Page 11 of Only Some Stars Fall

“Oh, honey, I meant to ask you. My friend Karen is doing a charity event down at the church and was looking for some items to donate. A lot of Storm’s things are still in the garage, just collecting dust, and I know you’ve been planning to clean out his cab?—”

“I’ve got a lot on my plate right now, Mom,” I cut her off, knowing exactly where this conversation is headed.

I stand from the table. “Tomorrow is going to be hectic here, seeing the weather has finally decided to show up. I think it’s time I head back to my cabin.” My mother stares at me with slightly wet eyes. I can’t do this right now. Frankly, I don’t know when I’ll be able to do this. Sadness, anger, it’s all too much for me.

I kiss her on the cheek but don’t make eye contact. I pat my dad on the back and tell him I’ll check in with him in the morning. “Have a good night, son,” is all he says as I walk out of the dining room. We all choose to forget about the blueberry pie back at their house.

I don’t go home though. Instead, I sneak over to the bar,which is just out of sight from the dining room, and slide onto one of the stools, grabbing a prefilled bowl of popcorn that we leave out for the patrons.

“How was dinner, sexy?” Alex playfully asks as she walks around the bar. I look up at her, and she can tell something is off but chooses to leave it alone. For that, I am grateful.

“Stephen made it, so you know it was fucking fantastic.” I look around for Elle. “Where is Elle? She was on the schedule tonight.”

“She left early. She was checking out some richie’s party with Ashlee and Kenny. I told her I would wipe down the counters and tables and close up, and judging from the empty room that’s… like now.” She grabs a rag from the sink. “Elle is crushing on one of the new summer chicks,” she says with a sly smirk on her face.

“What? And she didn’t even tell me! I love checking out women with her. I’m like her wingman.”

“Ha, you a wingman. That’s a funny image. But then again, there is no denying Elle is much hotter than you.” She throws the dirty rag at me and steals my popcorn.

“How has it been living with your dad again?” I ask, trying to make sure the conversation stays off me but hoping I didn’t just open a heavier conversation than I’m in the mood for.

“Truthfully, it’s going great.” She comes around the bar and sits next to me. “I think when I was younger, it was easy to get caught up in all the anger my mother feels toward him for leaving. As I get older, I’m realizing how complex relationships are. They were two completely different people who wanted completely different things from the start. I just didn’t see it before, or maybe I chose not to see it.” She looks down at her hands.

“Family shit is complicated. But I can tell you one thing:your dad has missed the shit out of you, Alex. I have never seen him this happy.” She smiles at my comment.

“It’s been nice, and it doesn’t hurt that he works away from the house a lot.” Her smile turns into a mischievous grin. “If I can talk Everly into it, I’m thinking of a party at the Croft residence soon.”

I laugh. “And why wouldn’t your friend approve of a little get-together?”

“Ev is more of the movies and popcorn type. Parties make her anxious, and let’s remember, she’s never experienced a party up here.”

“And you have? You haven’t been up here since you were eleven.”

“You don’t think I followed you and Storm to a party or two? Come on now, I am pretty sure back then I wanted to be an international spy when I grew up.” As soon as she realizes she has said his name, her smile betrays a little sadness. That’s the second mention in one night, and I think it’s time for me to make my exit.

“Well, you let me know when this little gathering is happening, and I’ll round up the crew.” I lean over the counter, throwing my empty popcorn container onto the stack of dirty dishes. “I better head home. It’s a long day tomorrow.” Alex hesitates for a moment, like she wants to say something but doesn’t.

Instead, her friendly smile returns. “Birch is on the back deck waiting for you. See you tomorrow, boss.” Without waiting for a reply, she turns and starts stacking chairs on top of tables.

I head out the back screen door and am met with a rush of cold air that smacks me in the face. I feel Birch brush up against my leg and head down the porch steps.

I walk out onto the dock and stare up at the sky. The Milky Way is so bright tonight it’s almost blinding. I have always lovedthe night sky the most. Ever since I was a kid, I knew there was something different about it up here.

Finally, I take a deep breath, the first one all evening it feels like. I stand at the end of the dock for a few more minutes, just breathing, before returning to my cabin.

I look down at the rocky path, picking up a flat, smooth rock and tossing it in the air once before placing it in my pocket.

When my eyes adjust from the glow of the lodge, I stop short at the figure of a woman standing a few feet back from the back deck. She stands on her tiptoes, trying to peer up and through the large glass windows into the bar.

As if she’s checking for someone…

Or trying to avoid someone.

Someone like me.

I quietly approach, careful not to make a sound. “Long time no see.”

Jumping straight out of her skin, Everly whips around. “Holy shit!” she screeches as her eyes lock onto mine. I burst out laughing, releasing all the tension that had seeped into my bones over the last few hours.

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