitting in the chair twiddling his hands. I have absolutely no desire to do the same anymore. Maybe it's the alcohol, but I feel like I know what I'm doing.
I lean in with a serious hushed tone, "Let's forget this ever happened."
He frowns ever so slightly and stands up to walk away.
I stop him with my right hand; The same right hand he took earlier from me. I'm giving it back...for now. Maybe I'm not making things clear for him.
"Let's make more drinks," I take him away.
I know Jamie is watching us walk away. I know she isn't the one who is judging me but in this state of mind I feel like everyone is. Everyone except for Scott, that is. Why is he just letting me do what I want with him? Because he thinks I'm crazy. How far will he let me go? No. Stop it,mind.
"Let's make ABC drinks!" Oh yeah, I'm most definitely crazy.
"ABC drinks?"
"You really don't know!?" I am shocked.
Scott chuckles, "No. Sorry. I don't drink often." He has got to be lying.
"How old are you?"
"Twenty-one."
No way I believe he's not a drinker. He had a beer in his hand but it's not like I gave him the chance to drink it.
I purse my lips, "Why not then, Scott?" I wait but he won't answer me. "Let go tonight."
Scott looks over at me, finally. He takes the vodka and the pineapple juice and pours it into the glass picture. "Let go?" He questions me.
I look back into those sparkling golden eyes, taking the Goldschlager and Jack Danies, I add to the ABC drink. He adds sprite afterwards and mixes the picture.
"Don't play dumb," I start, "it's hard to believe you'd want to continue this night sober after all that has happened." I wait.
Scott stops stirring our drink and shakes his head, breaking contact. His bangs are the only part of his hair that's long enough to move. Did I say something? Am I actually caring about a strangers opinion of me? Well I am still holding his hand. Even in the midst of doing a task that typically requires two hands it's like my body doesn't notice or care to just use the one hand. Man, this mixture will be strong. I release Scotts hand.
"I'm sorry about today...I thought erasing everything out of our minds would help with the awkwardness and make my anxiety go away." I confessed taking a breath, "if you don't wish to join me I get it."
"Anxiety?" He continues mixing.
I continue, "Quite frankly, I don't see why you haven't left yet but I'm secretly really glad because-" I catch myself and stop where I'm headed. He doesn't need to know about Jamie and I's agreement. I can tell he is waiting on me to finish. I shook my head, "yes, anxiety. Look, can we just get wasted away in the night tonight? After all that I've caused and the fact that you're still here at least let me get to know the guy who I've blatantly embarrassed and burned today."
Eventually, he looks back over at me, but won't say anything. He must be contemplating it.
"Please?" I smile and look up into his eyes again.
"Okay. You're on." Scott takes the glass picture off the counter and grabs a couple of long straws.
"No cups?" I question, "I know where they are I could grab some."
"Nope. We're letting go." His voice is clipped but he is smiling. "Grab that blanket and come on."
We step back outside; it is pitch black and chilly with nothing but the moon and stars above us. All the chairs are taken so we are stuck with the ground.
I hand him the blanket, "Pick a spot and I'll be right there." I want my plate of food but it seems to have disappeared. I make another with enough s'mores and chips on it for the both of us. He picked a spot where you can barely see Jamie and Kevin. Thankful for his seating choice, I sit.
"How old are you?" Inquisitive already.
I put a marshmallow on a stick and begin to slow roast it. "I am nineteen."
He looks nervous.
I forgot, "I won't burn your clothing this time." I giggle, "Promise."
He now looks less nervous, but his body is still tense. "Every time I drink, you drink. And vise versa. Got it?" Scott is demanding, but I did make him join me in this process.
I nod, "so how do you know Eric?"
Scott visibly relaxes some."We've done a few jobs together, that's about it.
"So you work with concrete?"
"Not just concrete, I do whatever job pays until it's done. It could be building houses, concrete, trimming trees, just anything and everything really. How about you?"
I take the red straw and try our drink. He proceeds to take the blue one and does the same. I gag and he makes a disgusted face. "I can't do this." I ditch the straw and take a few gulps straight from the picture. He does the same after me once I'm finished. "I cannot handle drinking something like this slow." I state.
Where do I work...should I tell him? I don't see the harm."I work at the flower shop in town."
"What's your favorite?" He cuts in.
I take another swig as does he. "Eucalyptus Ficifolias."
"Are you going to drink after every question I ask?" He's serious.
It honestly makes me want to take another drink. I laugh instead, "that question was an easy one. I just know we have a whole picture to finish and the more we drink now the sooner the taste will be out of our mouths."
