Chapter 32 Cruel Summer
Cruel Summer
Ali
The stifling Georgia heat wraps around Ali the moment she steps out of the car, the humidity making it feel like the air itself is thick and heavy.
The Fourth of July in Georgia is a reminder of how hot summer can be, especially this late in the season.
The sun beats down relentlessly, but it’s the heavy air that makes it hard to breathe.
Ali glances at Dylan, feeling a wave of nervous excitement. She’s glad to be here with him, but the thought of being around her extended family makes her stomach flip. It’s not the first time he’s met them, but it’s been a long time.
She adjusts her “Party Like It’s 1776” shirt, paired with simple navy biker shorts, the cool fabric offering little relief from the sweltering heat.
Her white Hokas are practical for the occasion, though she’s not sure they’ll survive the heat of the day.
Dylan’s dressed more casually, too—navy shorts with flags on them, and a red Southern Tide tee.
The two of them carry a fruit tray designed to look like an American flag, the colorful arrangement of blueberries and watermelon an obvious nod to the day’s celebrations.
They make their way up to the front door, and Ali feels Dylan’s hand at her back, steady and reassuring.
It’s a gesture that calms her nerves more than she wants to admit.
As they reach the door, it swings open, and there’s Ashley, standing with her typical easy smile, her arms wide in welcome.
“Finally! Took you two long enough,” Ashley teases, her voice carrying that familiar warmth. “I mean I literally left y’all like over an hour ago.”
Ali laughs, the tension in her chest easing.
“We were stuck in traffic. You know how it is…” Ali trails off, fighting back a blush.
She definitely was late because of traffic.
Definitely not because Dylan had her bent over the kitchen counter, fucking her brains out while she tried to make the fruit tray. Traffic. Yep, that was the reason.
Ashley grins knowingly. “I know the feeling. Six blocks is a hell of a drive,” she comments with a wink. “You both look good, though.”
Ali turns crimson, glancing at Dylan. He clears his throat. “Ash, you know you’re my favorite, right?”
Ashley laughs, a playful glint in her eye. “Look at that— American flag fruit. You guys are too cute. C’mon everyone else is here already.” She steps aside, and they walk into the house.
Inside, the smell of hamburgers on the grill wafts through the air, and the sound of people chatting and laughing fills the house.
Ali’s eyes scan the room for familiar faces.
Her family— well, mostly Ashley’s immediate family— is already gathered in the living room and kitchen.
Ashley’s parents were bustling in the kitchen, prepping something that smelled like butter and garlic, while Ash's three brothers lounged in the living room, locked in an intense zombie apocalypse game on the Nintendo.
Jason walked up with a grin and pulled Ashley into a tight squeeze. “So I finally get to meet my number one fan?”
He turned to Dylan, extending a hand.
“I’m Jason— though apparently I go by ‘Thor’ in your house.”
Dylan laughed out loud as they shook hands. “Thor does wield lightning. Gotta respect the most badass Avenger.”
And just like that, the tension coiled in Ali’s chest starts to ease.
The heat wraps around Ali as she and Dylan step out into her parents’ backyard later, the air thick with humidity and the smell of grilled food.
The backyard is bustling with energy, filled with the sound of family chatter, laughter, and her little cousins splashing in the pool.
It’s one of her favorite holidays, and while there’s an excitement in the air, there’s also an undeniable weight hanging over Ali.
She can feel the tension in her chest pulling back in, the nerves she’s tried to ignore all day.
As they walk further into the yard, Ali’s eyes catch her parents standing near the grill, their smiles wide as they spot her.
Her mom, Heather, steps forward first, arms open wide to embrace her daughter.
The hug is tight and warm, a familiar comfort that makes Ali’s heart swell despite the nervous energy humming through her.
But as Heather pulls away, it’s Dylan that her parents focus on next. Ali watches as her mom’s eyes soften, and then, without hesitation, she pulls him into an embrace, just as tight as the one she gave Ali. Daniel, too, steps forward, clapping Dylan on the back with a firm but loving touch.
The warmth of their welcome is immediate, and despite the tension Ali’s been holding in her chest, she can’t help but smile.
She watches them, standing there for a moment, feeling the weight of how much things have changed— how much time has passed since Dylan last stood in this backyard, back before everything had fallen apart, back before she had nearly lost everything.
Ali can tell Dylan feels it, too. She sees the way he stiffens for just a second before he relaxes into the embrace, returning the gesture with a tenderness she hasn’t seen in him before.
He’s not the same man he was when everything fell apart in college, but in this moment, it feels like they’re both stepping into something new. Something healed.
Heather pulls back first, her hands resting on Dylan’s shoulders as she looks up at him with a softness in her eyes that makes Ali’s chest tighten. “It’s so good to see you, Dylan,” she says, her voice thick with emotion. “I’ve been praying for you. You’re family, you know that.”
Dylan nods, his throat tight. “I know,” he says quietly, his voice low, but full of meaning.
Daniel claps him on the back again. “We missed you, son. It’s good to have you back here with us.”
Ali feels a rush of warmth flood her chest at the sight. It’s been so long since they were all in this space together, and despite the ghosts of the past lingering, she can feel the love, the family bond that’s always been there.
After a moment, Ali steps forward, standing next to Dylan, and it’s as if everything has shifted back into place. There’s healing in the air, a sense of peace that she never thought she’d feel in this house again.
As the evening cools, the group heads to the marsh for the fireworks. Dylan takes Ali’s hand, the simple touch grounding her as the excitement buzzes around them. Ashley leads the way, her voice full of energy, and Ali can’t help but smile at the chaos of her extended family.
Once at the marsh, they set up near the water, the atmosphere quieter and more peaceful.
Dylan pulls Ali down to sit between his bent legs, wrapping his arms around her waist as they settle in for the fireworks show.
The first explosion lights up the sky, and Ali leans back into him, the sound and colors filling the night.
Dylan’s warmth surrounds her, and for a moment, everything fades. It’s just the two of them, watching the world light up in bursts of color. Ali smiles, resting against him, as the tension of the day slips away.
The drive back to Ali’s house feels different— quiet, intimate.
The others have all gone their separate ways, and Ali and Dylan are alone, the car filled with the soft hum of the engine and the occasional sound of crickets outside the window.
The Mike’s Hard Lemonades still buzz in her veins, making her feel lighter, a little tipsy.
She’s aware of every inch of Dylan beside her, the warmth of his body next to hers, the way he’s casually driving, but every time he glances over, his eyes soft and patient, her heart skips.
She can feel the pull of him, the chemistry between them turning into something she can’t ignore.
It’s different now, the way she’s feeling— vulnerable, needy, and she’s not sure how to push it aside.
Her fingers brush his on the center console, a silent invitation. Dylan’s gaze flicks to her, his lips curling into a small, knowing smile. He doesn’t say anything, but the tension is thick between them.
“I’m not sure how much more of this I can take,” she says quietly, her voice soft but laced with the need she’s been holding back all day. The alcohol makes her words bolder, her body warmer, the desire for him more urgent.
Dylan’s grip on the wheel tightens just slightly, but his voice remains steady. “We don’t have to rush, Ali. We can take our time.”
She leans closer, her hand finding his, squeezing it gently. The moment the car pulls into the driveway, she feels the heat in her chest intensify, the drive having only built the pressure between them. The house is quiet.
Ali looks over at him, the desire in her eyes clear. “I need you, Dylan,” she says, her voice breathless with the weight of what she’s feeling.