13. Bitches And Bonfires
CHAPTER 13
BITCHES AND BONFIRES
NORA
PRESENT DAY
I trail behind Camilla and Marcus, my sandals crunching softly against the path as we approach the bonfire's inviting glow. The crisp night air carries notes of sea salt and burning driftwood, mingling with bursts of laughter that rise above the rhythmic crash of waves. It should feel peaceful but my stomach remains knotted with anxiety.
Camilla catches my eye, her smile warm and reassuring. "You okay?"
"Yeah," I say, aiming for confidence I don't quite feel. "I'm gonna look for Jake and Ollie real quick."
"We'll meet you by the fire." As I turn away, Camilla catches my hand. "If anything goes sideways, come find me, okay?"
I nod, touched by her protectiveness after knowing me less than a day. But as I weave through the crowd, my heart plummets. Connor is here, a smirk playing across his features despite the fresh bruise where Nate's fist connected. His eyes lock onto mine, predatory, and each step he takes in my direction sends ice through my veins. I stand frozen, the festivities blurring around me as he closes in.
"I need to have a word with you," he says, voice low and menacing.
Before I can respond, salvation arrives in the form of a girl with flawless caramel skin and expressive brown eyes. Her long dark hair cascades in waves down her back as she steps between us with practiced grace. Dismissing Connor with a glance, she grabs my hand.
"You came!" she exclaims, her voice rich with both warmth and steel as she steers me away from him.
Relief floods through me once we're clear. "Thanks for the save," I manage, my voice lighter than it has felt all evening.
"No problem," she replies, her smirk blooming into a genuine smile. "I've had my fill of dealing with guys like him. Egotistical jackoffs seem to be everywhere."
I raise an eyebrow, intrigued. "I see you're already acquainted with Eden's local wildlife."
"Well, I'm from London. We have our share of pompous jerks too. But trust me, they're universal." She pauses. "I'm Mia, by the way."
"I'm Nora." Despite her polished appearance, there's something immediately approachable about her.
She opens her mouth to speak, but I cut her off preemptively, bracing for questions about last night's drama.
Instead, she asks, "Oh, I was wondering if you knew Lydia Sullivan?"
My features soften with surprise. "Uh, yeah. She's a family friend. We spend every summer with the Sullivans at their lake house." Guilt washes over me for assuming the worst. "Sorry, I thought you were about to ask if I was the girl from the??—"
"I try to stay out of drama," Mia interrupts kindly. "But you know how it is around here."
"Small town, big ears."
She gives me a sympathetic look. "People who thrive on gossip usually don't have much else going for them. Don't let it get to you."
If only it were that simple. "I wish I could erase last night from everyone's memory. Including my own," I admit quietly.
"Well, for what it's worth, I'm sorry you had to deal with Connor at all. He's notorious."
"That he is," I say, feeling unexpectedly at ease with her. "Thanks for stepping in though. I wasn't up for it tonight."
"Anytime," she says with a reassuring smile. "I've only been back in town a few weeks myself. My family just returned from India after two years. It's been quite the adjustment."
"India?" My interest piques. "That must have been amazing."
"It was," she confirms, eyes sparkling with memory. "But it's nice to be back. I missed the beach... and a bit of normalcy."
Before she can elaborate, Camilla and Marcus weave through the crowd toward us. "There you are!" Camilla calls out. "We were starting to wonder if you'd ditched us. Did you find Jake and your brother?"
"No, but guys, this is Mia," I say.
She offers them a warm smile. "Nice to meet you both."
Marcus cocks his head. "Do I detect an East London accent?" His attempt at British pronunciation makes Mia laugh.
"Fresh off the plane," she replies with a playful eye roll that has Camilla chuckling.
"Well, welcome to our little slice of chaos," Camilla says, linking her arm through mine as we head toward the fire.
Ollie materializes beside us, his presence as bold as his personality. "There's my little sis," he announces, throwing an arm around me. His eyes catch on Mia, and I practically see him falling in real time. "You good, Nor?"
