Teenage Dream

Chapter 1

HENRY

“Dude, if you play one more sad song, I’m going to reach across the center console, grab the steering wheel, and drive us off the road.” I’m obviously joking, but I don’t think I can be in this car with Miles for one more minute.

“Might not be a smart choice.” He stares emotionless at the road. “We’d end up in the lake.”

“Thank you, Captain Obvious, but it sounds more peaceful than hearing Daughtry on a loop.” Growing up, my family would come to Ruby Lake to stay at my Aunt Alice and Uncle Greg's house on the weekends every summer.

Our dads were brothers and our families have always been close.

Every time we were together, without fail, Miles and I would always get into some sort of trouble.

We thought we were unstoppable, which at that age, we basically were.

One summer, we decided to jump in the lake naked at night. Miles, being the older cousin he is, told me to go first in case he needed to save me from drowning. Little did I know he was actually taking my clothes that I’d set on the dock and was suddenly running off with them.

Having to walk home naked at ten years old was traumatizing and something I wouldn’t recommend—no matter the age.

Last month Miles called asking for help with a project he’s working on over the summer, and before he could tell me any details, I had already said yes.

Ruby Lake’s Dew Drop Inn is now under new ownership: Miles Bellwood. The Inn was already up and running, but with so many necessary repairs, he made the decision to close it for the summer so we can spend the next few months bringing it back to life.

Based on the photos he sent me last week, it looks the exact same as it did every summer of my childhood—the rusting bell outside above the door that rings every time it opens, the rose bushes out front where I once got stung by a bee.

And I’ll never forget when Miles zip-tied my shoes to the legs of the bench out front when I was too focused on eating an ice cream cone to notice.

He can’t do the work that’s needed alone, which is where I come in. And the timing couldn’t have been more perfect since I have the extra time on my hands now.

I recently graduated from college and all I have going for me is a finance degree and thousands of dollars of student debt. Oh, and my room under my parents’ roof that I’m trying to move out of. You know, adulting.

When I was younger, I was so excited to be an adult, to go off to college, to be like all the older kids I saw growing up. Younger Henry probably didn’t think adult Henry would be jobless and trying to navigate life, but he would be happy we’re in Ruby Lake again for a summer.

“I think I fucked up.” Miles sighs. His jaw ticks as he stays focused ahead. I turn away from the passenger window to look at him, noticing the pain pinching at his features, wondering who hurt him this badly.

I roll my eyes, hoping he’ll spill the details.

“I’ve been in the car with you for a couple hours, and all you’ve said is that you spent the weekend with a girl, and then you ghosted her.

” I turn down the music—Nickelback is playing, a classic, but…

not right now. “I’m not saying you’re ruining the vibe but I don’t want to remember coming back to my favorite place with you being heartbroken over something you could’ve prevented. ”

Driving down the main road we pass a sign I know like the back of my hand: Welcome to Ruby Lake, may you stay a day or stay a lifetime!

It’s a sign that reminds me that this is where I belong right now, even if just for the next few months.

Maybe being here will allow me the time to fully figure out what I want to do with my life. Where I want to see myself in ten years time.

“I’m not a committed relationship person.” Miles sighs again. “And she’s from out of town, which is just a recipe for disaster.”

“You used to get all the ladies. I remember always being jealous,” I say, huffing out a laugh. “What happened? Do you think—”

“I don’t want a therapy session, Henry.”

“Don’t worry,” I say playfully, “being your therapist sounds like a nightmare.” I roll down the window, a bit desperate to feel the fresh Washington air on my skin. “Plus, I’ve never even been in a serious relationship, so it’s not like I have any solid advice for you.”

Miles scoffs. “Thank God for that.”

“Fuck off. Don’t take it out on me. Why don’t you just text her?”

“Great question.” He straightens his posture. “If I text her, then I’ll have to explain why I left her at my apartment without saying goodbye.” His hands are gripping the steering wheel a bit too tightly for a speed limit of only thirty-five miles-per-hour.

“I think the real question is, why did you leave?” Sticking my arm out the window, I wave my hand through the rushing air as we drive. “Actually a better question is why the hell did you ghost someone in your own home?”

“She was too…” he continues, white-knuckling the wheel as his words die off. “She was perfect, and it scared me.” He runs a hand anxiously through his hair. “I can’t have feelings for a girl with so much going on in my life, especially a girl from out of state.”

“Oregon?”

“Yeah.” He drags out the word.

“I know I said I’m not the best with relationship advice but I like to believe that when you know, you know.” I lean away from the window and nudge Miles with my elbow. “If you’re this distraught over one weekend, I think you should consider reaching out.”

“I know I should but she’s probably blocked me by now.” He takes in a deep breath and slowly releases it.

“I don’t blame her,” I mumble to myself.

He ignores me.

“Does she have a name?” I ask.

“Jo.”

“Jo… is that short for anything?”

“As far as I'm aware, it’s just Jo, we didn’t really get into the specifics.”

“You were getting into something though, that’s for sure.” I don’t try to hide my smirk.

“Henry, please shut up.” He groans when the song changes to yet another sad rock song.

“Jesus Christ, Miles. You need some therapy… in the form of food. I’m starving, are you hungry?”

“The diner should be open for breakfast. Otherwise you’re on your own.”

“Say less, let’s go. I could eat anything.”

A few minutes later, we’re pulling up to Ruby’s Diner—a Ruby Lake staple. The red sign hasn’t changed since I was young but the building has gotten a fresh coat of paint sometime between now and the last time I was here.

We both hop out of the truck and head inside. The smell of coffee, bacon, and pancakes hit me as soon as I open the creaky door and step inside.

“I forgot it’s Sunday,” Miles says, looking around the busy diner. “Do you want to—”

“I’ll be with you guys in just a moment!” a young female voice calls from the kitchen. She’s got blonde hair, but I can’t see anything else with her back facing us.

“Hi, honey.” An older woman with long, graying hair appears in front of us.

Her name tag reads Elaine—this is the same woman who has always worked here, there’s just more age to her appearance.

“Oh, Miles! I almost didn’t recognize you!

” She beams, and it somehow pulls half a smile out of him.

“Congrats on taking over Dew Drop Inn!” She grabs two menus and gestures for us to follow her through the bustling restaurant.

The place is packed, but somehow we got lucky.

In the back corner there’s a booth by a window overlooking the lake and adjacent park where children are playing tag.

Ripples of dark blue water catch fragments of the sun’s light.

The lake stretches far into the distance, wrapped by a soft sandy shore.

The sight of it steals my breath away, like it always does the first time I see it each summer.

“Thank you, Elaine,” Miles says as we both settle into the worn red seats. He tilts his head toward me. “Do you remember my cousin, Henry? He’s staying with me this summer to help with renovations.”

“Been a while, Henry! You were so small last time I saw you!” She holds out a hand for me to shake.

“The blondie over there is my daughter, Maisie. I’m not sure you guys have met.

She’ll be over in a second to get your orders.

” She shoots us a wink before walking away, leaving us to our menus.

I glance at the waitress again, eager to get a good look at her, but she’s still facing the other direction.

A tragedy.