Page 101 of Crystal Iris
“See you later?” he asks.
“Only if you promise to shower first. You smell like horse,” I tease him.
I can tell he wants to tease me back, but instead, he just laughs and walks away. I wonder how much he’s holding back. The tension between us is different now that we know we can touch each other. The possibility changed everything.
“Iris, look at me,” Hoyt says as we walk toward the fire. “Please, stay far enough from it, okay?”
“I will. It’s not like I have anywhere to go, though. You’re right here.”
“Seriously, will you be careful?”
“Yes, I’ll stay far away from the fire.” I raise my hand to my forehead, as if to salute his orders.
He rolls his eyes, but I know he’s right.
Broc is sitting in a fold-out chair, drinking a beer. He passes me one as I sit down next to him.
Sawyer is on the other side with his girlfriend, sitting on a blanket. He says hello and introduces Hoyt and me to April. Her long braided hair falls to one side of her shoulder. She looks shy; I barely hear her voice when she says hello.
A tall, strong fire burns within a circle of large stones, casting light between us.
Hoyt takes the seat next to me, and I take a sip of my beer. I can’t help but make a face.
“Not a beer fan?” Sawyer asks me.
“It’s so… light,” I reply.
Broc laughs while rummaging through his cooler for something.
“We’ve got stronger stuff,” he says, passing me a flask.
I take a sip. “Wow. What is this?” The liquid burns hotter than anything I’ve ever had.
“Moonshine,” Broc replies proudly, lighting up his blunt.
“I think I’ll take it back—beer is fine,” I say, passing the flask back.
I hear Hoyt laugh as he walks to his truck.
“Here.” Hoyt hands me a bottle of whiskey.
“Do you always carry alcohol in your car?” I ask, watching him take a sip of his beer.
“I brought it for you. I know what you like,” he tells me.
“You just want to get me drunk,” I tease him.
“Shit,” Broc says, laughing at Hoyt.
“Shut up!” Hoyt tells him, laughing too.
The night is perfect for a fire—just chilly enough with a clear sky. I can see more stars here than I’ve seen in my whole life. Even with the light of the fire, they shine brightly above us.
“So, do you guys do this often?” I askthem all.
“We used to, all the time, growing up. Now… not so much,” Sawyer says, smoking a cigarette. April and Hoyt take one from the pack he offers. They motion if I want one; I shake my head no. The whiskey’s enough, I tell myself, taking a sip straight from the bottle.
“So, what’s the craziest story you guys have? Growing up here, you must have so many,” I ask, glancing at the three men.