Scott gulps at least six mouthfuls down. It's difficult but I do the same. I only cough when finished.
"Rotate your marshmallow, Jolene." He is trying to hide the smile that's spreading across his face. If he was angry, he's not anymore.
I do as I'm told. I can't believe I forgot about it. "What's yours?"
"I'm a guy," Scott chuckles. "I don't have a favorite flower."
I'm focusing on marshmallow perfection now. "Bull. Everyone has a favorite flower. Whether it's based on color or price, there is a flower for everyone."
"Well not me." He drinks to that. I would but my s'more takes presidence over ABC's. Carefully, I add my roasted marshmallow to the graham cracker only side. I also add a wavy potato chip and close my sandwich with the graham cracker and chocolate side.
Scott laughs again, "seriously? Is that good?"
"Yes!!" I exclaim. I take another drink now since I'm not preoccupied. I can't taste it any longer. "I don't taste this." I tell him. "Drink until you can't taste it, too. Get on my level."
"Get outta here," he smiles, nudging me with his elbow. I giggle. Scott has a very nice smile, regardless of his slightly crooked top incisor tooth. "If I drink this you drink this. We had a deal." He begins to chug it more and more and more. Oh, man. Can I drink that much?
"Take a bite and I will." I tease.
The country station has been turned up even louder. We have to scoot closer just to hear one another. Veronica seems to be the culprit. I'm glad she's holding up-wait-she's vomiting all over her garage floor. I guess she's not the culprit. Oh well.
"Now drink,' Scott orders with graham cracker residue on his lower lip. He licks it off.
I take the now half empty glass picture from in front of us. "Was it good?" I ask, anticipating his answer. No one ever tries my food. Ever.
"Yes. Now drink."
"Bossy." I chug and chug and it's not hard at all. I know it's not water but it's going down my throat as if it is. The familiar warm sensation rushes through me. I'm starting to feel dizzy.
Scott takes the picture out of my mouth. "Jolene, you drank at least a quarter of that." That concerned look is back on his face. "Now I have to finish it," he sighes.
I watch him drink the rest as I enjoy my s'more, finally. This tastes so good right now! A burp escapes my mouth, unable to help myself I laugh. Oh man, too much alcohol.
I excuse myself, I don't think he heard me over the blaring music, but he smiles at me, nevertheless.
"What's your blood type?" Scott asks curiously.
Right, the whole getting to know each other thing. "I'm O negative. You?"
"A positive." He stretches his arms out and cracks his knuckles. The alcohol has kicked in for him.
I need to pee... "I neeed to peee," I tell him. Wow. Way to keep your thoughts to yourself, Jolene.
If he minded my comment he doesn't act like it. "Will you make it there okay?" Scott stumbles to stand up, practically falling into the warm fire. His hand is outstretched for me-for my left hand. He doesn't get my left hand..he can only have my right hand. I hold it up for him.
"You're making this difficult."
I laugh at him, my body is too relaxed to stand up on my own. I'm a dead-weight. Someone is helping him lift me from behind. A mixture of their cold hands and the lavender silk top tickle my underarms since my jacket is in Jamie's car still. Right? I twist my body instinctively and see her.
"JAMESS! Don't tickled me, silly." I laugh again.
"Sweet Jesus," she looks at Scott, "what have you done to her?" She looks annoyed.
"Why are you mad, Jamsey, I'mm barely at a slur." I defend him.
"You have chocolate all over your face and your breath is nothing but alcohol." I thought she wanted me to have fun.
"I'm watching her, she wanted to get wasted." Scott chimes in.
"You're just as bad!" Yells Jamie. Where's Kevin when you need him?
"Where's Kevin?" My eyes search for him.
"Phone call. Speaking of phones, I tried calling you."
"Where's Ty?" He's gone.
Her face is fuming now, "How should I know? Why should I care? Where's your phone!?"
"No." I stop her. "He was passed out over there-er." I point to the table near the door to the kitchen. "Is his car here?"
This makes Jamie lose sight of being mad at us. She starts looking for him. I know she still cares for that player. I still need to pee. While Jamie gets those who are sober enough to hunt for him and his car, I escape. Its not too far for me to stumble there.
Ten minutes. It took ten minutes to walk there and back to pee and free my face from chocolate. Scott is waiting for me by the back door, a bottle of water this time in hand. He makes me drink it.
"Who is Ty?" Scott asks softly. The radio has been turned back down to normal.
"Jamie's exx," I slur. "Did you know that she's my best fur-end?"
