middle of nowhere • jack avery

xxxxii

CHAPTER FORTY TWO

Reagan has always loved the fourth of July. It was a bittersweet memory of her childhood when her family would drive to the docks a town away from Redwood and camped for the night.

It was the only time their quiet, sleepy town was wide awake until morning and even though they'd spend it in an isolated part of the country, the distant fireworks from a family mountain ranges away were booming loud and clear; a bright reminder that they're celebrating and joyous in all the same ways, just some distance apart.

It's been different since her brother and mother celebrated it in the city. She loved the night with her father in the docks, lighting up loosies and fishing despite throwing the fish back into the water straight after.

It was fun but it was different.

This year's celebration would be the strangest one of all, though.

In exchange for her brother and annoying mother, they got seven men in return. One of which resembled a perpetually energetic dog and the other one was someone she used to make out with but, well. They had to make do with what they've got.

"I've never seen anything more American," The mentioned dog-like member of the seven guests said, "We have steak, Ronald Reagan, and a red truck named Cherry."

Reagan blinked at Logan who was stood tall and proud behind Cherry and Ronald was the only one who had the grace to laugh.

"You sittin' back here with me, Red?" Logan asked when he failed to get any reaction and Reagan sighed.

"You know, the nicknames are getting worse," She griped, "And no, I'm driving."

"No you're not, I am," Ronald yelled back as he hauled up the beer cooler onto the back of the truck.

"But," She pouted, "I don't wanna be stuck with them and they're so loud."

Daniel chuckled and threw an arm around her, leaning back on the truck right beside Reagan, "Geez, grandma, I promise we'll behave. Let's all sit at the back. Let the fathers stay up front."

"Yea that's good idea, trap the boring ones inside." Jonah joked, bumping his hip against Greg's who was holding baskets of food to load up.

Zach, somewhere in the distance, yelled out, "You're a father too, Jonah!"

Jonah's face fell and he grumbled.

Logan, ever so maturely, looked down at Jonah and stuck his tongue out teasingly, and Daniel replied without skipping a beat.

"You're staying inside too."

"What?" Logan looked offended, "No I'm not, I'm not boring, how dare you."

Reagan only chuckled and pushed herself off to help with the few things left to bring to the car, shaking her head as she walked.

When she got through the kitchen door, Jack was on the opposite side, holding a hand out and she noticed how a bunch of spray cans were stacked precariously in one hand, seeming like he was trying to balance them as he moved to open the door.

Reagan forced down the chuckle that made its way up her throat at the sight of him confused and opened the door wider for him.