Page 56 of Only Some Stars Fall

Hux lowers his body so he is at eye level with the seated table. Very slowly, he pulls out our bill from his back pocket, never breaking eye contact with Josh. Forcefully, he slams the yellow slip down onto the table, making me jump a bit. He pushes it to the middle of the table.

“Let me know if there is anything else I can get you guys,” he says in an unnervingly calm and emotionless tone, then walks off, throwing the order pad down on the bar and disappearing to the back room.

“Woah, is that the guy you told me about when you first got here? You weren’t kidding, he is a grade-A asshole, isn’t he?” Hannah whispers.

After paying for lunch,we head into town for the rest of the afternoon. I wanted to show Hannah and Josh around, and frankly, I was dying to get away from the resort for a little bit. We left before Hux had come back out of the office. I thought about following him when he stormed off, and even now, I find myself still contemplating if I shouldhave. I decided I needed to shake off the weirdness, and I hope that by vacating the premises maybe Hux will cool off.

I haven’t spent as much time in Silsby as I had planned. I had envisioned spending my afternoons perusing the used bookstores and wandering around some of the art galleries. I chuckle to myself, thinking about how the resort swallowed me up and consumed me.

“So, are you looking forward to getting back to the city?” Hannah asks as we walk a few steps behind Alex and Josh. The two of them seem to have become fast friends, falling into an easy banter.

“Yep!” The minute the word comes out of my mouth, I can tell I sound too eager. Hannah doesn’t buy it.

“Oh my God, you like it here! Is it a guy? I feel like it’s a guy. What else would have you trading in the modern amenities for this place? I mean, it doesn’t even have a movie theater, and the Wi-Fi is spotty at best.”

“DVDs! See, this is why I always tell you they aren’t going extinct. I swear I feel their comeback is on the horizon.”

Hannah rolls her eyes. “You are avoiding my question, which confirms my prediction that it is, indeed, a guy.”

“Ugh. Okay, it might have to do with a guy, but it’s complicated.”

“Spill! What’s his name? Why is it complicated? Can I meet him?” she stops walking and grabs my upper arms to hold in place so I can’t escape her intimidating stare down.

“Have you guys hooked up?” she whispers, excitement lacing her voice.

“So, that’s the thing…” My eyes dart around, looking for any possible eavesdroppers. We all know what they say about small towns.

“Hey, Everly!”

Across the street, Nick waves his arm in our direction beforelooking both ways and jogging over to greet us. Nick and I haven’t said much more than the normal, “Hey, how’s it going?” type of polite conversation whenever we bump into each other at the main lodge.

“What are you doing in town? I feel like I never see you away from the resort nowadays.” With his perfect smile, casual outfit, lightly tousled hair, and golden skin, he looks like he’s just stepped off a J. Crew photo shoot or a boat.

Then again, he probably did just step off a boat.

“Hi, Nick, I, um, I’m showing some of my friends from college the sites. They came to visit for the weekend. Guys, this is Nick. He’s going into his sophomore year at Harvard this fall.” Hannah and Josh both shake his hand.

“Nice to meet you guys! It’s great to have some new people from the city up here.” He laughs in a way that’s off-putting to me. “After a while, the locals can get a little… I’ll just leave it at… Uninspiring.” He laughs again, his tone indicating that “we” the city people are better than the rest here. I grind my teeth a bit.

“What do you guys have planned for the rest of the afternoon? I have my boat tied up down here and was grabbing some supplies. A few friends who are still here were supposed to come out on the water for a bit but they just bailed on me. I want to soak up the last of this summer weather, and then my buddy Tyler is throwing the last bonfire of the season tonight. Are you three interested?”

Before I can protest, because I am fully aware that spending the afternoon on Nick’s boat will not do me any favors when it comes to Hux, Hannah perks up. “That would be amazing. I would love to get out on the water and see this lake Evie here has been raving about.”

“Perfect. Everly has been out on it a lot. Did she tell you she can even drive a boat now? With my close supervision, that is.” He winks at me. “There’s a shop right near the dock that sellscheap bathing suits if you guys want to grab anything before we set sail,” Nick adds before heading in the direction of the shore.

Hannah skips ahead of me, then turns walking backward as she mouths the words, “Oh my fucking God, that’s him, isn’t it!? The guy!”

Before I can shake my head no, she’s trotting up to Nick. Knowing her, she’s about to fish for more information.Oh, what a messy situation I have gotten myself into,I think, looking up to the crystal-clear sky as I reluctantly follow behind my friends.

As expected,Nick has won over my college friends in no time. The same charm and charisma that drew me in have Josh and him already making plans for when they are both back in the city. I can tell Hannah is even a little starstruck by him, but she’s trying to keep her distance and disguise the twinkle in her eye, still under the impression that Nick and I have something going on.

I’m not sure why I haven’t just come clean that the broody bartender is the only guy in this town who is taking up all my waking, and sleeping for that matter, moments. Is this the people pleaser in me sneaking back in? The “city” Everly who still cares way too much about what people think?

I’m in no way embarrassed by Hux, but I mean, would it have hurt him to not be an ass for once? It’s taken me months to break down his tough exterior, so it feels like a slap in the face when he puts those walls back up so abruptly. My friends are protective of me, and they don’t have months to get to know him. They only have two days. Would it kill him to try a little?

I pull out my phone and send a quick text message. The middle of the lake has service in spots, so when I see three bars, I take the opportunity to check-in.

Hey, what was that earlier? I know my friends were unexpected, but you didn’t have to be so rude. Give them a chance. I think you would like them.

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