Scott chuckles at me. "No, I didn't." His lips hide a smile. "His car is gone so they say."
"That's not safe he was wasted on my Jäger-meister!" I hope he's safe.
"Yours? HA. I bought the hard liquor."
I think back to how much alcohol was brought. All I can remember is that there was and still is plenty to go around. "You must be rich." I state. Rude, Jolene.
Scott barks another laugh, "No where near as rich as I hope to become." He seems comfortable talking about money. I'm not the same way. "Come, let's sit back down near the fire. It's cold out, do you need a jacket?"
"I feel fine." The alcohol intake joined with the fire will have my body warm and fuzzy feeling.
It takes a minute to walk back to our spot with the not too helpful Scott. I'm worse with this whole walking ordeal than he is.
Jamie walks past us, pacing on her phone. She isn't talking on it though, just waiting for an answer. I grab her leg to stop her in her tracks.
"Have fun, remember? He's okay, Jamie."
"I'm just worried." Jamie admits.
"Don't leave Kevin like that. He seems to like you."
"I know and now I feel bad!"
"He will call. Put it away and en-joy your-self." I pronounce those last words the best I can.
With that note, she goes back to Kevin. I'm not sure if anything was said between the two of them while I was away but Jamie doesn't care about my drunken state anymore.
With all the booze inside of us I feel like we are actually relaxed with one another. He proceeds to tell me more about his current roofing job and I tell him about Mollie and Sally.
Sally is the most pleasant old woman I've ever met. She hired me as soon as she saw me. I don't know my grandparents so she happily filled the position. She never had kids, either. At least that's what she tells me but there are times where she mentions a son.
Scott seems like a decent guy, and I've already admitted his good looks..if only if only, I tell myself. I wish I could just let my past go but it hurts too much to think about it. It's completely intolerable while sober, but my mind keeps drifting to that time in my life more and more tonight. Scott even resembles him somewhat...take away the dirty blonde hair and replace it with red. Add braces and deep brown eyes, make him the proper age-hmm...probably no resembalence at all. I block any further thoughts on that memory and focus on the roaring fire and music again. This country song I actually know; I hum to it.
"Are you singing, Jolene?" There's that crooked smile again.
"Noooppe" I stop my humming. "They have a karaoke machine here. If I was singing I'd do it on there."
He use to sing to me all the time. This is worse than thinking about anything else. Mind, please stop.
"Are you okay? You look saddened by something."
"Deep waters, Scott." The last person I'd wish to discuss that subject with is him.
Scott seems to understand and backs off. He reaches out for my hand-I take it with my right hand again.
"Why so difficult?" I'm thankful for his distractions. "Do you need to walk it off?"
"Yeah...good idea, Scott." I nod as it takes another minute to stand up. Stupid alcohol, let me be coherent enough to at least stand on my own.
"Do you hear that?" Scott asks.
I don't even bother to listen. You can barely hear past five meters with the music on.
"We need to leave." Scott looks panicked. What is he trying to pull? "NOW." He is walking too fast for my jello legs to handle.
"You are too drunkk because II-" I'm interrupted by defying gravity.
"Fuck it." Scott holds me tight. I look over his shoulder and see the lights. Cops. Shit. Where are we hiding? I don't bother to fight being held by him, I couldn't keep up with his now running speed if I tried. A passenger door opens and suddenly I'm inside. The truck. I'm not the big one with the radio or my whole body would be shaking. At least I can make some sense of things.
The ignition starts and we're off. Wait, WHAT!?
"YOU'RE TOO DRUNK TO DRIVE!" I shout. Crap. I'm gonna die.
We can barely see as he maneuvers through the cars without a scratch.
"Shit!" Scott yells.
"What's wrong? Are they coming" I look behind us; it's difficult to tell with all these tools in the backseat.
"I can't remember how to work this thing." That explains why the headlights aren't on.
"This isn't yours!?" Well he is a petty thief.
The grasslands turn bumpier and darker on us. We are in a farmer's field of crops.
"Do you know how to stop a stick shift? Please tell me you do."
"Let's just press whatever until it stops. Take the keys out!" I demand. It would be helpful if the only light we had wasn't from a tiny clock which reads...2:49?! Already? But how?
The truck stops abruptly. However we managed to stop the vehicle, we did it without dying. I exit as soon as possible with a thump to the ground. Dammit gelatin legs..what just happened?
"Jolene?" Scott calls. He can't find me with all these crops in the way.
The adrenaline rush hits me. I burst out laughing as he is still scrambling to find me. Scott brings me to my feet.
"What is so funny about what just happened." He is not impressed.
