Page 52 of Sunrises & Salvation
When I get outside, I sit on the chair turned toward the fire pit my dad installed last year. Taking in the trees lining our backyard, there’s no sense of privacy back here. Maybe that should be the next thing on my dad’s agenda, he’s always looking for projects to keep him busy.
The crickets chirp, their music echoing in the night. The sunset colors the sky with a vast array of purple, pink, and yellow, a deep bruise battering its way across the clear night.
I inhale, breathing in the cool air, letting it absorb into my body and put me at peace.
While the sun falls into the night and the moon rises to take its place, I let the knowledge wash over me that things are about to change. And I have to be ready for it, no matter the worry or the fear of the unknown.
The one thing that matters the most to me right now is truly giving Adam a chance, and not letting my fear get in the way of something that could be great.
30
ADAM
My number one regret is letting Thomas come on this trip. I know I have no right dictating who can and cannot come, but fuck. He’s pissing me off.
He was up Hunter’s ass the whole car ride here. And now that we’re all in the backyard, he’s taken up residence in one of the wooden deck chairs, with Hunter balanced perfectly in his lap. Hunter’s face is flushed, and his smile is shy when he looks over his shoulder to glance at Thomas.
My blood boils at the sight.
Hunter ismine.
Danielle is sitting beside me, roasting a marshmallow over the fire while she talks about her upcoming exams. I try to listen and give my advice, but it’s hard when my attention is all onmy mansitting in someone else’s lap.
“What do you think, Adam?” Danielle asks, and I take my glare off the happy couple to look at my girlfriend.
“About what?” I ask, cocking my head and trying to figure out what we were talking about.
“Ski trip, the first week of December. I was just telling Hunter about it, and he said he’s never been skiing. Isn’tthat crazy?” I look around, gazing at the tree line surrounding Hunter’s parents’ house. It’s not really crazy. The weather here is too hot, so you would have to travel out of state for anything snow-related. Colorado and Arizona are the closest states to go, and from the stories that Hunter has told me, none of them have included extreme sports.
“Yeah, it is crazy.” I hear Hunter huff and Thomas chuckle in amusement. “I wasn’t being funny,” I snap, and a silence drops over us. The sizzle of the fire and the insects chirping keep me from going crazy in the silence.
A firefly lights up in front of Hunter, and he gasps, effectively ruining my bad mood. I watch in amazement as he extends his hand, palm out, and the firefly lands on his hand.
“Look,” he says, his voice full of wonder, and I’m entranced. Watching the flicker of the bug, we all hold our breath until it takes flight again.
Hunter wipes his hand against his pants and chuckles lowly.
“So, ski trip?” Danielle asks, breaking the moment and taking my eyes off Hunter.
“Let me call Mr. Peterson and see if he can get us a room booked.” The thought of calling that man makes a disgusted shiver wrack through my body, but I’m willing to do it to make sure Hunter has the best time. And as much as I hate to admit it, Mr. Peterson has connections to the most luxurious resorts.
Danielle knows how much I loathe the man, as does she. She opens her mouth to argue, but I shake my head, ending the conversation.
She pops the burnt marshmallow into her mouth, gasping when the hot, sweet treat burns her. She fans her mouth dramatically, and Hunter offers her the cup of iced water he brought outside with him after we finished our pizza.
“Thanks,” she graciously says, swallowing down the water in large gulps until the cup is empty.
“I’ll go get you a refill.” I extend my hand to her, and she places the cup in it.
I hold it tightly, not wanting to have a redo of earlier today.
I’m still so fucking embarrassed that happened. I can’t believe my mind decided that moment to flash back to the last time I saw my parents and replay every detail in my mind. My body frozen in terror and shaking with too many emotions to name.
I thought I had moved past the flashbacks, only resorting to acknowledging them by refusing to drink anything not out of a bottle. But of course, I had to show Hunter one of my many weaknesses. Except, he didn’t make it feel like a weakness. He took care of me and soothed me even when he didn’t understand what was going on.
Walking in and closing the door behind me, I’m transported to a silent world. The dim light over the sink provides a small guide to where I need to go. The house creaks around me, and I welcome the noise. The walls are lined with family pictures, leading to a well-loved kitchen table and a place where love has bled into the walls and keeps the happy memories available for anyone to feel as soon as they set foot in here.
I imagine Hunter, with his bright smile and loving parents, and the vision makes my heart warm. Thoughts of us one day, maybe, having this same effect on our kids’ friends.