"Yes, Ol, I'm fine. You can go now," I say, trying to dismiss him gently.
"Hang on, let me say hello to your friends properly," he insists, turning on the charm as he greets everyone, his attention lingering on Mia. Jake appears beside me, chuckling quietly at his friend's obvious interest.
"Wanna join us for volleyball?" Ollie asks Mia. "You can be on my team." He winks, aiming for smooth.
"Sure," she responds with a confident grin, their chemistry instantly apparent.
Jake steps up, volleyball tucked under one arm. "Nor, you should join us too."
I hesitate. "I'm all thumbs and toes."
"Come on," he pleads with those puppy dog eyes that nearly break my resolve.
Camilla quickly interjects, "I've claimed Nora tonight. You get to keep her every day, tonight it's my turn."
"Next time, promise," I say, grateful for the save.
Jake gives me a playful wink and a quick kiss on the temple. "Fine. Stay out of trouble," he teases before jogging off with Ollie and Mia.
Watching them go, I'm struck by how much Jake has changed from the shy, awkward boy I once knew. He's grown into himself, drawing others naturally while never failing to circle back to me with reassuring smiles.
Camilla nudges me, eyes gleaming. "That boy has a serious case of puppy love for you, girlfriend."
I laugh despite the flutter in my chest. "Jake? No, he doesn't."
"Oh, please," Marcus joins in. "It's as obvious as a giraffe in a flock of sheep. Has there ever been anything between you two?"
My thoughts drift to summers past. "No, nothing like that. He's been my best friend since we were kids. Not to mention he's like a brother to me."
"Really?" Camilla presses.
"Yeah," I affirm.
"Does the little golden retriever know that?" She nods toward Jake as he spikes the ball, celebrating the point.
"I'm steering clear of the Sullivan boys—and all boys—this summer."
"Oh girl, good luck with that," Marcus says, gesturing at me with a flourish. "You're a force, sweetie, not to mention an absolute stunner. If I didn't swing the other way, I'd totally shoot my shot with you."
His compliment, though sweet, makes me squirm. I've always seen myself as average, preferring to blend into the background. Even as my body has changed over the past year, I shy away from attention. Complications are exactly what I'm trying to avoid.
The night deepens, shadows dancing across the sand as the volleyball game continues. Jake's athletic grace draws admiring glances he seems oblivious to, though he keeps checking on me with little looks that make Camilla's earlier words echo in my mind.
Is it really that obvious to everyone?
I head to the makeshift beach bar to grab a bottle of water, and it takes less than sixty seconds to be cornered by another hellhound.
"You're brave showing your face tonight." Farrah's voice drops my stomach to my feet. She stands with arms crossed, flashy rings catching firelight like warning signals.
All I wanted was a bottle of water and a drama free night. Was that too much to ask for?
"What can I say? I love the beach," I reply, hoping my sarcasm masks my nerves.
"Especially after your little stunt last night," she snaps. "Where's Nate?"
"He's not here," I say, keeping it short as her smile turns saccharine.
"Kind of pathetic this damsel act you pull around him."
The air constricts around us. "We're just friends," I say firmly. "You have nothing to worry about."
"You think you're a threat?" she smirks, continuing, "That's cute."
Camilla sweeps in before Farrah can continue, and I exhale silently in relief.
"Hey, peroxide Barbie, turn around and walk away," Camilla says, looping her arm through mine.
Farrah's eyes flash as her minions appear beside her, tension crackling.
How do I keep landing in these situations?
Farrah's lips curl. "I admire you Camilla. Not everyone can pull off the bargain bin chic look as well as you do."
Camilla's grip tightens slightly, but her voice stays cool. "Sweetheart, my headband costs more than your hooker earrings do. And Farrah, if you're going to insult me, at least do it right."
"Jesus, Camilla, you should really come with a warning label," Jake laughs as he appears with Ollie and Mia, diffusing the tension.
Farrah's smirk falters and she turns away, clearly frustrated.
