One Day

Part 31 - Bonfire

Several weeks pass and things seem to be getting better. Kate has taken over the spare bedroom and we collectively turn the third bedroom into an office so we both have a place to do our homework. Jace finally decides to officially move in while he remodels his house even though he has been staying there since day one. The fall season has moved in and, after one last long ride across the mountain, the motorcycle has been put away for the cold weather.

I seamlessly made the move from Sonic to CVS and am loving the extra time I have off work. Although I'm still working 35 hours a week, getting home before 9:30 each night has been the best thing for us.

It's Friday and I'm finishing up my shift when my phone vibrates in my pocket. I quickly look to see a text from Jace: Bonfire tonight at Enderlys. You want to go?

I silently wonder why all the guys we hang out with go by their last names.

Me: Yeah, I'll be home in a little bit.

I slide the phone back in my pocket and finish the last of my nightly duties before closing out my register. I make it home to find laundry in piles down the hallway. It's obvious that it's laundry night for Kate.

"I'm home," I yell to no one in particular.

Jace peeks his head out of the office. "Hey, babe. Kate's doing laundry if you have anything you want to add to the 20 piles." He motions to mess and shakes his head.

Kate rounds the corner and smiles. "Sorrrrry!" she sings playfully. "If I don't do it then no one will have anything to wear next week!"

I laugh as I walk into the bedroom to change clothes. "Are you going with us to the bonfire?" I yell to Kate as I stare aimlessly at my closet.

"No, I seriously have too much to do around here," she says as she unloads the dryer.

I change into jeans and a sweatshirt before grabbing a toboggan in case the cool night turns even colder.

"Alright, then," I say to Kate as I step out of the bedroom to her folding towels at the dryer.

"How can three people manage to have so much dirty laundry?" she says more to herself than to me. I throw the dark blue pants that I wore to work that day in a pile and smile at her as sweetly as I can.

"I appreciate you doing our laundry," I say still smiling.

"Oh, stop it!" she exclaims as she throws a neatly folded towel in my direction. "Get out of here before I change my mind!"

I laugh as Jace walks out of the office and grabs the now half-folded towel off the floor and hands it back to Kate. "I will not be cleaning up after a laundry fight. The food fight between the two of you last night was more than my fair share of cleaning!"

Kate and I both giggle as she turns to finish her folding while Jace and I head towards the door.

By the time we make it to Enderly's, most people are already huddled around the fire trying to stay warm. The temperature has drastically dropped over the past few days making everyone realize that summer is finally over.

I spot several people I know and some I don't as we make our way over to the fire. I cuddle up next to Jace as we find an empty spot on one of the logs that have been into makeshift seating. He immediately starts carrying on a conversation with those around us and I take the moment to get lost in the view of the fire. It's one of the things I love most about him – his ability to talk to anyone about anything without ever making me feel uncomfortable for not knowing someone or something. I nod at all the right times but I'm not really paying attention. I'm lost in the orange glow of the fire with my thoughts.

Movement to the right of the fire catches my eye. I glance that way to see Jacob walking towards the bonfire, drink in hand. He's chatting with a friend and doesn't realize I'm here until he sits down and looks towards the fire.

We lock eyes and he smiles.

I quickly look away so to not give him the satisfaction of me looking at him. I try to snuggle in closer to Jace in hopes that Jacob will see that I have no interest in whatever that smile just meant.

I try to avoid looking in that direction but it is incredibly difficult since he is right in front of me. Each time I glance that way he is still staring with that smile. I'm surprised I didn't know he was in town – someone normally gives me a heads up or I hear from him directly.

I feel a reassuring squeeze. "I see him. You okay?" I glance up to see Jace looking at me with concern. "We can go if you want."

"It will be fine. Leaving at this point would just cause a scene. We can stay," I smile as I stand and stretch. "I know you are having a good time catching up with your friends."

He stands up with me and wraps his arms around my waist. "I can catch up with them another day. I told Enderly I would take a look at something on his jet ski while I was here so I'll go do that and then we can leave. You want to come with me?

I laugh. "As much help as I'm sure I would be, I think I'm just going to sit on the dock. There's no one down there so I'll just wait there until you get finished."

He gently kisses me. "Okay. Give me like 15 minutes and I'll be ready to go." He smiles as he squeezes my hand and walks toward the house.

The peacefulness of the lake at night is something I can never get enough of. The conversations and laughter are muffled behind me as I sit on the dock looking out over the water. I lean back until I'm lying flat looking up at the night sky lost in my thoughts, again.

"One of my favorite memories of us is the night we fell asleep in your backyard doing exactly what you are doing now." I sit up in a snap and look behind me. "Do you remember that night?"

I sigh, "What do you want, Jacob?"

Thanks for reading One Day! Don't forget to vote!