What We Leave Behind - COMPLETED

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

The night settled into itself, yet the fire grew and the party continued. "You are just gorgeous." Jane – Jesse's sister gleamed.

I thanked her awkwardly.

"You aren't from here are you? I mean you're not a Canadian descent? Your last name 'Razario' doesn't sound Canadian."

I shook my head. "My mother is from South Asia, and my father is supposedly half Spanish and Irish."

She cocked her head to the side. "Supposedly?"

Will quickly cleared his throat; picking up the tension my face had and redirected Jane to his awful flirting. I sighed in relief. Suddenly I felt a cool breath against my shoulder.

"Dance with me?" I turned slightly seeing Jayden's face inches from mine.

I moved a little too quickly, trying to get away from the now uncomfortable conversation. He took my hand, and led me by the stereo where Tanner was dancing excessively hard with one of his bartenders. Jayden delicately raised my hands to our side and tried to sway me in time with the music. Soon, half the party was together with us bopping and dancing along. I found myself laughing, leaning into Jayden and occasionally Jesse who tried her best to dance with everyone there. Before we knew it, Stacey-being the town's honorary grandmother that she was-tapped me on the shoulder notifying me of the time.

I panted from the work out. "Damn," I swore turning to Jayden. "I've got to get up in the morning. I should go."

He nodded, taking my hand as we slithered out of the yard, biding the birthday girl goodnight on the way. Once we were out of the music's blast, I realized how flushed I was feeling. Jayden laughed. "Are you doing okay?"

"Yes, just tired from the dance."

"Oh, you and I both."

We talked about my cabin, Stacey and Jack, and how Andy met Jesse. I even laughed when explaining Will's two yearlong attempts at winning Jane's heart. All the while not noticing how open and talkative I had become. Jayden simply walked a few feet away, listening to me speak about things I'm sure he didn't care about.

"I'm sorry," I mumbled, suddenly cautious of my steps against the dock.

"Why?"

I shrugged. "I've never talked that much before, I was just about to talk your ear off!"

Jayden laughed, with the same warm chuckle I had heard before. "You talk all the time to tourists, don't you?"

"Not like this," I confessed. "No one's ever asked about the people, or me. It's always about the sights and the sounds. No one comes here for the folks."

"That's a shame."

"It is, isn't it? This place is full of amazing people."

"I think so," He smirked. "Speaking of people: Will's letting me work at the shop while I'm here, eh?"

I watched at him from the corner of my eye. "Scuba trainer?"

He shook his head. "No, just little things. Like cleaning up the shop."

"You don't dive?"

Jayden suddenly grew uncomfortable, carefully gathering his words to reply. "It's complicated, I used to. But..."

"It's alright, you don't have to explain."

We stayed silent the rest of the way home.