As we walk off, Camilla leans close. "Farrah's just salty 'cause Nate blew up at her last night. Big drama, but who knows the full story with those two and their fucked up situationship."
"They fought? Over what?"
She gives me a knowing look. "She's probably pissed because Nate's been avoiding her, or maybe because he played hero to you at the party."
"It wasn't like that. He just—" I trail off, unsure how to explain. The Nate who protected me felt like my Nate, the one I grew up with. I push that thought aside. He's not my anything anymore.
"What's even their deal? Why hang on to whatever they have?"
Camilla shrugs, watching the flames. "I mean, you know him better than I do. But Nate's not the type to play by anyone's rules, especially not Farrah's."
True.
"Wait, have you guys ever...?" Her question hangs.
"What, Nate and me? No. No way."
"Just asking. I mean from what I saw last night..." She studies the fire thoughtfully. "It was like the moon watching the sun."
Her words leave me speechless. I hadn't realized anyone could see the currents between us amid the shit show that was happening.
The longer I linger, the more displaced I feel, fighting the urge to pull my shirt down or wrap my arms around myself. I scan the crowd for Jake before turning to Camilla. "Hey, I think I'm going to bail."
"Don't leave because of that witch. Seriously, fuck her," she says fiercely. After being abandoned by a supposed friend when things got tough, her loyalty moves me deeply.
"I appreciate it, but I'm not feeling it anymore. I'll see you around." I give her a grateful look. "Call me tomorrow and we'll grab brunch or something, yeah?"
"Sure. Thanks, though. Really."
"For what?" She shrugs it off.
"For having my back."
"It's you and me now. Plus Marcus, too."
Jake jogs up, slightly winded. "You're leaving? I'll come with you if you want."
I shake my head. "Stay, have fun. I'm just tired, and honestly, I'll be out like a light. Plus, someone needs to keep an eye on Ollie." I nod toward where he and Mia share a blanket, lost in conversation.
"He's got it bad, huh?" Jake chuckles.
"He's a goner. And it took him what? A whole two days?"
He looks torn but hands over the keys. "Just text me when you get home, okay?"
"I will," I promise, turning away as the sounds of celebration fade behind me.
The gravel crunches under my tires as I pull into the driveway, killing the engine. The dark, silent house stands in sharp contrast to the bonfire's energy. The empty driveway is strange—everyone's usually home by now. I'm desperate to shed the night's drama like an unwanted skin.
"Hello?" My voice echoes through the quiet house, met only with heavy silence that sends unease crawling up my spine.
The faint sound of music grows clearer as I move toward the backyard. Oasis' "I'm Outta Time" floats through the air, tugging at something deep inside me. Following the sound leads me to the pool.
And there's Nate, half-submerged and floating with his back to me, unaware of my presence. Moonlight traces the water streaming down his muscular shoulders, highlighting how much he's changed—more mature, more everything. My heart pounds as I struggle against a flood of emotions.
Goddammit. Why does he have to look so good?
I've spent years trying to convince myself my feelings for him were just a childhood crush meant to fade. But here he is, magnetic as ever, effortlessly pulling those old feelings to the surface.
He turns slightly, his eyes meeting mine. My breath catches, cheeks burning. His hair clings wet to his forehead, his expression softer than I've seen in ages. For a moment, everything else disappears—just us, the night air thick with memories, and music that feels like it's playing only for us.
I swallow hard, aiming for casual. "I didn't realize anyone was home."
His lopsided grin makes my heart stutter. “Everyone’s still out.”
"I didn't mean to interrupt."
"It's your house too now," he says, leaning back against the pool's edge, gaze steady on mine. The way he looks at me, like I'm the only person in his world, sends shivers down my spine.
"You're home early."
It wasn't a question but demanded an answer.
"Wasn't feeling it tonight."
I feel that familiar pull toward him, impossible to ignore now. Years of pretending I didn't care crumble away, leaving me with the raw truth: I don't think this feeling toward him ever went away.
Not for a second.