Chapter 20
The park was crowded, but we eventually found an open space big enough for all of us. It was further away than the girls wanted to be, so they all hammed it up, acting like it was the end of the world. It amazed me how in sync they were after only one day together. I was glad they got along, and a little worried about how much trouble they’d cause if they put their heads together. Shenanigans.
Ashley pulled out a beer and offered one to Meg. “We went shopping. Want one?”
“No thanks, I’m not a fan.”
“I wish I’d known; I would’ve gotten you something.” Emily apologized.
I handed Meg a single serving plastic bottle of sweet white wine. Knowing Meg didn’t like beer, and not wanting her to feel left out, I’d grabbed it from a cooler near the registers. She didn’t drink much, so I figured one bottle would be enough.
“Thanks Jamie. You’re the best!” She hugged me and then looked at Emily. “Isn’t he the best?”
“Meg.” Jack drew out the e in her name.
“What? It’s just a question.” She looked at him and turned on her best innocent act.
I squinted my eyes as I watched them, trying to figure out what was going on between them.
But Ashley interrupted before I could. “Anyone else want a beer?” She might have asked all of us but was looking directly at AJ.
“Boss man?” AJ was asking if I wanted him to stay on the clock after what happened at the pub, which I appreciated.
But we didn’t need him. “You’re good. Thanks.” Even if we did, I wasn’t worried. AJ after two beers could still out match most sober guys.
“No. Thank you.” He reached for the beer Ashley was offering him. “And thank you pretty lady.” He gave her a bow and opened the can.
“Jack, you don’t happen to have a blanket in your truck do you?” I hadn’t thought to pack one since we were planning on being at the fairgrounds and wouldn’t have needed one. I had an emergency blanket with my first aid/trauma kit but it wouldn’t provide any comfort.
“I might, let me check.” He returned a few minutes later. “I have one but we won’t all fit, so the girls will have to sit on the grass.”
“Hahaha! Funny, Charming!” Meg’s ridiculous fake laugh was so over-the-top we couldn’t even laugh, at least not for the first two seconds.
The girls immediately plopped down and started giggling after Jack and I spread out the blanket. Jack, AJ, and I shared a look—we were in for an entertaining night.
Meg sat on the left, and leaned against Jack. Ashley sat in the middle, with AJ on the grass behind her, close enough to touch her but not actually doing it. Yet. Emily sat on the right. I was to her right and back just a bit. We’d created a protective wall around our girls.
Our girls?
Sure Meg was Jack’s girl, no question there. And Ashley was AJ’s, at least for the day. But Emily wasn’t mine, and I had no right even thinking it. I shook my head to clear it, and focused on the conversation.
Everyone stood up and sung along when they played the National Anthem before the start of the show; cheering and waving their hats at the end of the song.
The fireworks did not disappoint. They were bright and colorful, and noisy. Every once in a while, one of girls would jump after a particularly loud boom, and we’d all laugh. Jack promised Meg he wouldn’t let the big bad fireworks hurt her, she slapped his leg and told him he better not. They’re perfect for each other. AJ had moved closer to Ashley, his arm around her waist as she leaned into his chest, her hand on his leg.
Emily was hugging her knees with the beer-free hand, looking a little sad. I was sure she’d noticed the two couples, just as I had, and was probably feeling a little lonely, just like I was. I desperately wanted to wrap my arms around her and comfort her, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it.
If I cross that line, I may not come back from it.
During the pause before the finale, AJ asked what everyone’s favorite fireworks were, interrupting my thoughts. Meg spoke up first, saying she liked the ones that cascaded down after the initial burst of color. Ashley and Emily said they liked the big ones with multiple colors. We discussed the shapes, styles, and colors and why we liked them, in the end we all agreed that regardless of our favorite individual type of firework, the grand finale was always the best part.
I watched as the tension left Emily’s shoulders while we talked.
A hush fell over our group, and the crowd, as the sky lit up with the first fireworks of the big, bright, booming finale. There was something decidedly Texan about it. We oohed and aahed along with everyone else as the loud booms rattled our ribcages.
There was a moment of awe-struck silence between the last bang and the first sounds of the crowd cheering. After a few seconds, I stood and offered Emily a hand up. When she took my hand, I pulled a little too hard and caused her to lose her balance. She fell into me, both hands landing on my chest. My breath caught in my throat as I instinctively reached out to steady her, catching her by her waist.
Emily grunted and looked up at me before whispering, “sorry,” but she didn’t look away or move her hands.
I could smell the beer on her breath. If I bend down and kiss her I’ll be able to taste it.
“No need to apologize. I got you.” I should’ve take my hands off her waist, but I froze in place, mesmerized as I watched the light from nearby sparklers dance in her pale blue eyes. Time felt like it stood still as we stared into each other’s eyes, but it couldn’t have been more than a few seconds. Though I doubted my ability to judge time.
Jack broke the spell when cleared his throat.
We were still standing on the blanket and he was waiting, with a stupid grin plastered all over his face, for us to move so he could pick it up.
Meg and Ashley were gaping at us with big I-told-you-so smiles. They thought Emily and I would hook up tonight, and judging by the knowing looks Jack and AJ were sharing, they thought so too.
But it can’t happen.
I dropped my hands and stepped back. I knew they’d be disappointed when it didn’t happen, but I couldn’t hook up with Emily. She deserved more than a fling. She deserved someone who could love her without fear. Someone who wasn’t afraid to take the risk. Someone better than me.