I crack up even harder now. I'm crying. "Nothing is funny." I say escaping between laughs, indulging my rush. "Can we do it again?" I would keep laughing but my body is telling me to stop.
Mindful of which direction it goes, I puke and vomit and struggle to catch my breath. Scott proceeds to rub my back gently, only making it continue.
"Stop!" I cough, "that doesn't help!"
He grabs napkins from the truck and hands them to me. I wipe my mouth and spit when finished. I look up only to see a tiny speck of fire which used to be as tall as Veronica and Eric's single story house. The sheriff lights are even smaller. We weren't followed-yet. I'm underage. What if they find me? Crap.
"As you can see I was right," Scott rubs it in. "I just saved your ass."
"Why?" I proceed, curious to know.
"Why?" He repeats the question more as to ask himself than be smart with me. Scott hands me his water.
"I don't feel well." I need to go home with Jamie.
"Here..."Scott picks me up and sits me down on the bed of the truck.
"I'm cold. We need to head back."
"No way. Something tells me you've already had your underage warning."
He is right. What else am I supposed to do?
Scott grabs something further in the bed and places it on me. "Here is a tarp to keep you warm."
"But I'm not tired," I complain.
"Well," Scott joins me on the bumpy truck bed, "they will be searching the area and for those that aren't going to jail overnight will be ordered to sleep here."
"So what happens, thenn?" I notice my slur. Where is his slur?
"We wait it out. We'll just have to wait for the time to pass."
"But it's already three in the morning."
"It can't be. The clock in there must run fast. Check your phone."
Where is my phone? I frantically check my pockets, no phone. I did on the other hand find something else.
"No phone but I guess you're not the only thief in town, now." I place the inhaler in Scott's palm.
He chuckles, I like that sound.
"I can't believe I let you keep that for this long." His face is flushing with an unknown belief.
"Is your asthma that bad?" I feel terrible for taking it as it is.
Instead of answering my question he pulls out his cellphone. "Dead," Scott shakes his head. "There is only one way to tell now."
"How?" I'm intrigued.
Scott gently presses my chest. Since my body is made of gelatin at the moment, I fall back on the bed. He lays down to join me. My breathing begins to quicken again but I'm extremely careful to keep it under wraps; no need to make him worry over nothing again.
"Jolene?" There's that worried voice again. "It's okay. Just open your eyes, that's how we'll tell."
I don't feel any heat on top of me, I think it's safe. My heart beats faster as I open up my eyes to have stars in my view. Oh. Silly me.
"See, Jolene?" His voice is smiling.
"Where's the moon? It was our ticket to knowl-edge." I butcher. "I can't see it from here."
"Hmm...keep looking."
A cold gust of wind hits us in the truck bed.
"S-see any-thing?"
"N-no but the s-stars look beautiful t-tonight." I'm unsure if that was a shiver or a slur from him. I'm too drunk still.
"Almost as beautiful as you,"I reply. My face heats up with embarrassment. Did I say that out loud? "Can I be undr-drunk now?" I take the plastic tarp and bring it up to my chest. I even give some to Scott.
Laughing, he shakes his head and takes my offering of the tarp blanket.
"Well that's fine." I laugh along, "you're not so bad while intoxicated."
"I am bad?" Scott's smile is infectious.
"You aren't trying to shove anything in your pants." Or is he? The thought makes me flush.
"It wasn't what you were thinking." His face has turned a shade of crimson, too.
"Mhm.." he can't fool me. "What was it then?"
"Okay, not everything is what you're thinking. But who knows," Scott takes hold of my chin. "You are plastered."
The mixture of his warm breath and cold hand on my skin sends my body chills. I scrunch my face and giggle, "when will you tell me." It's not a question.
"When you're old enough." Scott laughs again as I push his palm off my chin.
I rolled my eyes, "thankfully my birthday is in December."
We scoot closer together on the lumpy truck bed. His body and mine need one another for heat. To my surprise, I'm actually comfortable being this close to the not-so-stranger. He's pretty okay. Jamie and Mollie would be proud of me right now, except for the drunken state I'm in. I've only been this drunk once before.
That reminds me, "where is your slur? Why haven't you puked like me?" I wonder if he cheated his way out of drinking somehow.
"What are you talking about? Have you heard me at all?" Scott questions me like I'm the crazy one.
"I haven't noticed any slurring, sir!" I raise my voice and giggle since I'm the crazy one.
A flash of light shines towards our direction. Shit. We lift our head up just enough to see how close they are. There are multiple flashlights; most you can barely see. Only one is near us. The man is shouting something but he is too far away to hear it.
