Ellie
The girls and I were tearing up the dance floor, boots stomping against the checkered tile as we spun and twirled, completely lost in the moment. Hips swaying. Laughter mixing with the pulse of country music that blared from the speakers.
Hands flew into the air as the four of us belted out the lyrics, loud and off-key, but not caring in the slightest. Sweat slicked my skin, the buzz of alcohol humming in my veins. I was floating on joy, on freedom, on the kind of happiness that felt like it could last forever.
Tonight, I was on cloud nine. Carefree. Light. And I wanted to chase this feeling again and again.
It was moments like this, with people like them, that made Faircloud feel like exactly what it was—home.
We leaned into one another, arms tangled, laughter spilling out as we collapsed into a giggling group hug.
“I freakin’ love you all!” I shouted over the music, loud enough to make sure they heard it.
“And we love you!” Aspen yelled back, and the others nodded, eyes sparkling.
“We are so glad you came back,” Penny said, grabbing my hand and giving it a squeeze filled with all the warmth in the world.
I was glad too.
At first, I’d been unsure, fragile in ways I didn’t want to admit. But that version of me was temporary. I was finding my way again, stronger with every step. Sometimes it just took a night like this to remember who I really was.
My eyes drifted toward the bar where the guys were posted up.
Rhodes, Boone, and Logan lined the stools, while Mac worked behind the bar, slinging drinks and cracking jokes.
I’d been stealing glances at Logan since the moment we arrived, trying to be subtle but probably failing miserably because I just couldn’t help myself from gawking.
We’d shown up a little late, thanks to our impromptu… detour, but no one had questioned it. When we’d joined the group, Logan had casually slung his arm over my shoulders as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
No one gave us a second look. No teasing, no comments—just easy acceptance. Like they’d seen it all along. Like I was the only one who hadn’t caught on.
I wanted him out here with me, dancing, because I knew he could. Logan had rhythm and charm and zero shame. He’d keep up just fine, especially considering the rest of us were just flailing and hoping we landed somewhere close to the beat.
I turned toward the bar, waving my arms dramatically in Logan’s direction, hoping to catch his attention. But he didn’t look over. Didn’t move. I huffed, giving up for now. I’d drag him out here eventually. Just needed to find the right moment.
The music switched tracks, dipping low for a breath of silence, just long enough for Aspen to lean in close, her hand landing on my shoulder.
“Okay,” she whispered in my ear, voice tinged with mischief. “I can’t help but notice… you and Logan are looking a little touchy tonight.”
When she pulled back, her eyes were dancing, eyebrows arched with a teasing smile.
I bit my bottom lip and nodded once.
“I’ll tell you later,” I said, my voice just loud enough. “There’s… a lot.”
Aspen let out a squeal and threw me a thumbs-up. “Yes! It’s about time!”
Her excitement lit something in me.
“Time for what?” Theo asked as she bounced beside us, her braided pigtails swinging down her back like a metronome to the beat.
“Logan and Ellie!” Aspen clapped, practically vibrating with joy.
“Oh thank God,” Theo said dramatically.
“I knew it!” Penny chimed in, pointing at me like she’d just won a bet. “Finally!”
I shook my head and scanned their faces, one by one.
“Wait… did you all expect something to happen between us?”
Before I could get an answer, the music kicked back up, louder than before, swallowing our conversation whole. Aspen waved her hand with a grin and mouthed, later.
But I didn’t need the words.
Their reactions told me everything I needed to know.
They’d seen it. Felt it. Knew it. I wasn’t crazy, and this wasn’t just some reckless, heat-fueled fling. It was real. It had always been real. Not just to me. To them, too.
We slipped back into dancing, bodies moving in rhythm with the music, sweat-slicked and loose-limbed. The energy on the floor was electric, but I could feel myself fading—my legs heavy, my throat dry.
I should’ve taken a break a few minutes ago.
Maybe I’d sneak away now, grab a drink, catch my breath… maybe steal a few more moments with Logan.
I turned to head toward the bar and—
Smacked straight into a wall of muscle.
“Oh, sorr—” I started, stumbling back.
Then I looked up, and the breath caught in my throat.
Miles.
My heart dropped like a stone, a full ten pounds of dread hitting the floor inside me. My skin prickled, the weight of his presence suffocating. Not here. Not tonight.
Just when I’d finally let myself go. When I was happy. Light. Free.
Of course the universe would throw this at me now, like it couldn’t stand to see me whole.
Didn’t he get the hint? When he showed up at the shop, I told him I didn’t want to hear it.
And yet here he was, at the bar, like this was his moment.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I asked, fury swallowing my panic like a firestorm.
“Will you meet me outside?” he asked, voice low, calm. Like he thought that would work.
I let out a disbelieving laugh and shook my head.
“You really are stupid, aren’t you?”
Logan sat only a few feet away. Close enough to notice. Close enough that if he saw this, it wouldn’t end quietly. His fuse wasn’t long where Miles was concerned.
I glanced over Miles’s shoulder, heart pounding, grateful Logan hadn’t caught sight of us yet.
“You need to leave,” I said, low and sharp.
“I’m not scared of them,” Miles replied, crossing his arms over his chest like this was some kind of power play.
I couldn’t help the laugh that broke out, dark and cold.
“Well, you should be.”