Scott proceeds to lift the tarp up "IN," is all he says.
The dark this advanced typically frightens me but it helps that I'm not alone. My heart rate begins to increase yet again.
"Shh,"
"I'm not trying to be loud!" I whisper shout at him.
"No. Not shh as in quiet." Scott explains.
"What?" Is he trying to comfort me? I'm so confused.
"I can feel your pulse on me. It's okay." Scott softly speaks.
"Are you trying to soothe me?" I'm unsure if I want the answer.
Scott moves the tarp accidentally while shaking his head. I can see his eyes are shut tight again in frustration through the little stars of light above us. "I don't-"
"Come out!" An officer yells.
"Scott! You got us caught." I pop out. Not bothering to whisper anymore.
"Both of you. Hands above your head." The officer orders. Thankfully it's just the one.
Scott proceeds to reveal himself, "Me? You had to make it awkward."
"How was I making it awkward?" The officer shines the flashlight in my face, making me squint.
"I don't know how to answer you." The officer moves the light to his face. He looks frustrated and lost.
"Scott?" The officer asks.
"Yeah." He replies.
The officer shines the lights towards his face, revealing himself. The name badge Wrigley, like the gum, is written on it next to a shiny gold star. His yellow face is worn and his mustache has grey and white hairs.
"Does your paw know you're out here?"
"No Dave. I'm on a job." He's quick to answer.
"Well, my, my, my," Officer Dave Wrigley starts. "And he thought you'd never find a girl." His girl? Could that ever happen? The flashlight is back in my face. "She's beautiful, she is." Wrigley confirms to himself.
The scanner goes off, "Anything your way, Wrigley?"
The old man looks into my wide eyes again. "Is she underage?"
"Please," I beg. Scott covers my mouth with his hand that he took from behind his head.
Wrigley takes out something from his pocket-another flash. A camera? A phone? He puts it away before I can see it.
"Okay, I've had my fun. Don't leave this spot. Ya hear?" The old man laughs.
"Okay. Fine. But was that really necessary?" Is Scott embarrassed or fuming still? It's hard to tell.
"Son you can't even talk straight you're lucky that's all I did." He takes out his scanner, "Yep I just checked the last of it over here."
"Copy that. We can head out. Over." The noise stops after a moment.
Scott still won't release his hand from my mouth. I lick his salty skin.
"Thank you officer," I state as Scott shakes off his freshly-licked hand.
With a nod he leaves.
"I can't believe you licked me!" I'm sure Wrigley can hear him scolding me but he can't see his smile like I do.
I don't know if it's the second adrenaline rush but Jamie's 'have fun' comes to my mind. Okay, Jamie, I respond to my drunken self.
"I'll do it again, Mr. Gettrell, if you don't watch it." I smile as big as I can.
"Is that a challenge, Miss Davidson?" He's playing along.
As quickly and coordinated as I can, I wrap my half of the tarp around Scott, trapping him like a pig in a blanket. I caught him off guard as he struggles to break free. Even if only for a second, I catch a glimpse to see if anything has changed; the cops are gone and the fire is out. It is just us awake and alone out here, stars all around us.
Scott takes advantage of my distracted self and breaks free from the tarps hold. I scream as he pins me down to the truck bed. Man, this tarp is strong!
"Did you seriously think you were stronger than me?" He barks a laugh.
"I can't move!" I'm giggling like a school girl.
"And you also thought I'd let you lick me twice?" Scott shakes his head in disbelief but his smile won't fade.
I wrestle around to get one hand free and grab his inner elbow. Laughing, I knock him down close enough to get the smallest flick of my tongue on his bicep.
"You know what.." He pins down my freed arm as I bite my lip. Now I truly cannot move. Scott's eyes fill with a sense of need. "Jolene..." Scott seems to be struggling although I'm the one who is pinned to the truck bed. "Fuck it," he rolls his eyes and kisses me. I lean into his warm lips, but it seems to end as soon as it strarted. We stare into each other's lost eyes as I rub his calluses with my free fingers, no longer smiling or laughing. Suddenly, I lose sight of him...of everything.
A different force comes to my head with a crack. My body sends mixed signals of pleasure and pain into my mind. Why can't I open my eyes? I'm fading out.
YOU ARE READING
Fleeting Fire
RomanceJolene Davidson, a broken-hearted nineteen year old girl goes with the flow to anything that is stationery and safe in life. That is, until she meets someone just as damaged who makes her do anything but. Neither of them can explain the pull they ha...
